Archive for December, 2009
Posted by terrepruitt on December 31, 2009
So here it is the end of the year. I have been blogging since March (2009). I have posted 130 times. This is 131. I thought I would end the year with a review of some of my favorites and according to the numbers some of your favorites too. Here they are, not in any order:
Lyrics Gone Wrong . . . I had entertained the idea of doing this once a month, but after the second month I ran out of songs to play with.
Interesting Picture – Marilyn Monroe Albert Einstein . . . I LOVE optical illusions and this one is a doosey.
Hummingbird Tongues . . . they still fascinate me and I am still surprising people with the fact that the birds have tongues and use them more than the beak is a straw. And usually they tongues dart in and out so fast it is a rare treat to catch it out for a picture. Yay!
A Poem Says A Lot . . . Fabulous! We Have Come To Be Danced . . .
Nia Belt System . . . Before you can move onto the next belt they say a year must pass. You do not have to get involved. It is a great workout without being involved with the belts. The belt system only comes into play if you care to get that involved in Nia. Nia’s belts mimic some Martial Arts; white, green, blue, brown, black. I am learning so much with my White Belt, I can see myself waiting at least another year before I move onto the next belt. There is so much to learn and enjoy in each belt, I am not in a hurry.
Say: “I Am Wonderful” . . . I like to say this, I like to hear this song. I like to remind people to go to iTunes each week to download the free song.
A Brief Look At Nia . . . still excited to share Nia with people. It is a great body-mind practice and a workout that can make you sweat yet not really feel like exercise. It is learning to follow the body’s way.
Wrapping Tips . . . WHAT? I was shocked that everyone did not read my blog. On Christmas Day and the day after the bags and bags and bags and bags of wrapping trash that I saw on the curbs just blew my mind. In this day and in these times, I was just utterly flabbergasted that people don’t re-use the wrappings. It amazed and saddened me.
My Favorite Mugs . . . so I found out that not everyone got my little joke. Ya know, back in the day (what day, I don’t know), they used to call faces mugs . . . get it now?
The Seven Cycles Of A Nia Workout . . . The workout has cycles, somewhat like Jazzercise. I like to share this aspect of Nia so people have an idea of what a workout class will be like. We set a focus and an intent, step in, warm up and move all the way through the cycles to the floor, and then we step out.
Well, thank you so much for joining me on my blog. I hope that you continue to read, I hope you enjoy and learn. I learn from your comments so keep them coming. Thank you for a great year. Here is to the NewYear.
But . . .before we jump into the New Year, share with me what your favorite post from my blog was? AND/OR give me ideas on what you would like to see posted in the New Year.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Albert Einstein, Bay Area Workout, Belt System, Black Belt, blonde sex symbol, Blue Belt, body's way, Body-mind, body-mind practice, Brown Belt, Carlos Rosas, cats dancing, Christmas, Christmas Day, coffee mugs, cool down, cycles, dance, dancing cats, Debbie Rosas, exercise, floorplay, Free download, Free iTunes, free iTunes download, free song, Gary Go, gift bags, green, Green Belt, Healing exercise, Healing workout, health, heaven dance, Humming bird, Hummingbird, hummingbird pictures, Hummingbird tongue, I am wonderful, iTunes, Jazzercise, Jazzercise San Jose, Jewel Mathieson, lefty, Lyrics, March 2009, Marilyn Monroe, martial arts, Martial Arts Belt System, mind body, Mugs, Nia, Nia class, Nia exercise, Nia exercise class, Nia play, Nia Practice, Nia routine, Nia San Jose, Nia teachers, Nia Technique, Nia workout, Non-Impact Aerobics, Painted Glove, Personal Trainer, Poem, San Jose, San Jose exercise, San Jose Nia, San Jose Workout, San Jose Yoga, sanctuary, sex symbol, theory of relativity, tongue, warm-up, We Have Come To Be Danced, White Belt, Working Out, Workout cycles, workout routines, wrapping paper, Yoga | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 29, 2009
The Nia White Belt Principle #2 is Natural Time and the Movement Forms. I have posted about the movement forms, here I talk about Natural Time. There is the Natural Time of the Mayans with the 13 moons to a year and there is the Natural Time of one’s body and one’s own movements.
In a Nia workout class even as the teacher is leading the participants through a routine, the participants are encouraged to follow their own natural time. There could be a section of the exercise that consists of floating down and rising up. I might invite you to do it in “your own time”, your “natural time”, encouraging you to do it as you sense. The music could be motivating you to float down slowly and rise up quickly, or vice-versa, or slow both in the downward motion and the upward motion. But it is up to you and your body, your own natural time. So even though we are moving all together we are doing it in our own time. We are allowing our bodies to listen the music and move as we sense it.
The same goes, really for our choreographed moves, one might move it fast and big, whereas the person standing right next to them might move it slow and small. It all depends on one’s own body. Moving in natural time helps us connect deeply with our own bodies. Without being forced to move at a specific speed or “volume” we can ensure that we get the exact workout out bodies need.
The routines in Nia are choreographed in a way that allows for people to play with the moves. Participants can move their own way and in their own time. Most steps are simple and allow for simplifying or spicing it up.
Nia also considers 13/20 to be the code of Natural Time. There are 13 major joints and 20 digits of the body. Body movements moving all 13 joints and 20 digits is a way to receive information from the body.
Visit my site for details on my ON-GOING classes in San Jose (the schedule and the classes I mention on the blog might change from time to time. The best way to find out about CURRENT classes is to visit: http://www.helpyouwell.com/nia-class-schedule.html . Thank you!)
Posted in Nia, Nia White Belt Principles | Tagged: 13 moons, body's way, exercies, exercise, exercise San Jose, Mayans, Movement Forms, Natural Time, Nia, Nia class, Nia exercise, Nia exercise class, Nia Natural Time, Nia routine, Nia San Carlos, Nia San Jose, Nia White Belt, Nia White Belt Principle #2, Nia workout, Nia workout class, San Carlos Nia, San Jose exercise, San Jose Nia, San Jose Workout, Workout San Jose | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 26, 2009
Tis the season I am sure you know that different alcoholic beverages have different nutiritional value. I am not going to post about the negative issues on alcohol, we all know that it is not the best thing that we can be including in our diet. There are choices that can be made when you know a few things. I just wanted to remind you of a few things. According to Fitday.com
White table wine (3.5 oz) has 85 calories, 2.7 carbs, and no fat
Reisling (3.5 oz) has 80 calories, 3.7 carbs, and no fat
Gewurztraminer (3.5 oz) has 81 calories, 2.6 carbs, and no fat
Red table wine (3.5 oz) has 87.5 calories, 2.7 carbs, and no fat
Merlot (3.5 oz) has 83.3 calories, 2.5 carbs, and no fat
Zinfandel (3.5 oz) has 88.3 calories, 2.8 carbs, and no fat
Burgundy (3.5 oz) has 86.3 calories, 3.7 carbs, and no fat
Eggnog made with whole milk (8 oz) 306.2 calories, 30.7 grams of carbs, and 17 grams of fat. This is not including the alcohol.
An ounce/shot of brandy has 64.2 calories, 0 carbs, and no fat
Online is telling me that 3.4 oz of champagne has 76 calories, 2 carbs, and no fat
I am not sure what type of champagne that is and I know that I typically drink sparkling wine not champagne. I am just sharing sharing some facts since this is the time of year where many people that don’t usually drink might have a drink or two. One way to assist yourself in avoiding alcohol altogether is to volunteer to be the designated driver. That is an additional incentive to not indulge.
Whatever you do, enjoy, but remember moderation is the key. And be responsible.
I don’t have a special “Holiday Drink” but I always hear about people have special drinks they indulge in over the Holiday season. I would love to hear about your special drink. Leave a comment sharing it with us all.
Happy Holidays!
Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: Alcohol, exercise, Exercising, Holiday Drink, Holiday Seasons, Holidays, Merlot, Season, specialty drinks, white wine, Zinfandel | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 24, 2009
Years ago my friend made a salad and brought it to a potluck. This had to be over 10 years ago. Since then I have seen many versions of this salad, and I myself had made many different versions. But for Christmas I am always asked by my husband’s family to bring this salad.
-A bag or two of Spring Mix
-A pear or two (chopped into pieces)
-Walnuts (chopped)
-Blue Cheese
-Balsamic Vinaigrette
Mix all the ingredients together. Using as many nuts and as much blue cheese as you would like to make a good balance.
You might be able to tell in the photo of my salad, I did not use spring mix. I used a bag of heart of romaine and some baby spinach. I didn’t use walnuts, I used pecans. I also didn’t take the picture with the dressing on because I didn’t want to toss it until we were ready to eat it even though we were going somewhere not far from San Jose.
It is a great salad. I sometimes use apples instead of pears. Whatever you have on hand is good to use. I like to use walnuts or pecans, I have tried another nut, but I am sure it would work out.
Posted in Food | Tagged: blue cheese, Christmas, Green Salad, salad, San Jose, San Jose Workout, Spring Mix, walnuts, workout | 1 Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 22, 2009
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This is the a picture of the Balance Finger from the Nia 52 Moves.
The Middle Finger is pointing down. In Nia this hand/finger position is general used in combination with your arms straight out and one foot in the air. As you balance on one foot use your balance finger in space for support.
This exercise assist in integrating the two halves of the body, the upper half and the lower half. Anytime you stand or lean on one leg you workout the balance/stabilizing muscles. I think when your stabilizing muscles are used to working out they will be there when you need them and help keep you from falling.
Posted in 52 Moves (of Nia), Nia | Tagged: Balance Finger, balance muscles, exerciese, Nia, Nia exercise, Nia workout, stabilizing muscles, workout | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 19, 2009
Nia White Belt Principle #1 is The Joy of Movement. Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas were in the fitness industry back in the 1980’s when they felt the pull to do something different. From what I understand they didn’t know exactly what they were going to do. They just were seeing a lot of injuries in the aerobic industry and decided that working out in a way that injured one’s body was not the right way to be working out. They decided they wanted to workout in a way that allowed for honoring the body and for appreciating the body.
Debbie and Carlos did not just meet one day and decided to put a bunch of things together and “Voila! There is Nia!” . . . . it grew out of years of learning. As you look through information regarding Nia you can see some of the transformations it has gone through. Nothing big enough to make you think that it is not what it was when it start, but there are some changes. But one think that they found constant from the beginning was an incredible feeling of Joy.
They recognized that as a special element of Nia. They also recognized that as more of a sensation than a feeling. They determined that it was something that the body actually sensed when it was allowed to move as it was designed to do. Joy could be used as an energy to fuel the workout. Joy, as a body sensation can be called upon no matter what one is FEELING.
The Nia White Belt Manual explains how Joy is more of an attitude toward the body, and attitude toward life. When you sense this Universal Joy you work to stay connected to it.
In a workout or a dance you can actually choose to have Joy be your energy. Then you sense Joy as a sensation. While you are moving thoughts and feelings might come into your workout / dance, but ideally you are just noticing them but not dwelling on anyone in particular. And you are retaining the Joy.
You are encouraged to sustain the Joy and the way of moving that allows you to sense Joy. If you feel Joy slipping or that you are no longer sensing the Joy of Movement you can tweak what you are doing, the way you are doing it, to increase that sense of Joy.
During a Nia workout the teacher guides you through the moves of the routine, but it is up to you—the participant—to move in a way that brings you Joy.
If you remember anything about Nia, remember this: that the soul of Nia is the Joy of Movement. It is the physical celebration of the body.**
**Direct quote from The Nia Technique – White Belt Manual by Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas March 2001, V3
Posted in Nia, Nia White Belt Principles | Tagged: Carlos Rosas, celebration, dance, Debbie Rosas, element of Nia, exercise, fitness, fitness industry, joy, Joy of Movement, Nia, Nia Dance, Nia exercise, Nia White Belt, Nia White Belt Manual, Nia workout, Principle #1, sensation, sustain, tweak, Universal Joy, White Belt, workout | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 17, 2009
As you know I post about things other than health, wellness, exercise, and working out. I do try to post helpful things.
Recently we got a box of wrapping paper down and I opened it up and there was a pile of folded kind of crumpled paper. I pulled it out and set it aside. I figured that I saved it to use to re-use for wrapping. But it was so crumbled I didn’t have the heart to try to deal with it at that moment. So as I was wrapping over the next couple of days it dawned on me what that pile of paper really was for—-packing. A couple of years ago I started saving paper that had been used. If it was pretty or I really liked it I save it.
I use my shredder to shred the wrapping paper. When I use those handy gift bags I use the paper shredded instead of using tissue paper. I also use shredding wrapping paper when I am shipping packages (usually in addition to another recycled packing product). I really like this idea of re-using the paper. Other paper that works is the paper that is too small to use to actually wrap a gift. It all looks really pretty and festive once it is shredded. It works really great when you have two sided paper.
I love wrapping paper, but I think it is a huge waste, so if I can re-use something I love it. I save bows to re-use them. Drives my husband crazy It used to drive my husband crazy, but I save them and re-use them. Please don’t be offended if you ever receive a gift from me with a bow taped on the package. That actually means that I recued that bow from being thrown away then loveing stored it and saved it until it had the perfect recepient.
I also don’t usually write on the gift bag or put the stick name tag directly on it. I usually stick the tag on the shredded paper or stick it to itself over the cord/handle of the bag. That way the recipient can use the bag again.
Sometimes these bags can become family traditions. You can use a gift special back to swap back and forth. For years my family had a bag going back and forth. It was a sea of white cartoon rabbits with one rabbit dressed in red and white. It lasted a long time, but eventually it tore and we moved on, but it was fun while it lasted.
Bags, tissue, bows, and shredding aren’t meant to last forever, but if they get more than one use, that is a great thing.
If you really want to be resourceful and “green” you could always give one of those reusable grocery bags as the gift bag, “wrap” the gift it that!
Do you have any wrapping re-use ideas? What works out for you and your family?
Posted in Helpful Hints | Tagged: exercise, family tradition, gift bags, green, health, recycle, recycling, shredded paper, wellness, workout, wrapping paper | 13 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 15, 2009
Not too long ago I was feeling so tired. I didn’t know why and I still don’t KNOW why, I think I know, but I am not sure. I think I wasn’t getting enough iron. I take Calcium supplements, they are Cal Complete so they have other stuff in them. I understand and I like the idea of being able to get all the nutrients I need from food and not having to take a supplement. But . . . I don’t think that is realistic for me. I think that sometimes I just don’t eat all the nutrients I need. Also, since our food is so altered who really knows if I am getting the nutrients I need from the food. There are other reasons I food might not have all the nutrients we think, first of all the food can be altered (as I just stated), or it could be not as fresh as it needs to be for optimal nutrients, or I could be cooking some of the nutrients out. Either way, I like the idea, but I don’t think it is entirely possible to get everything I need all the time from food. And with calcium it is recommended to take a supplement anyway.
With calcium your body can only absorb so much at a time so it is recommended to take it twice a day. I always take the “going to bed” one, but I was forgetting about the morning one. And I think it was affecting me. I eat a spinach salad almost every night so I thought I was getting enough iron through that, but apparently even though spinach has a lot of iron the body cannot absorb it that well.
There are two kinds of iron heme and nonheme. Heme is found in meat and is most easily absorbed by the body. Nonheme is typically found in plant sources and is not as easily absorbed.
I eat mostly chicken with about 1.1 milligrams per 3 oz. compared to beef at 2.2 to 3.2 milligrams per 3 oz. Add my chicken to my salad, I have about 3.8 milligrams. The total of the two is close to 20% of the recommended daily allowance. So, if you add my two calcium pills with a total of 83% of the RDA you get 103%. If I only take one then I am missing about 40%. Now I don’t know if that is enough to make me feel like I did, but I thought, “Hey, let’s get back to my 83% and remember to take both pills and now I am feeling less tired.’”
Of course, only lab tests and a doctor can tell me what if it truly was low iron. It could be a lot of things, but I just thought it was interesting that spinach doesn’t contain as much iron as I thought and absorbing it depends on what it is mixed with. So I figure with the chicken I eat, the spinach I eat and the calcium with iron I take, in addition to anything else I am eating that might have iron in it, I really will be getting the RDA.
For a lot more information on iron: (06.07.20 – sorry seems like this link no longer works)
http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/iron.asp
Posted in Food | Tagged: Calcium, dietary supplements, exercise, heme, iron Calcium supplements, nonheme, nutients, nutrients, spinach, workout | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 12, 2009
Now Feldenkrais in Nia is not so much a movement as it is the feeling, the sensation of movement. With this technique as our guide we slow down, we become aware, we witness our movement. The creators of Nia wanted a movement form that resulted in health, both physical and mental.
The Feldenkrais technique is specific and Nia does not claim to practice this technique, instead the idea of being able to create change in the body, by moving it and by focusing on the movement is what is incorporated into Nia. The idea of change being possible. The idea of slowing down and paying attention. Or even if going fast—the idea is to pay attention.
I like to refer to Nia as a body-mind* practice/exercise/workout, because in White Belt we are instructed to go to the body. Moving in the body’s way and in our own body’s way in particular is one reason why I think of it as body-mind. But even though we go to the body that does not mean that we are not being aware. We need to use our mind to listen to the body. If a movement is being done in class and you copy it exactly, you need to be aware of the sensation your body is returning back to you. Is doing the move EXACTLY how the teacher is doing it really what YOUR body needs? Do you need to do it bigger? Or smaller? What is it that YOUR body is telling you?
Adding some of the concepts of Moshe Feldenkrais adds body awareness to Nia. We feel the body as it moves. We respond to it, we are aware of it. We are connected to our bodies. It is somatic movement. It is movement with ease.
This is how a Nia workout includes elements from Feldenkrais.
The Nine Basic Movements Forms of Nia
*I think that is how Carlos Rosas (AyaRosas) refers to Nia also
Posted in Movement Forms of Nia, Nia | Tagged: body-mind exercise, body-mind practice, body-mind workout, Carlos AyaRosas, Carlos Rosas, exercise class, Feldenkrais, mind-body exercise, Mind-body practice, mind-body workout, Moshe Feldenkrais, movement sensation, Nia, Nia class, Nia Exercies, Nia Practice, Nia workout, somatic movement, workout class | 10 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 10, 2009
Recently I attended a Holiday Party in San Francisco put on by Yelp. It was for all the “Bays”; East Bay, South Bay, North Bay. They always have promotional items and things lying about. I spotted some Laffy Taffy and grabbed a few. Now first let me say, “I know, I know, the ingredients are pretty much everything on my ‘avoid’ list” but I put some in my purse anyway. Even though this is not something you should eat (becuase it is just so fully of stuff that you shouldn’t have) I am so glad I grabbed it, I don’t know whether I was just in a silly mood, but the jokes on them had me laughing so hard that I was tearing up. They are just good old fashion silly jokes. I am thinking that there are some kids out there that will like ’em.
1) How do you get an alien baby to sleep?
1a) You rocket
2) What is a buccaneer?
2a) Expensive corn
3) What is a bunny’s motto?
3a) Don’t frown, be hoppy
4) What is a cat’s favorite color?
4a) Purrrrple
5) Why is it so hot in a stadium after a football game?
5a) All the fans have left
6) Why is a lost dalmation so easily found?
6a) He’s always spotted
7) Why did the boy throw butter out his window?
7a) He wanted to see a butterfly
8) What do you call a cow with a twitch?
8a) Beef jerky
So? Did they make you laugh? Make you smile? Which one was your favorite? Silliness is fun!
Posted in Entertainment, Misc | Tagged: Beef jerky, butterfly, dalmation, East Bay, good jokes, good old fashion silly jokes, Holiday party, jokes, kid jokes, Laffy Taffy and grabbed, North Bay, promotional items, San Francisco, silly mood, South Bay, Yelp | 7 Comments »
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