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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Not Seeing to Focus

Posted by terrepruitt on January 8, 2011

On Wednesday after my Nia Class in San Jose I was talking to one of my students.  Some how we ended up on a subject that had her telling me about a friend of hers who is blind but has no issue navigating the step that is not too far from her front entry way inside her home.  She was explaining that people have no problem with it on the way in, but on the way out they forget about it and usually stumble on it when leaving the house.  This led to many other tangents in our conversation but one thing it had me thinking about was sight/seeing and our focus.

I was thinking that the sighted people were focusing on the door on the way out of the house.  For me, I imagined myself leaving her house, part of my focus on her and saying our goodbyes, then another part on the door—–but with the door a multitude of other things would come into my mind and into my focus.  I would see the door and begin to think about my car, which would make me think about my drive, which would lead me to think about what I need to do on the way home, which (depending upon the hour of the day) might have me thinking about what to cook for dinner and if I needed to stop at the store on the way home—-all of which would make me trip.  I would not be focused at all on my feet and on the step and I am sure that I would stumble into the door.

With that in mind I had a focus and an intent for my next Nia class which was the one in Los Gatos.  The focus was Awareness, the intent was to connect to one’s body.  While I have used awareness as a focus before, and I have probably even used the same intent before, and I have even invited the participants to close their eyes, this time I did it more frequently.  With this routine there is a song where we are completely stationary so closing one’s eyes to allow for complete focus on one’s body is perfect.  There is also a song where we turn and face different walls (in line dancing it would be called a four-wall dance).  When we turn it often takes me and other people out of the line of sight which can often lead to one “having” to be aware of one’s own body.

To me one of the fundamentals of Nia is being in one’s body and dancing in your own body’s way, but I think that we often get distracted by the things we see.  I know that while I teach sometimes I will get distracted because I see my hair sticking up or I see something else I should not be concentrating on.  So I think that having Awareness, with the intent of connecting to the body and adding “eyes closed” to be a great tool.  We did not dance the entire routine with our eyes closed, just when it was safe to do so, when our movements were not far from our spot and there was no chance of bumping into someone.  Also, it was just an invitation to assist with the focus and intent it is not something that was required.

As the teacher I do not close my eyes as much as I would if I were the student because I am teaching and making certain that all is well in the class, but I know that the few times I did I was able to really embrace the focus and the intent.

What do you think?  Do you think that if you close your eyes you can focus more on your body?

Posted in Nia | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Borscht is Beets

Posted by terrepruitt on January 6, 2011

My husband tweeted today that a co-worker made him Borscht.  He said it was the perfect thing for a cold day like, today, it has been pretty cold for us here in the Bay Area.  He also said that he loved it and was hoping that I would try making it.  I had to look it up.  It is beet soup.  Beet soup.  Of course, I had to look at what beets have to offer.  The nutrients are found in both the greens and the root.  I am seeing some articles saying that they are doing a lot of new research on beets and they might claim it a super food – at least in a juice form.

Beets have anti-inflammatory affects along with antioxidant properties. As with most vegetables, the more you cook them the more the nutrients get destroyed.  The best way to get the most out of this vegetable is to juice it.  The next best is to steam it or roast it less than 15 to 20 minutes.  These methods give the nutrients the best chance of surviving and actually making it into your body.

One study showed that a little over 16 and a half ounces a day lowers blood pressure.  Another study showed that beet juice can increase endurance.

Beets contain potassium, folic acid, phytochemicals, vitamin C, vitamin A, and some of the Bs (B2, B3, B5, and B6), iron, and calcium.  The greens have an even higher level of iron, calcium, vitamin a, and potassium than the roots.

Beets are also a good source of fiber.

According to Wiki, in Russian cuisine, Borscht usually includes beets, meat, cabbage, and optionally potatoes.  The Borscht my hubby had was made by a Russian co-worker so that is what I will be experimenting with.  I am sure that eating beet soup will be a healthy addition to his diet.

I might try grating them to put on salads.  Also roasting, you know how I love roasted veggies.  Do you eat beets?  How do you eat ’em?

Posted in Food, Vegetables | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Salsa, Tango, and Nia

Posted by terrepruitt on January 4, 2011

When I first started teaching my Nia classes I was doing it three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the studio in Willow Glen. Not every class had many students. I remember talking to different people about the low numbers. Some of them suggested not having that many classes in a week, not having that many dance lessons a week. Understandable. Most people didn’t know what Nia was. Since it is dance many people thought of it as a dance that you learn. But Nia is not like Salsa or Tango where you are shown steps, then asked to mimic them, then instructed to practice, then allowed to practice to music. Nia is not a dance lesson type of dance.

Even though Nia incorporates nine different movement forms, Nia is more comparable to Zumba or Jazzercise where the music is playing and the participants follow the lead of the teacher. No experience in or with any of the movement forms is required. Nia is a cardio dance workout, it is exercise so it is GREAT to do it three times a week. It is recommended to participate in a form of cardio exercise at least three times a week to maintain heart health. Depending upon your individual needs and goals cardio more often might even be in order. So Nia three times a week is great.

When I had the opportunity to hold a third class in a week that is exactly what many of my Monday and Wednesday students said, “Nia three times a week is great!”  Now I have a third Nia class on Fridays in Los Gatos.  (I know I have said that before, but I am excited.  Plus I need to get the word out!)

Another point about Salsa and Tango is a partner is needed. Nia does not require a partner so it is often easier to actually do it three times a week since you are not trying to coordinate with another person to meet and dance three times a week.

Participating in Nia with any regularity participants will learn, but it might not be dance steps. There are many things to learn when participating in Nia, but it is not taught as steps and or patterns are taught in a dance lesson.  Instead of Nia being a dance lesson, you will learn lessons as you dance Nia.  🙂

Posted in Nia | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

New Year’s Day

Posted by terrepruitt on January 1, 2011

So how was your New Year’s Day?  Did you get to a Nia class?  Do you think that the first day of the New Year dictates how the year will go for you?  I was thinking about that today when I started to make something to eat.  I went into our closet that we use as a pantry — we had ants.  They were after a particular box of cereal.  The entire closet had to be emptied out so that we could find out where they were coming from.  I believe we live on an ant hill because every time it rains they get washed up.  Anyway, I didn’t want to spend my entire New Year’s Day cleaning up after ants.  I have other household chores that need to be done, but I am trying to rest my toe.  So I thought for a moment, “Great.  If this is any indication of how the year is going to go — oh my!”  But then, my hubby jumped in to help.

He emptied the entire closet . . . . which was awesome because as you can imagine emptying a closet is just a lot of walking back and forth.  As silly as it may sound (and it sounds pretty silly) I thought that it was pretty great that we had this project to do together.  He seemed pretty happy to be helping and I was so glad to have the help.

So, I am thinking of two ideas:

The first day of the year is not really an indication of how the year is going to go.  It is just a day and if was covered in ants, oh well, move on and make it a great year.

OR, the first day is an indication of how the year is going to go and spending the day working on a project – no matter that it wasn’t a fun one we would have chosen – with my hubby gives me an idea of what a great year this is going to be.  I’ll get projects done and I’ll be with my hubby.

That leaves me with questions for you:

How was your New Year’s Day?

Do you think that the first day of the year might serve as a hint into how the year will go?

How is your year going to go?

NOTE:  Please remember my Nia Class in Los Gatos has a new start time beginning Friday, January, 7, 2011 – the class is now at 10:30 am.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Looking Back to Look Forward into 2011

Posted by terrepruitt on December 30, 2010

Tomorrow morning is my last Nia class of 2010, it will be in Los Gatos at 9:30 am.  I mention this because I am ending 2010 with three classes a week.  I mention that because someone was reminding me that the end of the year Holidays (Christmas, Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice, Advent, Yule, Pancha Ganapati, Hanukkah, Yalda, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Hogmanay, and the New Year – just to name a few) are difficult for some because it is a time of reflection and sometimes dwelling on all that was not accomplished in the passing year and maybe even dwelling on some of one’s failures.  Once when I was sharing with one of my Nia students all that I still had to learn just in regards to Nia, she reminded me of how far I had come.  Instead of listing my goals and resolutions for the new year, I am going to share some of the things I did accomplish.

–completed my second year teaching Nia

–consistently taught Nia at least twice a week all year

–taught up to four classes in one week

–subbed several Nia classes

–taught classes at a Park and Recreation Center

–consistently posted to my blog

–penned at least 200 blog posts (I post on other blogs)

–witnessed an increase of number of participants in my Willow Glen Nia class

–paid studio rent with funds solely collected from teaching Nia

–taught at a few Nia Jams

–held a Nia workshop

–raised over $300 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society

–been married for 12 years

–went from two Nia classes a week to three classes a week

–started up a new Nia class in Los Gatos

While some of these may seem small or as if they didn’t require a lot of effort, that is not the point.  The point of this post / exercise is to celebrate things no matter how big, how small, how easy, or how difficult.  It is just a moment to do a Snoopy Dance because they are.  It is a way to not dwell on all that has not been done or all that has yet to be done.  It is just to say, “Aahhh.” and with that ahh turn my face towards the future and the excitement of what 2011 will hold.

So?  What about you?  What is on your list of things you did? 

Happy New Year.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

FIREWORK (Katy Perry)

Posted by terrepruitt on December 28, 2010

When I got home from Nia one day last week, my husband  was “singing” this song.  I could not tell what he was singing so he found it on the internet and played if for me.  I really love it.  I think it is great.  This song is from Katy Perry’s album Teenage Dream.  Every time I hear it I get teary-eyed.  I hoping to get over that soon as I received the album as a Christmas gift and I keep playing it over and over.

FIREWORK

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind wanting to start again
Do you ever feel feel so paper-thin
like a house of cards one blow from caving in
Do you ever feel already buried deep
Six feet under screams but not one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there’s still a chance for you ‘cause there’s a spark in you
You just gotta

Ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the Fourth of July

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on and show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
You’re gonna leave them all in awe, awe, awe

You don’t have to feel like a wasted space
You’re original cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds after a hurricane comes a rainbow
Maybe a reason why all the doors were closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt your heart will glow
And when it’s time you’ll know
You just gotta

Ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the Fourth of July

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on and show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
You’re gonna leave them all in awe, awe, awe

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It’s always been inside of you, you, you
And now its time to let it through-ooo-ooo
‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on and show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

‘Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make ‘em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
You’re gonna leave them all in awe, awe, awwwwwwwwe

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

Can this be the song that the crowd stops their conversation for, raises their glasses, and sings along.  Can this be the new anthem?  Can we cheer each other on?  Can this be the new girls’ night out song?  Can we throw out “I’ve Got Friends In Low Places” and “Before He Cheats” and embrace what everyone has inside?  What do you think?

This song was written by:  Katy Perry, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Wilheim, and Ester Dean

Posted in Entertainment, Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

Merry Christmas

Posted by terrepruitt on December 25, 2010

I am posting a picture of our Christmas Tree (again).

I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas.

If Christmas is not a part of your celebrations, I hope that you will still allow the joy and fun of the season in.  It is my intent to wish you well for this season and for the New Year.

Thank you for your support.

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

Greenies Reduce Holiday Waste

Posted by terrepruitt on December 23, 2010

People that are interested in being “green”, remember this is the season of tremendous waste, so if you can reuse, recycle, and don’t waste.

In the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, American households generate 25% more waste. That’s about 1 million extra tons of trash each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.  That includes everything from food to wrapping paper, holiday decorations, packaging, and old cellphones and laptops that are unceremoniously dumped . . . .(copied directly from CNNMoney.com)

Be creative with your wrapping.

-Use newspaper
-Use the packing paper that came with the shipped gift.
Have the kids draw on it to make it special.
-Use some of the kids drawings. 
From what I understand kids come home with a least ONE drawing everyday.  Take a picture of it so you will have it forever, then pass it on to someone special.  Use it to wrap gifts, or use it to cushion a gift.

You know I am a fan of shredding used gift wrapping paper to use as pretty packing in gift bags or boxes.  Well this year I in additions to shredding that already used paper I just used it as packing paper.  I just crumpled it and put it around the gift and cushioned the item with it.  I thought of taking a picture to use in this post, but I didn’t want to take a chance the receiver (of the gift) would see.

One of my friends on FB said that when she sold the wrapping paper for the school fundraiser she actually used the swatched to wrap little gifts.  I think that is an awesome reuse method.

My mother and I have a few cloth bags that we give back and forth.  I laughed this year when I opened the box that holds my gift bags and found a note in one that said, “Give back to mom.”  We will just keep it going back and forth until it can not long hold anything.

That can be both a fun and silly tradition as well as a “green” thing to do!

Then remember to save that wrapping paper and the bows you get this year to use for next year.  If you are just going to shred the paper or use it for packing it doesn’t take up that much room.  It can be folded.

Or use that wrapping paper to wrap some of those precious ornaments you just received.

Give a gift in a reusable shopping bag/tote.  That is THREE gifts in one.  You are giving a gift in a bag the receiver can use PLUS you are helping the environment.  I count that as at least three.

What else?  What do you do to help reduce the waste over this season?  C’mon, share your ideas . . . we can always use more ideas on how to reuse!

Posted in Helpful Hints | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Canola Oil

Posted by terrepruitt on December 21, 2010

I am not a fan of Canola Oil. I try to avoid this oil. There is so much conflicting information out there . . . .just like with so many things that I have decided that this is one of those things that I am going to try to avoid. If you look at ingredients it is not easy to avoid canola oil. Plus I bet your favorite restaurant cooks with it. It kind of strikes me as funny that it seems to be as prevalent as High Fructose Corn Syrup and partially hydrogenated oils. Hmmm.

There is information out there that seems to emphasize that the seed used for canola oil was “naturally” bred from the rapeseed. The rapeseed produced oil that was too high in erucic acid, which is associated with Keshan’s disease, a condition which is characterized by fibrous lesions of the heart. So they bred a different seed that has less of this erucic acid . . . not none, just less. But like most things we eat it was genetically modified in the 1990’s. Eighty percent of the crops are genetically altered crops. The questions that arise for me is if it is in so many foods how can we be sure we are not consuming toxic amounts of this ericic acid? We are told that HFCS in moderation is ok, but it is in so many foods one just has to avoid those foods altogether to be able to achieve moderation. Then there is the 0 trans fat per serving allowed verbiage which doesn’t really mean NO trans fat it just means that there is less than 1 gram per serving. So if you eat two servings then you could possibly be getting a gram. Again partially hydrogenated oil is in so many prepared foods you might be getting more than a moderate amount.

Canola Oil is in many, many, many things. It is a genetically modified food. The claim is that it is low in saturated fat and contains a high amount of Omega 3. But how much erucic acid are we consuming since canola oil is in so many things? Also, I am seeing information that states the way the plant is processed into oil it burns off some of the good Omega 3 oil and replaces with . . . are you sitting down? Can you guess what? I bet you can . . . . trans fat. Yeah, there is information that states the process in which canola oil goes through to become palatable produces trans fat.

Some are comparing canola oil to margarine. Remember that people? Margarine was the health alternative to butter. Um, yeah. So like many things the information produced by the people who want us to eat the food say it is ok. The information produced by some health experts say it is not ok. So, just like with everything, you need to decide for yourself. That is all that we can do. All we can do is look at all the information that is out there and decide what works best for us—as individuals. For me, avoiding canola oil — as difficult as that is — is what I am going to try to do.

How about you? Are you a canola oil fan? If so, why? If not, why? If not, what oil do you use?

Posted in Food | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments »

Scarves

Posted by terrepruitt on December 18, 2010

As I was getting ready for my Nia class the other day, I thought “How cold is it?”  I was trying to decide how to wear my scarf.  Then I thought this would be a great blog post because when I first learned how to wear a scarf I was amazed.  Then as I grabbed the laptop to type this up I realized that a lot of my readers probably already know this because they are from colder areas than California.  Maybe if you don’t live in the Bay Area then you might not know how we wear our scarves so I will be sharing that with you.

A few years back I was getting ready to leave work, I hung my scarf on my neck then grabbed one end and started wrapping.  My co-worker saw me and started chuckling when I asked her what she was laughing about she explained that people in California wear their scarves different from people back East.  She was from back East and was accustomed too much lower temperatures.  I was so curious.  I had never thought about wearing my scarf a different way so I asked her to show me.  She took my scarf, folded it in half, hung it around my neck and tucked the loose ends into the folded end.  WHOA!  I laughed.  I instantly recognized how much warmer that is.

Here in the San Jose Bay Area – maybe all over California we wear scarves more as an accessory than for warmth.  Then when we want to be warm we throw one end over our shoulder.  If we want to be REALLY warm we wrap the scarf around our neck a few times.  All of these methods leave our lower neck/upper chest area exposed.  But when you fold then hang it around your neck then tuck the loose ends your lower neck/upper chest area get completely covered.  It is so warm and cozy that way.

I actually wear my scarves these two different ways.  Usually on my way TO my Nia class I fold and tuck.  On the way home because I am usually hot and sweaty from working out I just throw it over my neck and wrap.  This helps me stay a little warm but not as warm as when I fold it and tuck it.  So?  What do you think?  Did you know this?

How do you wear your scarf?  Do you wrap?  Do you tuck?  Do you do one or the other depending on the need?

Folded in half then tucked.

Posted in Helpful Hints | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments »

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