Holiday Happiness

Nothing is better than a little holiday happiness. Time spent with friends and family, lazy days with no work, good food and lots of laughs are the best.  This year we started a new tradition, inspired by the economy, I must admit, but one of the things that I loved most about Christmas giving this year.  We are now giving gifts on Christmas Eve that are home made and don't cost a thing.  I don't mean a pot holder made out of yarn.  Here are some of the fun things we did:

1. I compiled the songs that my husband has written over the last 15 years and put them in a book so they would be all in one place.  He loved it and sang some of the songs to us that night -- a great impromtu concert!

2.  My kids gathered up some of their writing assignments from school that had to do with the grandparents themselves or trips we have taken with them and copied them so we could create books out of their work. 

3. Lastly, all the cousins gathered a few days before Christmas to practice a song and dance, which they performed.

I hope that everyone experienced their own form of holiday happiness too!  But now on to the real work. 

Now that everyone has enjoyed (and I mean thouroughly enjoyed!) the holidays it is time to get a jump start on your New Year's resolution, which always seems to include living a heathier, better life.

Know that we at Body Design are here for you.  We specialize in personalized attention and are committed to helping you reach your goals. 

Whether you only have 30 minutes to sneak in some cardio or you want to try Pilates, Gyrotonics, Fitness Classes, or Weight Training or you need to relax with a massage or facial, we have something for everyone. 

Gift To Fit Anyone? Body Design Gift Certificates

A gift certificate from Body Design is always appreciated because it is the versatile gift that has something for everybody. Recipients can choose from personal training sessions, fitness classes, massage, facials, body treatments and more.

Visit www.bodydesignonline.com to see the full list of services available.

This year Body Design has made gift certificate giving an even better value by adding bonus gifts with the gift certificate purchase. All gift certificate purchases include a card for an Eye Rescue Upgrade with any facial service. $30.00 value

Happy Thanksgiving From Body Design

Who doesn't love turkey, stuffing and all of the side dishes at Thanksgiving?! This time of year is all about the special family moments that tie your life together and from those of us at Body Design, we wish you nothing but happiness and family laughter.

Enjoy the feeling. Savor it.

But when Thanksgiving is over and you have put away the last pumpkin decoration, know that we are here for you. Our philosophy at Body Design is to offer you personal attention with your workout routine and health and fitness goals so you get can maximum results. 

We offer a variety of services at our FIVE STAR gym from fitness clasess and Pilates to Gyrotonic and weight training.  We also offer skin care and massage in a private, serene setting.

This Thanksgiving we are thankful to our loyal clients who have been with us over the last 20 years.  We are thankful for the friendships and support you have given us. We are thankful for your good health and ours.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Body Design - An Expert on GYROTONIC

Going through some of our news clippings reminds me of these other great articles about GYROTONIC at Body Design.

Secrets to Staying Motivated From Fitness Expert Marra Okola

Marra Okola on the GYROTONIC tower at Body Design

One of Body Design's fitness experts, Marra Okola shares her secrets for staying motivated:

1. Find a picture of you looking your best physically and put it on the fridge, on your gym bag, in your car, everywhere. Make sure it is realistic -- not from when you were 18!

2. Keep track of how you feel when you eat well and exercise. Even when the results are not visible, they can nearly always be felt. Acknowledge that feeling. Savor it and then try to recreate it the next day.

Sometimes I get in a rut.

Once I find a menu item I like, I order every time I go to that restaurant. I do the same thing at the gym. I find a machine I like and know how to operate and then use it every time.

So I decided that you might be like me and want to know ALL of the amenities that Body Design has to offer so that you can get out of your rut and try something new.

Personal Training - Specializing in women’s health and fitness, Body Design offers individually designed programs with professional attention to each client’s physical fitness needs. All the trainers on staff offer personalized attention with personalized fitness routines.

Pilates - The private Pilates room features plenty of reformers for everyone, floor to ceiling glass line with views of palm tree lined roads and ocean views. (My favorite is to take a class at sunset - it is soooo beautiful!)

Physical Therapy - With two private physical therapy rooms, you can get the treatment you need in privacy.

GYROTONIC® - We have a whole room dedicated to Gyrotonic with three towers.

Fitness classes - There are lots of classes that concentrate on everything from your rear end to your abs to all over conditioning. All classes are kept small so you can get the most amount of attention. (Even in small classes - I still like to stand at the back of the class!)

Spa Services - We have two private massage rooms and one private skin care room. Some of the most popular treatments are Therapeutic Body Treatments, Skin Care and Endermologie.

Cardio Room - With views of Fashion Island, the cardio room has bikes, treadmills and stair climbers.

Sessions are available in private, semi-private and group.

Concentrating on personalized attention for almost 20 years Body Design, the women’s athletic and wellness center in Newport Beach, is located at the landmark Edwards Theaters on Newport Center Drive (210 Newport Center Drive, Suite 3 in Newport Beach).

Why Women (and Men) Should Try GYROTONIC

Madonna, Gwennyth and Tiger are doing it.

Anytime you mention that those three -- some of the best bodies around today -- are doing it, sign me up! Sign you up for what, you say? Its only the latest in fitness -- GYROTONIC.

I got a chance to talk to Leslie Bergey, a GYROTONIC expert at Body Design, about why women and men for that matter should try GYROTONIC. Here is what she had to say.

Q: Why should women try GYROTONIC?

A: Women benefit (as do men) from GYROTONIC physically (strength, flexibility, balance, coordination), but also mentally.

The three dimensional movements we do in Gyrotonic "confuse" the brain a bit and ask it to build new motor neurons...new pathways on the body's information highway. You can't really "call it in", just show up and think you're going to be able to do Gyrotonic.

It's going to take you literally outside the box of daily life into a world of rhythmic spiraling, of flowing motions, of power and grace. (Plus it's fun!)

More about Leslie Bergey
Leslie Bergey teaches GYROTONIC® and fitness training at Body Design. With over 15 years experience in training others, over 17 years of classical ballet training and 4 year stints on the National Basketball Team and the National Volleyball Team, Leslie’s diverse and extensive knowledge shows in her workouts and philosophy.

In addition to being a Certified Pilates Instructor, she has earned a B.A in Kinesiology from Long Beach State and a teaching credential in Kinesiology and Gerontology. Never one to sit still, Leslie is currently studying the Alexander Technique.

In each workout with her clients, Leslie focuses on trying to find more ease and less tension to cultivate lightness, grace and awareness. Her goal is to create a gentle strength that supports clients in and out of the gym.

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.

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.

Get Summer Ready For Only $20 Per Month at Body Design

I love the long days with the sun setting well after six. It reminds me of summer and with that, you know, comes the thought of getting in shape and summer ready. Thanks to Body Design and their $20 a month program, I can make it happen.

Swimsuits and short dresses here I come!