Drive For Charity - Land Rover-Jaguar of Anaheim Hills and of Cerritos Give Back to Charity With A Purchase of A Car

For those of us at Body Design who like to give back to charity, here is an opportunity from Land Rover-Jaguar of Anaheim Hills and Cerritos that I thought was great. If you buy a car before July 4th they will give 50% of the proceeds to a charity of your choice -- makes me want to buy a car!
Many non-profit organizations are finding that charitable giving is down these days and while Land Rover-Jaguar Anaheim Hills and Cerritos have always been strong supporters of the community, in these trying times we believe it is even more important to find ways to give back.

Now through July 4, Townsend Automotive Group is offering an easy way to support your favorite cause through the Drive for Charity campaign. For any new car sold between now and July 4 at either the Anaheim Hills or Cerritos locations, 50% of the proceeds from that sale will go towards the charity of the purchaser’s choice.

Buyers can name the charity of their choice or select from our list of Drive for Charity Preferred Charitable Partners including: Human Options, Orangewood Children's Foundation, Share Our Selves and St. Joseph Hospital Foundation.

Land Rover-Jaguar Anaheim Hills/5425 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills, CA 92807 ■ Land Rover-Jaguar Cerritos/10861 183rd St., Cerritos, CA 90703

JDRF and Orange Coast To Host 2nd Annual OC Look Party

Is it the shoes and designer fashions one wears or the good deeds one does that defines personal style? The answer lies in the August issue of Orange Coast magazine, where fifteen of Orange County’s style arbiters will be awarded the coveted OC Look honor.

There are so many beautiful Body Design members who have great style and love to donate their time and money to worthwhile causes like JDRF, we thought you might be interested in this event.

Orange Coast will reveal the 2009 OC Look winners prior to the August issue being released at the second annual OC Look Party benefiting the Dream Guild of the Orange County Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on Wednesday, July 29 to be held at an exquisite private residence in Pelican Hill.

“There are so many people in Orange County with great personal style,” said Lisa Jackson, Director of Marketing for Orange Coast. Adding, “This year we really looked at the whole picture when it came to choosing the winners – accomplishments, clothes, looks, the works. In addition to the winners of OC LOOK, the stars of the evening are the members of The Dream Guild - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation who have made such a difference to kids living with diabetes. Giving to others is always in style.” About the OC LOOK party:Having raised over $10,000 at last year’s sold-out event, Orange Coast and JDRF are hoping to garner the same level of support and revelry this year.

Tickets to attend the 2009 OC Look Party are $25 each and can be purchased by calling the JDRF office at 949.553.0363.

Body Design is Now on Twitter

Check out Body Design's latest fitness tweets on Twitter...

http://twitter.com/bodydesigntwitt

BEAT THE AFTERNOON BLAHS--GET ENERGIZED AT THE OFFICE WITH FIVE SIMPLE TIPS

Susan Tobiessen, the founder of Body Design, Orange County’s premiere fitness facility for women, has over 25 years of experience and education in weight training, Pilates, Gyrotonic and sports medicine.

She offers these easy tips to get focused and stay energized at the office:

1. Feel the sunshine: Go outside. Even if you go out for lunch, take at least five minutes to get some fresh air in the afternoon if you are feeling drained. A simple walk around the building may be all that you need. And, if you can, bring a colleague to do some business brainstorming.


2. Just breathe: Sometimes getting re-energized is as simple as remembering to breathe. Concentrate on counting to 6 slowly as you inhale and then do the same as you exhale so that you fill your body with oxygen.


3. Do the 7th inning stretch at your desk. While sitting in your chair, bend forward to touch your toes. Hold for a count of 10. Then reach your hands up in the air above your head while concentrating on your posture. Think about reaching your hands as high as they can go.

4. Do the twist: Twist your torso to right, holding on to the side of your seat with your left hand and the back of the seat with your right. Focus on a point behind you, hold for 10 seconds and then repeat to the left.


5. Make sure you eat. If you starve yourself all day you’ll have low energy and tend to over-eat in the evening when you burn few calories. Beware -- a trip to the vending machine doesn’t count. A better way to feel more productive at work is to keep stash of nuts and fruit that you can grab at a moments notice when you need a little lift.

Gyrotonic - The New Hot Fitness Craze

Body Design, the women’s athletic and wellness center in Newport Beach, is now offering GYROTONIC®.

The new fitness craze, made famous by Madonna during her “ReInvention Tour”, was created in the 1980’s by Juliu Horvath, a Hungarian and a former principle dancer with the Romanian State Opera.

Taking Pilates to a three dimensional level, the GYROTONIC® system simultaneously stretches and strengthens the body with minimal effort, while increasing range of motion and developing coordination. The GYROTONIC® system was created using key principles of gymnastics, swimming, ballet, and yoga through which major muscle groups are worked interdependently and in an integrated manner.

Each exercise is synchronized with a corresponding breathing pattern and is performed with either a rhythm or melodic rhythmical expression, creating a gentle or vigorous cardiovascular-aerobic stimulation, depending on the intensity and speed of the execution. Used worldwide amongst dancers, sports enthusiasts, rehabilitation facilities, GYROTONIC® is also great for general conditioning at any age or physical fitness level.

In addition to four certified GYROTONIC® trainers at Body Design, the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is also used by Body Design’s on-staff physical therapist to aid in recovery.

Four Tips To Picking A Pilates Instructor

With Pilates becoming more and more popular among men and women of all ages, Susan Tobiessen, the owner of Body Design, the women’s athletic and wellness center in Newport Beach, is offering tips on how choose the right Pilates instructor.

To get the most out of your Pilates workout and not get hurt, look for the following:

1. Make sure your instructor is certified from a credible school. With weekend Pilates certification programs popping up, make sure your instructor has completed the certification process from a reputable program. Since there is no nationally recognized certification process for Pilates at this time, your best bet to finding a qualified instructor in your area is to contact The Pilates Method Alliance (http://www.pilatesmethodalliance.com/).

2. Look for an instructor with higher education or continuing education. The Pilates Method is a knowledge-based exercise program, where the more your instructor knows the better qualified they become. In addition to having completed the certification process, choose an instructor that has a degree in Kinesiology, Physical Therapy or Athletic Training or is continuing their education in Pilates with updated workshops and seminars.

3. Keep your mother’s words in mind -- Background is important. Different trainers bring different backgrounds to your work out. If you are nursing an injury, pick someone with a physical therapy background. If your goal is to have long, lean muscles, choose someone with more of a dance emphasis. If you are looking to improve your golf or tennis game, someone with a sports background who really understands the mechanics can help you improve.

4. Schedule the right time of day. It seems simple, but scheduling is one of the biggest mistakes people make. For example, if you are a morning person, make sure your instructor is too. Your instructor needs to be on their game so you can be on top of yours.

About Body Design
Body Design has been concentrating on personalized attention for over 15 years. It is located in the penthouse suite of the landmark Edwards Theaters above the Stadium Theaters at 210 Newport Center Drive, Suite 3 in Newport Beach. Body Design can be contacted by calling (949) 719-2600 or e-mailing getfit@bodydesignonline.com. For more information visit http://www.bodydesignonline.com/.

Body Design's Favorite Gym Bag

Keys. Check.
Wallet. Check.
Outfit to change into after working out. Check.
Make up. Check.
Hair brush. Check.

Looking for a cute bag to store all of your things when you hit the gym?

Whether you are doing Pilates, Gyrotonic, weight training or just getting some cardio in, you always need a cute gym bag. Here is our favorite bag at Body Design (and it is made by a local Newport Beach designer - Sally Bartz of Halsea!):

Halsea's weekend bag ($240) is made of laminated canvas on the outside and has a plastic lined inside, making it easy to clean and wipe off. As a bonus, the bag also unzips and opens like a doctor's bag, which makes it easy to see and grab all of your essential items. I also love that it has a detachable long strap if you want to carry it over your shoulder.

If you haven't been to the Halsea Shop yet -- you have got to go there to see all of her super cute, beach-chic travel bags and accessories. They are great for summer travel. 409 31st Street, Newport Beach.

Inside Scoop on Healthy Snack Ideas + A Beauty Secret

I love getting the inside scoop from the experts about their tricks to stay healthy and fit.
Jennifer Parra, one of the Pilates instructors at Body Design in Newport Beach gave us her ideas on a healthy snack and her favorite beauty secret.

Q: Do you have a favorite healthy snack?

Jennifer: I’m always looking for a new healthy snack to keep me from getting bored because the truth is that I LOVE comfort foods, and I need things that will keep me satisfied. Right now, I’m loving whole grain crackers with a slice of apple and mozzarella.

Q: Do you have a beauty secret you can share?
Jennifer: Hahahaha, I’m pretty low maintenance. But I always moisturize. And sleep! Moisturizer and sleep keep everything fresh.

Our Favorite Picks For Summer Workout Wear

Let's face it. The best motivator to feeling good is looking good.  

So to get you inspired to work out, we chose a few of our favorite summer workout outfits from lululemon, which is right across the street from us at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. 

This summer nothing gets me more excited than color. I also love lululemon's jackets for those early morning walks around Balboa Island before the sun is in full force.

        

    
Right now I am really into the cropped tights like you see below. I haven't been brave enough to follow the short shorts trend but these make me want to do it. But my real  "go to" item is always the lululemon pants. They are perfect in every way.

              

Why Women Should Try Pilates

So you've decided to get in shape? Or get healthy? Or both? Why not, right? Summer is coming after all.

With all organic food at your finger tips and tons of information out there about living a healthy life - Thanks Oprah and Dr. Oz! - your next decision is where do you start? We are going to post a few blogs about some different options, including Pilates, Gyrotonic and weight training.

Jennifer Parra, a Pilates instructor at Body Design, the women's athletic and wellness center in Newport Beach, offers her thoughts on Pilates and why women should try it.

Q: Why do you think women should do Pilates?

Jennifer: I think Pilates is a great choice because it’s work for the body and mind.

To do it correctly, you have to be physically dedicated and mentally focused, which is just the challenge and stimulation that we women crave. It’s perfect for posture and our joints.

In terms of physical shaping, it’s ideal because it makes women strong without making them bulky. It targets the core, lengthens the muscles and reshapes the body to be lean and toned.

Mariel's Kitchen - A new cook book by Mariel Hemmingway

Just last week, I was invited to tea at Ellen and Ned Olivier's beautiful house in Malibu for a book signing to celebrate Mariel Hemmingway's new cook book "Mariel's Kitchen" . Not only is she beautiful and obviously fit, her commitment to leading healthy life is inspiring.

About 50 women gathered to hear her talk about her latest book and her take on eating right. I wanted to pass along some of the things I learned, since we are all looking for ways to have a "Delicious and Satisfying Life":

1. Buy good quality food from local farms - it is an easy way to go green and feed your body with delicious, conscious food.

2. Stay away (or at least try to) from "noisy" food - meaning processed food that literally makes your brain react in a different way.

3. Bring dining back - Don't just eat to eat. Make dining important. Mariel says that even if she is eating alone, she sets the table with a placemat, napkin and even lights a candle.

4. Eat seasonally - Food is better and better for you if you are eating it in the right season when the fruits or vegetables are at their peak. She talked about her memories of peach cobbler in summer and watermelon at 4th of July. She is right-it seems weird if you are having watermelon at Christmas.

Her new cook book is divided by season, which I love. I am sure a lot of you will appreciate, that her recipes are also sugar free and gluten free.

If that weren't enough - her delicious Blisscuits (I tried the cinnamon and lemon - both yum!) are going to be available at Target!

Author Mariel Hemmingway with host Ellen Olivier

Mariel is one of 50 top authors who will participate in this November's Literary Feasts, which benefit for the LA Public Library's reading enhancement programs for children and teens. The "feasts" consist of 50 private dinners with 50 different authors in some of the most beautiful homes throughout Los Angeles.

More about Mariel:

The granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, Mariel is the author of three books herself, including Finding My Balance: A Memoir with Yoga; Healthy Living from the Inside Out; and the new book, whose full title is Mariel's Kitchen: Simple Ingredients for a Delicious and Satisfying Life. The new book also includes the recipe for her famous, Blisscuits, which will be on sale at Target and other stores starting this fall. More information about Mariel's recipes for good health are available on her website, http://www.marielhemingway.com/.