Thursday, July 30, 2009
Phenomenal women
3:32 PM | 
Posted by
DI Hip Hop
@ Class tonight we have a special post-workout treat....and cute Tees!
Women. Phenomenal women. Older Phenomenal women. I have been dreaming of phenomenal older women. And I don't mean 40 year olds. 40 can be so young if one decides to make it so. I am talking 70, 80, 90 year olds that are still vivacious and victorious. How do they do it? How can I do it, too?
Recently it was my pleasure to catch up with a friend who has danced professionally for over 20 years in New York. She recently performed at a benefit for the great Chita Rivera (76) who is still knocking them dead. Her take on Chita's vitality---"She never stopped dancing---ever." And the next words out of my friend's mouth were some I will never forget. "And after seeing Chita at 76 guess what--I will never stop dancing either!" Bette Midler. Tina Turner. Cher.
Of course there are many many examples outside of show business of women who we can emulate as we get older. Pick a favorite. But use whichever one you choose as a motivator to push yourself to think long term.
It is great to fit into an old pair of jeans, it is great to add 12 more pushups to your repertoire. It is great to finally master a booty drop with a full twist. And together we will accomplish those things as well.
But today I want to plant a seed in your mind that the strength and fitness you win for yourself now, if maintained, will allow you to live independently, joyfully, youthfully and healthily for years and years to come. Carrying groceries up the front stairs is a whole lot more fun if you don't have to rest halfway up. Playing with nieces, nephews, kids and ...gulp...(someday) grandkids is even better if you can catch and wrestle them. And running a 5k with your adult kids one day will let you know it all has been worth it.
Tonight we take a few steps along the road to our collectively stronger and more fulfilling future. I know I will love every challenging minute. Be there.
xo Angel
Don't forget that we will have a little extra treat tonight. and a few giveaways for you as well.
Monday, July 27, 2009
When you have nothing left to burn.....set yourself on fire
Dear Hip Hop Hot Ones,
A quick, but powerful thought for the day that a friend sent in recently:
When you have nothing left to burn.....set yourself on fire.
A few weeks into the Get Fit Challenge for some and a years into a lifetime of workouts for others but we all face the same challenges. The degree of the challenge may differ but strategies that work have everything in common. Intensity is the key to fitness and weight loss/management whether the change sought is large or small.
Intensity. What do you mean exactly. Well since I am waiting to hop on a connecting flight right now I will keep it short... and ultra intense. When we work our bodies as hard as possible for between 20 and 45 minutes, we maximize results, minimize injury and do not trigger stress hormones that will come if one goes much longer than an hour. (Stress hormones that by the way enhance fat retention and susceptibility to illness) So tonight at class I want ALL you have. Leave it on the floor. When we cool down, it is because by that point in the class you should have given yourself a run for your money.
The beauty is that YOU are in control of the level of intensity that will be reached. And you can almost always reach deep and find a bit more to give, a little more will power to exert. Give yourself your best in the short time we get to spend dancing together instead of a lukewarm hour or two on a treadmill and your goals will be in sight sooner rather than later.
Can't wait to see you tonight---got held up in a bison traffic jam, but made it to the plane on time.
xo
Angel
Monday, July 20, 2009
Every day begins with a few basic questions. What do I have to do? What would I like to get done if possible? Can I find an extra minute for A, B or C? How will taking good care of myself fit in today? Will I challenge myself and get stronger or will I let the day go right on by? Wimp or Warrior? Couch Potato or Hot Tamale? Sweet or Unsweet? We know what the answers SHOULD be, but how can we make it happen on an ultra regular basis?
It is so helpful if you can anchor your schedule to a few firm commitments. I love knowing that every Monday and Thursday I have a date with my Hip Hop peeps and that we can count on each other to not be WIMPS and to dance ourselves into a funky frenzy! Make
your Monday night about dancing, getting strong, sweat, laughter, girl power, push ups, booty drops and the rest of your week will feel easier and a lot more fun.
Peace, Love & Hip Hop,
Angel
ps
Please give Cassandra all you Hip Hop love & support tonight as I am on the west coast!!
It is so helpful if you can anchor your schedule to a few firm commitments. I love knowing that every Monday and Thursday I have a date with my Hip Hop peeps and that we can count on each other to not be WIMPS and to dance ourselves into a funky frenzy! Make
your Monday night about dancing, getting strong, sweat, laughter, girl power, push ups, booty drops and the rest of your week will feel easier and a lot more fun.
Peace, Love & Hip Hop,
Angel
ps
Please give Cassandra all you Hip Hop love & support tonight as I am on the west coast!!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Shawties
“Make exercise a reward, rather than a punishment. Think about how you feel at the end of a run, a great hip hop workout, a tennis match or a spin class and use that to motivate yourself.”
Shawties (translation = hot ladies),
I am overwhelmed at the amazing spirit and determination of all of you. Your enthusiasm for getting fit and staying fit (for a lot of you) is remarkable.
I think we need to change our way of thinking just a bit and look at exercise as something we GET to do, rather than HAVE to do. How lucky are we that we can play tennis at a beautiful tennis court, walk down the street and take a Hip Hop class in our neighborhood (for some of you), ride our bikes to a beautiful pool and do water aerobics. In case you haven't noticed...we are all pretty lucky.
Exercise is a reward and that awesome feeling after a great workout is only one small benefit........ relives stress, fights disease, reverses the signs of aging, bla, bla....so why don't we do it??
At 7:00 tonight, put your tennis shoes on, cute booty shakin' outfit and walk out the door, it really is that simple.
See you all tonight!!
Also, please encourage your man/ guy friends to join the fun tonight...let's see if they can keep up!!
PS
Have great summer Hip Hop CDs and Tshirts!
Peace, Love & Hip Hop,
Angel
Shawties (translation = hot ladies),
I am overwhelmed at the amazing spirit and determination of all of you. Your enthusiasm for getting fit and staying fit (for a lot of you) is remarkable.
I think we need to change our way of thinking just a bit and look at exercise as something we GET to do, rather than HAVE to do. How lucky are we that we can play tennis at a beautiful tennis court, walk down the street and take a Hip Hop class in our neighborhood (for some of you), ride our bikes to a beautiful pool and do water aerobics. In case you haven't noticed...we are all pretty lucky.
Exercise is a reward and that awesome feeling after a great workout is only one small benefit........ relives stress, fights disease, reverses the signs of aging, bla, bla....so why don't we do it??
At 7:00 tonight, put your tennis shoes on, cute booty shakin' outfit and walk out the door, it really is that simple.
See you all tonight!!
Also, please encourage your man/ guy friends to join the fun tonight...let's see if they can keep up!!
PS
Have great summer Hip Hop CDs and Tshirts!
Peace, Love & Hip Hop,
Angel
Monday, July 13, 2009
It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to --Annie Gottlier
It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to --Annie Gottlier
A few months ago, I wrote to you about the vitally important and yet very difficult habit of setting immediate, mid and long-term fitness goals towards which to work (and how I was searching for new goals at the time). In just over a week the opportunity to finally take on the challenge that my husband and I picked will arrive. Our family is so very fortunate to be heading out west to climb one of the tallest peaks in Wyoming and hike the gorgeous trails of Yellowstone National Park. Don't get me wrong, I am no female Bear Grylls. Roughing it is not my thing.....at all. But I will be ready and for that I have all of you to thank.
When you and I are dancing, running, jumping and pushing each other, you give out such a giant burst of energy and motivation that I can complete things that may not have been attempted alone. The power that you bring to our Mondays and Thursdays continues to leave me speechless. The extra effort you inspire in me twice a week when cranking pushups, coming up with a new routine or desperately trying to hold my v-sit a few seconds longer is something that comes in handy every time a new test presents itself.
So when pushing up a steep track heading for a mountain meadow full of wildflowers I will enjoy it more and pant like a dog less because of the work we have put in together. It is my hope that you find a similar reserve within yourself into which you have made regular deposits during our time together.
Tonight let's put more mojo into our collective account. I know I'm going to need it. Hope it gets you closer to where you want to be as well.
Peace and Love and Bootie Shaking,
Angel
T-Shirts and CDs Tonight!!!!!!!!
And remember--CO ED night this Thursday--Bring your boys with Flavor!!!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Summer dance party!
Dearest Hottie Hots,
Like all of you, there always seem to be a slew of items on my plate each day. And while summer has a different pace and feel to it than the school year with not rising quite so early, longer days and to do lists keep sprouting new items by the minute. Add to that the requisite arrival of summer guests and it can be discombobulating at times.
But don't get me wrong, I love it this way. It will be great fun to catch up with my aunt, uncle and grandmother. Happily, my girls are having a great break from school. The extra hour of sleep this morning was incredible. But just as during various other times of year, it is so important to take time to regroup, work off a little steam and gain the strength necessary to keep on chugging. So we dance.
Tonight will be a summer dance party/challenging workout/centering custom designed to keep us on the right track. I can't wait to see you, catch up a little and get right to work/play. See you at 7:30!!!!
XO
Angel
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Dear Patriotic Booty Shakers,
It's been a few days since the 4th, and I hope you all had a great time celebrating our great nation's independence and have had time to fully recover from doing so. An entire week committed to everything but exercise between family time, work, a little dance, travel and party food and drink has gotten me so jonesing for tonight that I can hardly contain myself.
Last week I was able to take class with some very cool choreographers and have some steps and music that should really get you going. Also I came across an article --(it's an oldie from 07, but a goodie) that really puts the whole argument for hard burst-interval training together and I wanted you to see it. It's what we do every class and why. Here is the link:
So tortoises and hares unite!!! Let's go hard, collect ourselves, and let 'er rip again. Not only is it so much more fun than 45 minutes on the elliptical machine, it make you much much fitter and into a smoking hot, fat burning machine who knows how to shake it.
XO
Angel
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