Buns Day - In Theory not in Practice

The fourth annual Bun's Day won't be happening as a booty beauty class this year. Instead of me begging everyone to come early on a Sunday morning for an additional workout, I am asking you to Give Back in one of three ways:

1. Buy Omala clothes at Informed Body and we will donate 10% to SaveABunny (see photos of clothes)

2. Bring a check to the studio and at the end of the month we will pass those on to the shelter

3. Go directly to the website at www.saveabunny.com and donate via paypal.

SaveABunny is a non-profit animal rescue organization that saves rabbits from euthanasia at shelters across the Bay Area. Most people aren't aware that after cats and dogs, rabbits are the third most frequently euthanized animal at shelters around the country. Donations go to covering medical expenses, food, shelter and spay and neuter programs.

I hope you will join me in supporting this organization this holiday season and check back next year for Buns Day 5 - we will be working out with a vengeance.

Mat Certification Class

Today was the last day of our teacher training classes for the Pilates mat work. The five ladies who took our course were great students and I have faith they will make great teachers in the future.

In addition to sharing my 11 years of teaching experience and Shona's 9 years of teaching experience, we had them read several books about the work to use for referencing the exercises. When we were at a loss to explain to them why they'd do certain exercises like Rocking (an advanced move I never like to teach) or Swan Dive (not comfortable on men, full bladders etc...) we'd refer to the book "Rael Pilates". Who knew the answer was "to harness your energy". I have never told a client to harness anything. Descriptions like that are almost as priceless as a teacher asking you to breathe through orifices that aren't so obvious.

At the end of our two weekend workshop, we were all exhausted and sore, but we learned a lot. Trainees will be asked to complete 88 hours of class time, practice, observation and practice teaching. If you are interested in working with one of the trainees as a "guinea pig" please let us know.

Finally - a decent article about the "core"

As a general rule of thumb I can't stand the word "core". Often overused and not completely understood, this buzz word of the moment makes everyone believe they are in the know about the body by slipping it into a sentence. An example "We did core work in our exercise class."

I always have to ask what the heck that means to people and 9 times out of 10 they have no clue. They think because they worked their abs, they used their core. Not so. The core is all the muscles in the torso which stabilize the spine and the connectors as well from the legs up. Just yesterday I was reading the NY Times and came across a great article which actually had a good description of the core. Follow this link and learn:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/sports/playmagazine/28physed.html

OMALA at Informed Body

For those of you who missed the trunk show for Omala last weekend I want to share some of my favorite looks. I love a lot of things about this line. It is owned by a lovely woman named Kate Gaertner who also owns a store in NY. Supporting a small business is always a good thing. Kate is planning on producing future lines in the US which is another good thing. She uses sustainable fabrics like Bamboo which is very green. The styling is different from most other activewear lines out there and looks great whether you are wearing it in your workout, dance class or hanging out with friends.

We will carry some of these pieces at Informed Body and rotate them out every few weeks so check back with us. To view the line in its entirety, go to www.omalausa.com If you aren't sure how the items look in person, just ask me (jill) I think I bought ever piece made this season and love them all.

It Pays to "Lose"

Today the studio was buzzing with discussions about Al Gore and his Nobel prize win. Not winning the presidency or having it "stolen" from him hasn't hurt his cause. Since not being the president, he has won an Oscar, an Emmy and now a Nobel. I likened this phenomenon to American Idol where it really pays to lose. Take Jennifer Hudson for example. She didn't win Idol, but she did win an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls in spite of the fact Simon said she'd never make it.

That is a very dumbed down version of the discussion, but the point is we love those underdogs!

Barneys

Ok so this isn't fitness or health related, but it is news. Barneys New York opened in San Francisco last week which to me is very exciting since I have a serious shoe fetish. I will break it down for you all quickly:

1. The Good
It isn't huge. This space is so well edited and easy to navigate. Where other retailers make us dig or enter a store within a store, Barneys is all open and the racks aren't crammed with crap we don't need or want. The shoe department carried some brands not seen in other stores like Lanvin or Givenchy and once again was not overwhelming. Is it just me or does Neiman's need to stop buying the entire Manolo Blahnik line? I can't stand the way they have 5 million pairs poorly displayed. I digress....Great ambiance. Interesting lines are being carried. Loved the Christopher Kane clothes.

2. The Bad
I ask myself "why god, why" does this store need to carry that horrid Juicy Couture crap? No offense to you Marc Jacobs, but your clothes are inundating the retail scene here. I worry you will become the Liz Claiborne or the Jones New York of my generation and I don't mean that in a positive way if you know what I mean. Let us not forget the oversaturation of Diane Von Furstenburg. I get it and yet I don't want to buy it. Clothing aside, the only other criticism is the fact that all racks against the windows are hard to see since the light coming in is so bright. Might I suggest putting a film on the windows?

I am just thankful to have a store that I can run in and out of quickly and potentially find something unique and useful without having to search high and low. I am begging the GM Richard and the shoe Manager Carlos to allow me to host a shoe party one day soon. Interested in attending? Let me know.

Healthy Snacking, Healthy Portions Lecture Recap

First of all I want to thank Traci Higgins our lecturer for doing a phenomenal job. I understand parking was a nightmare out on Hayes Street due to the Symphony gala, so my apologies to those of you who were unable to get there. Regardless, I'd like to share some of the highlights with you:
1. We learned that a Big Mac, a Starbucks blueberry muffin and a small, non-buttered popcorn all have the same amount of fat. Very scary!
2. Traci discussed how to cut calories throughout your day.
a. instead of eating a huge Noah's bagel with cream cheese, buy whole grain mini bagels and put Laughing Cow cheese on it instead. You get the same taste and save over 200 calories.
b. when buying yogurt, get the smaller container and you save calories there
c. Ben & Jerry's and Haagen Das each have come out with single serving ice creams. Instead of buying the pint size and eating too much, buy the single serving. You will save yourself close to 200+ calories
d. the food industry has created "monster" fruits which do not truly reflect the serving size we are meant to eat - buy the small apple not the one the size of a basket ball.
3. Traci's restaurant tips
a. When out at a Mexican restaurant, say no to the chips and ask them to bring out corn tortillas instead. Cut these into quarters put salsa on them. It is much more satisfying than chips and you save hundreds of calories.
b. always order soup or salad before your meal. Ask for a side of fresh herbs with your salad - basil, rosemary, dill whatever. By adding these to your salad, you create more flavor and you just need a bit of olive oil to make it taste even better.
4. Never skip breakfast. If you store your calories up for a big meal out, you will inevitably overeat. Try to have fiber in the morning, like a high fiber cereal and a piece of fruit.
5. All meals should contain a protein, a fat and a carbohydrate. Do not fear carbs, your brain needs them to function.
6. Eat several small meals throughout the day so your body doesn't crash. A particularly unsatisfying lunch is a salad with nothing else. Try nuts, an egg, a slice of cheese, perhaps some hummus or even peanut butter to round out your experience.
7. If you eat a sugar like a chocolate, you must combine it with something like a fruit to balance it out so your insulin doesn't spike. Don't eat crappy chocolate, get the good stuff and savor it.
8. Most people only eat a variety of 15 items. She recommended we go to the grocery store produce section and go through everything there and list what we buy and what we don't. The list will amaze us. We should all try something new each week. Whether it is a new fruit or vegetable or a recipe we found online, we need to make the effort to try new things.

So much more was said, but those were some good points. Traci also recommended snacks like 1/2 cup of hummus and 1/2 whole wheat pita; whole wheat tortilla with 3 oz meat, 1tb cheddar cheese and black beans heated and accompanied by salsa or avocado or even an apple, pear or banana with 2 tb reduced fat peanut butter.

It was really eye opening to be shown the appropriate serving sizes for cereal and other snacks. Yes a quarter of a cup is depressingly small, but it is even more depressing to constantly be dieting. For more information about Traci, go to her website at www.dininginsf.com.

Enzymes & Energy Bars

I make a lot of my health care decisions based on recommendations from colleagues. Often I test what they suggest and then if I am happy, I tell everyone I know. My latest products I am testing are Digestive Health enzymes from a company called Wellzymes and Cinch bars from Shaklee.

A friend who is both an Acupuncturist and Pilates studio owner in Switzerland told me I had to try these digestive enzymes she was taking. According to her she lost 4 Kilos from using these and many of her clients have lost several kilos as well. You lose me with the whole Kilo thing, but 4 sounds like enough to intrigue me. She explained the enzymes help you process your food better which makes you feel fuller since you are getting the full value out of your nutrition. These enzymes also helped her get rid of her sugar cravings. I figured they couldn't hurt me so I ordered a bottle. By the time by shipment arrived, my friend called to say she had lost even more of those darned kilos. I couldn't open my bottle soon enough.

My initial findings are exactly what she said - I am feeling fuller immediately and am not as inclined to want to eat sugar (i.e. chocolate) following each meal to satisfy me. It has been one week and actually do feel like I have more energy since my digestive system isn't sluggish. This product is definitely on my must try list. I subsequently ordered their metabolic balance pills. My only criticism of this product is I find it really challenging to take two pills two hours after I eat and or one hour before I eat. That is a lot to think about. Regardless, I am happy and would order these and other products from them.

The second product I am currently in love with are the Cinch bars from Shaklee. My co-worker Shona brought them in one day and said they tasted great and filled her up. Her mother sells Shaklee products and is constantly sending stuff to Shona to try out. It helped the bar was called Chocolate Decadence. These bars are much smaller than the ones I was eating before and their calorie content was 40 calories less. I was worried that a bar with 120 calories would leave me hungry. I was wrong. These bars have 10 grams of protein and 15 grams of carbohydrates. Most notably these bars are "powered by leucine". What the heck is leucine I thought? I dug deeper to find out it is an amino acid that helps with the regulation of blood sugar levels and the growth and repair of muscle tissue. This makes sense to eat after a workout or even before. Their small size is perfect for throwing in your coat pocket or in your bag and they are great to have on hand when you need quick energy. Shona also recommended the Cinch line of teas and shakes and if you are interested in trying any of them, let us know and we can order through her mother Jayme.

Jill Harris in the news

In case you missed the San Francisco Chronicle this Sunday, August 12, I have copied the "On The Town" interview for you to peruse. Enjoy!

Jill Harris is the owner of Informed Body, a popular fitness studio in Hayes Valley that caters to bold-name socialites and well-toned neighborhood folks alike. She gave us a list of the places she gets to indulge after an intense week of Pilates and yoga instruction.

Cloud's Rest Healing Center, 2717 Judah St. "As a fitness and wellness professional, I am always looking to find a balance between doing things that are good for me and indulging without guilt. For example, I am completely Type A and get so overwhelmed with myself that I get on my own nerves. When this happens, I go to Cloud's Rest Healing Center for an acupuncture treatment with Janis Feichtmeir. I love that they have the most current People magazines in their lobby next to holistic reading materials. She is slowly getting me to sit still and relax for more than fifteen minutes at a time, and has cured my migraines."

Delessio Market and Bakery, 302 Broderick St. "Chocolate is a serious issue for me. I am addicted to the dark chocolate with peanut butter bubble wrap at Delessio. I justify eating this concoction by walking up the Hayes Street Hill to get there. My cardiovascular strength is unbelievably strong from this walk, which makes it well worth the calories."

Citizen Cake, 399 Grove St. "Enlightening Choices nutritionist Nancy Bennett (2475 Washington St.) advised me I needed to make time in my day for a 'chocolate vacation' to de-stress. I consider a trip to Citizen Cake for a chocolate espresso cookie the ultimate getaway."

Barneys New York (currently under construction), 47 Stockton St. "Shoes are another addiction of mine. I wear socks to teach all week long so I can spare my legs for the weekend when I wear heels that are always at least 4 inches high. I am beyond excited to shop the new Barneys in Union Square rather than wait for my Barneys.com shoe deliveries to arrive on their monthly basis. Clients are often surprised that I can walk in the shoes I buy, which just goes to show how great Pilates can be for balance and leg strength."

SaveABunny, www.saveabunny.org . "I rarely like silence and love that I talk with people all day long, except for on Tuesdays when I go to Marin to volunteer at SaveABunny, a nonprofit rabbit rescue group that rescues bunnies from shelters across the Bay Area. It is nice to be around animals who don't talk back and who appreciate the love and attention you can give them. Each year I host a fundraiser called 'Buns Day' for this group. It is a 'booty beauty' workout that supports their spay/neuter program and facility upgrades."

Dining in S.F., www.dininginsf.com . "Cooking is not one of my strong suits, which is why I love Dining in S.F., a personal-chef service that delivers on a weekly basis. Each week Traci Higgins, the chef and owner, sends out menus that list the calorie counts and options for fish, veggie or meat. The meals are delivered to my house and all I have to do is reheat. Only organic products are used."

ODC Dance Commons, 351 Shotwell St. "I never have to think about what I am going to eat when I am running between teaching and taking Modern Jazz Blues dance classes with Bayan Jamay and Elvia Marta at ODC Dance Commons. If you are looking for the key to staying young looking, try some classes here."

Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley. "For the best dance performances in the Bay Area, I go to Zellerbach Hall, where one of my favorite companies, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, makes a yearly appearance."

Quince Restaurant, 1701 Octavia St. "For an indulgent meal or special occasion, Quince is a favorite. The pastas are always over-the-top fantastic. If you adhere to the Atkins diet, break it to try one of their dishes - you won't regret it."

E-mail Aidin Vaziri at avaziri@sfchronicle.com .

Informed Body 2007 Lecture Series Announcement

I am pleased to announce our 2007 Lecture Series. Mark your calendars for the following dates:

Wednesday, September 19th @ 7:30pm - Traci Higgins, Dining In SF Founder and Executive Chef will discuss "Healthy snacking, healthy portions: Finding the balance in order to eat what you love"

Wednesday, October 24th @ 7:30 pm - Anne Krantz, Ph.D., ADTR will talk about Moving Your Body Image

Wednesday, November 14th @ 7:30pm - Julie Elliott, Creator and Founder of In Fiore will educate us about Beauty Remedies and Integrative Skin Care

Hint Water is sponsoring these events and they are all free of charge. We hope you will join us and stay informed.

InFiore Parfumerie

I was introduced to InFiore Body Balms several years ago when we carried them at InForm Pilates. Julie Elliott who owns and created this company impressed me greatly with the care she put into her products as well as the quality of the ingredients. Recently I revisited her product line at her store on Post Street.

Once in the door I felt like I was in a shop in Paris. It reminded me of being in the shops at the Jardin du Palais Royal in Paris. In addition to her body balms and oils she stocks perfumes by Serge Lutens, beautiful candles and even a tincture called tonic gold. Everything is so beautiful I wanted to open each jar and smell each scent. Unfortunately my time was limited and my quest was for the perfect moisturizer for my face.

Julie pointed me over to her skin care oils and suggested I try her Calme formula. It smelled wonderful and felt really light on my skin. Even though it was an oil it didn't feel greasy or heavy. I was sold. At the counter I couldn't help but stare at this jar filled with bottles of a tincture called tonic gold. Julie excitedly explained this liquid helped her find clarity in her day, made her sleep better and change her behavior patterns. The more she talked about what it had done for her friends and customers, the more I felt the need to buy it. Here I am a week later with both my oil and tincture and these are my findings:

a. My face
Within 24 hours I was getting comments on how great my skin looked. I felt like my skin was smoother and hydrated and it actually glowed. I am a total convert and my face feels super soft.

b. My mental state of being
I am not going to lie. The directions said wait 20 minutes before eating after you take the tonic. You are supposed to take it as the sun rises, right when you get up. I can't function for 20 minutes without coffee and decided that coffee wasn't food. Julie set me straight. I took the tonic and hit snooze over the weekend and slept deeper than I had in a really long time. Am I more focused? Not sure yet. I am still trying to have a greater sense of clarity and am trying to meditate a little bit on what it is I want/need in my life. The jury is still out so I will get back to you, but I do like the idea of drinking gold in the morning.

Julie's products can be viewed online at www.infiore.net

A Chocolate Vacation

Last Thursday I sat down with nutritionist Nancy Bennett to discuss my bete noire which is sweets. She said something to me which made perfect sense - "when you eat your chocolate or other desserts, treat it as though you are taking a vacation away from your day." My days are crazy busy and eating food often feels like another task. So much so that I rarely enjoy my Trader Joe's dark chocolate squares or the salted caramels from Miette Confiserie.

I took her advice to heart, picked up individual sized Scharffenberger dark chocolate bars (which p.s. are a little spendy for their size) and gave myself a moment of quiet as I sat down to enjoy one. Though it was completely foreign to me to actually relax and enjoy my treat, I followed her instructions. After a few deep breaths, a bite here and there and complete silence, I felt much more relaxed and even satiated. A baby step I know, but I am willing to try to make a ritual out of enjoying treats so I don't aimlessly eat and overindulge without being satisfied.

Nancy spent a lot of time discussing not just what I ate, but how I approached my food. Together we came up with a list of chocolate that I could eat as snacks. My choices included the Scharffenberger bars, Chocolate Covered Biscotti, Chocolate covered fruit (portion controlled) and Hot Chocolate. Don't get me wrong, she also gave me a handout which recommended yogurt and dry roasted edamame as snacks as well, but I wanted something geared towards my trigger foods. She also gave me a "travel bag" to bring with me to work where I could pack away healthy snacks to always keep on hand. The bag included cups for portion control to make it easier to pack the right foods in the right amounts.

I'd highly recommend using Nancy to discuss your food issues. Be forewarned though, she will ask your commitment level to making changes before even meeting with you. When and if you are ready to make changes no matter how big or small, she can be reached at 415-346-1475 by phone or via email a info@enlighteningchoices.com.

Amazing VedaBody Thai Massage

Ending a long week with a Thai Massage was a treat! Gina Ayon, owner of VedaBody is an amazing practitioner. Even though I am a complete chatty-patty, she still took a moment to quiet me down and center herself before working on me. She worked a lot on pressure points through my feet and finished up with my beyond tight upper back and neck. It was heavenly.

We discussed how the tightness in my body related to my organs and how ayurveda can help me. Gina was incredibly nurturing, knowledgeable and talented. If you get a chance to work with her you are lucky! She is seeing clients on Fridays from 11am-6pm. For more information go to www.vedabody.com.

Just a few more photos!

I can't help myself - the studio looks so great I want to share as much as I can.

Voila!

Not sleeping, eating a lot of chocolate, stressing and relying on the help of others was worth it! Today, June 4, Informed Body opened up and was about 90% ready. The studio looked great and energetically it was the type of place you want to be in all day. Maybe the energy was coming from across the way at Blue Bottle Coffee where I could smell the coffee and hear their grinders working all day long. Anyways, I am excited to share these photos with you and hope once our website www.informedbody.com is up, you will see all we have to offer. Our staff is amazing. Aside from me, our Pilates teachers are: Shona Curley, Anne Bishop, Whitney Archer and Lynn Welch. Personal Trainer Karen Dantzler and Yoga Teacher Katy Fox round off the group. We are blessed to be joined by VedaBody owner, Gina Ayon who will be available for Ayurvedic consultations and Thai Yoga Massage.

build out updates

In case you missed all the chaos of the last few weeks of May, I wanted to share a few photos of what the space looked like in the eye of the storm. Enjoy.

Photos of New Studio Pre-Build Out

Here is what the studio looks like prior to the build out. Keep checking back for progress reports.