Doce Vida Fitness

The Pole Truth with Shelia Kelley

2011-09-26T13:23:00.003-04:00

THE
POLE TRUTH
w/ Sheila Kelley
Friday, September 23rd
Promptly at 6pm

S Factor New York
226 East 54th Street
New York, NY 10022

An intimate evening with the originator of S Factor - Sheila Kelley

Raffles, Beauty Bar, Goodie Bags
Meet and Greet and Book Signing

$40 per person with a portion of the proceeds going to:
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - American Cancer Society

RSVP online only at Sfactor.com/ny54 under events

Send your questions ahead of time to Sheila@sfactor.com
and Sheila will answer selected ones in person.
Subject line: NY Pole Truth Questions

Good Morning!

2011-03-11T18:03:00.018-05:00

Details, details, details...It's all in the details. Here are four details you should never skip when it comes to your health. You must insist on doing the following four steps first thing in the morning.
1. Clean your mouth
2. Clean your nose
3. Clean your ears
4. Clean your eyes

#1
What is the very first thing you do in the morning when you get out of bed? Your answer better be: brush your teeth and scrape your tongue! When you wake up, the first thing you should do is head straight to the bathroom and scrape your tongue with a proper tongue scraper and brush your teeth. By doing these two things, you prevent the toxins that form in your mouth during the night from going back into your system.

#2
Next, clean your nose. A neti pot is ideal for cleaning your nose. Much dust collects in the back of your nose while you sleep and just blowing your nose in the morning isn't enough to clean the back of your nose. When you're done, gently massage the bridge of your nose and just below the bridge. You will breathe easy....

#3
Listen up! Clean your ears too. I love this part of my morning routine. Never stick a swab too deep into your ear. I clean just around the outside of the canal. I run my hands under the warm water and then clean just outside the ear canal. I also massage the back of my ears starting from behind my ear lobe and up around the top of the back of the ear with warm water. This helps to loosen up any wax in your ears and it feels so wonderful.

#4
Our eyes are neglected. They are always on duty - all day! Be sure to rinse your eyes with warm water. I like to make a cup with my hands, fill them with warm water and flutter my eyes in the water. This always feels so cleansing. Don't forget during your day to help your eyes relax by closing them and blinking them every so often. I also look up and down and side to side while I'm brushing my teeth. Eyes need exercise too!

When you're done with your four invigorating steps, drink a glass of filtered water!

There you have it. Four quick steps to feel your best!
Om...

Text-ercise....

2011-02-10T12:29:00.016-05:00

Exercise is sacred to me. The hour or so I spend moving my body is not only a necessity but a privilege. I am so grateful that I can take time each day to clear my mind, build muscles, get my circulation going, massage my heart and then enjoy a soothing warm shower afterwards. I go to a pretty amazing gym here in NYC. The instructors are awesome and the energy at this gym sets members up for great results. A good workout is valuable. You've heard it - "If you're healthy, you're wealthy." "Your health is your life!" So, I am always so puzzled and I even get a bit disturbed when I see someone at the gym either in a class or on a machine and they're texting! The other day I was in a toning class. We were all standing in the splits - ready to hinge at the hips and stretch into a blissful forward bend. I couldn't wait to dig into my hamstrings and hip adductors. I drew in a deep nourishing breath and went forward and so did the girl in front of me but when she reached her hands to the floor she grabbed her phone and started texting! Wow. I wonder if she considered taking in a long relaxing inhale? The next day I was in a Spinning class. The instructor is inspiring. He really motivates us to give our max so we achieve results. We were in the middle of pedaling up an incline, the music was pumping and the instructor was cheering us on to make it to the top of the hill. Then the girl in front of me to my right grabs her phone and starts texting! What? I've seen her do this every time I see her in class. She must be really important. Don't get me wrong maybe she is in real demand. I actually feel bad for her that she is so in demand and can't take 45 minutes for herself. The worst was a few weeks back when I saw a woman running on the treadmill and when she went for her phone to text the phone slipped out of her hand and landed on the belt and hopped away, yes the cell phone hopped away...that was actually comedy but luckily she didn't fall either. Actually, now that I think of it the entire situation could have been far worse than a hopping cell phone...

People can do what they want, watch television while making love, text while working out whatever floats your boat I guess... but I think texting while working out is not only rude to the instructor but also a good way to set yourself up for failure and injury.
I have a quote written down in one of my journals from one of my Yoga teacher trainings. 'The healthier your body is: the easier it is to focus, memorize, learn and tackle your problems.'
If you don't leave that cell phone in your locker and commit to wholeheartedly focusing on making your mind and body healthy, you won't be able to tackle whatever is on the other end of that mobile phone...

Om....

Beautiful Beets!

2011-01-10T13:49:00.018-05:00

I was picking out a bunch of yellow beets at Whole Foods the other day when a woman shopping next to me said, "How in the world do you cook those?" She said some veggies intimidate her simply because she's not great in the kitchen and so she has no idea how to cook certain vegetables. She let me know she sticks to steamed broccoli, asparagus and salads. She really dropped her jaw when I picked up a bunch of turnips... I encouraged her to enjoy beets and just because they look like a swamp monster on the produce shelf this shouldn't stop her from picking up a bunch of beets from time to time... I have three things to say about roasted beets. 1)EASY. 2)Delicious. 3)Healthy.

Roast those beets tonight!
After cutting the greens off and saving them for my stir fry for the next night's dinner, I scrubbed them well with vegetable wash then dried them off. I put them in an aluminum foil pocket, drizzled extra virgin olive oil on top and sprinkled with sea salt. In a 375 degree pre-heated oven, I roasted three medium sized beet bulbs for about 45 minutes. The way I check to see if they are done is to poke a fork into them. If the fork goes in pretty easily but still a bit firm and before they are too mushy, they're done! After they cooled a bit, I peeled them and sliced them into wedges. I made a mix of about 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, a splash of olive oil and about a tablespoon of Bragg liquid aminos and a sprig of rosemary. I like simple. I put the beets in the fridge and let them bathe overnight in the dressing. We had them for lunch the next day. I have three more things to say about roasted beets. 1)Magnificent. 2)Crunchy. 3)Flavorful.

Beets are beautiful! They are colorful and full of the phytonutrient known as betalains which leads me to say three more things about beets: 1)Rich in antioxidants. 2)Good for anti-inflammatory support. 3)Detoxification support!

Happy roasting!

Take Good Care of Your Tongue

2011-01-03T09:57:00.001-05:00

What happens in your mouth at night while you sleep? There's a soiree going on and the toxins are partying like rock stars. Of course, you brushed and flossed before bed to remove the SLUDGE from the day. Good Start! Sweet Dreams...

The alarm goes off. Rise and shine. First, take in a few deep breaths to get the oxygen going, maybe an easy going forward bend to release the back? Now, head straight to the bathroom and clean your tongue! Using your magnificent ergonomically correct tongue scraper, tongue wand, tongue cleaner whatever you want to call it, scrape your tongue. Tongue scrapers are designed to clean the bacterial build-up, food debris, fungi, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. The tongue is a nesting ground for bacteria and at night while you rest, everyday toxins, bacteria etc make their appearance and settle into the many tiny crevices in your mouth. The last thing you want to do is to let those toxins and bacteria start to make their way back into your body. If you tongue scrape first thing, you can get rid of a lot of those irritating toxins that settle in the night, so they don't drip back into your system throughout your day.

Tongue hygiene has roots in the tradition of Ayurveda, the practice of traditional Indian medicine. In Ayurvedic practice it is recommended that tongue cleaning be part of one's daily hygiene regimen, to remove the toxic debris, known as Ama.

Along with cleansing toxins from your mouth, tongue cleaning also improves the sense of taste and regularly cleaning your tongue also stimulates the secretions of digestive enzymes. So scrape away!

There are a variety of tongue scrapers on the market.
Visit your local health food store or shop online.
THIS IS A GOOD ONE!

xoxo, Doce Vida Fitness

I am breath...

2010-12-14T12:37:00.001-05:00

My grandfather is 97 years old and while growing up he would always remind us, "Your breath is your life!" Before we left for school, at the dinner table enjoying one of his famous fish dinners or on Sundays when we'd walk through Golden Gate Park he was always reminding us to breathe. He's right - I thank him so much for his wisdom and advice... Now, if I could give any advice, it would be to practice Alternate Nostril Breathing (in Sankskrit Anuloma Viloma Pranayama) and practice this awesome breathing exercise everyday. Breathing exercises are important to your vital energy and these rounds of breath will make you feel energized, centered and happy! Be good to yourself...Invest 5-10 minutes of your time each day for this breath work.

Alternate Nostril Breathing can be done anywhere. Although a quiet, comfortable and clean environment is optimal. I've been know to take 5 minutes and partake while sitting in traffic. I'm not a fan of traffic jams so a quick breathing exercise soothes me.

One of your nostrils is inevitably slightly blocked. Which means that your lung and nostril on that side are working more which is called imbalance! The goal is to allow the right lung/right nostril and left lung/left nostril to alternate in your breath intake which doesn't necessarily happen between each breath but should alternate each hour at least. If you breathe out of one nostril and one lung all day, there is definitely an imbalance in the system which could be the reason for fatigue and stresses in the body. The idea is to get your breath flowing through both nostrils and lungs and to establish equilibrium. Through alternate nostril breathing you will bring balance to your breath. You will clear your nasal passages, your lungs and your mind.

MY SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS for Alternate Nostril Breathing
Think 4:8:8
4 counts inhalation
8 counts retention
8 counts exhalation

Sit comfortably
Spine straight - sit on a pillow with legs crossed or on a chair with a comfy back.
All body parts relaxed

Keeping it simple with hand mudras...
Use your thumb and middle finger for the nostril holds.

I'm right handed so here's how it goes...
Hold your right nostril closed with your thumb then inhale through your left nostril for 4 counts.
(I like to count by saying to myself: OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4)
When you reach 4 counts keep right nostril plugged with thumb.
Plug your left nostril with middle finger.
Retain breath with both nostrils plugged for 8 counts.
Now...keep the left nostril plugged, let the thumb go and right nostril open and exhale for 8 through right nostril
Now inhale through the right nostril for 4...
Plug both nostrils for 8 counts, then let the left nostril open and exhale for 8.
Now inhale through the left nostril for 4 and so on and so on and then continue this alternate nostril breathing....

So basically you inhale through one nostril, retain (plug) both nostrils, then exhale through the opposite nostril...and keep the pattern going for at least 8 rounds...and you've completed...alternate nostril breathing! If a nostril is open, you have just exhaled through it and then you inhale through it!

I like to do 11 rounds - which means I count one every time I've inhaled through the left nostril.
When I've inhaled 11 times through the left nostril .... I'm done.

I focus on 'watching' my breath move in and out of my body or sometimes I place focus on my third eye (Ajna Chakra) and watch my breath move in and out like a beautiful ray of light - energy!

This is the basics. A good start. Seek out more...
Have fun with your breath work. I'm open for questions too.

My grandfather recently fell while making his way to the kitchen in the same house he's lived in for almost 50 years. I was not there but heard that everyone around him panicked - not him. He was calm and although I was not present at that unfortunate moment I could see my grandfather's face and how peaceful he carries himself and knew that he reminded himself immediately at that moment that his breath is his life. Well, the doctor said when they took him to the hospital...you're like a man of 50!

Peace and Happy Holidays!

Lisa Doce Vida Fitness Inc.

Great Fitness Wear leads to amazing Yoga...& Vice Versa...

2010-05-18T09:43:00.011-04:00

Doce Vida Fitness Wear offers Yoga classes in New York City! We are not just fitness apparel innovators we are advocates for a whole health lifestyle. Click on our Yoga schedule to learn more about class description, your Yoga teacher, rates, schedules etc.
STRETCH. BREATHE. YOUR HEART (and spine) WILL LOVE YOU.

Freedom and flexibility...that's what it's all about...

Om to the max...

Onions Galore!

2010-03-16T12:41:00.001-04:00

I love onions. Raw. Cooked. Roasted. Yellow. Red. White. Green. Shallots... Leeks... I'm a fan of the onion! I love the way yellow onions glisten after being sauteed in coconut oil. I crave thinly sliced sweet and red onions in a hummus and cucumber sandwich. I savor white onions tossed in a Little Gems salad. The delicious onion flavor break dances on my palate to the tangy apple cider vinegar and oil dressing. No matter what I'm cooking I always add an onion. I do.

Some say onions were grown first in Ancient Egypt then eventually made their way to Rome and were given the Latin word UNIO which means, single, or one. Onions are hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees F. I say they have good circulation to be able to take those cold conditions! In fact, eating onions regularly can increase your circulation and lower blood pressure. Moreover, onions help reduce cardiovascular disease by lowering your total cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol levels. Our bulby friends are high in B6, B1 and Folic acid - eat onions to help fight the free radicals in your body. They are also rich in the trace mineral chromium which helps cells respond to insulin.

How to pick the best onion? Choose onions that are have a good round shape with dry crisp skin. Don't choose onions that have dark patches, as this may be a sign of decay. Stay clear of onions that are sprouting and have signs of mold. Basically, make sure the onion looks clean! Then,
store your onions in a cool, dry, well ventilated place. If stored properly, they can be kept for weeks.

And yes, onions have been known to make you cry...
My advice - chill...these are tears of joy! Or try chilling the onion for 30 minutes prior to cutting!

I cut up a sweet yellow onion into big chunks. Drizzle a bit of olive oil on top. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt. Then roast at 450 degrees for about 25 minutes. Roasted onions are a perfect compliment to any dinner!

Long live the Onion!

Vegan Banana Bread - Start the pot of tea...

2010-03-02T13:43:00.011-05:00

Hey Vegan Fans - Go bananas!
Start brewing a pot of tea - the banana bread is just about hot out of the oven...

Banana bread is an old standby. My grandmother was famous for it. There was nothing better than going to grandma's on the weekends and enjoying a slice of her delicious recipe. I can still see her aging hands slicing up huge pieces for us. We would sit around her dining table and play gin rummy and by the end of the first round the loaf was almost gone...those were the days.

Banana Bread is one of my all time favorites. I've tried many many recipes. Vegan, non-vegan any which way... These days I opt for the vegan version of course. Here is a great recipe. Try it this week...you have nothing to lose. Delight your family and friends with a healthy treat!

Bake Time:
60 minutes

Here's what you'll need:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cups unrefined cane sugar
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 3/4 t. baking soda
• 3/4 t. salt
• 3/4 t. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup plain soy milk or almond milk - I prefer almond milk
• 1 t. apple cider vinegar - organic if you can
• 4 large very ripe bananas makes 2 cups mashed
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 T. maple syrup - from Vermont preferably!
• 1 t. organic vanilla extract
• Walnuts (optional)
Special Guest: dark chocolate chunks - yes they're vegan!

To prepare!

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly oil a 9"x5" loaf pan

2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugars, baking soda, salt and cinnamon - yum!

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Let this mixture hangout for 2 minutes. Then... Add the mashed banana, canola oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, whisking until fully combined.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined (careful not to over mix). Fold in the walnuts and dark chocolate - the aroma will make your eyes roll back in bliss!

Pour batter into loaf pan. Bake for about 1 hour, or try the old toothpick method - when inserted does it come out clean? If so, it's done!

Let the bread cool out for about 20 minutes...
Invite your friends over. Pour the tea. Talk until the sun goes down...or comes up!

This one is for you Grandma Molly!

Fun Loving Fennel

2010-02-11T09:21:00.017-05:00

Don't be afraid of fennel! Otherwise known as anise, this lovely food has a mild licorice flavor that is perfectly delicious with almost any fish.

Native to the Mediterranean, Fennel is a plant species in the genus Foeniculum. Say that ten times fast!
All fennel varieties have feathery leaves and yellow flowers. The variety that we are most familiar with and you've seen the bulb in the produce section, is the Florence fennel, Finocchio.

Aside from the sweet bulb that is so tasty either raw or in your favorite stir fry, fennel is an herb, and every part is edible. You can use its leaves, seeds, flowers and bulb for cooking and for brewing teas and tinctures.

Fennel has many healing qualities. It offers support for digestion and indigestion, as well as, congestion in the chest and sinuses. If you're going out on a date, eat fennel beforehand, it will definitely give you fresh breath!

There are many many micro nutrients, digestive enzymes and vitamins in fennel and you will be a winner each time you eat it. It is high in antioxidants, phytonutrients and Vitamin C which we all need for immune system support. Plus, if you need fiber in your diet bring on the fennel...

Here are two quick and easy fennel recipes that you can prepare in the blink of an eye.

Simply saute sweet yellow onions and sliced fennel in coconut oil. Saute on medium heat for ten minutes. Add a little sea salt and cracked pepper. Serve with baked salmon and brown rice.

And the old standby...
1 large fennel bulb - Very thinly sliced
Avocado chunks (2 avocados should do it)
1 large orange peeled and sliced up beautifully.
Mix with your favorite dressing.
I use apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and Bragg Liquid Amino flavoring - in that order.

Store fennel in your fridge for no more than 5 days as it does begin to lose its flavor. If I have to, I find that keeping the bulb in a sealed bag is best, though I usually use my vegetables within one day of bringing them home from the store.

Prepare a fennel dish for your family this week! Why not...

Soup is Good Food!

2009-12-22T13:23:00.010-05:00

I love soup. It's my food of choice. Give me a bowl of piping hot hearty lentil soup in the middle of a scorching hot summer and I'm one happy girl.

Not only do I enjoy eating soup, I fully enjoy making it. I love making soup from scratch - throw in a little of this and a little of that...add your favorite organic veggie stock and it's an easy road to making a pot of nourishing soup right at home! Bean soup is one of my favorites and it's super easy. I made a pot last night and today we have leftovers! Soup leftovers rule!

Get your favorite beans. Soak them overnight. Drain and rinse them good. Transfer them to your favorite soup pot. Add the stock. Doesn't matter how much. It just depends on whether or not you like a lot of broth for your soup! I do. Although, for about 3 cups of beans you'll need at least 4 cups of stock (in my experience). Medium heat is good. Let the beans get rolling in the stock.

Chop up: 1 large green bell pepper (red too if you like), carrots and celery (chopped up about a cup), 1 medium onion, 2 large garlic cloves. Then, I like to saute all of the delicious fresh veggies in coconut oil to an al dente. Then add them in with the beans. I add a bay leaf just so. Oh and about a teaspoon of basil leaves. Sea salt and pepper to taste. I chop up about 4 juicy red tomatoes and stir them in. If tomatoes don't look red and savory in the produce section, I opt for a can of organic chopped tomatoes (the 14 or 16oz size). Sprinkle in some good Thyme, Rosemary and Sage if you like. Let the soup sit on simmer for about an hour. My recommendation is to test it. I like the beans a bit al dente. I also like to splash in a little Bragg Amino flavoring. I garnish with flat leaf parsley. For those of you are not vegan, sprinkle a bit of Asiago cheese on top - adds that bit of salty zest that is oh so good...

Chill a bottle of your favorite white wine and catch up on your DVR recordings. This may not be for everyone but eating homemade soup, sipping on super chilled Sauvignon Blanc from Oyster Bay and watching old episodes of Mad Men is my kind of night...

Soup it up!

Twist into Bliss!

2009-09-09T23:28:00.019-04:00

I was on Lanikai beach in Hawaii some summers ago - early morning. The quiet sounds of the water inspired me to take in deep cleansing breaths. The early morning slight breeze was magnificent. I was ready to practice my Yoga. I was honored to practice my Yoga in such a beautiful place. I sat on my mat gazing. I gently began to connect with my breath, soften my eyes and energize my spine. It was perfect. I started with a twist to energize. Left then right.
Then something amazing happened, after a final exhale to find just a little more space in my spine I felt complete. I felt grounded. I felt a ripple of pure love energy zip up my spine into my head and into my breath. Woa. What a feeling. What a release. Was one single twist all I needed? Yes! The twist was all I needed that morning... Then, I jumped into the ocean and floated. I let the salt water massage my skin. I listened to the breathtaking sounds of the ocean...Yoga rules. Yoga graciously gives you exclusive moments that are you and unique only to you.

The twist - a basic yoga pose.
Ardha Matsyendrasana - the basic twist.
(It's always good to know the Sanskrit term for the Yoga postures you practice often)

There is no doubt about it, the twist is a beautiful pose. There are many variations and they all offer amazing health benefits. Practicing twists regularly will massage and nourish the deep muscles in the spine and give it flexibility. Spinal twists promote extra blood to the spinal nerves, tone up sluggish abdominal organs and are great for the hips and waistline. When you practice the twist you will come to feel and know all of the above!

Here is one very simple twist for you to practice today! Why not right now?
12 Easy Steps

1. Sit on the floor - Stretch your legs out
Keep both buttocks connected to the floor
2. Sit up - make your spine feel long - don't puff your chest out - imagine your lower pelvis tucking under
3. Connect with your breath - just be aware of your inhales and exhales!
4. Step your right foot over your left leg
5. Right foot flat on the floor - Right ankle hugged near your left knee
6. Now - you can either hug the crook of your left elbow around your right knee
or simply grab your right ankle with your left hand
7. Gently wrap your right arm around behind you or if you're up to it wrap the back of your right hand around the lower left back
8. Twist to the right!
9. As you inhale find space in your spine
10. As you exhale twist.............................
11. Since you are twisting to the right, I suggest when you inhale be conscious that you are lifting your left side spine a bit more, then as you exhale you twist beautifully to your right side
12. Switch to other side!

There is no goal. Please twist into what feels good for you.
Just make sure you are breathing.
Stay relaxed.
Stay focused on your breath. After all, your breath is your life!

Any questions? Feel free to email: Lisa@DoceVidaFitness.com

Om.

A Great Alternative!

2009-08-10T11:50:00.022-04:00

Slice the garlic nice and thin...the oils are a culinary aroma unlike any other...ahh...the delicious scent of fresh garlic...invigorates the appetite! Don't forget the fresh organic stuff - onions, tomatoes, fresh parsley, mushrooms (we like shitake for ours) and peppers, thyme and other secret spices...oh and a drizzle of olive oil - now spoon it all over your al dente pasta! Wait. Your belly can't take the heaviness of regular pasta? No worries. Organic Rice pasta to the rescue! Gluten Free - yippee!!

Organic rice pasta is an amazing alternative to traditional pasta.
The brand we enjoy is Tinkyada and it is free of wheat gluten, dairy,
egg, soy and casein
Tinkyada Organic Rice Pasta

This is a short and sweet blog for today...We just wanted to share a food tip.
Cook some pasta tonight. Buon appetito!

Female Entrepreneurs Rock The World!

2009-04-27T01:41:00.031-04:00

On Wednesday, May 6th from 8:30am to 5:00pm in New York City hundreds of female entrepreneurs will meet at the Union Square Ballroom to Rock the World! This amazing event, will guide female entrepreneurs into strategies on how to make more money in 2009. This once a year event is sponsored by Savor the Success, an online support community for female entrepreneurs founded by Angela Jia Kim (Meet Angela).
The wonderful Angela is also founder and CEO of OM Aroma & Co. A company that offers natural and organic beauty products. Om Aroma's tag line... 'Sexy Green Has Arrived' ™

Back to Rocking the World...At the event female entrepreneurs with savor topics like:
Story Spinning - Crafting Your Unique Story And Breakout Session
with Melissa Cassera

The Secret Growth Strategy
What Successful Companies Are Using In This Economy
guided by Mike Michalowicz

Branding Your Product
presented by Ayesha Mathews

Sales Seduction
Secrets to Creating A Compelling Customer Experience
led by Sydney Biddle Barrows

A panel of Social Media will offer a Q&A session!
Plus, expert roundtables will offer insight on topics like web design, marketing, PR, business consulting, virtual assistance, social media and branding.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAVOR THE SUCCESS
& the Rock the World Event
Savor the Success is an amazing and supportive community for female entrepreneurs!
Are you an entrepreneur? Our advice...Join today!

Female Entrepreneurs Rock The World! May 6 - 8:30 - 5:30pm
Union Square Ballroom - 27 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003

Mother Love Fitness Challenge

2009-04-11T14:09:00.022-04:00

Doce Vida Fitness would like to thank Baby Boot Camp for encouraging moms across the country to make a change for Mother Earth.

Read on...You'll Love It.

Planet Point Challenge Encourages Moms to Compete for Change
Hundreds of Baby Boot Camp students across the nation are in the home stretch of a 3-month fitness challenge, Baby Boot Camp's 2009 "Mother Love" Fitness Challenge. They spent February and March increasing their cardiovascular endurance and strength, but April is all about making Mother Earth a little healthier.

"We're hoping to encourage behavior change among a very influential population — moms," says Kristen Horler, founder and CEO of Baby Boot Camp. "Our Planet Point competition combines individual, community and fund raising efforts, all with an eye toward conserving water, energy and fuel, as well as increasing the health and well being of families across America." Donations raised by Baby Boot Camp moms will benefit Healthy Child Healthy World (www.HealthyChild.org), a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals.

Track Points and Win!
Participants can download the PDF Planet Point Tracking Sheet. At the end of the month they'll turn in their point totals to their franchise owners/instructors. National sponsors, including The First Years' True Fit Car Seat, Joggermom.com, Strollometer, Glow Mama Beverages, Attune Probiotic Wellness Bars, Doce Vida Fitness and Kiddie Kangaroo have made the competition even more fierce by providing a variety of prizes that motivated moms can win, either through team awards or by a drawing.

LEARN MORE

PASCHIMOTTANASANA for ALL Women!

2009-03-24T14:31:00.043-04:00

There is a simple yoga posture you can practice that will stimulate and oxygenate your entire reproductive area. Invigorate your pelvis region!
Ta da... PASCHIMOTTANASANA.

Here is the skinny...
In Sanskrit:
Paschim = West
Ut = Intense
Tan = Stretch
Asana = posture
Thus, you have 'Intense West Stretch Posture'
You are stretching the entire back of your spine
or the west side of your body.
Let's hear it for the 'West Side'...
Although you are stretching the back of your spine, this posture digs deep into a stretch in the buttocks, hamstrings and back of the knees which all have a close relationship with your hips(and your pelvis!). By releasing those tight hamstrings, you are also sending the stretch into the buttocks. Stretch the buttocks you'll eventually scoop out tension in the low spine which will lend a hand in loosening up the hips and your pelvis. When you elongate your hamstrings, your low pelvis tilts forward, your upper pelvis tilts back, and in this movement your reproductive area feels a nice release as well. Plus, the compression of the forward bend gives the reproductive organs a massage...

SAVOR THIS STRETCH - IT FEELS NICE.
This posture has much to offer.
Remember - when you practice yoga - listen to your body.
Learn how to feel subtle changes in your body.
Learn how to accept where your body is each moment in the pose.

You will get the most benefits if you BREATHE...

We broke it down to 4 steps.
1. Sit on your buttocks with legs extended forward, weight evenly distributed on your butt bones. Take in a few deep breaths and with your arms at your side, stretch your spine upwards and straight. Don't poof out your chest.

2. Knees remain straight. Keep your thighs flat on the floor, this is important.

3. Stretch forward from both sides of your waist.
** You are trying to grab your big toes with your thumb, pointer and middle fingers.
** If at first you can't reach your feet with your hands, grasp your ankles or calves; or try a strap. Just be sure not to bend the knees! Try to keep your spine straight.

4. Stretch from your buttocks.

Eventually, you will want to bend forward to reach your forehead to your knees.
You should also feel a stretch in your hamstrings, calves and buttocks.
Keep your shoulders relaxed. Keep a soft gaze.

As in every posture, come out slowly, no sudden or jerking movements.
Be easy with yourself.

1 minute is usually a good time limit to hold the posture.
Or however long you desire. If it feels good go with it...
Have confidence that you are taking care of yourself.
We hope you enjoy this pose.

Need more info? Feel free to email us. Lisa@DoceVidaFitness.com

Om.

And It All Started In Your Legs...

2009-03-21T19:30:00.061-04:00

Strong LEGS = Strong Pelvis
Strong Pelvis = Strong Core
Strong Core = Strong Center of Gravity
Strong Center of Gravity = Strong Posture
Strong Posture = Strong Sense of Who You Are
Strong Sense of Who You Are = PEACE.
(and it all started in your legs...)

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GET YOUR SHORTS HERE
Your LEGS Rule the World!

Soup is Good Food

2009-03-16T23:24:00.019-04:00

One of our favorite foods to eat is soup. There is nothing like cooking up a big pot of soup and sharing with friends. Soup is the kind of food that you can eat all the time. Soup is the type of food that you keep in the fridge and look forward to heating up and enjoying with some good bread, and not just on a cold winter day. We don't care what the weather is, savoring soup anytime is a must, at least for us. We are not really into eating only heavier soups during the deep winter months or light cold soups in the summer months. Whatever flavor we are craving, we get the soup pot going!
We like to share.
Here is a recipe that will make your mouth water for more.
And, it is fast and easy. The only time commitment is preparing the squash but you can do that ahead of time. The other option is using frozen squash but we prefer fresh roasted.

Thai Butternut Squash Soup
Serves 4
1 Cup Coconut Milk
1/2 tsp Thai red curry paste
4 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 Keiffer lime leaf (optional)
4 Cups chopped fresh squash. You can roast it first then put in soup.
or 2 12 oz pkgs of frozen cooked squash.
1 lime
2 Cups baby spinach
Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Pan-fried tofu
1/2 a cake of firm tofu (8 oz)
1 tblsp soy sauce or tamari
1/2 tsp Thai red curry paste
1 tsp coconut oil (you can use vegetable oil too, but CO is awesome)

In soup pot, whisk together coconut milk, curry paste, sugar, salt and broth. Add the lime leaf and squash, cover, and bring to simmer. If squash is already roasted, add squash and simmer for a couple minutes. If frozen, add and cook covered for 15 minutes. Tip: In our opinion the dish tastes better if you roast fresh squash first!

Prepare tofu. Cut tofu into small cubes, put in bowl. Toss with soy sauce and curry paste. Heat oil on medium heat. Add tofu and cook for about 5 minutes.

Lightly grate the lime peel and juice the lime. Add 1 tsp of the zest and 2 tblsp of the juice to the simmering soup. Stir in spinach and tofu and cook just until spinach wilts a little. Garnish with cilantro!

Don't be surprised if the recipe only serves 2!

Be aware of slurping too fast...
Enjoy!

Live the Sweet Life!

Stand in the Center of Peace. Meditate.

2009-03-11T20:26:00.001-04:00

The body and mind are interdependent. In a way, the body is a shadow of the mind. If the body has disease, then the mind will not function properly and vice versa. For our bodies, a meditation practice soothes and rests our nerves, as well as, our muscles. Even more sweet is what meditation offers to our hearts. Not only do our heart chakras feel open and free but a generous blood supply can more easily circulate to the heart.

We pay so much attention to the physical, the body, the diet. The mind is also energy and we should spend time in balancing it. A beautiful thing is that through meditation we can make our bodies immune to the inner conflicts we all experience. We here at Doce Vida Fitness like to think of it as being able to stand in the center of peace. We adore our meditation time. We appreciate it and really believe that it supports us.
Our team has come to realize that meditation gives us confidence to achieve our goals. Meditation also makes us feel more efficient in how we live and work towards a full life.

It is plain and simple, the entire world benefits if we each meditate. Allowing our minds and bodies to experience a deep state of relaxation brings universal joy. Believe this, the choices we each make can change the world.

There are many disciplines and forms of meditation out there. So please research and see what is best for you. Our advice is to know that a meditation practice takes time to develop. Be patient. Trust that you will receive complete fulfillment. At your first sitting, you will most likely still be jonesing to get up and check your email but remember to bring yourself back to the goal, the goal of watching a breath of light flow in and out of you. In no time, those fluctuations of the mind will dissipate and you will experience being in the center of peace.

A SIMPLE MEDITATION WE USE:

Sit comfortable in a quiet place.
Spine comfortable & straight
Eyes Closed
Lips parted gently
Face/Body Calm
1.Simply count your exhales
2.Commit to just counting your exhalations
(Be fully aware that you are just doing that)
3.Put all your attention on this activity - your entire being must be involved in counting your exhales
4. Try to have a fluid breathing pattern - Changing your breath pattern will also force you away from the meditation count and you start to think about 'other stuff'

If you begin to wander away from your count or think about the count, keep bringing yourself back to what you set out to do - meditate!

Start with 15 minutes daily.
Then after a month you will and want to sit longer.
Move to 20 then perhaps 30. It is best to set a timer.

Like we said earlier, there are many forms of meditation. We were happy to share our way and hope you find joy in finding your way!

A great place to buy meditation pillows!CLICK HERE

Love,
Team Doce Vida

Meet us for Tea? Get Herbally Infused...

2009-03-04T14:40:00.040-05:00

Let's face it. We sit at our desks. How else would our company get lift off? So, we face it. We sit at our desks. But, we're not glued to our desks. We get up. We roll around. We do a few lateral flexions...We DRINK WATER. We drink coconut water sometimes too.
But most of all, we love us some herbal TEA, Tisane, or an herbal infusion made from anything other than the leaves of the tea bush. It's the herbal infusion in each tea that makes each cup perfect enough to make you feel ultra-good. Herbal teas can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, generally by pouring hot water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Loose leaf herbal tea is fun to make but there are a variety of companies that provide quality herbal tea in single serving bags. Our fav is Yogi Tea!

We are not tea experts just lovers of tea. About two hours into our work day, after our VEGA shake we start feeling the need for some tea. By the end of the work day, it's normal for all of us to have sipped down at least four cups of tea, different flavors of course. We sort of have a weird system. We call it our TEA ORGANIZERS. Well, maybe it's not weird, just organized? We make it easy for ourselves to stay healthy! We know that throughout the day we get busy and it can get very easy to let the business sweep us away into dehydration, stiff neck etc...you know what we're talking about. So, you know those vitamin boxes the kind that organize your vitamins for the week by day? Well, we have one for our daily tea! Each person has their own. And, in each day there are four different teas. The same 4 though all the time. To get the benefits of herbal tea you have to drink the tea on a daily basis. By the way,we also have a timer that goes off every two hours that reminds us to fill up our water bottles(we love our stainless steel water bottles compliments of Manduka).

In our own experience we've found that tea tastes better when the water is hot, not boiling. The tea steeps better too and you get a more richer deeper flavor.

In our 'TEA ORGANIZERS' we have:
Decaf Green Tea Kombucha: To enhance our immune systems!
Woman's Dong Quai Tonic: To keep our hormones balanced!
EveryDay Detox: To keep our liver and kidney functions in tune!
And, a Decaf Chai Masala with warm almond milk and agave for an afternoon treat. Chai Masala is so good for some many things...We like it for mental clarity!

We mentioned our favorite is Yogi Tea, they have a dynamite website too. They offer tons of great information about yoga, nutrition, healthy recipes & other good stuff for healthy living. A cool benefit of Yogi Tea is the beautiful saying or inspirational quote on each tea bag tag.

While most herbal remedies are safe, always check with your doctor to ensure that herbs you are consuming complement your prescription medication and are appropriate for your medical situation.

It's Tea Time! Join us...

START YOUR YOGI TEA EXPERIENCE NOW

xoxo,
Team Doce Vida Fitness

Formula for Peace...

2009-03-01T13:18:00.036-05:00

Practicing backbends gives us a formula for peace. Arching your back up and over opens up our Anahata (heart) Chakra and we can always count on a feeling of liberation no matter how deep we are in it. Extending our heart energy outward while being relaxed in a backbend is called bliss! Practicing backbends is about unshackling the toxic energy that sometimes gets stored up in our heart center. Plus, backbends contribute to keeping our spines flexible and healthy. Can't beat that.

There are many different ways to backbend. If you are a yoga practitioner, you most likely have come to know camel, bridge, bow pose, wheel, upward facing dog to name some. If you are thinking about starting a yoga practice, you will learn many backbends with many variations and you will feel something unique each time you practice one.

Of course, when practicing any backbend please only do what feels right. When we develop a yoga practice our body learns how to tell the difference between what is right and what is not. There have been volumes written on the backbend and each yoga teacher has their own unique way to teach one. Here are a few ways we here at Doce Vida Fitness have etched in our yoga minds to help us through the curve we crave...

You can use these tips with any backbend just apply them as you see fit.
Remember to warm-up the body before digging into any deep backbend.

1.Generally, the way your spine elongates depends on the way your pelvis is turning.
Tilt your lower pelvis forward.

2.Curve your spine evenly.
Create a magnificent lift in your upper spine and through your upper body so
that the lower spine can follow. Don't just over bend on the lower lumbar!

3.Direct the apex of the curve into your upper back and chest just behind your heart.

4.Draw the ab muscles toward the spine.

5.Slide your should blades down your back.

6.Soft Gaze...breathe.

We like to compliment our backbends with a twist and a forward bend to feel complete.

You will change by opening up the heart.
Remember yoga teaches us to experience feeling negative emotions and intensities without being disturbed by them, without having to run away from them.

If you're not heading to a yoga class anytime soon, a great way to release into a backbend gently is with a physio ball. Of course, start by slowing rolling back, be aware of your spine, and breathe, breathe, breathe...With the tips we offered above you can find amazing results with the physio ball. We keep several in our office so that throughout the day we can get up from our computers, lie back on the ball and feel happy! Be careful to roll off slowly, and give yourself a moment to reconnect with your breath and yourself to let the spine come back naturally.

Love rules the world, your participation is required!

ELECTRIC BABY!

2009-02-27T12:08:00.000-05:00

Two good friends spontaneously stopped by the office a few days ago. We haven't seen them in over five years. Thanks to email though, we are able to keep up to date with each other. These dear friends have been living in Indonesia. We LOVED that they were here even for just a short time during their travels to reconnect with old friends and to proudly introduce the new addition to their family. Born in Bali, this sweet new soul glows. He was born into a life that we are sure will include surfing and yoga! We were so touched to see this beautiful little person because we've known his mom and dad for a long time. We can't wait to know him more as he grows.

Our friends, Juli and Franklin own ELECTRIC BABY. Among all of the amazing things they do with Electric Baby to promote urban artists & non profit organizations, they also create and sell laptop sleeves, cases and bags that exhibit artwork by a variety of artists from around the world. You can buy different styles with diverse artists series. When we first saw their unique product our jaws dropped in admiration at how cool they are. Urban stylee ya know. Soulful too. When you set your eyes on these stylish things you'll know what we're talking about. If you ever have the opportunity to meet Franklin and Juli, you will undoubtedly be captivated by their passion for their other baby, Electric Baby. We all love our laptops, right? They know that. So, they created a product that will love your laptop back.

Our blog is about fitness, healthy living, yoga, the good stuff...The Electric Baby team embodies all of these. They live on the beach. They eat locally and understand that sustainability does matter. They immerse themselves in the earth, the water, the land. They keep their bodies fit and well-tuned. They build community through their business. They are, healthy living. We here at Doce Vida Fitness are on the same page and we are so lucky to know people who have that zest! for life.

Meeting up again with Juli and Franklin was inspiring. They are an inspiration to live mindfully, to love the earth, to run your business with sweetness. We are happy for them because they run their own business doing what they love and with the idea of stewardship in mind. Thank you for stopping by friends. Safe travels. Love you guys.

Check out Electric Baby. Don't waste anymore time. Go there.
VISIT ELECTRIC BABY
Don't forget to read up on their ongoing project. OPTICON.

VEGA - Real FOOD - Fast!

2009-02-24T23:31:00.027-05:00

About six months ago we came across a treasure at our local health food store. It's called VEGA, real food, fast(aka the Whole Food Health Optimizer). Things get busy here at the office. We need energy that sustains us all day. A few us of here at Doce Vida are vegans. VEGA is vegan friendly! This Whole Food Optimizer shake is mouth watering. It's a simple shake you make, made from natural plant-based whole foods. VEGA is nutritionally complete, alkaline balanced and easy to digest.

Since discovering VEGA we have all noticed our energy levels shift to high gear. Not like we feel wired or like we just drank a ton of coffee, but we feel completely NOURISHED. A feeling that is really hard to come by and we don't feel full, we feel complete and happy. Our favorite flavor is chocolate. Delicious! Mix it with about 12-16 oz. of water or we prefer half water, half almond or hemp milk.

VEGA is clean and green, containing no animal products, corn, dairy, egg, fillers, gluten, soy, sugar, wheat or yeast. Absolutely no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners and GMO and pesticide-free. So cool.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO. YOU DESERVE THE BEST FOR YOUR BODY!

Wait until you find out how many vitamins, minerals and other good stuff are in each serving! Feed your body the good stuff!

Natasha Lady Krishna!

2009-02-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

If you're ever in Seattle on a Thursday night stop by 8 Limbs Yoga Studio on Capitol Hill. There in the large wood floor studio lit by soft candles you will find Natasha Lady Krishna seated in a comfortable cross legged position, all smiles and ready to lead Satsang. Seated in a circle are other yogis and yoginis all from different walks of life seated comfortably soaking in her amazing energy. To put it simply, Satsang is when people get together and through singing, chanting, meditation and recitations devote themselves to the divine consciousness. During a Satsang people create clear energy together, then send it out to the universe in hopes that our world will live in peace. Remember, individuality is the universe at the concentration of each individual person...

We've been to Natasha's Satsang more than a few times...She knows her stuff. She may offer you a mudra (a position for your hand during a chant or meditation) and upon closing your eyes you hear her voice and then begin offering your voice to the beautiful pulse moving through the room. The collaboration of voice vibrations is like beautiful music. The first round of OM's sends a comforting energy through your body. This feeling allows you to breathe and deeply feel the electric energy you are made of.

You leave Natasha's Satsang feeling complete. The hope is to keep that positivity with you and spread it around, to the people you love, the people you meet, even random people you are in line with at the coffee shop.

Natasha is lovely. It was in the late 1970's when she met David Life of Jivamukti Yoga in New York City. He dared her to stop by his studio and take a yoga class. She did. She never looked back. She studied with David and Sharon at Jivamukti for ten years. She met Krishna Das back then too and he gave her a love for Kirtan Chanting.
Then, in 1995, Guru Nam read her palm in a NYC coffee shop and gave her permission to teach Kundalini Yoga. She was initiated into meditation in 2001 by instruction through the lineage of Shri Shivabala Yogi and was initiated to give initiations by Shiva Balananda in 2004.

It doesn't stop with Natasha and yoga on the mat, Natasha is also an artist in many forms. She is front woman for the band Lady Krishna’s Peppermint Lounge, a show you must see. Her "Devotional Handbags" (iridescent acrylic paintings on vintage purses) for women's spiritual needs: lipstick, rosaries, holy ash, etc. are divine. "My work is of a spiritual nature," says Natasha. "Ever since my first portrait in 1972, I knew that the people I painted, artists, nurses, boys I met at the shoe repair, were all potential saints. They were all beautiful. Everyone is beautiful." She attended the California Institute of the Arts in its heyday, formalizing her creative spirit from 1972 through 1977.

Natasha is also a Reiki practitioner in Seattle.
She is a true healer.

Namaste to you Natasha Lady Krishna! Om Namaha Shivaya.

8 Limbs Yoga - Go there and meet Natasha!

Don't Forget Your Eyeballs!

2009-02-20T10:09:00.015-05:00

We make sure to pump up our biceps and tone our bottoms with deep lunges for days, but let's not forget our eyeballs! Our sense organs, such as, the nose, ears, eyes, tongue, and skin need attention too. By practicing eye/neck exercises the vision gets better and clearer as the eye nerves receive a healthy supply of blood.

You can start with neck exercises that can be done at your desk and should take you about 10-12 minutes.

Sit comfortably with a straight spine (very essential).

Relax. Be conscious of the body only from the neck up.
Close your eyes.
Gently let your head drop backward, then forward and backward. (4 x's)
While doing this keep the facial muscles soft, lips parted slightly.

Next.
From the same comfortable seated position, turn your head to the extreme right.
Back to center.
Then to extreme left. (4x's)
Try to keep your head on a horizontal plane, chin level, don't tilt the chin as you turn the head. Shoulders relaxed.

Next.
Bend your head to the right, moving your ear towards the shoulder.
Repeat to the left, then right... (4x's)
While bending the neck don't life the shoulders and try not to tilt the head, let your head move horizontally.

Next.
Like a turtle, stick your neck out as far as you can. In doing so, you will make a gliding foward movement with your chin, like you are trying to reach far with it.
You will feel a stretch in the back of your neck.
Repeat 4x's

Next.
Drop your head forward as if it was really heavy, then lift it slowly and roll clockwise several times. Keep the shoulders relaxed.

Next.
Pat the back of the neck with your palms and fingers.
Then under the chin and on the sides.

Next.
Exercise your eyes. Head straight. Body Relaxed. Look up. Look down. Look left. Look right. Repeat 4X's. Close&Relax.

All of these exercises will help with eye strength. If we keep less tension in the neck muscles, our eyes will benefit. Plus, these exercises prevent 'double chin.'
Ten minutes is a small amount of time to invest in seeing clearly!

A good resource for therapeutic yoga postures:
Light On Yoga, by BKS Iyengar

Have you met ROLF?

2009-02-18T11:00:00.001-05:00

Oh, the good stuff that comes from ROLFING. Perhaps you've heard of it?
Rolfing is a Holistic system of soft tissue manipulation. A Rolfer, will work on a client's connective tissue (fascia) to release, realign and balance the whole body. This system founded by Ida P. Rolf in 1971 enables all parts of your body, connective tissue and muscles to work with each other thereby allowing your body to function at its optimal best.

A series of ten session is said to bring balance to the structure and functions of your body.

Learn about it! Why not. If you're healthy, you're wealthy!
VISIT THE ROLF INSTITUTE WEBSITE

PAVANAMUKTASANA aka the Knee Squeeze.

2009-02-16T19:01:00.011-05:00

Can you say PA VANA MUK TASANA?
Perfectly said.
Now.
Lie flat on your back. Be comfy!
Breathe in beautifully...
Raise your right knee to your chest. Then left knee.
Grab opposite elbows or forearms, holding just below your knees.
Fill your lungs.
Squeeze your knees into chest for about 5 seconds.
Exhale the breath as you release the legs.
Try 1 or 2 times.
We like to do it twice.

This asana helps:
To remove excess distension of the bowels.
To relieve heartburn.
To increase blood circulation to the head.
Plus, it feels pretty darn good on those hip flexers.

We recommend this posture in bed when you wake up first thing.
Or, just before bed if you've had a large dinner earlier.
Or, anytime! Want the yoga advantage? All you have to do is practice.

Kristin McGee - Yogini

2009-02-15T00:22:00.000-05:00

One way to be committed to living healthy is to surround oneself with healthy people. People who are dedicated to understanding the union of mind and body are invaluable. There is a saying we love here at Doce Vida, "When you gaze at people who are sincere and enthusiastic, enlightened energies from your mind and theirs are awakened."

Meet Kristin McGee, Yogini. She has much to offer the world of wellness but we thought yogini was one of the good words out there to describe her.
A yogini is a female, who practices yoga and has a steadfast mind cultivated by the disciplined pursuit of enlightenment and transcendence. Yoginis are independent women with a gracefulness of spirit.

Visit Kristin's website to learn more about her MTV Pilates & Yoga DVDs and her BENDiGIRl series for kids and tweens!

Kristin McGee's Website

The Center for Yoga of Seattle

2009-02-05T00:48:00.002-05:00

If you want to immerse yourself in the true tradition and teachings of the
BKS Iyengar Yoga lineage, visit The Center of Yoga Seattle. The Iyengar study center was founded in 1980 by Richard Schachtel. The center operates one of only 29 authorized Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training Programs in the United States and Richard is the only authorized Iyengar Yoga Teacher Trainer in the Seattle area. He is also an Assessor for certifying Iyengar Yoga Teachers for the BKS Iyengar Yoga Association of the United States. Iyengar-style hatha yoga is a graceful, precision-oriented approach to yoga that seeks to develop flexibility, strength, stamina, concentration, will power, and relaxation in a balanced way.

I was fortunate to study with Richard while living in Seattle. Truly it was the best yoga experience I've ever had. His week long yoga intensives and teacher trainings are divine. Richard is accurate and graceful in the way he shares his years of experience and insight with others. I still dream of one particular Savasana I had during one of his classes. I floated into peace. I remember that day as if it were just yesterday because I lovingly keep the memory in my thoughts. I felt blessed to have had such an enlightening experience. The feeling was inexplicable really, but if I had to explain, I would say my body and mind felt clear, truly untouched by any of the everyday stresses we all experience. I remember walking into the world that day feeling extremely light on my feet. I remember how nourishing the Seattle sun felt on my face and how my eyes felt soft and relaxed. I am so thankful that every detail is still fresh in my memory after so many years. That Savasana was one of a kind in all of the thousands of Savasanas I've practiced. BTW, a Savasana (corpse pose) is a relaxing yoga asana (pose) practiced before or after a class to rejuvinate the mind, body and sprit.

I know I had that blissful experience because of Richard's teaching style. He knows yoga and when you take his class you learn yoga the right way. There is something to be said about learning from the best and the feeling you get when you immerse yourself in something good.

The other day on Facebook Richard shared his photos of his travels to BKS Iyengar's 90th birthday celebration in India. The photos were colorful, mesmerizing. I viewed them several times because they were rich with tradition and love. Although, I have not practiced with Richard for some years now, when I saw the photos I was inspired to stop what I was doing. I left my desk and eased my way into a shoulder stand. I did this pose because it was one of my favorite poses to get guidance in from Richard. He knows the very therapeutic way to practice the amazing Sarvangasana!

Richard is still my teacher. I have kept his teachings with me and am always inspired by the knowledge I learned from him. Thank you Richard for sharing your yoga with me.

If you want to be carried away into yoga bliss, practice and learn yoga with Richard.

The Center for Yoga of Seattle

Doce Vida = Versatility!

2009-01-29T23:53:00.000-05:00

Love to travel? Love to travel light? Pack Doce Vida Fitness Wear in your carry on. Since our fabric is super moisture wicking, our collection is perfect for travel. Have peace of mind that you can wash and wear in the same day! Don't forget our complete line is made with high-quality 12% stretch fabric giving every style a built in look of luxury. Plus, don't worry about wrinkling.

We suggest our Paraty Pant and our Santos Skinny in solid black for a chic look at all times on your journey! Each piece has amazing transitional qualities...Wear them for your daily workout, wash them up, hang for a real quick dry and you have a solid black piece you can pair up with a sexy top and your favorite shoes.

Our Santos Skinny loves matching up stylishly with a long sweater or top for that urban look. Doce Vida gear is instantly slimming and made of the highest quality fabric so we guarantee you will look and feel your best. By the way, no one has to know you wore your Skinnys to that hard core Pilates mat class a few hours earlier.

Our Paraty Pant by day is the perfect supportive and stylish workout pant. By night, they transform into sleek and slimming black bottoms you can let go in on the dance floor. Plus, they really do flatter your bottom.
(Some women have said our pants are like girdles that you can freely move in!)

BTW...You don't have to travel to get these amazing benefits.
We suggest wearing Doce Vida Fitness Wear everyday, all day!
Live in Doce Vida! Our Fabric Loves Your Body.

Live the Sweet Life...
Doce Vida Fitness Inc.

SHOP DOCE VIDA FITNESS GEAR FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Tennis Anyone? Try our Toque Tennis Skirt

2009-01-29T21:22:00.000-05:00

Jordan Veatch-Goffi, the founder of Doce Vida Fitness Inc., comes from a long tradition of tennis. Her father, Carlos Goffi, was a pro player in the 1970's, coached John McEnroe and is the founder of Nike's Tournament Tough Tennis Camps. Her brother, Josh Goffi, was the number one player for Clemson and toured the pro circuit after graduating from Clemson. After two years as the women's assistant coach at Arizona State University, Josh is now the assistant men's coach at Duke. Jordan recalls a childhood that was fully immersed in all things tennis. The entire family ran Tournament Tough every summer. Jordan helped run operations from ages 12-18 and she was fortunate to meet many amazing people from around the world who came to the camp each year.

It was at the tennis camp that she learned first-hand how to successfully run a business. Youth from all over the world flocked to Tournament Tough because it was well-known for its quality. The ideas and principles she learned while working at the camp are definitely applied to the daily operations here at Doce Vida Fitness Inc. Work hard, be consistent, be progressive and have fun!

Doce Vida now offers an amazing fitness skirt, The Toque Tennis Skirt. Of course, this new addition to the Doce Vida Fitness line is perfect for tennis but suitable for any athletic activity, as it gives the wearer complete comfort and support. The attached under short is super moisture wicking and adds extra support to your upper thighs and bottom! The Toque Tennis Skirt also offers a side zip pocket perfect for keeping your key, ATM card or cash safe and secure while working out.

Try working out in a skirt... It is the new way to move...because it really allows you to move!

Live the Sweet Life...
Doce Vida Fitness Inc.

Buy the Toque Tennis Skirt

DUKE MEN'S TENNIS

Obama!

2009-01-23T15:44:00.003-05:00

Doce Vida Fitness Inc. closed shop for two days to attend the Inauguration.
We felt compelled to experience the historical event and knew we would come out of it with a feeling of renewal. A feeling of renewal has overwhelmed us...
A feeling of renewal is so important to ones spirit and being refreshed with new ideas, and enthusiasm only helps us to put even more inspiration into our business philosophy.

First came checking into a hotel just eight miles outside of the downtown DC area. After a smooth check in process, we walked the four short blocks to the Metro and hopped on the train. During our short 30-minute ride into the festivities we met so many other like minded people who also traveled great distances to absorb the feeling of peace and hope. We met two friends from Oakland, CA, an older couple from Ohio, a family from Minnesota, a single woman from New York City, several second and third generation Washingtonians, a sweet man and woman from Orange County, CA, and a couple from South Carolina. Everyone was glowing and sharing stories of their travels and life stories. We all listened to one another with admiration because each person had something different to voice and each person offered an amazing significance to the conversation. Our cheekbones were sore when we reached our stop, we had been smiling and laughing the entire time.

Then came the crowds of people walking the streets together on our way to witness history. No pushing or shoving. We all walked together saying hello and how are you?

Then came Aretha - her voice filled our hearts with sparks of bliss that we will keep with us forever. Recalling her voice and listening to her music will forever make us think of happy and hopeful times.

Then came our new leader, Barack H. Obama his words filled our minds and hearts with everlasting belief... Yes we can!

We are so very thankful to have had the opportunity to be there...

Live the Sweet Life...
Doce Vida Fitness Inc.

And deep congratulations to Hillary!!!

Women's Pro Soccer

2009-01-16T14:37:00.000-05:00

Women Score!
It's official, women's professional soccer is back! Since suspending operations in 2003, the league formerly named WUSA(Women's United Soccer Association)is on goal and ready for play. The league, now called the WPS, Women's Professional Soccer kicks off March 1 with pre-season play. April 4 marks the first day of the regular season. The league which includes teams from Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, New York/New Jersey, Washington DC, Dallas, St. Louis the San Francisco Bay Area is the highest women's professional soccer league in North America. The WPS plans to expand by 2010 with teams in Atlanta and Philadelphia.

We are utterly sublime to announce!
"Nancy Augustyniak-Goffi drafted by Boston Breakers"

Nancy was the number eleven draft pick in the nation's general draft chosen to play Defender for the Boston team. She played in the former women's professional soccer league for the Atlanta Beat. Nancy is also a Doce Vida Fitness Ambassador!

Read More About Nancy Augustyniak-Goffi on our Ambassador Page:
Doce Vida Fitness Ambassadors

Become a fan!
Boston Breakers Facebook Fan Page

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Support the league - Learn more.
Women's Pro Soccer

Congratulations to all the amazing women chosen to play for the WPS!
We can't wait to go to a game...

Live the Sweet Life!
Doce Vida Fitness Inc.

Spin Spin Spin...

2009-01-14T20:17:00.008-05:00

Spinning rocks! Have you ever taken a Spinning class? If not, we highly recommend immersing yourself into an hour of rhythmic pedaling. The sweat will pour. Your heart will pump to your maximum benefit. Your legs will dig deep into their muscles for that extra push up the last hill climb. You will leave feeling euphoric.

Each cyclist sets their own goal heart rate for each session. We recommend using a heart rate monitor or you can do it the old fashioned way with your hand. The instructor will let you know during class at what level of exertion you should be at. Make sure you talk to the instructor before your first class for guidance in setting your individual seat and handle bar levels. Having the right seat and bar levels can prevent injury plus you will be so much more comfortable which will allow you to fully focus on good form.

The founder of Doce Vida Fitness, Jordan Veatch-Goffi has been a Spinning devotee for many years. She was so honored when Mad Dogg Athletics the parent company that founded the original Spinning system in the 1980's contacted Doce Vida to design their private label Spinning apparel for 2009. Spinning studios all across the world will be cycling to ultra-hip beats wearing Doce Vida!

Sprint, run, climb and jump all in one Spinning session...
Live the Sweet Life!

PS: Make sure you stretch thoroughly after class - keep those hamstrings in tune.

THE OFFICIAL SPINNING WEBSITE

Let Your Mind Love Nature...

2009-01-12T15:51:00.000-05:00

During the holidays, some of us here at Doce Vida Fitness Inc. took off to the snow.
Although temperatures at times were, let's just say, cold, being outside (properly dressed in snow gear of course) was well worth it. A long snow shoe trek in the woods among the trees, deer tracks and vistas of untouched land was beyond exhilarating! We really believe that by immersing oneself in nature your vital forces are renewed.
Let your mind love nature. By doing so, you will find delight in so many areas of your life.

Live the Sweet Life...
Doce Vida Fitness Inc.

Down Dog... Adho Mukha Svanasana...

2009-01-08T22:51:00.000-05:00

We so much appreciate our daily Hatha yoga practice here at Doce Vida Fitness Inc.
We'd like to offer our thoughts on how to experience a fascinating down dog. These are our suggestions for creating a pose that you will enjoy.
And of course, each person is unique and experiences each pose differently. However, we should all remember to breathe, take inventory of our body in each pose and do our best to maintain a steady gaze while practicing patiently, quietly and gently but with persistence.

We offer these tips for you to use, or not...
Keep in mind:
1. The center of this pose is the pelvis
2. Move the crease between your torso and thighs (basically the groin area) away from your wrists
3. With each exhale breath move groin back and away from torso
4. Move torso towards legs
5. Think about the thighs rolling in - inner thighs rolling back
6. Do not retract head into the neck...keep the neck long
7. Press your heels
8. Spread your toes
9. Make your legs feel springy
10.While settling into the pose don't grip the floor, instead try to lengthen your arms and press into the hands mindfully - think extend through the elbows
11.Move your mid-spine deeper into your back
12.Inhale...elongate...
Namaste

We Are Committed to Wellness

2009-01-08T13:45:00.000-05:00

Here at Doce Vida Fitness Inc. we are committed to wellness.
We promote awareness of:
1.Nourishment from the food we eat
2.The breath
3.The functions of the mind (brain) and body
4.Seeking new wisdom
5.Being aware of our link with universal consciousness and understanding that we are part of a whole...

Live the Sweet Life...
Om...

Fight Fatigue in Doce Vida Fitness Gear

2009-01-07T22:48:00.000-05:00

Here is a quote from a satisfied customer that we would like to share...
For more customer feedback visit: Feedback Page

"I ordered a couple of tops, a pair of shorts, and the Paraty Pant. Seriously, I didn't mean to be so sexy in them... They feel like a dreamboat. However, I was unaware of the power the fabric possesses. Today, I didn't want to work out.. too cold out, my back hurt, I had laundry to finish. The list of excuses went on... Mind you there were some very valid reasons. I decided to put on the Paraty Pant as they would be good to lounge in and go grocery shopping. As I slid into them this amazing thing happened suddenly I wanted to go to the gym. I felt fabulous! In the last two hours while wearing your pants, I have finished up the laundry, grocery shopped, ran 3 1/2 miles, and stretched. Seriously, your fabric has amazing qualities! My potential has just been reached and beyond! Thank you so much for all that I will be able to accomplish and still look and FEEL damn sexy!"
Jo, Boise ID

Move over cotton...

2009-01-06T23:28:00.000-05:00

Cotton does not wick away sweat like technical fitness gear. To maximize your workouts you should be wearing technical moisture wicking gear…like Doce Vida Fitness. Doce Vida Fitness was created to help enhance women’s workouts by making them look and feel beautiful. Not to mention that looking good and feeling good is motivating! Our unique moisture wicking, instantly slimming, full motion, 12% stretch fabric moves with the body. The high-quality fabric truly gives a flattering fit to every woman - no matter what size or shape she may be. Doce Vida combines fashion and function so you look super hot while keeping your body cool.
Featured in O, The Oprah Winfrey Magazine, SELF, Yoga Journal, PilatesStyle, Health, Prevention, Cooking Light, Pilates.com, Healing Lifestyles & Spas and YogaMom