Pilates and Reiki In Paradise

New Ephedra?

2009-07-14T11:24:00.002-04:00

For years people used ephedrine to assist weight loss. The only major problem was the side effects, some of which were severe enough that the US FDA banned ephedra/ephedrine in 2004. While you can still find products that contain ephedrine, such as Nuphedra, on EBay, most of the product manufacturers are working on newer formulations that will pass FDA guidelines.

A Girl's Best Friend?

2009-07-08T10:01:00.002-04:00

I think we all remember the song, "Diamond's Are a Girl's Best Friend". My mother loved her diamonds, and so have most of the women I know. I actually prefer other gemstones, as I like the depth of color they provide, but there is nothing quite like some beautiful certified diamonds in terms of brilliance and flash. If you love diamonds you can design your own jewelry using the stones!

Strength Without Struggle, A 6 night Pilates Retreat at Parrot Cay with Lynda Lippin

2009-07-02T09:50:00.000-04:00

It's my Pilates Retreat!

From 8th to 14th November 2009, COMO Shambhala Retreat at Parrot Cay will be hosting a five-day, six-night restorative Pilates Retreat. This will be led by Parrot Cay’s popular and highly experienced resident Pilates specialist, Lynda Lippin, with the Retreat open to all, including beginners.

The Retreat’s theme will be ‘Strength Without Struggle.’ It has been planned in response to a growing demand from guests who have had the opportunity to work with Lynda over the past year and a half.

Lynda, who is widely respected for her nurturing style, has been practicing and teaching Pilates for over 20 years. She owned and operated award winning Pilates studios in the US and trains Pilates teachers for the Pilates PhysicalMind Institute®. She is also an accomplished fitness trainer, certified by the American Council of Exercise®.

Lynda will individually assess each participant in the first days of the Retreat in order to understand specific areas of pain, tension, weakness, or disease in the body. Daily group sessions will be a blend of lecture, discussion and Pilates exercise focused on the major issues within the group. Subjects will include Pilates history, basic structural anatomy, common injuries and tension patterns, posture, and exercise lessons.

Throughout the Retreat Week Lynda will also recommend specific COMO Shambhala treatments that will benefit each guest, whether it is a calming COMO Shambhala Massage or Reiki session. Guests can dine from a choice of Parrot Cay’s menus, including the healthy and delicious COMO Shambhala Cuisine—all designed to complement the rounded physical, mental and spiritual experience.

The Pilates Method helps to improve muscle control, endurance and correct posture while enhancing positive body awareness and body confidence. The technique, which improves and changes the body's alignment habits, has a flexibility that works for practitioners of all standards. Pilates is now growing in popularity with men as well as women. Physiotherapists are also now recommending Pilates, if it is correctly taught, as one of the safest forms of exercise available. Pilates can assist the super-fit, help people suffering from pain, restricted joint mobility or even people who are post surgery. It is also ideal for women seeking to get their bodies back after childbirth.

COMO Shambhala believes Pilates should be taught in a way that fully understands each guest’s particular needs. Combined with our holistic approach to eating, exercising and treatments, the client can then experience the alleviation of both physical and emotional stress – a synergistic approach to heal and balance. The relaxing environment of Parrot Cay – a peaceful, private island – ensures this focus is maintained.

Prices for ‘Strength Without Struggle’ start at $6,026 per person (single occupancy) and $9,014 (double occupancy) including tax and service charge for six nights accommodation in a Garden Room, full American breakfast daily, lunch and dinner, round-trip airport transfers, 16 hours of group Pilates and one private evaluation session. For further information, or to make bookings, please email Susan Allison, Spa Manager.

Book Review - Move Into Life: The Nine Essentials for Lifelong Vitality

2009-06-26T15:24:00.002-04:00

Anat Baniel is one of the greatest living movement educators in the world. Currently based in San Rafael, California, Baniel is a dancer and clinical psychologist who spent 15 years studying with the brilliant movement educator Moishe Feldenkrais. Over her 30-year career Baniel has managed to combine the best of neuroscience and somatic education via Feldenkrais into her own highly effective and easy to implement method of movement and nervous system re-education.

Baniel's work is based in the concept of neuro or brain plasticity, which is the brain's amazing ability to constantly reorganize, grow, and change throughout our lives as we learn new skills, ideas, and functions. Over the past century researchers have shown this ability in stroke victims, spinal injury patients, people with late onset blindness or deafness, and with special needs children and adults.

In my own pilates and reiki healing work I have seen the power of brain plasticity in my clients. I have watched a woman with spinal cord injury dance at her wedding. I have seen men with severe Parkinson's Disease be able to get out of bed in the morning without pain. I know for a fact that the power of our brains to change our entire way of being in the world in positive ways is truly miraculous.

Baniel's website is full of testimonials from medical doctors expounding on how much her work has helped them personally and has helped their patients. This one from Christopher Ryan, M.D., a Denver specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is typical:

As much as I pore over medical science and research, and as much time as I spend acid testing Anat's statements in my naturally skeptical mind, I have yet to find logical fault or lack of scientific foundation. I am not swayed by New Age psycho-babble, and neither are my long-suffering patients. Above and beyond any conceptual fascination I may have with Anat Baniel's Method, the most important thing is that it is effective. It is effective where other treatments have not been, and it is at times almost miraculously effective where medical science has either given up, or where, out of desperation, painful and often counterproductive measures have sadly become the standard of care. It helps adults, and it has helped many children whose parents have been told that there is no hope. The families with previously incurable children are stunning testimonial to the real world utility of this Method.

With all of this technical knowledge behind her, Baniel does a surprisingly great job in Move into Life: The Nine Essentials for Lifelong Vitality in making all of this understandable for the average person. The nine essentials all have to do with learning and awareness: moving with awareness, doing and experiencing new things, recognizing the power of subtle and gentle change, opening up to variation, slowing down, being enthusiastic, staying flexible, enjoying dreams and imagination, and being aware. In each chapter Baniel offers her take on the topic, examples of how this comes up in life using her clients, and exercises to help the reader explore further.

For example, in the chapter on enthusiasm she coins the term "Eeyoric" to denote negativity and lack of enthusiasm for living as the old gray donkey friend of Winnie the Pooh epitomizes what we're like when we lack enthusiasm. "Like Eeyore, we slouch both physically and emotionally. We hunch down, drag our feet; the tone and tenor of our voice drops and slows, and our moods become as slouchy and draggy as our posture." And then she follows with ways to get out of this trap, to stand tall and shine inside and out.

If you are interested in neuroscience, in movement, and in improved quality of life you must read Move into Life: The Nine Essentials for Lifelong Vitality and try some of Baniel's techniques. They have worked for thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds for decades and now they can help you wherever you are.

Coffee Anyone?

2009-06-21T14:46:00.003-04:00

I hate to admit that one of the things I really miss in the Caribbean and really enjoy in the US is the availability of inexpensive good coffee. On Providenciales we have many cafés and coffee bars, but they are all very expensive ($2 for regular coffee and $4 for espresso-based drinks) and none are really that good. I would even take an easy to make Nespresso over some of the dishwater passing for coffee around Providenciales.

Why Acrobats Need Pilates

2009-06-21T14:33:00.002-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

I read a great article today which clearly stresses the importance of Pilates exercise to the continued functional working of Cirque de Soleil's acrobat performers

"While obviously geared toward the highest-level athletes, the Montreal-based company's training practices, emphasizing strength, nutrition and the body-balancing approach of Pilates, hold lessons for many who'll get no closer to a Cirque show than the front row."

The physical therapists and coach for the cast of Cirque's Saltimbanco custom build Pilates workouts for each performer. Since so many people think that Pilates focuses only on flexibility, you might wonder why these obviously strong and flexible people need extra Pilates.

"We're learning how much Pilates is beneficial for someone like an acrobat who tends to overuse certain joints, overuse one side of their body more than the other,'' Ocampo said. "With the Pilates approach we try to almost recenter people, because otherwise acrobats can quickly become unbalanced from side to side, from front to back, because almost everything that we do is one sided or unidirectional.''

Ocampo, in his mid 30s, a Cirque performer in Alegria and Saltimbanco for 10 years before becoming a coach, explained that acrobats nearly always twist one way — to their right or left — when doing things like a salto (a flip) or cartwheel.

"Pilates tries to address the imbalances that are going to start to form in your body because you're only twisting one way,'' he said.

However, Pilates, with its focus on breathing and disciplined movement, can be a challenge for high-energy young athletes. The 50 or so performers in Saltimbanco range from 18 to 47, but most are on the young side.

"When you say to them, 'Okay, let's slow down, let's take it on the mat and do these small, slow exercises,' it's a hard thing for a lot of acrobats to grasp, because they like to move fast,'' Gurie said. "But when they see it work for them, how injuries become less and less when Pilates is incorporated into their training regimen, then it becomes attractive, then everybody wants to do it."

Expensive Isn't Always Better

2009-06-17T11:04:00.002-04:00

I am a bargain hunting coupon cutting negotiating kind of shopper (it drives Tony crazy, but he does like the deals I get for us). There are certain things that are fine to bargain for, including cheap hotel rates, cheap insurance, cheap books, and cheap airfares. We have all grown up with the idea that more expensive things are necessarily better, but that is definitely not always the case.

As The Turks and Caicos Islands Turn

2009-06-17T10:48:00.002-04:00

I have been blogging on and off about the state of finances and affairs here in Turks and Caicos since the beginning of the UK Commission of Enquiry into government corruption. Last I knew the Commission's report was complete and filed, showing lots of evidence of misconduct, mismanagement, and financial shenanigans.

In the meantime the NY Times reported that ex-Premier Michael Misick was still running things behind the scenes as new Premier Galmo Williams tried to stop the UK takeover of our government.

Late last week The TCI Sun reported that Premier Williams was seeking to call a snap election a full 1.5 years before the next scheduled election.

Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hon. Galmo Williams has called a snap election three months after taking over the reins of power from embattled former Premier Michael Misick.
The election, which the Premier announced to be held in October 26, has been called in the middle of the Progressive National Party (PNP) administration, as constitutionally, general election is not due until February, 2011.

Then it was rumored that the takeover was to happen as early as today. But in today's news there is yet another delay. According to The Guardian UK,

Officials have indicated that because of the sensitivity of the issue, the British government prefers to see matters "played out in the courts" before moving to suspend the islands' political institutions.

The appeal for a judicial review of the crown's right to suspend the constitution by an order in council has been brought by the former prime minister of the islands, Michael Misick. The courts have twice ruled against Misick this year. One of the central players in the islands' recent dramas, Misick has been accused of amassing a multimillion-dollar fortune, financed through questionable dealings that gave property developers access to crown-owned land.

Under the direct rule plan the British governor, Gordon Wetherell, would assume power from the islands' assembly and courts, suspending the right of trial by jury for high-profile individuals implicated in corruption. He would be supported by a handful of Foreign Office officials, and advised by two groups of "belongers", as residents of the islands are known – a more powerful advisory council and a consultative forum. Both would be appointed by Wetherell.

The proposed suspension of the right to trial by jury follows concern that it would be impossible to find jurors who could maintain their neutrality.

The proposed imposition of direct rule has been highly unpopular with the Turks and Caicos's political elites, some of whom have accused Britain of a "return to colonial rule". Even as planning for direct rule has been proceeding in London, the islands' new prime minister, Galmo Williams, attempted to call elections for October, complaining that the islands are at a "standstill". The call for elections was rejected by the governor after consultation with the Foreign Office in London.

The degree of the collapse of good governance of the Turks and Caicos – home to some 30,000 people – has emerged in testimony presented to an inquiry headed by Sir Robin Auld, a former high court judge. That inquiry was established after a delegation of visiting British MPs reported that a "climate of fear" existed on the islands.

So we just wait!

Best Diet Pill

2009-06-10T11:25:00.002-04:00

So many people write to ask me what the best diet pill on the market is. You know what I tell them? Watch how much you eat and do some exercise. Because at the end of the day there is no diet pill that will magically help you lose weight without also watching how much you eat and exercising. If you look at the pills out on the market, all of them come with a food and exercise program. So why bother with a weight loss or diet pill that might hurt you when you could just exercise and watch what and how much you eat?

Pilates, Labor, and Giving Birth

2009-06-06T15:47:00.003-04:00

A question I received recently:

I would like to know your opinion on whether doing pilates before and during preganacy could have a detrimental effect on giving birth naturally. Could stronger and more toned muscles inhibit the labour process in any way?

I spoke with an OB/GYN who thought the perinium could need a episiotomy if this area had been strengthened, but as pilates works the pelvic floor muscles, I don't see what he means. Active birth/natural birth teachers recommend yoga exercises as a means of "opening up" the whole pelvic area. This seems a very different objective to what pilates exercises help with.

And my answer:

Pilates is fine without restriction to start before pregnancy and through the first trimester (in general). Starting in month 4 you will need to modify your program to avoid the focused abdominal work and work more on breathing and other muscles. All of my pregnant clients found that Pilates helped them through their pregnancies, with giving birth, and with recovering their bodies after. Just make sure you are going to a teacher who knows about pregnancy and how to modify the program.

Get It Wholesale

2009-06-03T10:13:00.002-04:00

I can assure you from the Caribbean standpoint that goods in the US are CHEAP compared to the same or even lower quality goods sold in Turks & Caicos, where everything costs 2-3 times as much as in the states. So we shop a lot off the island and mail order whatever else we need. Since whatever we order we have to pay customs duty on, I am always on the lookout for things like wholesale clothing sites, which help us get what we need and save some money.

Final Report on Turks and Caicos Corruption

2009-06-03T09:38:00.002-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

According to several news sources the final report of the UK Commission of Inquiry into Turks and Caicos government corruption is done and will be publicly released at the end of this month. Former Premier Michael Misick (who according to the NY Times is still running things behind the scenes) is still attempting to block UK takeover of this government, and several big real estate developers who were named in the inquiry are trying to keep their names out of the report.

Separating Your Space

2009-06-02T14:58:00.002-04:00

If like many of us you have downsized into a studio or loft space for your business or residence, or if you have started working at home and want to separate your office from your living space, glass tile and glass block might be a great inexpensive option that will still allow light and color to move through your space while at the same time physically separating sections of your room. It's a great look and a great space separation idea no matter where you live.

Book Review: Create Change Now

2009-06-02T14:42:00.005-04:00

My Twitter and Facebook friend Cari LaGrange Murphy is celebrating today. Her wonderful new book, Create Change Now: Reflections for Personal Transformation is available at stores and via Amazon.

Once you purchase the book go to the Create Change Now website, where you can enter your order confirmation number and download over $5000 in bonuses from such recognizable names as Dr. Wayne Dyer.

My review:

I first met Cari on Twitter, where I was impressed by her ability to clearly express life coaching tips and hints in under 140 characters (it is not easy!). As I explored her work in helping people get the most out of life I became ever more impressed with Cari's clarity and grace in explaining the often difficult and hard to apply concepts of Life Change ad Empowerment. Create Change Now: Reflections for Personal Transformation is a book that is literally brimming with useful information on goal defining, goal setting, goal attainment, and generally living your life the best way on your own terms. I am not usually a fan of 'daily inspiration' books, but in this one there really are great snippets of useful information on every page!"

Ceiling Fans Are Necessary

2009-06-02T14:34:00.003-04:00

Until you either own your own home (and worry about efficiency of heating and cooling systems) or move to a hot place like the Caribbean, you simply will not appreciate the usefulness of ceiling fans.

Ceiling fans can help circulate cool as well as warm air and will assist your climate control systems in your home. As an example, in our Yoga Pavilion we have 4 doors (for cross breeze), 2 high speed ceiling fans, and 2 AC units. The Pavilion cools faster with the doors open and the fans on (even when it's 99 degrees out) than with the AC units and the fans on.

Island Living

2009-05-27T14:22:00.003-04:00

Something that many of my friends and family, as well as some of our hotel guests, forget is that when you live on a small island you are limited in terms of your supplies. Basically, if it's not in the country you will not be getting it, no matter what "it" is. Whether you need industrial supplies, magazines, books, foods you have to wait if its not already here.

ActivCore Functional Exercise

2009-05-23T17:13:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to do a private ActivCore Redcord System session with Katherine Corp of Pilates on Fifth. I was fascinated by the machine and the cord system, and trusted Katherine as a long time Pilates teacher and studio owner to take me through a useful and difficult workout.

I encourage all Pilates teachers and serious students to try ActivCore. I was coming off of a back pain episode (I have a very unstable Sacro-Iliac joint and need Pilates to hold myself together) and really needed some stabilizing work for my ad and ab-ductors and my glutes.

The sling and cord system of the ActivCore puts you in a situation of controlled instability. While similar to some ball work I have done, and definitely familiar in the sense of Pilates and core focus, controlling the constantly moving cords slung around (at various times) my forearms, thighs, ankles, etc. worked my muscles in a new and interesting way.

I plan to do more of this work and really recommend it, especially if you have any injuries or weaknesses you are working through.

(photo from Pilates on Fifth)

New Turks & Caicos Travel Rewards

2009-05-17T16:12:00.003-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

Discover Turks and Caicos is now offering one of the only really useful Grace Bay TCI travel rewards programs, offering bonuses from local businesses such as:

One day car rental (Tropical)
Spa treatments (Spa Tropique)
Diving (Big Blue)
Photo shoots (Tropical Imaging)

For more information call them toll free in the islands at 1-877-774-5486, or check out www.discovertci.tc/rewards.

Weekly Deals at Buy.com

2009-05-11T15:13:00.000-04:00

Lots of really cool electronics and gear this week at Buy.com on their infamous sale page. With a focus on Dads and Grads you will find digital cameras; Acer, Dell, and HP laptops; SD Cards; desktop computer systems; aAlongside the techie stuff are some nice pieces of jewelry and the Sex and the City complete series on DVD. Add free shipping to the low low prices and you have some great gifts. Quantities are limited so get over there now!

Uma Paro Bhutan

2009-05-10T15:03:00.000-04:00

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

As you probably know, I work for Parrot Cay, a COMO Resort. COMO has several other high end hotels and resorts in the world, including Bhutan's Uma Paro.

Uma Paro offers everything you would expect from a COMO hotel, including fabulous food, COMO Shambhala Invigorate products in the rooms, a nurturing COMO Shambhala Spa, complementary yoga and other activities, plus you are in the Himalayas!

Uma Paro has several great specials going on now, including a deal with our sister property, the Metropolitan Hotel in Bangkok, where you can stay for one night on your way to Bhutan and one night on your way home for FREE.

So if you are thinking about discovering beautiful Bhutan and would like to stay in a beautiful, well run, luxurious hotel, now is the time to check out Uma Paro.

Sahara Hotel and Casino

2009-05-09T14:53:00.000-04:00

If you have never visited Las Vegas this is a great time to travel. Airlines are offering great deals, and there are many new and newly renovated hotels and casinos. The Sahara hotel Is one of the old Vegas standards, but after a recent multi-million dollar renovation its 1720 guest rooms with upgraded amenities are waiting for you to come and enjoy. With gaming, dining, entertainment, fitness, and spa under one roof, what more could you want?

SD Cards

2009-05-07T14:43:00.000-04:00

I am not sure what we did before the Mini and Micro sd card. Secure digital cards allow you to store a large amount of data in a very small footprint, and can be used in all sorts of devices (hubby and I have them in our 1st generation Kindles and our Blackberries) to add memory. SD cards are inexpensive and small, and with sizes from 256 MB to several GB you can certainly find a secure digital card to suit your needs.

Learn to Teach Pilates for Golfers

2009-05-05T14:35:00.000-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

The wonderful folks at Pilates Digest have come out with a fabulous new eBook geared to teaching Pilates instructors about Golf and how to use Pilates exercises to assist Golfers in making their game better.

Pilates for Golfers explains the golf game, analyzes the golf swing, explains swing faults and what causes them, and outlines appropriate corrective Pilates exercises that will help. This 147 page book is a useful resource for any Pilates teacher or persona trainer who works with, or would like to work with, Golfers.

Support Your Health With Supplements

2009-04-30T13:23:00.003-04:00

K-PAX manufacturers and sells pharmaceutical grade nutritional health supplements, including a fabulous immune support supplement pack. K-PAX products are safe and effective. They only use vitamin raw materials from pharmaceutical companies in North America and Europe, not off price and possibly contaminated products from China and the Far East. Their Immune Support Formula's benefits are supported by research data published in respected medical journals, including the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes.

Cheap Diet Pills

2009-04-29T14:05:00.002-04:00

I think most of my readers know how I really feel about diet pills, weight loss supplements, and however else they are described. Even the best diet pills are full of dangerous and questionable ingredients that have nasty side effects. Plus, all of them require that you exercise more and eat less, which will help you lose weight even without the pills! At the very least you should read up o any supplements to make sure all ingredients are as safe as possible and that you are paying the lowest prices.