Showing posts with label functional yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label functional yoga. Show all posts

Thursday, August 7, 2014

How She Turned Her Life Around In 6 Months [And You Can, Too], Weight Loss

Each month Winter Garden Yoga features an amazing client who has achieved incredible results with our guaranteed methods. We call this feature: Winter Garden Yoga's Client of the Month.

Nominees share their inspirational stories (in their own words) and their photographs to motivate others to break old, destructive habits and to rise higher than they ever thought before.

This month we are proud to share Roxanna's marvelous story. What did Roxanna do to wear smaller sized clothes? What did Roxanna do to get better posture? What did Roxaana do to get rid of head trash that was holding her back?

These answers and much, much more will be revealed in Roxannas' amazing and inspirational story.

Read on...

What made you decide to join our studio?

In the past 5 years I have had some health issues and have gone through some very difficult/challenging and life changing events in, my personal and professional life. I was feeling tired, depressed, lost, and [lacked confidence], in summary, I was totally out of balance. I knew I needed to do something, but nothing I tried seemed to help. I kept searching for that one thing that would help me get my life back on track. One day in January 2013, I saw an online offer for 10 YOGA classes. It was an offer I could not refuse, affordable, and an opportunity to try something new. I thought to myself, it can’t hurt, it’s only 10 classes. That is how I discovered Winter Garden Yoga. I loved [functional yoga instruction (tm)] from the first class. I started with Power Yoga, and I felt energized from the first class. I continued to go a couple of times a week and soon realized that my 10 class pack was almost all used and I was not ready to walk away. I signed up for one of the VIP packages and before I knew it, a year had gone by. I just signed up for my second year as a VIP and for small group Kettlebell training.


Before                                    After
Roxanna is feeling more confident, is wearing smaller clothes, and looking better than ever!
                              
What results have you received since joining our studio?

As I learned more about how to better take care of myself, from the inside out, I also learned that this is a journey. At one point I got a bit frustrated by what I perceived to be little or no progress, even though there was progress. I was acting on an old mental model of quick results. I was used to the quick results that at the end never lasted. I used to binge diet or even binge exercise to get quick results. At WGY I was learning that the results may not appear as obvious at first but they were certainly there and they would become lasting results if I decided to follow “the instructions”. About 6 months into this journey I knew I had made progress, but I was not totally convinced that I was on the right path. I needed to really focus and own my destiny; own my health and happiness. I began to be more intentional about it and began to notice more positive changes. The changes I was making resulted in me being able to eliminate two of my medications (working on eliminating others). Now I am wearing a smaller size, all of my clothes fit better, I have better posture, and sleep better.

None of this happened over night, and there certainly was a turning point. I think that sometimes in life you need an event to propel you to that next level. About 1 year into this journey, I was finally on the right track but there was something that was not totally clicking and I could not figure it out. I decided to be more intentional and pay lot more attention to the cues. Apparently I needed more time for “me” and making that time for me has always been a challenge. I needed time to reflect on my life, my future, the changes I was making and the ones I still needed to make in order to live my best life. I decided to be very intentional about exploring my feelings, and evaluating my progress. It was obvious I needed to make a plan. In May I planned a wonderful long vacation. This is the vacation I've been dreaming of for a very long time. I took a three week European cruise vacation. This vacation while packed with a lot of tours, allowed me the time I needed to recharge my batteries. I took this time to focus on “me”, reflecting on my life while planning for the future. I acknowledge my opportunities and celebrated my successes. I let go of negativity and reminded myself how beautiful life is. I decided that I would use the tools, resources and learnings from my time at Winter Garden Yoga to finally turn things around. It was intentional and I needed that. Upon my return, people began to notice a change. I began to hear comments like: you look healthier, your body is changing, you look different, something has changed, you seem happier and more at ease. The changes were now obvious, they are physical and emotional. There is no turning back now…. The journey continues.

How do you feel now compared to how you felt before joining our studio?

I feel confident and at ease. I am physically and emotionally strong. Today, I have more energy, my eating habits are healthier. I feel healthier and balanced! Thank you Brian, for your guidance and support with my diet choices. Keeping a food journal really works and following the instructions really works!

What do you like best about our studio?

I like the support I get from all of my Winter Garden Yoga family. I learn from all of the instructors and my fellow students. Thank you, Brian, Kathy, Janis and Karen; you are the best support team anyone could ever ask for. To my fellow yoga students, you inspire me every day and fill me with joy and energy.

What would you say to someone on the fence about joining our studio?

Don’t wait; start now to change your life for the better. You will not regret! There is no better time than right now.

What do you do outside of the studio (work, etc)?

I am a mother of 2 amazing young men (25 and 19) and wife to my husband of 30 years. I enjoy vacationing with my family and with my husband, especially cruising or fishing vacations in Sanibel Island. I run/walk in [5K events] every chance I get. I balance my time so I have time for all of the important people in my life inclusive of family and friends near and far. Every chance I get, I meet a friend in person to catch up. I believe in building and nurturing relationships and have started to build new friendships with some of amazing individuals I met at Winter Garden Yoga. I also take “me” time. I go for walks, spa treatments, read and meditate (still working on the last one). I work in Human Resources as Manager leading projects and organizational initiatives.

Winter Garden Yoga is a world renowned yoga studio recognized for providing a unique form of functional yoga instruction (TM) that gives you a toned, pain-free body that leaves you feeling great whether you’re currently flexible or not.

Unlike ordinary yoga studios with packed classes that over stretch and leave you feeling lost in the crowd, our services focus on strength, mobility, and nutrition all wrapped up into a caring, supportive, family-like environment you’ll call home.

Contact us or give us a call at 407-579-9889 for a free, no obligation consultation ($87 value) to find a package plan that is perfect for you.




Saturday, August 2, 2014

The One Single Simple Solution, Fat Loss

It's hard to believe that Winter Garden Yoga will be open four years come October 9, 2014. During that amazing course of time, I've had the honor of working with a very diversified group of people. My long list of clients includes: doctors, business managers, stay at home parents, athletes, non-athletes, you name it.

The incredible thing that all of these folks have in common is a simple question: "What does it take?"

What does it take to make serious, permanent, and positive changes? I addressed this in a previous blog post. But I'd like to share with you another simple and powerful way to make things happen. The good news is... it is easier than you think.

A common conversation I have with folks goes along these lines...

"I'm trying to get out of my 'funk' and get fit again. I’m trying to tone up and prepare for my wedding (or my class reunion or pretty much fill in the blank)."

These are all valid goals. And the good news for goals like these (and pretty much any other goal), there’s a 100% success rate.

You read that correctly, 100%. There's just a tiny little caveat...

You must show up!

Take this familiar scenario for example:

8:30am and Saturday morning's Power Yoga class has come and gone.

This person just couldn't get themselves out of bed and over the hurdle of showing up on a Saturday morning to take the first step to becoming the best version of themselves... it’s interesting, instructive, and we can learn from their failure.

You must show up!

Your power is in showing up.Every decision you make is either moving you in the direction of your goals or away from your goals. There’s no neutral.

By allowing your internal resistance (your reasons, your excuses, your stories) to hold you back, you simply don’t show up. And not only are you farther from you goal, you will actually move away from the very thing you are trying to achieve.

To sum it up, this person is not exactly where they were on Saturday. In fact, they're further behind and it's because they didn't show up. Their rationale to not show up is stronger than ever now. Their goals are much further away than they were previously.

“The failure to act is much more often the product of inner, emotional resistance than external resistance. To move forward you must give up your story, whether it is excuses about your childhood, lack of education, your 'bad luck', your un-supportive family, your low metabolism, where you live, etc". ~Dan Kennedy

Compare that to the successful story of someone who did show up...

She wants to lose 15 pounds, while toning and strengthening her entire body. She wants to be confident, energized, and feel good about herself again.

During our consultation, we discussed where she is now, where she wants to be, came up with an action plan, and got her up and running. Her first yoga class is scheduled for Saturday morning at 8:30am.

She showed up!

Look at the astonishing difference showing up made for her. She’s been eating better for 2 days and she’s been to yoga twice. She's already feeling fantastic and looking forward to next week.. and all of this because she showed up.

There’s power here!

These VIPs showed up! ...and continue to do so...


Marita lost 26 pounds just by showing up!



Bridget lost 25 pounds and has kept it off for 2 years because she shows up!



Lisa is more toned and stronger just by showing up!


I want to encourage you to condition yourself to do what you say you do, to be where you’ll say you’ll be, to think the thoughts that will move you forward and not backward.

Remember:
  • There is no neutral decision
  • Show up
  • Be positive
  • Move forward

Let today be the day you let go of your history, your story, and the negative circumstances that hold you in place.

The magic is in that single powerful action... showing up... and showing up again... and again... and again... and again...

Let this be your day.

Winter Garden Yoga is a world renowned yoga studio recognized for providing a unique form of functional yoga instruction (TM) that gives you a toned, pain-free body that leaves you feeling great whether you’re currently flexible or not.

Unlike ordinary yoga studios with packed classes that over stretch and leave you feeling lost in the crowd, our services focus on strength, mobility, and nutrition all wrapped up into a caring, supportive, family-like environment you’ll call home.

Contact us or give us a call at 407-579-9889 for a free, no obligation consultation ($87 value) to find a package plan that is perfect for you. Just be sure to show up ;)

I also want to give special thanks to my friend and fitness expert, Dave Fannin for the idea of this blog post.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

My Local Gym Was Cheaper, But The Chronic Injuries Weren't Worth It, Fat Loss

Each month Winter Garden Yoga features a client who has achieved amazing results with our guaranteed methods. We call this feature: Winter Garden Yoga's Client of the Month.

Nominees share their stories (in their own words) and their photographs to inspire others to break old, destructive habits and to rise higher than ever before.

This month we are proud to share Byron's story. How has Byron's work productivity improve? How did he drop 20 pounds? And how did Byron become injury free?

Read on...

What made you decide to join our studio?

"For many years my wife and I belonged to a local gym that was much cheaper. I did weight machines, yoga, Zumba and the treadmill. I injured myself several times. My shoulder injury required a medical MRI. My shoulder remained a problem for more than a year. I also had shin splints and problems with my wrists. Although my strength and flexibility improved, I continued to gain weight. Meanwhile, my daughter, who is the director of the Athletic Training degree program at UCF and my wife started casually at [Winter Garden Yoga]. Both my daughter and wife kept telling me about Brian Friedman being an expert in anatomy. I finally decided to attend WGY and Brian helped me with my wrists and shoulder. Another thing that attracted me to WGY was Yin Yoga. I have a rewarding, but high stress job at Disney. I am the day time supervisor at Reedy Creek Power Plant. Guided meditation changes the way one perceives the world and life in general. My job stress has reduced dramatically."

What results have you received since joining our studio?

"I started to see the value of closely supervised practice. My local gym was cheaper, but the chronic injuries were not worth it. My shoulder and wrist issues are resolved and in spite of my enjoying short runs, the shin splints have not returned. Job stress is WAY down making me even more effective in my job. I enjoy the challenges more. Still, I remained a “casual” or drop-in member for a year, even though my wife left teaching yoga at the local gym to become exclusive to WGY. I just wasn’t sure I could commit and attend two or more classes a week. Sometimes my job schedule interferes. When my weight was still not coming off I decided to take a closer look at the contract plans offered by WGY. On April 9th 2014, after reviewing my goals, my physical and mental benefits and the flexible packages offered at WGY I signed a year-long VIP contract."

Before                                              After

Byron lost 20 pounds, has more energy, and is injury free!

What do you like best about our studio?

"The expertise of all of the instructors. I enjoy the workshops and videos offered. I took Brian Friedman’s kettle bell workshop and bought the videos. Since I stopped lifting weights at the local gym and attended the kettle bell workshop I can practice weights at home without any further injury. It makes a great difference to build a proper anatomical foundation for all movement in weight or yoga and it works “off the mat” in everyday life too. I am injury free. I know that the experts at WGY are going to break down every move and explain the intention of each move. I thought I was doing things correctly at the local gym, but the foundation was missing."

After (from the side)
Notice the clothes pin taking up the slack in Byron's shirt.

What would you say to someone on the fence about joining our studio?

"What surprised me was the element of commitment. I was on the fence for so long. Once I committed to a contract I got serious. I changed how I ate. I was able to make 2 or 3 classes a week, in spite of my job. I remain injury free and to date I lost 20lbs in 6 weeks! Committing made a difference. Also, I can get advice and personalized attention or instruction. VIP status gives me “head of the line” entrance into workshops at a discounted rate. Having a contract reduced my class fee. I got a “bigger bang for my buck” than I got at the cheaper local gym. The studio, expertise of the instructors, physical and mental benefits, nutrition e-book, commitment and the positive attitude of students is worth the money!"

Winter Garden Yoga is a world renowned yoga studio recognized for providing a unique form of “functional yoga instruction” that gives you a toned, pain-free body that leaves you feeling great whether you’re currently flexible or not.

Unlike ordinary yoga studios with crowded classes that over stretch and leave you feeling lost in the crowd, our services focus on strength, mobility, and nutrition all wrapped up into a caring, supportive, family-like environment you’ll call home.

Contact us or give us a call at 407-579-9889 for a free, no obligation consultation ($87 value) to find a package plan that is perfect for you.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Cardio: The Weakest Link [Contentious Content], Cardio

As Winter Garden's most recognized health and nutrition expert, I have the honor and the pleasure of interacting with and helping a wide array of people achieve their health and wellness goals. And one of the most common questions I get is: "What about cardio?" I'll do my best to address this question, but first...

...I want to be clear...

Cardio is fine if you enjoy cardio; there is nothing wrong with cardio. In fact, I believe that cardio is an important piece to an intelligent and balanced approach to physical fitness and overall wellness. Just ask our VIPs about their personalized action plans.

...Here's the rub...

Cardio is the weakest link in the health and wellness chain. In other words, you get the least bang for your buck. Allow me to explain...

Here's what a balanced approach to wellness and general physical fitness looks like [in this order]

Number one: Strength
Number two: Mobility
Number three: Cardio

Let's run through a few hypothetical questions.

Can preparing for a 5K help you with your upper body strength? No.
Can strength training help you with your upper body strength? Yes... and mobility, too.
Which of these two training methods will help you push yourself off the floor if you happen to fall down?

Can preparing for a 5K help you with your mobility and injury prevention? No.
Can yoga help you with your mobility and injury prevention? Yes... and strength, too.
Which of these two training methods will help you pick up your groceries or grand children?

Let's take another perspective...

Strength burns more calories [for up to 36 hours after training], tones the muscles, and taxes the heart and lungs [in a good way... aka cardio]

Mobility [yoga] burns more calories [because of the muscle contractions... aka, static and isotonic strength], tones the muscles, increases body awareness, increases mobility, and can tax the heart and lungs [in a good way... aka cardio]

Cardio burns fewer calories [and the calorie burn stops when you stop], taxes the heart and lungs [in a good way]

The take away...

Instead of doubling up on your cardio because you missed a yoga class, grab a kettlebell, or pop in your favorite yoga DVD and get started.

Yoga is a great way to cover a lot of bases. At Winter Garden Yoga, we emphasize strength over flexibility, and alignment over depth. This way, you get toned muscles, and a mobile body that is resistant to injury.

Kettlebell training is an awesome way to develop strength, mobility, and cardio in an all-in-one method.

And once you've gotten your yoga and kettlebells done, take the next day to go for a nice walk, get some fresh air, and enjoy the cardio.

Winter Garden Yoga is a world renowned yoga studio recognized for providing a unique form of “functional yoga instruction” that gives you a toned, pain-free body that leaves you feeling great whether you’re currently flexible or not.

Unlike ordinary yoga studios with crowded classes that over stretch and leave you feeling lost in the crowd, our services focus on strength, mobility, and nutrition all wrapped up into a caring, supportive, family-like environment you’ll call home.

Contact us or give us a call at 407-579-9889 for a free, no obligation consultation ($87 value) to find a package plan that is perfect for you.