Celebrate Summer- Solstice in Times Square 2010

For the past two years, I have been trying to go to the Solstice in Times Square- the public yoga workout right in the heart of New York City- Times Square!

This year, it takes place on Monday, June 21st. Hurrah! In the past they provided yoga mats, but this year, you'll have to bring your own. Participants will get a Solstice gift bag while supplies last and take part in an exhilarating workout.

There are five time slots open, and already waiting lists for the 7:30 AM (Bravo to them for waking up so early) and 6 PM. So hurry and sign up now at: http://solsticetimessquare2010.eventbrite.com/

This free yoga-fest is a can't miss event for fitness enthusiasts!
Join NYC and Celebrate Summer!




(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company's PR agency to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)(Disclaimer: This post contains an affiliate link.)Check out more blogs @ TotalBeauty.com

Recap of World Fitness Day! Loads of Fun!

Hello Divas!

How is your Monday?  Mine is rained out! School closing and wetness. Nice!

This past Saturday, I participated in the first ever World Fitness Day and it was soooo much fun! Really! It was a blast. 

When I arrived to the event, there was an obstacle course for participants.  Fitness experts and NFL players basically gave us, the general public, a glimpse of the type of training they engage in to get physically fit for a particular sport.  Here is the course.

I was ready to run through it, you know, since I have been running,  and just as it was my turn, they were wrapping up. Bummer!

I then ran into my good friend and blogger Renee J. Ross of Cutiebootycakes.  Renee is currently running a series on her blog where she is documenting her weight loss journey.  She is eating right and excercising daily and I nearly fell over when I saw her.  She looks AMAZING!  She has lost 40 pounds in months! Go Renee!

I then got an opportunity to take some photos and video of Jane Fonda and her celebrity fitness friends before the big work-out!  Here is Jane looking absolutely fabulous! First she is in perfect shape! I mean perfect!  Plus her outfit was just gorgeous! I still can not believe she is 72! It can't be true!  Ms. Fonda stressed the importance of staying fit.  She stated, "it improves your mental health also.  Your memory improves, you have a more positive outlook on life..... being fit improves a person externally and internally."  Well said Ms. Fonda!

Here is Billy Banks and as you can see he was ready to go!

The Pointer Sisters performed while participants worked out.  They also looked amazing.

I caught a glimpse of one of the sister's shoes.  High heel pink and white athletic shoes?? A dream!  I need to find these!

Richard Simmons is larger than life and so hilarious!  He absolutely loves life! He still looks the same after all of these years.  I want a dose of what he has!

Now when I saw Debbie Allen, I did have a moment.  When I was 10 years old until I was 15, I wanted to be a dancer and Debbie Allen was my shero.  I mean I watched Fame like it was going out of style.  I also went to a performing arts school for Dance. But I digress.  She is very sweet and still dancing.  Ms. Allen has two work out DVDS, titled Salsa Downsize and Hip Hop 1 &2!

Of course we came to work out!  Here we are warming up with Ms. Fonda leading the crowd.

Its getting Serious!

The Diva Bloggers participating in World Fit Day.

Funkdivagirl, ReneJRoss, AskWifey, KrystalGrant, Execumamma, Denine of MyBrownBaby, Mami2mommy and me!

The work out was fun, the crowd had a great time working out with Jane Fonda and jamming to the Pointer Sisters and Ludacris! Yep! Luda. I missed both performances.  However, I am so looking forward to the next World Fit Day!

Toodles!

Celebrate World Fitness Day with Jane Fonda and Friends!

Hello Divas!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous day! I know I am!

Lately I have been running in the park and doing strengthening exercises at home to stay healthy.  The last time I worked out was before my daughter was born, which was over two years ago! Yikes!  That is a shame for someone you previously ran track!

Since I have been running, I am feeling good and am finally able to walk up a hill without huffing and puffing. Small accomplishment but I am excited.  Considering my new found dedication to getting and remaining healthy, you can image my enthusiasm when I was invited to attend the first ever World Fitness Day hosted by Jane Fonda and a host of celebrity fitness gurus!  This event will be held on May 1, 8:30 a.m at the Georgia Dome here in Atlanta, GA. 

Fitness geeks will have the opportunity to participate in a group workout with Jane Fonda, Richard Simmons, Billy Banks, Denise Austin and Dr. Sanjay Gupta!

There will be a health and fitness expo starting at 8:30 am.  Guests will be able to learn about healthy living from vendors while mingling with professional athletes and other celebrities.  Following the expo, Dr. Sanjay Gupta will deliver opening remarks and then the workout begins!

This is sure to be a FUN and HEALTHY event.  Individual tickets are $75.  That may seem a little steep, however all proceeds from the sale of World Fitness Day tickets go to G-CAPP, the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention.  As a native Atlantan, I remember when Jane Fonda started this organization in 1995.  At the time the state of Georgia had the highest teen pregnancy rate in the Nation and Ms. Fonda set out to lower that statistic.  This organization has helps thousands of teens in Georgia become healthy, productive, and confident teens.

You can purchase tickets for the first ever World Fitness Day here.  I hope to see you there!

Pilates for Pink October 4, 2009

*Update- I'm on my way there now! Will I see u? :)



Shape Magazine's Pilates for Pink is back again this year! Read about Pilates for Pink 2008.

This Pilates event is to help support and raise awareness of breast cancer. Join Shape Magazine at this event in Union Square park, New York City, to get fit with Pilates. This year there are 15 classes, taught by certified Pilates instructors, including Classical Pilates Mat, Pilates Synergy, and more!

Purchase a $25 ticket which includes registration for a 40-minute Pilates class, a swag bag filled with sponsored goodies and a Pilates mat @ https://www.pilatesforpinkevents.com/


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Fun Fridays! Cool Events: Deka Athletics 2 Day Lululemon Fitness Event!

I hope you are having a fabulous Friday!

Calling all of my Athletic Divas! Deka Athletics, located in Buckhead, is hosting a two day fitness event on August 28th and 29th. This event will feature Lululemon Athletic gear, a health and fitness expo, representatives from the hottest gyms and athletic clubs in Atlanta, and food from Souper Jenny. Boy do I love Souper Jenny. If you live in Atlanta, it is a must do lunch spot! Yummy! I know my girls Shenia and Dawn should be there! They love working out, eating healthy, and Souper Jenny! LOL!

Deka Athletics is the only retailer in Atlanta selling Lululemon Athletic gear!
What is so special about Lululemon Athletic gear? Well its simply HOT! The workout clothes are so stylish and fashionable, they make you want to get yourself in the gym...or at least walking. (Trying to motivate myself) Anyhoo...check out some of the cool items they sale.





Nice!

Deka Athletics is located at 375 Pharr Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. Their phone number is: 404-869-9600.

I hope to see you there!

Toodles!

Women's Health- Are You Game? Event Recap

Women's Health sponsored the "Are You Game?" event this past Saturday in New York City. Let me say that this was the best fitness event that I have ever been to!! Not only was the view gorgeous (Check out the pictures below on the fabulous view and location- Hudson River Pier 46), the crowd was manageable and there were many great sponsors there. Also, they had an inflatable rock climbing and bungee jumping apparatus there for people and kids to play with. Now, how often can you do that unless you join a gym? They also had samplings of a tea drink and Edy's Slow Churned Yogurt (YUM!!) so you wouldn't get hungry/thirsty.



Maybelline and Garnier Fructis was sponsors of the event, so right when you register, you could see people getting their hair and make-up done. I got there around 10:30AM, so as it got closer to 11AM (right before my workout class started) more and more people came. The lines for the hair and make-up got longer, and the even the lines for the workout class. Some lucky folks were able to take the first class, Lyrical Vinyasa, and squeeze in line to take the second one, Surfboarding, which I took.

To see more pictures and to learn which class I took...

I tend to like workout classes that are smaller, so luckily they capped each class to about 40-50(?). They also had to have a limit because for each class, they provided workout materials. It was either a yoga mat or a towels, but I also did see hula-hoops (for the Hula Hoop Pilates). I was only able to take one class but it was one that I wanted to try out- the Surfboarding class which uses gliding disks which really work out your thighs and abs/arms. Imagine yourself in a squating position, with both feet on the gliding disks and you extend one of your legs in and out to the side. You do that for about 10-15 minutes and switch sides. Another move I learned is doing half pushups with your hands on the gliding disks and then in plank position, you extend your arms out and then back in normal plank position. What a great workout for your arms and back muscles!

The weather was absolutely beautiful so it made the whole event enjoyable. See below!



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Women's Health Magazine presents "Are You Game?"

"Are You Game?" Be sure to check out this free workout event in New York City this Saturday, July 11, 2009. If you're in the Chicago area, check it out on July 18. Women's Health magazine is sponsoring this fantastic day for everyone to enjoy.

You will get to try beauty spa treatments and different, fun workouts that will keep you moving and get your heart racing, such as Million Dollar Knockout (11:50AM) and Cardio Go-Go (3PM).

For more details go to: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/areyougame/

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SELF Workout in the Park 2009

SELF magazine is hosting their annual Workout in the Park again in Chicago, New York and San Diego. If you're fortunate enough to live near one of these cities and are able to attend, then I would recommend going. I went to the one in NYC last year and it was a blast! There were tons of ladies and a few gentlemen there who were working out and doing yoga/pilates in the Quiet zone. No previous post available since I started my blog a month after I attended. :)

San Diego- April 25, 2009 New York City- May 9, 2000 Chicago- May, 16 2009

Special guest, Jillian Michaels from NBC's The Biggest Loser, was there (she will be in Chicago this time around) for a meet and greet. We stood in line for almost an hour but it was well worth it! We got to hear her fitness tips, get her autograph and take a picture with her.

The set-up in NYC was constructed to have the sponsor booths placed around the main workout floor/stage and the quiet area behind all the chaos. Since it had rained the day before and I didn't bring my mat so I didn't participate in the Quiet Zone.

Sponsors last year included Physicians Formula (with giveaways, read here) and Asics (giving away workout towels). This year, among the sponsors, we have beauty giants such as Maybelline, Garnier, and Elizabeth Arden. The site doesn't say what goodies/freebies they will be offering, but last year the May issue of SELF magazine promoted them ahead of time by using the "Bring in this ad to the booth" methodology. I didn't see any of this in the current issue, except sponsoring ads encouraging us to check out their booths. I do remember Blue Diamond naturals saying that there will be free samples of almonds/nuts there.

To purchase your tickets for only $15 (recession-friendly pricing) which includes admission AND a one-year subscription to SELF magazine (already a $10 value),
go to: http://www.selfworkoutinthepark.com/tickets.asp
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YogaWorks Free Classes in August

New to Yoga? Want to try it out? What better way than to take a FREE beginner class with YogaWorks? They are one of the sponsors for Health Mag's Here Comes the Sun event in September, by the way.

On August 16, 2008, there are free classes at their Westchester location at 50 South buckhout street in Irvington.
Their schedule is as follows:
1) Intro to Yoga, Marjorie Rosenfield, 9:00 - 10:15 am
2) Vinyasa Flow 2/3, Donna Boss, 10:30 -11:45 am
3) Intro to Yoga,Freddie Wyndham,12:00 - 1:15 pm
4) Iyengar 1/2,Adam Vitolo,1:30 - 2:45 pm
5) Family Yoga,Erica Halliwell,3:00 - 4:15 pm
6) Ishta Level 1 and Restorative,Darcy Bowman,4:30 - 6:15 pm



If you're unable to attend this Saturday, you can take a free, trial class anytime. Also, they offer two weeks of unlimited yoga for $30. For more details..

Check out their site: http://www.yogaworks.com/new_students/trial_size.aspx

Health Magazine's Here Comes the Sun Yoga event

I am super excited to announce another great health event in New York City (Central Park's Wollman Rink to be exact). Just in case you missed my previous posts about upcoming fitness events in New York City: Pilates for Pink and Fitness Mag's Spirit Games will take place this September as well.

The Health Magazine's Here Comes the Sun Yoga event takes place on Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 11am to 4pm.



According to the website:
Activities to enjoy at our outdoor festival include:

* Yoga classes for all levels featuring Sara Ivanhoe and expert instructors from YogaWorks®. Experience Vinyasa Flow, Yoga for Beginners, Detox Flow, Mat Pilates, and much more!
* Beauty consultations, delicious tastings, sponsor samples and fun giveaways!
* Live musical performance!

This event is sponsored by L'oreal Paris ( so there will probably be some nice freebies from them) and WiiFit and many others!

Cost for this event is $25 which includes a year subscription to Health Magazine. A Great deal!
If you want to purchase tickets to this event..
Go to: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1596339

fitness® magazine's Mind, Body, Spirit Games in NYC

Are you a runner in New York City? If so, you might want to participate in this year's fitness® Mind, Body, Spirit Games on Saturday, September 6, 2008.
It consists of three parts so everyone can participate!:
1) 4-mile men’s run: 8:30 a.m.
2) 4-mile women’s run: 9:30 a.m.
3) Kids Races: 10:45 a.m.

Where is all this fun taking place? Central Park, New York / S, Q +(M/W)



Even if you're not a runner, supporters of the event are still welcome to visit the
fitness Magazine Mind, Body, Spirit Lounge located on Center Road before and after the event for free samples, WNBA clinics, classes and demonstrations, exciting giveaways, free gift bags, and more!

Mind, Body, Spirit Superstar Maria Menounos will kick off the Women’s 4M Race and help with the post-race awards ceremony.


For more information on this event,

Check out the website to register: http://www.nyrr.org/races/2008/r0906x00.asp This event is part of the New York Road Runner's club, so they also have a lot of other great running events in New York City!

If you're interested in pilates, check out Shape Magazine's Pilates for Pink

Pilates for Pink 2008

This year's event will take place on Sunday, September 28 from 9-AM to 5PM at Union Square Park (North) in New York City! I went there last year and it was a blast! For each ticket purchased, you get to take a 40-minute Pilates class, a pink Pilates mat to use during the class, and to keep for your use at home! and a Pilates for Pink Swag Bag stuffed with goodies from our sponsors!

Also, there are booths set up around the area for free samples, games, and other fun activities!

Ticket sales goes toward The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®!

To get tickets,
Check out their website at
http://www.pilatesforpink.com/park.html .