YAS Turns 6!!

YAS : Yoga And Spinning Center in Venice (where I TEACH SPIN on Tues/Thurs mornings at 6:15 am) turned 6!! We had a sidewalk party on Sunday and celebrated with the clients and Venice community.
Here I am with V, one of the most amazing people I know in LA, who I met at YAS.

Rachel, 2nd from the left, just had her APENDIX out and even came to celebrate! Wow. She's a loyal YASie. She's pictured here with one of their buddies on the left, and instructor Myrna on the right & Katie on the far right.

YAS insructor, Denis, with his hot tamale, sipping margies.

LA Tri Club TriCHICKS

On Sunday we got about 75 or so ladies of the LA Tri Club together for a TriCHICKS event at Santa Monica beach. These type of events are free & members-only. The morning consisted of a one hour bootcamp session, led by Lori Christensen; a Yoga for Athletes session, led by creator Kimberly Fowler of YAS; all followed by breakfast on the beach & brainstorming about how LA Tri Club could best serve our femme membership. We had a wonderful time! Pics, below:
Warm-up run, led by Lori Christensen:

Lori had the groups chicken-walk between bootcamp stations:

After bootcamp & a quick sip of water, Kimberly Fowler led her Yoga for Athletes session. YAS instructor Amanda is pictured here, illustrating the moves as Kimberly leads class.

Chair, anyone?

A snap of the group from afar:

Downward facing dog:

Here I am in the back of the group, attempting to balance.

When the yoga class came to a close, we all gravitated to fresh fruit, Arrowhead water, PowerBar, bagels and croissants to satisfy the hunger we'd worked up.

Food and water in-hand, it was time to chat. Most of the group, both newbie and veteran athletes, stayed to let us know how we might better serve the membership. Many good ideas flowed, and we look forward to implementing them in the months and seasons to come!

The LA Tri Club consists of over 1,450 members. There is not qualifier to join. Many members join before ever participating in the sport of triathlon. Once a member, you will have all the access you need to training activities, seminars, social events and programs to plug you in with all the support you need, and get you fit for any swim/bike or run events you're intersted in taking-on. LATC has members spaning all accross Los Angeles, Orange County and even accross the US as well as members in South America, Canada, the UK and more! Plug in -- Be empowered! Be part of the Action!

Sweating for a Purpose :: Women's Sports Foundation Spin-A-Thon

On Sunday, April 15th, YAS : Yoga And Spinning Center in Venice hosted a Spin-A-Thon for the Women's Sports Foundation. With approximately 50+ individuals raising $1k per bike (yeah... do that math...) for the three hour event, and bringing tons of excitement to the table doing so, it was a super-success AND a good time, which will not be soon forgotten.

Here is the room, packed to the gills... happy/sweaty spinners. As people took a break here or there, they danced up and town the isle to keep the energy high throughout the room.

And, did I forget to mention, we had OLYMPIC ATHLETES in attendance? Yep... I got to hold the GOLD!

The day was PERFECT... lots of breeze coming through the doors to keep our athletes cool.

Here are some of the AMAZING YAS instructors.. LORI, SHERRI and TASHA.

Afterwards, there were a few things to be said... and, congratulations all around. Special thanks to exercise guru, Kathy Smith, for taking part in the event!

I, for one, can't wait till NEXT YEAR!! Yes, it will be something we can look forward to in 2008.

It’s a SPIN-A-THON!

Sunday, April 15th
1:00 - 4:00 pm
YAS : Yoga And Spinning center
1101 Abbott Kinney Blvd., Venice

Benefiting:
The Women’s Sports Foundation

About:
Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women’s Sports Foundation is a national charitable educational organization seeking to advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. The Foundation’s Participation, Education, Advocacy, Research and Leadership Programs are made possible by gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations.
For more information, please call the Foundation at (800) 227-3988 or visit http://www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.
All of the money you raise supports girls in your community by enabling the Women's Sports Foundation to provide:
--cash grants for coaches and equipment
--support to girl-serving organizations to enable sports and physical activity participation of underserved girls
--National Health Information Award-winning GoGirlGo! curriculum kits
--training for adult program leaders on how to recruit sedentary girls

Donations:
We are looking to raise a minimum of $1000 per bike. You may make the donation personally or get sponsorships from friends/family or companies on behalf of the Foundation. Participation packages are available at the front desk at YAS.

Top Fundraisers will receive:
--2 Round Trips tickets on Jet Blue
--Nike gear
--Nike gift certificates for shoes
--Niketown gift certificates ranging from $100-$500 Much more

Check out the crowd for some familiar faces in Women’s Athletics today!
I hope you'll join us for this awesome event!

Wake Up & Spin!!

I'm super excited (and nervous), and excited, to share that starting Feb. 1st, I'll be teaching Spin at YAS! I would love, love, love and appreciate it if you'd consider working out with me! Please consider joining the early-birds -- and we'll get the day started off together....

Tuesdays & Thursdays in Feb.
6:15 am Spin, Baby!!

Hey, It's INSIDE -- not chilly at all, we'll get a good sweat going!
Yes, there is a shower at YAS for those of you who might need to get ready for the work day there...

YAS : Yoga And Spinning
1101 Abbot Kinney Blvd. , Venice, CA 90291 - 310-396-6993
Street Parking

Want More? After spin, you can head across the hall for yoga with my buddy Tony, or come out for a 30 minute run with me! Something for everyone's schedule and fitness needs.

Happy New Year!!
On to new frontiers!!

Mission Certification = Complete.

It's hard to believe... but, as of Sunday night, I'm now officially a certified Yoga and Spinning instructor, per Kimberly Fowler's program at YAS : Yoga And Spinning. Pictured above: Aexis, Vicki, Tom, Stacy, Chaya and Claire. Below: V, Jill, Stacy and Sherri.

What an amazing experience I've gone through with my 20+ classmates. I had many miss perceptions about what teaching would be like going into the course... and Kimberly and Sherri with all their experience, knowledge and stories, guided us to a new understanding and appreciation for the skillet. (pictured below: Tri Clubber LORI and I)
Personally, after trying my hand at both the spin and yoga instruction, I found the spin instruction came easier. Probably because I'm a bit of a loud-mouth, so the brute force energy that it takes to muscle through spin is more natural than the quite sophistication of guiding someone through yoga poses. At least, that's how I see it more now. Even though I'd completed the course, I'm humbled by how much more there is to learn, both by watching as well as by doing.
Above, Sarah, Jill, Claire and Anna show off their official certification slips signed by Kimberly. My classmates came from all-walks. And, even flew in from out of state for the course. An amazing group of people who I look forward to supporting and staying in touch with. Below, Kimberly celebrating with Sarah.
Yes.... there was an after-party.... and, we got a little nutty. It felt really great after the 2+ weeks of intensive classes and lectures.
Below, ski instructor Cathleen with Robin, Anna and I.
Below, the boys... Tom, Tony, Robin & Ben.
Cheers, Team! xoxo