Terre Pruitt's Blog

In the realm of health, wellness, fitness, and the like, or whatever inspires me.

  • I teach yoga, Nia, and stretch online!

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Archive for the ‘Misc’ Category

SeaPlasma

Posted by terrepruitt on June 4, 2009

Great for after a Dance WorkoutI want to share this product with you.  I have been using this product since I was in high school.  It is awesome.  It is not all natural, most of the ingredients I can’t pronounce, but the first one is water.  It is one of those products that is so versatile.  They call is an “All Purpose Skin and Hair Moisturizer”.  And that is what it is for me.

SeaPlasma by Focus 21

I am not comfortable using most products on my hair and my skin, but this one I do.  It is great for moisturizing without adding any kind of sticky left over feeling.  And I have never had a problem with it when it comes in contact with my clothes.  It is great to use to cool you off.  It is awesome.

In addition to a moisturizer and a “cooling agent” it has such a great refreshing scent that you can even use it as an after exercise “freshen up” tool.  I mean, face it, we would all love to take a shower after every workout, but sometimes you have to rush off to pick up the kids, meet a friend, or maybe you’re like me and you are rushing off to another class and there isn’t time for a shower.  Sea Plasma can be used on your hair and skin and you can be off and running and not smell like you just finished working out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In San Jose you can find it in the drug stores now.  I used to have to buy it from my hair salon.  I bet you can find it in your local drug store, too.

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments »

Baby Blue Jay Bath

Posted by terrepruitt on May 28, 2009

This past summer we were lucky enough to be the home to six baby blue jays (maybe more it was difficult to keep track).  It was fun to watch them grow up.  I think most of the six have gone, but I think one is still here.  I think others visit because we put peanuts out for them.   Since we live in San Jose, we have great weather and blue jays are always here.

It was fun to watch their different “personalities” or styles.  One exercised great caution and care when it came to bath time, another one, as you will see below . . . .would get in there and just have a ball.

These are from August 28, 2008.

 

Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance Workout

 

Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance Workout

Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance Workout

Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance Workout

Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance Workout

Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance Workout

 

Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance Workout

I actually think this one, is the one that would be very careful.

 

Posted in Birds | Tagged: , , , | 17 Comments »

Henna Tattoos

Posted by terrepruitt on May 23, 2009

I had been thinking about getting some henna decoration around my ankles or on the lower legs.  I was thinking that would be cool since people tend to look at my feet a lot since I am a group exercise instructor teaching Nia.  I had been looking for an artisit in San jose.  But, then I saw pictures from a Yelp Event and there had been a Henna Artist there doing tattoos.  These were the first tattoos I had seen that had sparkles and glitter on them.  Ooooooo, now we are talking!

So I contacted her and started learning a bit about Henna and Henna Tattoos.  First of all when  the henna is applied and it is like puff paint, it is raised and thick and initially wet.  So the glitter is applied when it is wet and I imagine this is done when one is at an event or a party, because then it looks extra pretty.  As the Henna dries it starts to flake off and if you have glitter that will probably flake off too.

As I was looking at Henna and Beyond website I read that it is believed that putting henna on the skin started out as a way to cool people in the desert, “When the desert people of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat became aware of Henna’s cooling properties, they dipped their hands and feet in a mud or paste made with the crushed leaves of the plant. Even when the mud was scraped off, they noticed, as long as the color remained visible, their body temperatures stayed low.”  This really fascinated me.  I know so many women who, if this is true, might want to try Henna tattoos.  If this works for some people think of how we could save on electricity during heat waves.

I went to Rachna of Henna and Beyond and had some art work done.  One of the things you can do to help achieve a dark stain is to put oil or tiger balm on it.  Well, I tried both—sort of.  I put oil on it, but it was so light that I was afraid that wasn’t helping so I turned to some “hot sauce” that my hubby had made during his Jujitsu days.

Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance WorkoutDance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance Workout

Now I don’t know if the Hot sauce or the henna is making me cold, but it is a perfect temperature in my house and I have socks on and I just drank  tea.  I have not yet washed the hot sauce off, although I am sure there is not much on after sleeping, because I am still in the 24-hours-without-water-period that you wait in order to assist the Henna color to last.  I am really thinking that the Henna does have cooling properties.  It could be that it does for me because I have that in my head, I don’t know, but it is fascinating.

 

 

I like my decorations.  I have learned a bit from this first time.  Next time I will get the decoration a little higher and not on the foot.  I want it on areas that move less so the flaking isn’t so bad with every movement.  But hopefully I have weeks before I need to think about that.  The tattoos will hopefully last two weeks.  I invite you to try it and let me know if it cools your body temperature down.  I would love to hear.

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

Practice What I Preach About Being True To Myself

Posted by terrepruitt on May 21, 2009

Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance WorkoutThis morning as I was trying to figure out what to write about, it dawned on me that I wasn’t practicing what I was preaching about being true to myself.

I was trying to decide what to write. I want to write stuff that people will read. I am worried about people not reading it. I am worried that they won’t like it. I am worried that I am not following my own self initiated schedule of healthful on Tuesdays and Saturdays with Thursdays less in that realm. Because of all my worries I couldn’t think of what to write, I felt as if my thoughts were twisted like the most twisty Yoga pose. Then it hit me, my real intent of all of this, my blog is somewhat like a mini resume.

When people ask me about their resume or they share that they are confused because they don’t know what to put on it because they hear this and they hear that, I ALWAYS tell them to follow their heart and write a resume they would like. Some of who they are needs to be in that resume because they want to be happy at their new job. The person that is going to hire them and the place where they will fit the best will be the person that likes the resume at the company that accepts it. So if you put a little of yourself in it, then it should all work out.

So with my social media stuff I need to think the same way. I am tweeting so people will see me, and learn from me and want to train and workout with me. When I retweet something, it is something I like, so that is showing a little bit of me. Twitter is different for everyone, we all have different reasons for being there, so if you don’t like the tweets you are seeing don’t follow. I follow to learn and network, so I won’t follow you if I see tweets I don’t like. That is Twitter.

For me Facebook is more personal. I am not “friending” everyone because I like to be less business-y there. Although I do post a lot of stuff about Nia, that is just because I am practicing it and I like the way it makes me feel so I want to share with others. And I am growing my garden of Nia flowers so I tend to repost their information so that others can see what people think about Nia and maybe come try it for themselves.

With my blog I have a few goals. I want to share about events that happen in my areas, Los Gatos, San Jose (Willow Glen, Berryessa) and around, I want to entertain a bit, and I want to help people learn, but I don’t need to be all scientific as I first thought. Every time I go to write a blog with a bunch of interesting facts, I find a bunch of other sites with a bunch of interesting facts. I think that people can go to those sites if they want the science and the statistics. I will keep it simple. And you will either like it or you won’t, but I think if you like it then you will enjoy my classes and enjoy training with me.

My point is that I need to stop worrying and just start doing so that we can get on with it. I need to be me so you can see who I am and then say, “Yeah, I would like to go to her class.” So, whew . . . what a relief, now I just have to remember to actually practice what I preach. You are welcome to remind me.

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

Terre’s Cruising Rule

Posted by terrepruitt on May 16, 2009

Oh my, one of my favorite things to do is go on cruises.  I have talked to several people that are going on cruises in the near future and so it made me think that I could share my rule with you.  I have implemented a rule for myself on cruises.  NEVER take the elevator.  When we first board we take the elevator because there is usually a glass one and we like to see it.  But then that is it.  I never take the elevator again.  The last two cruises we went on our cabin was on the 9th deck.  When we went on excursions we disembarked from the 1st or maybe the 2nd deck.  But we always took the stairs.  I will tell you that this is not easy after walking around all day we usually came back with extra weight in the backpack from all the goodies we bought and the hubby would whimper as we passed the elevator  because sometimes the legs didn’t want to carry all that extra weight  up the nine decks, but we did.

Honestly, I remember once I used my arms to drag me up the last set of stairs, but I did it.  There are way too many extra calories that are consumed on cruises.  That can barely be helped because, for me, even if I didn’t eat more, the food that is served is way different than what I eat at home.

Anyway, I just thought I would share that simple tip with you in case you ever find yourself fortunate enough to be going on a cruise.  I would advise that you make the decision before you go to NEVER use the elevator.  Then tell everyone what your plan is.  Really commit to it.  All of these things will help you stick to it.  It really helps especially if your cabin is very far away from all of the activities.

Oh yeah, and no cheating just because you get lost!  That is even better, you add to the calorie burning equation if you end up on the wrong deck at the wrong end of the ship.  Yay!  Think of it as a blessing in disguise and just get back on the stairs and go to the correct deck!

Safe Travels!

Posted in Helpful Hints | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Gratitude Party

Posted by terrepruitt on May 9, 2009

Everyone is talking about Twitter.  I will say I just recently joined the masses, but I have been on long enough to have participated a few times in the once a month #Gratitude party.  Once a month on the second Sunday of the month LaSara Firefox host an online Twitter “party” where for an hour you tweet things you are grateful for.  I am sure there are some that think this is odd and maybe some even think it is stupid, but I really love it.  It gives me the opportunity to release some of the joy that is always built up in my heart.  I have so many things to be grateful for and it is so wonderful to have a place to just say them out loud where no one is judging.  Since everyone there is just sharing, it is not ever taken as if someone is bragging.  It is just really great.

Some people have heart wrenching stories that they share and they end with a grateful note.  Some people have huge accomplishments that they share.  Some people have little triumphs.  But all are received with open arms.  We lend our hands, we give our shoulders, then we cheer.  It is really amazing that all of this happens on line in tweets.  Then with all of the sharing and everything going on, we can meet new people.  I know that I walk away feeling great, and I think others do too.  I feel great because I was allowed to let people know that I know what I have is amazing and that I am grateful.  I feel great because I hear how others might have had a bad experience but they triumphed through it.  I feel great because I was able to cheer someone who accomplished something.  And I feel great because I was able to connect with all of these people.  It is awesome.

I have met people from San Jose, Istanbul, New York, Los Gatos, Canada, Trieste, all over all .  And I blog about it, in something longer than a tweet, to express my gratitude to LaSara Firefox (yoga_mama) for doing this every month, and so that you can learn about it and participate, if you would like.

This month it is May 10, 2009 at 4:30 pm PST.

Just type #gratitude in your tweet to join.  I can’t wait to see you there.*

*06.06.20
I don’t know if gratitude parties are still a thing, but the #gratitude link above was not long working so I tried the # in Twitter and was so happy to see there is still some gratitude going on . . . so now it is a June 02, 2020 link.

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Remote Control Exercise

Posted by terrepruitt on May 7, 2009

Dance is exerciseOk, so you all know the idea behind the remote control is to be able to sit and change the channel while you are seated. Sometimes you hear people comment about how this wonderful gadget allows for the subtraction of movement in one’s life. Well, not in my family.

I actually believe that our particular use of the remote control assist us in getting our exercise. We are the family of “Honey, where is the remote control?” We seem to be unable to actually leave it where it would be most useful—in the “remote control bucket”. And, yes, we have a container for our remote controlS, because we have at least four. As you might be able to image the more you have the better the chance for exercise. There is a remote control for the DVD player (two separate ones for two separate machines!) and a remote for the TV, I won’t list all the remotes, but there are more.

Join me in the “Remote Control Exercise ‘Class’”.

“Ok, Class, let’s WATCH A DVD! Today’s DVD is newly purchased and not yet in the jukebox, so get up off that couch and put it in the machine!”

“Crouch down to the machine. Grab the TV remote to set it to the right screen. Don’t see it? Well get up and look for it! Look for it . . . . .look for it. Don’t see it? Search in the couch, bend and stretch. Crouch on the floor, it might be under the couch. What? Still can’t find it.”

“Check the kitchen. . . . .walk into the kitchen, heel lead, check the bathroom, shuffle to the guest room, shuffle back. Easy jog up the stairs to the master bedroom, still can’t find it? Hmmm?”

“Jog to the garage because you put in a load of laundry before deciding to watch a movie. Got it? Good! Now use those leg muscles to get back on the floor to put the DVD in the machine.”

“Skip back to the couch. Sit. Get comfortable. Start the movie. Oh, wait, did you forget the remote to the DVD player? Jump up to get it. Jog to it. Sit back on the couch—use your thighs, Class! Start the movie. Whoa! The previews are so loud you won’t be able to hear my instructions. Turn down the TV volume. What, you left it by the machine? Jump up to get the TV remote. Remember when you jump up really contract those core muscles!”

“Back to the couch, remember to sit down using your gluts and thighs—don’t plop. Now, here ya, go . . . Oh, get up get the phone. Don’t forget to stop the movie.”

“While you are on the phone, do some chair squats with the couch. One, two, three . . . eleven. Off the phone? This last squat ease all the way down onto that a couch. Stretch for the remote control to start the movie. What? You left it in the kitchen?”

“Jump-up to go get it. While you are there get a glass of water, you must stay hydrated when working out.”

“Sit back on the couch—use your thighs, Class! Start the movi—-what? You left the remote control in the kitchen when you went to get it? Oh, the water distracted you.”

“Jump-up to go get it. Jog to the kitchen. Jog back to the couch. Squat down on to the couch.”

“There you go. Now you can watch your movie. While it is not the best form of exercise you did get in at least twenty minutes of movement all from a little gadget that is allowing you to control your machines from the comfort of your seat!”

Posted in Entertainment, Misc | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Berryessa Art and Wine Festival, 34th Annual – May 9, 2009!

Posted by terrepruitt on May 2, 2009

Come join the fun and help support the music programs at local schools. I almost feel like my blog has become one big service announcement, oh, yeah, my blog, my rules and I like to share things. This festival is so great is because it benefits the schools’ music programs.

NOTE!! This is from 2008 (2009s festival is on May 9--Saturday!)

NOTE! This is the 2008 Sign! The 2009 Festival is on Saturday MAY 9th!

 

From what I hear this is San Jose’s oldest festival. It is awesome. It is generally small enough to go through in an hour or so, but my husband and I usually spend hours there because we start talking to the vendors and next thing you know we have a new friend.

This festival is also way better than the cancelled-and-you-have-to-know-why-Milpitas Art and Wine Festival because, funny enough, they actually have wine from various wineries. I don’t know what happened to the Milpitas Art and “Wine” Festival, but there was only one winery and it was a winery from which wine is sold at supermarkets for just about $5.00 a bottle and they were expecting attendees to pay more than that per glass. Um . . . .and that might be why there will not be a Milpitas Art and Wine Festival this year. But . . . . the past years at Berryessa there have been at least four wineries. I have a choice. I like that. I go to a festival to try different wine.

I don’t know if you have noticed, but Art and Wine Festivals need our love and attention. This one is only ONE DAY so you have to go Saturday. You don’t have the option of going Sunday. It is in San Jose, really close off of 680 and Berryessa. It is so easy to get to.

The San Jose festival will have micro-breweries, about 100 vendors, local wineries, food from community groups, and a place for the kids to play. There will also be entertainment. They often set the stage up a little bit apart from the vendors, and I know some people that have missed it entirely, so be sure to check to see who is playing.

Let’s keep is going!

Saturday, May 9, 2009, 10 am to 5 pm

Free event!

Penitencia Creek Park
3060 Penitencia Creek Road

Or the Berryessa Community Center
3050 Berryessa Road San Jose, CA 95132

The festival is in the space between both streets.

 

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Muscle Book

Posted by terrepruitt on April 25, 2009

When I was studying for my Personal Trainer Certification I came across a book I thought would be helpful, The Muscle Book by Paul Blakey. After buying it, I took another class for which this book was recommended reading. The book is also recommended reading for Nia teachers. Obviously instructors think it is helpful too. It is a good book. It is very simple and easy to understand.

It has 45 pages, it is black and white, and spiral bound. Page 4 explains how to use the book, because every page that describes a muscle has a lot of information on it. Each page gives you the muscle name and where the name originated, it explains the possible movement issues, and advises that certain actions can injure or cause pain. There are line drawing illustrations, action of the muscle, the muscles origin and insertion, and the muscle’s contribution muscle (synergists). And last but not least “Finger First Aid”.

At first I thought the “Finger First Aid” was ridiculous because the book claims it strengthens weak muscles. Then I realized that it is great instructions on massage or what I am thinking of as acupressure, because the “massage” is not of the muscle itself, but of the origin and the insertion. The book claims that massaging these areas “stimulates the circulation”.

A few times when my upper back was sore, I had my husband press the points as shown in the book and it really helped. He didn’t really massage my back, but just pressed the points and it was amazing the relief I felt.

So, I wanted to share it with you because it is easy to read, which makes it easy to learn from. I really like this book and I refer back to it often, and I am a believer now, in what Mr. Blakey calls “Finger First Aid”.

I bet you can find this book in any book store in most cities like: San Jose, Los Gatos, San Ramon, Mountain View, etc. or through Amazon.

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

FREE Classes – Bay Area National Dance Week

Posted by terrepruitt on April 21, 2009

The studio at which I teach my Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and sometimes Sunday classes, participates in the Bay Area National Dance Week.  This is a week (actually 10 days) where all types of classes and performances are free.

The location of the classes range from San Francisco, to the East Bay, to the South Bay, to the Peninsula, and the North Bay.  There is Zumba and Ballroom in San Francisco, Salsa in Oakland, ballet in Berkley, Mountain View, Walnut Creek, and Los Gatos.  Pole dancing in Redwood City, Nia and Belly Dancing in San Jose . . . . Whew.  If there is a class for it,  it is part of the Bay Area National Dance Week, more classes include; Flamenco, Greek, Hip Hop, Hula, Hula Hoop, oh, far too many classes and locations to list.

Friday, April 24, 2009, at noon there is going to be a Conga line.  Per the booklet:  “Dancers and non-dancers, students and adults will join our downtown visitors, shoppers, and workers on the streets of San Francisco.”  There will be performances on the Union Square stage.

You might want to check out their site:  http://www.bayareandw.org for all the information.*

Also Friday at noon there is Dance Anywhere.  Oh, yeah, that is what they mean, where ever you are at noon on Friday, dance.  Now, I am thinking that the dance doesn’t have to be big.  You can just tap your toe and bob your head, but whatever, I think it would be cool to join in:  http://www.danceanywhere.org/

This 10 day event is from Friday, April 24, 2009, to Sunday, May 3, 2009.  Don’t miss it!

If you attend one of my Nia classes from April 27th to May 1st and mention the event you can take the class for free.

 

Please check www.HelpYouWell.com for class schedule changes.  Thank you.

*As of 06.06.20 – this site appears to not exist.  Sorry.

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »