Re-DEFINE-ing West U

DEFINE Body and Mind, Houston’s most results producing and transforming workout studio announces the opening of their 4^th location, located in  West University. The studio will offer DEFINE’s signature DEFINEbody (ballet barre) exercise class combining Pilates, yoga, and core strengthening.  They will also be offering two new services:  a new full body rhythm based cycling class, along with a new demonstration kitchen to bring food education and health-supportive cooking classes to further balance clients healthy lifestyles.

“At DEFINE, we want our clients to see the results not only physically, but in every aspect of their lives,” said Henry Richardson, Founder and Lead Instructor of DEFINE: body&mind. “At the West University location, we are taking our services to the next level for Houstonians.  There will be something for everyone as we aim to help every client DEFINE their balance.”

At the corner of Bissonnett and Kirby, the new studio offers a new trademarked class, DEFINErevolution. DEFINE’s take on indoor cycling incorporates the ultra-effectiveness of their DEFINEbody class onto the bike, combining principles of isometrics with cardio blasting high intensity fun.  For 45 minutes DEFINErevolution incorporates choreographed movements to high-energy music on a stationary bike for a full body workout.

In addition to the revolution class, the fitness studio welcomes another novel concept to the brand, DEFINEfoods. Between the two studios at the West University location, a demo kitchen offers workshops and cooking classes highlighting healthy eating practices. 

DEFINE West University will be the fourth location opened under the leadership of Henry Richardson. The business-savvy, fitness expert, who was named by Houston Magazine as Houston’s “Fitness Guru” and recently named as one of Houston Business Journal’s 40 under 40, welcomes Erin O’ Leary Stewart as a co-owner in his latest venture.

Erin O’ Leary Stewart is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in New York City. Erin has spent time working in the raw food and vegan kitchen at Pure Food and Wine and owned and operated her own healthy cookie and granola company, O’Cookies Wholesome Bites. She danced professionally in the performing arts world and instructed ballet-barre classes at Physique 57 in New York. Erin brings this expertise to DEFINE West University by providing food education and health-supportive cooking classes to further balance healthy lifestyles. She will also be a lead instructor of DEFINEbody and DEFINErevolution classes.

DEFINE West University is located at 2518 Bissonnet. DEFINE offers products and services that are specifically designed to help each client look and feel their best. Signature classes, DEFINEbody and DEFINEmind, strengthen and lengthen the entire body with a combination of Pilates, ballet and yoga to fitting and current music. Classes are offered seven days a week from passionate and enthusiastic instructors with a time schedule to fit any lifestyle. www.DEFINEbody.com.

Time Change Could Mean Workout Change Also

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR CARI SHOEMATE:

Spring is here again and this is the perfect time to reevaluate your workout routine! Many of you probably made resolutions or set some goals at the beginning of the year and now it's time to ask yourself if you are happy with your results. If you aren't...it's probably because you didn't have a good plan or maybe you did but just didn't stick with it. One of the main reasons people don't stick to their workouts is because they get bored or aren't excited to do them.

Also, after a certain period of time your body gets used to those same movements and weights you are using every week and you will stop seeing results. The solution is to change things up! This is always a good idea and I recommend making some sort of major change every 3-6 months and minor changes every 2-3 weeks. For major changes that could mean changing gyms or doing your workouts in a new place. If you have nice weather, take advantage of it and do some of your workouts outside! A change of scenery (indoors or out) can do wonders for you workouts.

Another big change you can make are trying a different workout time and make sure to fit it in your schedule. Or, try a new workout partner. If you are happy with all of those elements, then try making some small, minor changes every few weeks to spice things up. Try a new class at your gym, try a new technique like drop-sets, use cross-training or buy an interval timer. Remember that change is good and its necessary if you want to grow and strengthen both your mind and body!

For More workout tips from Pro Cari Shoemate, visit her website Cari-Fit.com

Bombshell Bootcamp

As you know DISH Publisher Lori Freese has been working out with trainer to the stars and Houston Rockets Power Dancers Cari Shoemate...well there is a new bootcamp that is starting on September 26th and YOU are requested!

It's 6:30 - 7:30 Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays but this time Cari is splitting the training with the former captian of the Houston Rocket's Power Dancers Carrie Barnhart...You want to talk about getting your tail in shape?? These two are the ones to do it!

If you're a member of FIT the 6 week course will only cost you $200 if you're not a member it's $230 and if you'd just like to drop in from time to time it's a $15 drop in fee. DISH Publisher Lori Freese with be there every day and would love for you to work out with her!

"Let's get Houston MOVING! Health is so important and it's more than just eating well, you have to move! Cari Shoemate is absolutely the best trainer I've had! She's the best cheerleader AND buck-kicker you'll ever have. She's worth every ounce of sweat!" Lori Freese says.

Email info@bombshell-bootcamp.com for more information and to sign up!

10 Reasons You Should Practice Yoga

DISHIES! There are so many reason to get your body moving and so many ways to make it happen! If you're just getting started in a new workout regimen or are looking to improve your performance in what you already do...Yoga is a great workout for multiple reasons! Yoga has many benefits to offer for beginners as well as for those who have practiced for years. It’s been around for centuries but is as relevant today as ever.

Here are 10 reasons Yoga is amazing for you!

1. Stress Relief– Yoga reduces the physical effects of stress on the body. By encouraging relaxation, yoga helps to lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Related benefits include lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the immune system as well as easing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, asthma and insomnia.

2. Pain Relief– Yoga can ease pain. Studies have demonstrated that practicing yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination of the two, reduced pain for people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain, and other chronic conditions. Some practitioners report that even emotional pain can be eased through the practice of yoga.

3. Better Breathing – Yoga teaches people to take slower, deeper breaths. This helps to improve lung function, trigger the body’s relaxation response and increase the amount of oxygen available to the body.

4. Flexibility – Yoga helps to improve flexibility and mobility, increasing range of movement and reducing aches and pains. Many people can’t touch their toes during their first yoga class. Gradually they begin to use the correct muscles. Over time, the ligaments, tendons and muscles lengthen, increasing elasticity, making more poses possible. Yoga also helps to improve body alignment resulting in better posture and helping to relieve back, neck, joint and muscle problems.

5. Increased Strength– Yoga asanas (postures) use every muscle in the body, helping to increase strength literally from head to toe. And, while these postures strengthen the body, they also provide an additional benefit of helping to relieve muscular tension.

6. Weight Management– Yoga (even less vigorous styles) can aid weight control efforts by reducing the cortisol levels as well as by burning excess calories and reducing stress. Yoga also encourages healthy eating habits and provides a heightened sense of well being and self esteem.

7. Improved Circulation – Yoga helps to improve circulation and, as a result of various poses, more efficiently moves oxygenated blood to the body’s cells.

8. Cardiovascular Conditioning – Even gentle yoga practice can provide cardiovascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygen uptake during exercise.

9. Focus on the Present – Yoga helps us to focus on the present, to become more aware and to help create mind body health. It opens the way to improved concentration, coordination, reaction time and memory.

10. Inner Peace – The meditative aspects of yoga help many to reach a deeper, more spiritual and more satisfying place in their lives. Many who begin to practice for other reasons have reported this to be a key reason that yoga has become an essential part of their daily lives.

Run for Your LIIIIIFFFFEEEEEE!!

It's the Second annual Run For Your Life 5k Fun Run & Walk, a sanctioned road race and family walk in Houston’s Museum District benefiting the museum’s educational programs, exhibits and scholarships. For event details and registration CLICK HERE.

The spookiness starts Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011  8 - 11 a.m.  

With 8 a.m. race start time; post-race party to follow!

The Health Museum is located at 1515 Hermann Drive    Houston, TX 77004

 So grab the scariest Halloween costume out of the closet and best running tennies for the entire family and get to The Health Museum for Run For Your Life! Costumes are encouraged but not required. This is a 5k road race and 1k family walk.  Stay after the race for a spook-tacular celebreation.  All registered runners get free admission to the museum after the race ends. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers in all age groups. All children participating in the 1k will also receive an award. Plus, everyone who registers for the 5k run or walk will be entered automatically to win a bicycle courtesy of Regions Bank!

If you DARE to Enter....Here’s how to register: CLICK HERE

Entry fees are $20-$40. All runners who register for the 5K Run or Walk by Sept. 30, 2011, will be entered automatically to win a Regions Bank Beach Cruiser, complete with helmet and bell. Entry fees are non-refundable and include a race t-shirt and general admission to the post-race party at the museum.  Online registration ends 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21. Participants who register in-person on the day of the race will not receive a timing chip.