Go green with us!

In honor of earth day, we are here to offer you creative ways to green up your health & your environment!  Our very own Kristen Rubio recently became impassioned with the idea that despite her packed schedule & highly-urbanized life, she could go natural & go green in all areas of life. Read on below for a brief Q&A with Kristen as she shares some tricks of the trade –  earned by trial & error, from good advice and from her recent certification in Permaculture Design.

And don’t miss our earth day workshop *THIS* Friday, 4/22; 3-4:15pm.  Kristen will dish on how she greens up her urban life–sharing tips on composting,  choosing all-natural products, & more! She’ll be joined by special guest Amy Galper of Buddha Nose, who will share the philosophy behind her organic product line — & show us how to make our own all-natural sugar-based facial scrubs! $15 suggested donation — all proceeds go to Million Trees NYC. Sign up now!

Q&A w/ Kristen:

Q: Why did you decide to start composting?

A: According to GrowNYC.org, the United States contributes 70% of the world’s solid waste. NYC alone produces about 12,000 tons a day. Feeling overwhelmed by this fact, I felt that composting would be something I could incorporate into my life to help reduce waste.

Q: How has composting affected your life?

A: I have become more aware of waste created in my household. Understanding the natural decomposition process it becomes more feasible to do more. It is easy to become overwhelmed by ideas of global warming and world pollution, and then not do anything. My goal is to do what is feasible for me at a pace that I can manage.

Q: What is your favorite natural cleaning product?

A: Tea tree oil + water! It disinfects and it smells good!

love kinection

Studies consistently show that working out with a friend is a) more fun, and b) more fruitful. So in this month of love-sharing, we say ditch the chocolates and share the love of rock-solid abs!

Join us for our February focus class and learn how to spice up your fitness routine with fun, heart-pumping Pilates exercises you can do as a a duo. It’s a perfect opp to kinect with a friend, spouse, coworker, neighbor, or that cutie next to you at the (juice) bar.

February Focus Class: love kinection

Thursday, 2/17 from 6-7pm $20/per person. Partner not required, but if you snag a pal to come along with you, it’s $35 for both!

Sign up here, & catch a sneak peak, below…

Partner-assisted half roll back- version #1:

1. Starting position: Stabilizing partner holds ends of therabands so that band is taut; stabilizing partner’s forearms should be perpendicular to the mat.  Roll-down partner begins sitting tall, with an inhale. On an exhale, the roll-down partner initiates a roll-down with a pelvic tuck, continuing to round her spine and articulate through each vertebra, until she reaches a half-way point.
2.  Stabilizing partner continues to hold position, keeping abdominals activated, breathing, and encouraging partner!  Partner #2 inhales at bottom of roll down, returning to sitting position with her exhale.

3. Repeat!

Looking for a twist?  Try version #2!

1. At original sitting position, both partners choke up on theraband so it is taut and their elbows are extended.  On exhale, both partners initiate a half roll-back with a pelvic tuck.

2. At the end of the half-roll back, both partners inhale; on exhale, partners twist opposite directions, engaging obliques and keeping feet planted on the mat.

3. On inhale, partners twist back to center, and with an exhale, roll up and return to starting position.

4. Repeat!