This week I was invited by Brass Vixens Pole Fitness to try out a class. At first I was hesitant because dancing of any kind is not my forte. One of my friends that I was speaking with on the phone said that I would probably be better than I was thinking I would be. So I decided what did I have to lose? I accepted the invitation and see what Brass Vixens was all bout.
From the moment I accepted signing up on their site was easy! Once I had a profile name I could browse through all of their locations and classes. The problem was that I have a very busy schedule. But guess what they had classes at all different times of day across all of their locations. I found a 12pm class that was perfect for me to attend at their location on Yonge Street. The class was beginner pole. I even received a friendly reminder of my class that I booked. Which is great since I do so many things in a day. I really like their booking feature and this was just icing on the cake!
I arrived at the address and was a little confused because the building read Seductions (and adult entertainment store). I walked in and asked where Brass Vixens was and the women was super nice and told me they were located on the 3rd floor. It would have been nice to know when I received my booking confirmation that this is where it was located. But it was easy to find non the less.
I was created with a friendly smile at the front desk by "Lady Kori" she was very friendly and totally made me comfortable. She took the time to show me the changing room, washroom and explain where to put my bags. I sat and waited patiently for the class to start and it started promptly at 12pm. It was a full class and some people had to share a pole.
Let me just say this: I LOVED EVERY ONE OF THE SONGS ON HER PLAYLIST! Music makes a workout for me so thank you Kori for an awesome play list. Since it was beginner pole we had what I thought was an extended warm up but she made it fun and sexy without it being over the top. All the moves were fun and her choreography flowed so well the whole class. The only thing I did not enjoy that much but I think everyone else did was the free style at the end of the class. She turned on a song and told us to free style. Since this was my first class I only knew what she did in the class so I was a bit so so about the freestyle. I just practiced what I learned while what seemed like everyone else did more advanced moves and really knew how to move. I just felt a bit out of place but it was still fun! I did not get a chance to take photos due to the privacy of the other attendees and there was another class directly after mine so I couldn't take any after either.
After my session I even got an email asking for my class review and to provide feedback. Great for business! I also got a Welcome to Brass Visens email saying that they hoped I enjoyed my class yesterday! After I filled out the feedback I earled "5 points." I assume this is a rewards program that they have. What a great incentive.
Overall I absolutely loved my experience at http://brassvixens.com and I would totally recommend it to anyone looking for a good experience. Don't be scared or intimidated and just go in and have fun with it. Kori is a great instructor and I would definitely attend another class of hers! Thank you Brass Vixens for such a wonderful first pole experience. If you are in the Toronto area check them out!
Alicia Bell in Muscle Memory Mag
Have you seen me in the latest issue of muscle memory magazine. There is a full three page feature and interview. You can also view it online at www.musclememorymag.com What an honour to have such a great feature and thank you Ayze photos for the great images.
The League
Welcome to the future. If you are in the Toronto area you can found any professional that you want in the city and book with them using this app. The app boasts that you can find the best professionals and services you need to live a healthier, happier life – every day. Massage therapists, personal trainers, nutritionists, chiropractors and more! Book a free consultation with one of our trusted providers. LEAGUE offers the widest selection of health services in a single app. Our PROs are hand-picked, verified and ready to help you live a happier, healthier life - every day.
I have tested out The League over the past week. I have booked, changed, cancelled and attended sessions. My first being a Massage Therapy session. Not only was it easy to book with the woman I chose but she also sent me some nice emails back and forth making the app more personable. The only thing that I have found is that some of the professionals on the app have a schedule that is not in sync with the leagues calendar. So for my massage she had to switch my time (not a big deal). In case you are wondering who the massage therapist was her name is Tu Anh Luong and she did a great job (trust me I have had my fair share of athletic massages) and she was awesome. She is located at 1 St. Clair Avenue East. I highly recommend her and I am very glad that I found her. I even booked a follow up session with her next week. Just search for her in the app.
I have also booked an appointment with a Yoga instructor (which I am having tomorrow). Her profile was amazing and she even asked me for issues or areas I want to work on so that she can create a program for it. Im really looking forward to stretching out my gluteus and opening up my hips. Her name is MJ Renshaw. You can also find her on the app.
This month and next month I have a chiro, naturopath and a Vitamin B shot booked as well.
The only practice that I had a hard time booking with was pilates. I booked a private session from Misfitstudio. I have heard great things about them and their location looks absolutely beautiful. But shortly after I booked I received a message from the studio manager saying that it was a mistake in the schedule and they had to cancel it. She apologized for the inconvenience but did not ask me if I wanted to reschedule (no big deal) but any other time conflicts I have come across the practitioners were happy to reschedule me. I should take the initiative to ask her if there is another time available but it would have been nice if she would have asked me.
What I also love about the app is that it shows you the practitioners exact location as well as how far away they are from your current location! How cool is that. Also being signed up to the app you get emails with exclusive offers, awesome health tips and articles and an awesome community! And on top of that right now they are offering a special Free health coach for 30 days! 30!!!! DAYS!!! WHATTTT so go sign up and #buildyourleague of professionals!
The HipZIPP was inspired by many failed run belts on the market. They don't fit all the essentials (Phone, ID, Gels, etc.). They aren't very well balanced, they bounce, and they're a nuisance to get anything out of them once you've put something inside them. So we went ahead and created something that worked, that innovated and revolutionized the market of run belts. We took everything bad about the countless run belts, eliminated it, and created something amazing and good. Though this did not happen over night. Countless prototypes, countless runs, jogs, walks, and even treadmill tests at the gym went into perfecting the HipZIPP. We wanted to create something that was fashionable enough to wear at the gym, but comfortable enough to wear on your morning runs. With 2 large zippered pockets and a tucked away mini pocket, this belt will fit your phone, gel packs, and your ID or credit card.
Last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to go float at the Float Stress Relief and Wellness Centre 3477 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4N 2M2. My friend and photographer extrodinary Ajani Charles has been talking about it for months so I had to try it for myself. He kindly invited me to go. Upon arrival I loved the calm atmosphere. The owner was very knowledgable and friendly and talked me through the whole process. He even offered me tea. 10/10 for welcoming atmosphere and knowledge about the idea of floating for stress relief.
The multi-purpose facility features float rooms, which measure 8 ft long x 4 feet wide x 8 ft tall, registered massage therapy and naturopathic doctor services. Each room offered a beautifully laid out area with a shower, towels I even got to choose the nature sound I wanted to float off into relaxation and meditative space. I think its great to be able to choose because what I may find calm and soothing someone else may hate. I also loved that it was an enclosed tank. I wouldn't recommend this if you were clostrophobic. Although you always have the option to leave your door open. The talk starts off with a light that slowly softens and eases you into a good darkness. There were times when I was floating that I fell asleep and when I woke up I would be on the complete opposite side of the tank. Speaking of tanks the tanks are filled with pounds and pounds of epsom salts. So much so that you just float in them. The salts help extract toxins from your body, exfoliate your skin and tons of other good things for you. The water contains close to 1000 lbs. of medical grade Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate), giving the water a relative density of 1.25 (regular water is 1.0, so it’s 25% denser than regular water). But what is the best part of this experience is the pure stress relief that you get from relaxation caused by floating. I have been in the dead sea but in now way was it relaxing with the bright light, heat and other visitors.
Thank you so much for the great experience and I definitely will be implementing floating into my regular Train It Right routine.
Check out the pictures of my experience below. All photos by: Ajani Charles
Thank You @gatoradecanada #keepsweating
Did you know that losing >2% of body mass through seat has been shown to impair athletic performance? Hydration is so important! and Gatorade helps with that.
I came home the other day to a giant box delivered to my concierge. I lug it all the way upstairs and open it up to find a giant gatorade water jug filled with Gatorade products. Some I knew existed and others I didn't. Who knew that gatorade made protein bars. Not only are they packed with 20g of protein but they are delicious. Every single flavour. Im a fan of the caramel one myself. They also gave me a towel for sweat while I workout and an arm band to keep my iPod in while working out. There was every flavour of Gatorade, g2, Gatorade protein shakes, a water bottle, and even information on the Gatorade Sport Science Institute. The GSSI has worked with athletes from NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS, NASCARR, WTA, CHL, Ironman, NCAA football and even professional soccer. www.GSIweb.org/en-ca
The Train It Right household will be happily hydrated by Gatorade over the next few weeks! Thanks again Gatorade Canada! #keepsweating
Media Alert and Photo/Video Opportunity - LOLË WHITE TOUR ON AUGUST 22
2,000 PEOPLE, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE, TO PARTICIPATE IN YOGA CLASS AT TORONTO'S FORT YORK DURING LOLË WHITE TOUR ON AUGUST 22
What: Montreal-based activewear brand Lolë is rolling out its signature yellow yoga mats for its third stop of the global 2015 Lolë White Tour against the backdrop of Toronto's beloved National Historic Site, Fort York.
This exceptional event invites yoga enthusiasts to dress all in white as a symbol of peace, and immerse themselves in the unifying spirit of yoga.
Where: Fort York, Toronto, ON
Media check in: 250 Fort York Blvd.
When: Saturday, August 22, 2015
Schedule:
8 am: Doors open to the public 9 am: Media check-in (media entrance map available for download here)
9 am - 10:15 am: Healthy breakfast served & preview of White by Lolë Fall 2015 collection (this is exclusive to media)
10:30 am - 11:45 am: Yoga session, including a live performance by Dan Mangan and AroarA
Upcoming Lolë White Tour stops include:
- New York, NY on September 2 in Central Park
- Los Angeles, CA on November 7 in Santa Monica
- Paris, France – occurred on June 21 at the Eiffel Tower (broll available)
- Montreal, Canada – occurred on August 8 at Place Jacques-Cartier, Old Port of Montreal with 6,000 yogis (broll available)
Sacred Lifestyle is a new online community which helps awaken one's spirit, helps enlighten and inspire us while we continue on our journey. They profile Gurus, Spiritual Guides, and Bon Vivants around the world to share their experiences from healing our bodies to enriching the food we consume to personal utopias and sanctuaries + fashion, products and travel. They featured a a bit of our interviews with Julian Lennon, Gotham Chopra, Pamela Anderson to Brigitte Bardot, to Denise Mari from Organic Avenue, etc.
They are also creating an extension to their Magazine, that will be a market called "The Sacred Lifestyle Market."
The Sacred Lifestyle Market
When: Sunday, August 30, 2015
Where: Ashbridge Estate (1444 Queen Street East)
Time: 12Pm to 6pm
The Market includes Vendors of various parts of Lifestyle - Food, Beauty Products, Fashion, Home etc. We will also have Yoga Studios including Union, Lotus Girl and 889 Yoga hosting Yoga classes throughout the afternoon.
Lolë Presents A 3000 Person Outdoor Yoga Class - Get Your Ticket
Hey Guys!
I am going to be part of a 3000 person outdoor yoga class and you can be a part of it to! Check out the event information below and get your tickets ASAP!
Be part of a unique outdoor yoga session, featuring a live musical performance by DAN MANGAN and AROARA!
On August 22, take part in the 2015 Lolë White Tour against the backdrop of Toronto's beloved National Historic Site, Fort York.
Join thousands of other yogis all dressed in white as a symbol of peace and celebrate summer with the sounds of renowned musical artists. DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, August 22
Location: Fort York, Toronto
Doors open to public: 8 AM
Media welcoming: 9 AM
Media breakfast and Fall 2015 WHITE BY LOLË preview: 9 AM - 10:15 AM
Yoga session: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM (to the sounds of Dan Mangan and AroarA)
Lolë Design Director, Andy Thê-Anh, will be available to speak about the Fall 2015 WHITE BY LOLË collection. Finally, Bernard Mariette, CEO of Lolë, can provide you with more information about the company’s plans for growth.
My Experience At The 5Km Foam Fest in Wasaga Beach
WASAGA BEACH, Ont. (08/01/2015) - Alicia Bell climbs over the walls of the foam box object at Foam Fest held in Wasaga Beach for the first time Saturday. Photo By: David Zammit
My Experience At The 5Km Foam Fest in Wasaga Beach
On August 1st I decided to drive up to Wasaga Beach with one of my clients to run the 5Km Foam fest that was happening on the beach. At first look it looked super cool. There were huge slides set up and all sorts of fun activities and awesome music playing. We checked in and quickly went to change in the changing rooms. Registration was a breeze and so was bag check. We were told our heat was to go at 12:30pm. It didn't start until about 12:40pm we were just standing at the start waiting for someone to give us instructions. We took our picture in the foam at the start. This was fun. They then came over and told us all to line up! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 4, 3, 2, 1 and we were off. After the first 3 obstacles I was ahead of everyone in my heat. The obstacles were fun, foam filled and super unique. I actually was challenged in the sand and for some of the obstacles. I also quickly caught up to the walkers in the heat before me. Some of the obstacles like the rope climb or walk across the rope was a little loose but no big deal. For the most part I came to the obstacles and quickly went through. Overall the run was fun and slightly challenging.
Now for the bad. I was told by one woman that I shouldn't be racing because the race was for fun. Running fast and going through the obstacles is fun for me. I was timing myself and wanted to see what time I could achieve for 5km with obstacles in the sand. Thats my kind of fun! I was also a bit disappointed that they didn't have a chip time us and there were lots of opportunity to cheat on the course. Also when they finally posted the pictures they were for sale not to simply grab off the internet which I was disappointed about. Ah well.
The race was still very fun and I want to give David Zammit a free lance photographer a big shout out for capturing this awesome photo of me! Because now I have a great memory of the race thanks to him!
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