Wednesday, May 27, 2009

What do you value? How do you get there?

Inspiration: To be surrounded by people and situations that only bring my joy.

What is truly important to you? Do you desire to be fit, prosperous and happy? The answer a self-explanatory YES. Everyone does. What is keeping you from this? Time? We make time for those things that are most important to us.

I had the pleasure of listening in to a teleseminar phone call the other night. It was James Arthur Ray interviewed on Healing with the Masters. He was the Jeannie guy in the movie "The Secret".
For those of you unfamiliar with this, it is about manifesting your true heart's desire. I have provided the link to listen to this "amazing", eye-opening call.
http://www.healingwiththemasters.com/audio.htm. It is available until next Thursday at no charge.

He has a new book out that was number five in its first week on the New York Times Bestseller List. It is called "Harmonic Wealth". I am definitely going to check this out ! He views harmonic wealth as financial, mental, physical, spiritual and relational. It is an interesting approach.

What has been popular in the last few years is the "Law of Attraction". James speaks of six other laws that govern our ability to manifest what we truly desire. The one that caught my attention is the "Law of rhythm". There are lows and highs. There is the yin and the yang. There is winter and summer. Embrace what we believe to be the darker times knowing that the season will come for us to feel joy and exuberant....:)

Warmly, Denise

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day Weekend in NYC

Inspiration: To be true to what makes me feel good.

I cannot believe how fast time goes. It is already memorial day weekend !!! Here in the big apple, we transition from our boots to sandals overnight.

This is a time to be expressive in who we are. There is freedom in the warm weather. I get to where my Birkenstocks which are my favorites shoes.......My first pair was in 1993 and I could not believe I spent $ 90 on the ugliest pair of shoes I thought imaginable. Years and pairs later, these have seen my flat foot through many a joyous time. Needless to say, these are great for plantar fasciitis, broken toes and bunions. A great place to purchase these is on Amazon. You can even get a deal !!! My second favorite thing is to wear my cut off levi shorts. I still have two pairs from over a decade ago. This is an indication if my physical body is still where it was. I can happily say it is. Here I am, 43 and rocking birks and cut offs. Maybe you are more of a "designer" gal or guy. Whatever "inspires" you.

The point is, at any age you can "rock it". I have to admit, it does commitment.
My five (sometimes six days a week) of physical activity has shifted to include days of yoga in lieu of gym workouts. It is not necessary to work out this often. My intention is to inspire. Since this is my vocation, I have to walk the walk. :)

It has been a weekend of yoga for me. I took class on both Saturday and Sunday. There is an eclectic studio in Tribeca called Kula Yoga. I go there once a week to change the trajectory of my daily work/live life on the Upper west side. I also took a class at Equinox whose instructor I have been meaning to try. It is important to change your scenery now and then. Otherwise, you get "stuck" in the same day to day and visual. Yoga truly is my bliss....:) It grounds me in the midst of my mindful chatter.

What makes your heart sing? Are you taking steps to get there?

Namaste,
Denise

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

On Exercise

Inspiration: To surrender to what is, not what I want it to be.


Now let's talk about exercise. Let us look at it from a different perspective. We are in a time of great change, especially the economic climate. Many of you may feel stressed. It is real but the collective consciousness is instilling even more fear and lack than is actually here now. The best way to move through this is through exercise. The better you feel, the more you will be able to bring into your life what you truly desire. When our energy is low, we are not at our best and therefore cannot muster up what is necessary to steer our way through the cobwebs that may be present . When there are "blockages" we are literally blocked from receiving and listening. It is essential now, to honor oneself and in that honoring you will be able to move mountains....)

The work I do is Yoga-Based Intention Training. In each session, the breathe is the most important element. It is breathe followed by the movement. Both have to be in sync. Sessions combine aspects of strength, yoga and cardio. There is usually a theme that is weaved throughout. I also address injuries in an esoteric, but grounding way.

If this sounds a bit "spirited", have faith. On the physical level, here is a short list of what I have accomplished:

1-Completed five half-marathons.
2-Taught group fitness body conditioning and abdominal class for Equinox.
3- Yoga practitioner.
4-Medical Exercise Specialist.
5-Paul Chek NLC 1 Nutrition and Lifestyle counselor.
6-American Council of Exercise Personal Trainer

I am also creating a new brand of children's fitness. I will be giving my very first kids birthday party at Club H Fitness on May 31, 2009.

For more info, kindly contact me at www.dbrandi@earthlink.net.

Have a very "peaceful" day.
Denise

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The Color Green

Inspiration: To allow myself to feel all my feelings and let them move through me with ease.

I have always loved the color green. Ever since I was a kid. Back then, it was a strange choice; purple, blue, red, yellow were more typical. Most recently, it hit me why I resonate with this color.

Green is the color of healing. In energy anatomy, it is represented by the fourth chakra. For those who are unfamiliar with that word, a chakra is a vortez of energy. We all have seven major energy centers. The "heart" chakra is the 4th and resonates to the color green. Over the past five years, I have immersed myself in healing the deepest parts of me. In the process, I have experienced both great joy and pain. Now whenever I consciously wear the color green, my vibration is always elevated. It is interesting how we know what is good for us but might not know why. When your spirits are low, don't despair. Put on a touch of GREEN. Nature is also very green. Go there. Take off your shoes. Lie in the grass and breathe....Be Present.


Have a very "peaceful" day.
Denise

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Outdoor Classes

Today's Inspiration: To allow yourself to breathe in the sweetness of Spring

This week begins a stellar forecast of over 70 degrees. Being outdoors is one of the most therapeutic ways to move. Now is the perfect time to exercise outside. Many of you do not enjoy working indoors as our life in NYC is primarily inside. This gives you an amazing opportunity to be around others of like mind.

I would like to begin a series of outdoor workouts in Central Park
sometime in June . These classes will combine strength, endurance, yoga and relaxation. It will not be a "typical" bootcamp where you are trained beyond your comfort levels. This class will help you be stronger, more flexible and empowered.

Presently, I am uncertain as to what hours these classes will occur. I am thinking of mid-morning and an early evening. Kindly advise what your preferences may be. I look forward to hearing from you.


Best, Denise

Saturday, May 16, 2009

A Sunny Central Park Day

My daily inspiration: To be in the moment and not allow distractions to completely overwhelm me.

Yesterday was a glorious day ! It reached nearly 75 degrees.
The most tranquil place in the city for me is Central Park. Eagerly, I have waited all winter for this time to emerge. The park is very healing. It takes me out of my thinking mind into my feeling heart. All worries seem to "amazingly"disappear as I sit in the grass. Friday morning I awoke at a very bizarre hour;4:30am.
Could that have anything to do with the fact I was in bed by 6:30 pm? That's right, 6:30 pm, before most newborns go to sleep.

I am learning to "listen" to my body, regardless. It is a hard lesson that still continues to humble me on a daily basis. I am a very "physical" person having trained my body beyond it's comfort levels. Over the course of my thirteen plus years as a personal trainer, I have learned many things from my own body. The body has its "limits". From a myriad of foot related injuries, to a shoulder dislocation and rotator cuff tear, I have had my share of experiences (just to name a few).


The key message I would like to reinforce is "to listen". This can transcend the physical. It could be in your everyday life. When confronted with a situation, do your best to not allow the "thinking mind" to take over for the "intuitive" feeling. :) For me, it is a daily practice to listen, not only to the body, but to whatever arises in my thoughts. At 43 years young, I realize the body is a sacred temple. It requires nourishment on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels. The gift I have been given, is the ability to move and inspire others who are at many different places in their temples development. It does not matter where you begin. Just start by honoring your presence and taking better care of yourself. Remember, that nature has healing powers. Go and sit under a tree.

I wish you all a very "peaceful" day.

Best, Denise

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Welcome !!!

Hello everyone. Welcome to my blog. This site is dedicated as a tool for inspiration and self-discovery. My name is Denise and I am a Holistic Fitness trainer. Over the course of my 43 years here, I have learned many things about movement, life, love and loss. It is my deep intention to move and inspire you to become the best you can be. With a lot of dedication, heart and constistency, we are all capable of tapping into our true potential.