yoga and barre and piyo...oh my

An idea of what I felt like in Barre

I'm hoping that your new year is off to a good start.  I've been doing my best to keep active, although I admit I've already sort of fallen off the early to rise-early to exercise wagon.  I blame the dog...he's just too cuddly first thing in the morning and makes it hard to get out of bed.  

An idea of what I felt like in PiYo

I signed up for a monthly membership at Ultimate Pilates in Glendora.  So far I've taken Booty Barre Flex and Flow, Barre Body, Yoga, and PiYo.  Trying to find my groove as all the classes are so different.  I'm aiming for two a week and then gym time on my off days.  All the instructors have been very cool and the class sizes are small...in Barre Body, I actually was the whole class.  

I struggled the most in PiYo. I didn't really know what I'd gotten myself into...it's kind of like a yoga class but in fast forward. As I was panting and trying to not obviously look at the clock the teacher threw me some praise and added it usually takes 2-3 classes to understand the directions/flow of class. I'm trying class two tonight, think happy thoughts for me.

A couple additional articles:
Tips to ease your mind about a new fitness class 
"New Year, New You" 

How is your new year treating you? Anything new you'd like to share?   

Thai Massage round two

Took myself for a massage as a post birthday treat.  Went back to Sukho Thai Healing Center in Glendora.  I really enjoy calling ahead to be at a place and having them say "see you in 10 minutes."  Hooray for semi-instant gratification! 

Lois was my therapist for this session and she twisted me up like a little pretzel.  I heard my back crack from positions I would not have thought possible, which is not something I would generally go for but I was okay with it.  Don't get me wrong I'm all for the the gentle ease of a Swedish style massage...but there is something about leaving from a Thai massage where your muscles and knots feel all wrung out of you.  It's relaxing, but also energizing....if those can be simultaneous.  


Based of this little guide to benefits, I would have to agree.  This is not a regular massage with a lot of soothing strokes, you'll get some of that but there is a lot of twisting and pulling which is what I think is really helping with relieving tension.  It's almost like assisted Yoga in some positions, like a way to get deeper into the stretches.

I went for a Thai massage once before, see post  Oh my Thai for that experience. I liked my second visit a little more, maybe because I knew what I was getting myself into...but also because I really felt like my whole self more relaxed. 

A trip to Eden...(A Day Spa)

I love the idea of "detoxing".  Clearing out the bad so there is room for good.  The other day I tried a M'lis Detox Wrap at Luxe in Glendora.  Generally I go there for my cut and color needs (with Lisamarie).

The more I visit this salon, the more I like it.  This was my first trip to the Eden Day Spa side and I have to say that I was kind of amazed.  Past the hustle and bustle of the busy salon area there is a door in the back that leads to another door and into a quiet room.  A comfy couch and dim lighting it is a perfect spot to relax a little before you are led upstairs to one of three treatment rooms.

On with the show though.  My skin therapist today was Michelle, who was nice as could be.  We started with a quick scrub, a quick application of the M'lis Contour Body Cream and then I was all wrapped up with plastic.  I got real cozy for about 40 minutes and even dozed off for a few minutes.  The wrap was removed and I was on my way.  I don't know if I lost any inches, but I was for sure relaxed and smelling faintly of cinnamon. Overall it was a very positive experience and I would for sure visit again for other treatments! For a M'lis location near you click here.

oh my thai...a massage experience

I've been working some crazy hours this month (as I do at the end of a quarter)...and decided to treat myself to a massage before month end.  I'd been looking into Thai massage and liked the idea of being stretched into relaxation.

I Yelped a bit, looking for a place with good reviews in my area. I was in luck, as there were a couple of places with rave reviews.  I opted for the Sukho Thai Healing Center in Glendora. I called as I was leaving work, hoping to snag an appointment that evening.  I was in luck and headed right over.  Drove right past it, thinking I knew exactly where they were.  Called them back, circled around, found their little place.  A very friendly older gentleman greeted me.

Being new to the Thai massage experince, I didn't completely know what to expect.  A petite little lady greeted me (I easily stood a foot taller).  She showed me to our small curtained off space and directed me to a box to place my clothes and left me to get to it.

I laid down in the very dark yet calming space.  My massage therapist came back and went to work.  She used oil, and had a very firm pressure.  It began as a pretty basic massage but with some added stretches here and there, I could feel her resting her weight on the back of my thighs which I think gave her better leverage on my back.  I turned over (face up) and she crossed one leg over the other and stood on the table to help stretch the back of my leg...with my leg up on her shoulder I realized very suddenly that I now had nothing covering my lower half. She half asked, half told me that I was okay...and then we repeated it with the other leg. Perhaps modesty is not my thing when my aim is to relax...but she didn't make me feel awkward for one second (maybe one..but not 5 seconds).

I really enjoyed the whole experience.  I also really like that we started off with a warm towel to give me a quick overall cleanse (I spent the whole day in flip flops, so it was super nice to have clean feet!), we finished off with another warm towel with a little essential oil to refresh the senses.  It's maybe a bit of a hole in the wall from the outside, but I would totally go again.

short hair selfie time

A couple of weeks ago I went to my hairstylist and went short.  I'll admit I was a bit nervous at that moment she touched the back of neck and said "OK, here we go", but I kind of love it...like a lot. My thanks goes out to Lisamarie at Luxe in Glendora.

My hair hasn't been short since I was about 7 years old.  Back then, I wanted a bob like my best friend at the time had (she pulled it off well).  I insisted even when my mother and the stylist seemed to want to talk me out of it.  After the cut...my mother drove me home, and I went into the bathroom sat on the the counter and proceeded to cry at the mirror whilst pulling my hair willing it to grow back.

Now though, I've got this grown up a line bob.  My hair holds curl now, I can wear it wavy if I want.  The flat iron makes it all sleek.  There is just (barely) enough to pull into a ponytail for when I'm lazing around the house (today's look).

I do feel that I need to work on the selfie thing though.  As much as I love my hair, I do not like taking my picture.  I'll put selfies on my to-do list (or maybe my to-do-later list) one of the two.

Cheers to you and hope you had a great day and a happy Easter.