I’m back this week from my vacation. It’s funny, I’ve been working in corporate America since February 2006, but last week was my first paid full week off work in that entire time. Needless to say, it was one of the best weeks I’ve ever had. I visited my brother in Kirkland, Washington, a suburb right outside Seattle. I ran a fantastic 9 mile training run there that I’m excited to tell you about and show you some gorgeous pictures from! I also got to spend a night in the Hamptons to help YogaVibes film Core Fusion Cardio and Core Fusion. I even got to be in the Core Fusion class that we filmed! More on that soon too.

I have so much to share, so let’s start with my very last day of vacation, this past Sunday. I went on a hike with Outdoor Bound.

A few weeks ago, I was at Angela’s rooftop party and met this cool guy Kirk. Turns out Kirk owns Outdoor Bound, “an education-based adventure company that offers unique international excursions, outdoor fitness programs, youth development programs, corporate team-building activities, and a variety of single and multi-day excursions.” Missy had actually gone on two of their hiking trips (one that included a wine tasting!) and loved it. She’d been trying to get me to come, and after meeting Kirk (and, let’s be honest, Kirk offering me a free trip) I said sure!

We chose the Surprise Lake Hike. This is the description of our hike, from the Outdoor Bound website:

A Stunning 6.5-Mile Day Hike!

This beautiful trail is notable for some steep and rocky sections that provide spectacular views. There is a wide variety of fascinating vegetation and terrain along our loop route, which includes a section of the Appalachian Trail. We hike around lovely, secluded Surprise Lake, where we will stop for lunch. In summer, bring or wear your swimsuit for a dip in the lake!

The Hike

We will cover 700 vertical feet of elevation during this adventure, and the majority of the climb is in the first two miles. After joining the Appalachian Trail for a short distance and learning about the world-famous journey that AT hikers undertake, we will follow an undulating mountain ridge for the next 2.5 miles. Our loop trail will take us through rhododendron groves and lush and mossy woodlands and we’ll scramble up craggy ridges to spectacular view.

Even with that description, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Luckily, Missy is a hiking trip expert now and sent a packing list to me, Angela and Kristine. I borrowed an awesome backpack from my roommate and filled it with water bottles, a beach towel, sunscreen, bug spray, wet wipes, flip flops, bandaids, lunch, snacks and my camera. We met with our tour guides, Arielle and Jon, and the rest of the group on 73rd and Broadway where we signed a release and boarded a van. We drove a little over an hour and arrived in a foreign land called New Jersey. In this strange place, we sprayed our bodies with sunblock and bug spray and used the facilities. By facilities, I mean the woods.

And we were off!

I had never been on a challenging hike before. I’ve hiked a couple times, but it was more like slightly hard walking. This trip was a HIKE. It was a level intensity 3, which means the following:

Level 3 > Moderate — for Novices & Above

ACTIVITY: 4 – 6 hours most days
DISTANCES: Hike up to 10 miles, cycle 20 – 40 miles most days
SURFACES: Rolling or mountainous terrain with some steeps
ELEVATION CHANGE: Up to 2,000 feet per day
ALTITUDE : Up to 10,000 feet

Even though I learned about the hikes from Missy, she never told me about the climbing involved — or the sitting, which is how I had to slide myself down some steep rocks and dips. I relied on my hands to help me navigate the trail at times, and other times I was able to jump and climb pretty well! The guides were knowledgeable and helpful and gave some great advice for tackling the more challenging sections.

(Missy climbing — this one was HARD. Someone on the trip took a picture of me tackling this but I forgot to have him send it and I don’t know his name!)

We learned how to follow a trail, which was very cool because I never knew about this at all. The trees and ground is painted with a certain color every few feet to indicate which trail you are on (a yellow trail, a blue trail, etc) and which direction you should go to continue on this trail. If you stop seeing paint, you know you might have navigated off the trail and can turn back. The stack of rocks also indicates you are on the trail.

Before we left Manhattan, our guides checked to make sure we all had at least two liters of water. I brought the luxury to the wilderness with my exhale mind body water. Kristine stayed hydrated with her sleek flask-looking water bottle.

On one of our breaks on the hike Missy and I decided stretching was necessary. My quads were already sore from filming YogaVibes.com Core Fusion the day before, and this hike was rough on the legs!

We reached the Appalachian Trail — which extends from Georgia to Maine — and the New York/New Jersey state line! I got to sign a guest ledger and stand in both states at once! And actually, it is on the Appalachian Trail that I did my downward dog. I wonder how many people can say that?

After this we had some of the toughest hiking of the day. As challenging as climbing up can be, I was most scared going down (TWSS). I would choose to sit down and push myself down with my hands instead of jump or try and shuffle down quickly. I’m running a half marathon next month and really can’t afford to get an injury! I was erring on the side of caution partly out of fear of getting injured and partly because I just get scared. Either way, it was a challenge and scary but I felt so accomplished after completing each of the difficult sections of the hike.

I was rewarded with views like this:

 Finally we reached Surprise Lake and got to relax and eat lunch. Some people went swimming, my friends and I opted for some relaxing in the sun.

We saw a giant turtle.

What a cutie! Can we hug him?

Kristine went with some interesting clothing options.

After lunch and relaxing, everyone got very quiet for the remainder of the hike. The chattering from the first few hours was over and it left lots of time for self reflection. I’m always writing my memoir in my head, so I spent the last mile and a half or so we had left working on that. Maybe one day I will write some of this down.

Before I knew it, the 6.5 mile hike was over and we were back at the van, ready to head home. I always get sad coming back to New York City after being somewhere beautiful and relaxing. It was hard coming back from Seattle earlier in the week and it was even hard coming back from my short stay in the Hamptons. This was extra melancholy because it meant that not only was the hike over, but my perfect vacation was coming to an end as well.

It really is incredible that you can get in a car in Manhattan, drive for an hour and find yourself in an entirely different universe. The hiking trail was so close but felt like a million miles away. The good news is that going on trips with Outdoor Bound is easy and inexpensive. This specific trip only costs $59, which covered transportation and being guided along difficult and hard-to-navigate trails, and guaranteed incredible views and a lake to swim in — oh yeah, and real air to breathe. For less than $60 you can get an entire day outside of the city.

My friends and I loved the trip so much we already signed up for another in September! As I disclosed before, I did not pay for this trip, but I did pay for my next one. The cost is cheap for an entire day of hiking, exercising outside, being with friends (or meeting new ones) and enjoying the outdoors. The city can be so stressful, and a one day getaway is sometimes exactly what I need. The entire trip was organized and executed flawlessly. I am impressed.

If you decide to book an Outdoor Bound trip, you will save 10% off your trip with the code Dori’s Discount upon checkout! I really hope you decide to try an Outdoor Bound activity — in addition to hiking, they offer a variety of activities such as biking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, skydiving, kayaking , photography hikes and more.  There is even a yoga hike and a wine tasting hike! Kirk started something really fantastic here and I know you would love it.

I think I mentioned once that I entered the lottery for the ING New York City Marathon 2010 and didn’t get in. And of the many, many people I know who entered the lottery, only one got in — hi Leslie!

Many people who don’t get in through the lottery — and even some that do — choose for gain guaranteed entry into the Marathon by joining a charity team. You might remember I did this with Think Pink Rocks for the NYC Half Marathon and held a very successful charity auction right here on this blog to raise the money! It was so worth it too. My first half marathon was on my birthday so it was extra special, and it was the most incredible race, to be running through the streets of New York City with people cheering me on. Of course it would be even more amazing to do this for a full marathon!

I had heard of Team for Kids before — some other bloggers run with them and only have positive things to say. Because of all the wonderful things I’d heard, I was really honored when they approached me and asked if I would be interested in helping them find a few more people to raise money for their charity and gain entry into the ING NYC Marathon on November 7 — or the 2011 Half Marathon next spring.

Whether you already have entry into the ING New York City Marathon 2010 or you did not get lucky in the lottery and are still looking for a way to run 26.2 through the Big Apple, this could be an incredible opportunity for you.

Dori’s Shiny Blog is teaming up with NYRR’s Team for Kids for the ING New York City Marathon 2010 and the 2011 NYC Half-Marathon. You can join Team Dori’s Shiny Blog with TFK and receive amazing perks including:

• Guaranteed entry into the sold out ING New York City Marathon 2010 or the lottery-based 2011 NYC Half-Marathon
• Professional coaching and training support from our team of ten coaches, including coached workouts for NYC-metro area runners of all age and experience levels
• Online training, coaching and communication through our members-only group that allows our participants across the globe to receive coaching and training support
• Signature Team Green race singlet and training shirt to wear on all your runs
• Fund-raising support as you seek to meet your fund-raising commitment and help us transform lives through running (Please note that fundraising commitment levels vary. If you already have entry into the race, your commitment level will be reduced.)
• Special invitations to members-only clinics, socials, and VIP events
• Exclusive race day perks including members’ only buses to the starting line, private tents with pre-race amenities, exclusive baggage services, and a private post-race recovery area

Plus, as a member of Team for Kids, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that the dollars you raise and the miles you run all help fund NYRR’s youth programs dedicated to transforming young lives through running, with the larger goal of ending childhood obesity within a decade.

From their website:

Team for Kids was established in 2002 as the primary charity fund-raising vehicle for New York Road Runner’s youth services division. Funds raised through Team for Kids provide free or low-cost school and community-based health and fitness programs to children who would otherwise have no access to regular physical activity. Currently, our programs serve nearly 100,000 children each year in more than 400 schools across New York City, the nation, and South Africa. With obesity still on the rise, NYRR’s youth services equip children with the tools they need to become physically fit for life, while also incorporating goal-setting, character-building, and nutrition education.

I think the best part of Team for Kids, aside from the amazing things this organization does in helping children, is the targeted training you will receive. You won’t have to rely on an online training plan or worry about running your 20 miler alone; you will have coaches training you no matter what level runner you are.

And the support you get from teammates and spectators is beyond anything you could experience on your own! Team for Kids ALWAYS has coaches and supporters cheering you on every step of the way.

Click to read more information on Team for Kids. If you decide to sign up for the NYC Marathon (it’s getting close!) or the 2011 NYC Half Marathon, please be sure to mention Dori’s Shiny Blog.

As a special incentive for my readers, Team for Kids if offering a two bleacher seats at the finish line to all who sign up for the ING NYC Marathon through Dori’s Shiny Blog. Those seats are hard to come by, and this way your family or friends can have a perfect view of you as you achieve this amazing accomplishment! So if you are interested and have friends who might be interested too, let me know. The sooner the better so you can jump right into your training! And if you’re interested in the NYC Half Marathon on March 20, please tell me that too.

Even though I’m not running the ING NYC Marathon this year (although this is really tempting… hmmmm…) I wouldn’t post this on my blog if I didn’t truly believe in the mission of  Team for Kids and NYRR. I want them to raise money for their youth programs and I am happy to help in any way I can. I’d love to get more deeply involved with them. I hope that by using my blog to recruit runners, I can help Team for Kids raise money for their inspiring programs.

Thank you so much for your overwhelming response to the free Core Fusion class I invited you all to a few weeks ago. The class filled up quickly and we even got a waiting list! In the end we had about 18 bloggers and readers meet at exhale spa on Madison Avenue in New York City on Thursday, August 12.

I had butterflies in my stomach as I made my way uptown in the rain. I got there early as planned, but then I didn’t know what to do with myself! I wasn’t sure who was there for me and who wasn’t, and I’m not comfortable going up to people and asking. I was too excited to sit still and relax, so I just kind of wandered around.

Eventually I walked to where our classroom was and sat on the ground outside the room when I heard someone call my name. I looked up and there was my friend Missy! You might know Missy from her blog Missy Maintains, but I actually met her exactly three years ago (on August 6 to be exact!) in Israel!

This is Missy (doing flat back abs later in the class!):

I was so happy to have a friend there because I was just so nervous. Right after Missy got there, more readers started arriving. I knew some people, but I was meeting most of these ladies for the very first time. It was hard trying to talk to every person because there were so many, but I tried making conversation with as many as I could.

Everyone had to check in at the front desk where they received a free bottle of exhale’s Mind Body Water. Score!

Laurie was teaching our class. I was excited about this because Laurie is one of the best teachers I have taken at exhale, and her classes always kick my butt. Literally. My butt hurts more after her class than any other. Laurie’s taught Core Fusion for over 10 years and she is the Mind Body Director of the Madison Avenue location.

Laurie helped get the class set up — everyone was to take one or two sets of light weights, a yoga strap and a red playground ball. I took a spot front and center for maximum torture.

After our warmup, we went right to pushups and then a straight arm plank. As much as I wanted to see how everyone else in the class was doing, I didn’t want to miss any of the workout myself, so I stayed focused on my form. After a set of tricep dips we picked up our weights for the arms section (includes shoulders and back too).

One of the reasons I always like taking Laurie’s class is because she does arms for so long! We do so many sets and types of bicep curls, which I especially like, before moving on to countless other moves with our weights. After this class, my arms were sore for DAYS — even though I take Core Fusion all the time!

We stretched and went to the bar for thighs. Normally I am terrified by this time — even after almost eight months of taking class all the time, I am still scared of the thighs section — but on this day, I was giddy! I could not stop smiling. I have never been this happy in a Core Fusion class before, even though I love them. There is something about being in a class where everyone knew who I was. No one was really a stranger. It felt more like hanging out and doing fun activities with my friends than actually taking a challenging (read: slightly painful) exercise class.

And really, I was excited for all of them to be there. Experiencing this thing that I love so much. Getting to share it with people who really want to be there. Excited for them to finally understand why I am obsessed with Core Fusion.

(Laurie in action)

I really like how Laurie taught thighs. While it was hard, everything was doable. That is the sign of a great teacher to me. I want to add that my legs were shaking just as much as people trying class for the first time — possibly even more. The energy in the room was like nothing I have experienced before. Everyone was just working really hard. I was so touched that people came out (some traveled all the way from the burbs) to really make the most out of their experience at exhale.

Laurie kept us all entertained, talking throughout class and making jokes about blogs. She definitely catered to our group.

We did some pushups while keeping one hand on the ball — holy balance! After stretching our legs, we did the glutes section at the bar. Since this is a weight bearing exercise, you really feel it on your standing side too. Especially if you are new to class!

Here is the class working hard on their tushies:

Here is me working hard on my tushie:

(Thanks Erica for taking that pic!)

We stretched some more and moved on to flat back. We started away from the wall, leaning into the playground ball.

Everyone seems so focused, right?

We moved on to flat back abs work against the wall, and then to round back where we scoot down on the wall and lift our legs straight up in front of us.

I am the third one back — look at how straight my legs are! Next to me is Melisse from Well and Good NYC and next to her is Missy.

When I started taking Core Fusion, I was not able to get my legs up! I used to have to stretch each leg with a strap, which some people in this class had to do. This just goes to show how much Core Fusion improves flexibility. I even told one of the other teachers that I know my body, and I know it will never be able to straighten my legs and I will always have to stretch with the strap. Turns out I was wrong. If I can improve this much, anyone can — so don’t be discouraged!

That is Erica in the middle — look how straight and high up she can get her legs! Maggie is on the left of her.

Both flat and round back exercises work the abs. Round back, with our legs up, really gets into the lower abdominal area which is very hard to target otherwise. That is why I love it!

But really, the crux of Core Fusion abdominals is the (in)famous curl. Oh, the curl. The pain and yet. The results.

Abs on fire!

After this we did some fun pelvic tilts and then stretched out on the floor and relaxed in savasana. And just like that, class was over.

This hour flew by! I was having so much more fun than normal because of the situation and everything, even the hard parts, just felt fun. I could not stop smiling the entire time.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to take a group picture, but I did get this great one of some of us:

From left to right: Angela from A Healthy Fit, Rebecca (a reader), Ilana from Happy Healthy Hottie, Missy from Missy Maintains, Erica from Erica Miss America, Nicole from Making Good Choices, me and Maggie from Say Yes to Salad.

I was riding the high of this class for the next 24 hours! The class was fantastic — very past faced and tough without being too difficult. I was sweating and I know everyone got a really great workout. When I got home and read my Twitter feed, what I saw made me even happier (if that was possible!):

@alcuffey: Thank you forb#corefusion class @dysterious!! I’m sore. My outer bum, in particular. Is that a real thing?

@healthyhottie: My legs are so sore from #corefusion last night. love it!
Ohhh I loved #corefusion … Gonna be sore tomorrow! Thank you @dysterious!!
oh hello there abs and obliques – you thought i forgot you? love this burn!!

@ericasara: a huge thank you to @dysterious for organizing an incredible #corefusion class! i LOVED it!!!
holy sh*t my body hurts, in a good way of course! is it possible that my arms are already more toned from 1 #corefusion class?

@WellandGoodNYC: Just joined @dysterious for a killer #corefusion class/healthy bloggers’ summit @exhalenyc!

@ahealthyfit: Thanks to @dysterious for getting us together for an awesome #corefusion
Thank goodness no one is sitting next to me on the train.#corefusion made me sweaty and stinky!

@TheSaladGirl: Just got out of an awesome #corefusion class with @dysterious@missymaintains and other bloggies!

@missymaintains: Great #corefusion class!! Now time for lychee martinis with @dysterious and Melissa!

Blog recaps that have been posted so far here:

A Healthy Fit

Missy Maintains

Making Good Choices

As more bloggers post their recaps, I will add them!

These tweets and recaps made my heart happy. My goal for this class was to introduce more people to the workout that pretty much changed my life — it not only reshaped my body but it changed the way I think about body image, food, stress and the purpose of exercise, improving our bodies, getting stronger and more flexible. Core Fusion has relaxed me and made me a much happier person. I was never an exercise person, and workout out was always a big chore. With Core Fusion, it isn’t a chore — it is something I crave. I spend hours staring at the class schedule figuring out which class to take at what time, and I don’t think twice about making sure I fit it in my day.

Thank you so much to everyone who attended this free Core Fusion class. It really means so much to me to be able to share my love of Core Fusion with you, and I really hope to see you back at class with me! Having so many likeminded people around me made the class that much better. I had so much fun and I really felt like everyone else did, too.

I also recommend trying out the other classes exhale offers, such as Core Fusion Cardio, Core Fusion Yoga, Core Fusion Sport and Music Yoga Flow. If you didn’t get to attend, I wanted to let you know that exhale offers an unlimited week of classes for $40 — so worth it considering one full priced class is $35. Let me know if you are interested! And, once again, THANK YOU!

On Saturday I had my first long run of my half marathon training. My friend Melissa and I ran the full six mile loop of central park.

My Garmin proves it:

On my way home I saw Missy’s tweet that she tried the Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow DVD that morning and it helped with her soreness. I’d been meaning to try this DVD for awhile and she inspired me! I took my mat out to my apartment building’s backyard (even in Manhattan we have a tiny taste of luxury), along with my laptop, my new Pur Earth Eco Mat and my blocks.

I kept my laptop on the ground while doing this DVD, I found that the best way to see the screen.

I’m always a little skeptical of DVDs that are marketed to be just like a “live class,” but I was really pleasantly surprised by this one. First, some background. I take Core Fusion Yoga every week. I am pretty much in love with one teacher and the way she inspires the class, and of all the Core Fusion classes I take, this is the only one I refuse to ever miss. That said, my expectations were not extremely high for the DVD. How can anything compare to my favorite class?

Well, it did compare. I loved this DVD.

I was really pleasantly surprised by Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow! This was closest to a live class as any of the DVDs — please keep in mind you must select “Play All Without Introductions” to get the full class experience. The format was just like class, although there were some minor differences. Some of the differences were because Fred and Elisabeth, Core Fusion co-founders, were teaching this class, and every teacher does it a little differently. The others were due to the fact that this is a DVD, time is more limited and it cannot be exactly the same as class. But it was very, very close.

The official description:

Reduce inches, tighten, lift, and tone with this unique combination of yoga, cardio, and core conditioning. An energetic, fast-paced practice, Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow seamlessly blends traditional yoga postures with toning moves for the whole body. Get the calorie-burning benefits of cardio, the sculpting effects of Pilates, and the flexibility and balance of yoga and Chi Gong–all in one workout!

As I said earlier, Fred and Elisabeth lead the DVD. In the background you’ll find three of exhale’s absolute best teachers — Kate, Bergen and Erin Jacques. I love seeing people I know on the TEE-VEE. Erin Jacques happens to be exhale’s National Yoga Director. Fancy!

The DVD starts with stretching of the legs, arms and back and dived right into core work and upper body work with forearm planks and side planks. This is a great way to loosen up and brace yourself for the rest of the workout. I love me some planks.

There are two segments of sun salutations, and this is where you really build up the flow and the heat. If you never did yoga before, you will have to pay attention to the screen the first few times you do this DVD. If you have yoga experience, you will be able to follow the cues without always looking.

These sections include lots of straight arm planks, pushups and chaturangas. The flow is nonstop and you go through many familiar yoga positions, including chair pose (which was not nearly as intensive/painful as during the live class) with pulsing and twisting, reverse swan dive, downward dog splits (with pulses), warrior 1 (with pulsing), warrior 2, triangle, warrior 3, standing splits, upward dog, downward dog, side angle, lunges, half moon — and this is all done in a flow. I especially liked the plank/pushup with one leg up — never did that one in class! I was dripping in sweat after these sections. Luckily I had a towel with me.

I do want to add that one of my favorite aspects of live Core Fusion Yoga class is the music. I learn so many of my favorite songs from that class and it really gets me through the tough parts and just makes me happy. The DVD does not play music (aside from generic music that would fit in well in an, ahem, adult video) because they’d have to buy rights to all the songs and that’s silly. Something to keep in mind when doing this DVD or considering the live class.

Anyway, once that sweaty section is finished, it’s time for the Chi Gong and hip opener sections. The Chi Gong builds up a lot of heat too, and the thighs can burn if you get yourself deep enough into the wide second position. The circular arm movements make your heart beat fast here! Since I just finished a hilly run, I really appreciated — and needed — these hip openers. This section included the standing split/curtsy combination. Imagine stretching yourself out in a standing split and taking up as much space as you can, and then scrunching yourself as small as you can be, and then stretching back out.  Hard to explain here, but it is intense and it feels great. There is glute work incorporated into the standing splits, but after the incredible hip stretching the DVD moves on to the real glute and core section.

You need to have blocks for the core section. This was similar to class, where we cross our legs in front of us, the blocks next to us and we press down on to them and lift ourselves up using our core strength. Intense and just. so. good. Your heart rate really goes up from doing this type of core work. We move on to some gluteal work, lifting our leg while balancing on our forearms and then straight arms. Class ends as all Core Fusion classes end, with the abdominal curl. This is the most intense ab position I have ever done (imagine holding yourself at the top of a crunch) and this section seemed shorter than in class. Now that I know that, though, I will push harder next time I do it so I can get the most out of it. We do lots of different arm and leg movements during the curl so it never gets boring and there is always a burn. And the relief is so great when this is done! When the curl is finished, the work is done and it is time for joyous stretching and savasana.

The stretching and savasana section is called a bonus on the DVD, but we do this in every class and I think it is really necessary after this type of workout. After the curl, it feels so great to do counter stretches like bridge poses and twists. I felt so wonderful after completing this DVD; I really felt like I was in class. I’ve never gotten sweaty like that from a DVD at home before. And the best part was that I was not at all sore from my run the next day, even though it was my first 6 miler in a month and I ran the hills of Central Park. I attribute this to Core Fusion Yoga — perfect post run stretch!

I recommend the Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow DVD to anyone. You have the option of doing it all at once (which builds up the cardio aspect) or do a ten minute segment anytime you want. And like all the Core Fusion DVDs, it comes with a free class for first time guests. Worth it!

The mat I used in my backyard was sent to me for free by the really cool people at America’s Nutrition. Because the Pur Earth Eco Mat is eco friendly (biodegradable, no irritating materials) it feels different than a standard yoga mat — almost like styrofoam. I was concerned I would slip on it, but I am happy to say that even with being sweaty, I didn’t slip. The mat felt nice and while it wasn’t super cushiony under me on the rough concrete of my yard, it definitely provided an effective barrier for my workout. I also love the pink/fuscia color.

The mat came with a strap to carry it on my arm which really came in handy when I carried it home from work, and would make for easy transport.

The details:

I try my best to be environmentally conscious, although I admit I often fall short. I do think this yoga mat is great for what it is. The mat might not be the best choice for a super sweaty practice, but for stretching and moderate-to-intense yoga it is a pretty ideal choice. I plan to use this very often as my official backyard mat because I now that I experienced yoga out there, I am mad at myself for not doing this sooner and I plan to take much more advantage of having a backyard to stretch and do yoga while the weather is still nice. I am happy to have a mat that didn’t cause me to slip or slide, a mat that is hot pink and most importantly, the very reason I selected this mat to sample, a mat that is eco friendly.

EXCELLENT YOGA DAY ALL AROUND!

Last week, Fred DeVito, co-founder of Core Fusion at exhale spa, tweeted this:

BREATHE – FEEL – MOVE – THRIVE – SHIFT YOUR ENERGY. MAKE TRANSFORMATION YOUR REALITY . . . every time you take a class. This is what separates us from the pack . . . we create Mind Body experiences. It’s not just a class, it’s a lifestyle. Core Fusion is therapy.

He is so right.

Last Thursday I was feeling really down. I’ve been having trouble sleeping and called my doctor in tears after the medications she prescribed weren’t working. I felt so upset and even though I was really tired, I decided to sneak out of the office for a lunchtime Core Fusion class. I know how great I feel after class and thought it could make me feel better.

Turns out I didn’t even need to wait until the end of class for savasana to feel great. I felt better within the first five minutes of class. By the time we got to the thighs section (the most painful section!) I was pushing myself so hard, staying so low in our waterski position, pulsing and working and not letting myself stand up and straighten my legs — and the woman next to me turned to me after we were done with this part and said, “You were so inspiring!“

I couldn’t believe that someone thought I was inspiring, when everyone else there always inspires me. That is part of the magic of taking classes at exhale. I know I sound like a broken record and I know saying I sound like a broken record makes me sound like a broken record because I have said that before (still following?), but I love Core Fusion and here’s why:

• It is fun
• The time flies by and is never boring
• The music is awesome — where do you think I learn many of my running songs??!
• I like being strong/having muscles/being toned/being able to life heavy things
• I wore a bikini last weekend without feeling any negative thoughts about myself for the first time in five years
• When you only have an hour to exercise, it is an extremely effective, all encompassing hour
• You see results quickly (other people notice, too — I heart validation)
• You notice improvements during class quickly — ability to hold planks, do pushups, etc
• Even though it is expensive, one hour costs a lot less than a personal trainer would — and I equate this class to being the same as a personal training session, NOT a group fitness class
• It made me a much faster runner — my running time improved by an entire minute/mile with no speedwork and not much running practice
• I always  feel accomplished, strong, amazing, relaxed and at peace after
• As Fred tweeted, Core Fusion is more than a physical result of higher butt, flatter abs and long lean thighs . . . it shifts your energy and reduces your stress
• It just works

Now that I have been taking Core Fusion, Core Fusion Yoga and Core Fusion Cardio consistently for six months, I can’t even begin to get into what this has done for my body and my mind. I don’t even think twice when it comes to making sure I get my classes in for the week — I automatically include it into my day the way I include lunch, or sleep. And I want to offer my readers the chance to try this class out for free.

The details:

What?!: FREE Core Fusion – Open level class
Date: Thursday, August 12
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Exhale Spa, 980 Madison Avenue at 77th street

Class Description:
Fusing the disciplines of core conditioning, Pilates, the Lotte Berk Method, interval cardio training, and yoga, this highly-acclaimed and publicized mind body experience incorporates 50 years of collective teacher expertise from co-founders Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp. Allowing you to work from the inside out, this transformational class consistently delivers results, including washboard abs, a tighter and higher backside, long, lean muscles, and an athletic, toned body.

Class size is limited, so please leave a comment on this post or email me or tweet me to RSVP.  This class is first come, first served. Once I have the final list, I will send an email out to everyone to confirm. I will put together a wait list in case anyone lets me know that they can’t make it. So let me know, the sooner the better.

The teacher we will be having is one of the best.  I am so excited to share Core Fusion with you. If this goes well maybe we can do it again with Core Fusion Cardio or Core Fusion Yoga. Hope you can make it!