MISFITSTUDIO: January 2011

Jan 31, 2011

DARE

Tomorrow is February The winter is here, were really IN it and here's what I'm about to do. . . . I'm going to DARE you to embrace it with wide open arms a loving heart a curious mind and TAKE IT ON
every day of this month, do something BRAND NEW even if that means walking instead of the TTC, or taking a new class, trying to cook or bake something you've haven't or been overwhelmed by say YES to invitations, go to see a dance performancelisten to new wonderful music. .. . . . . ANYTHING get creative
Also! Each morning before breakfast, clean yourself out!!! While contemplating what you are going to take on for the day drink a hot cup of lemon water it'll feel good, it'll cleanse your inner system and help your skin to glow really!

oooooooo
and if you don't know Dare Wright, the amazing, inspiring photographer, check out her work!!! here and here

Jan 23, 2011

SADIE

A week of love, lesson and yogic laughter
Sadie Nardini, not only inspiring, full of knowledge, truth, human-ness and wicked power
but now a friend
What an incredible week of Yoga, Core work, brand new yogi pals and lightness
Amansala is a magical place in the world, on the beautiful beach in Tulum, Mexico
where fresh food, beach front yoga studios and spacious cabanas quickly become home
Sunrise, sand in toes and bike rides to town are just a few ways to spend the day
and then plenty of yoga
yoga for the body, yoga for the core and yoga for the heart

I found my clarity
and i can only pass on what i have learned and hope you too feel what i feel
ground yourself, take a deep breath, and express with love
namaste

Jan 14, 2011

GUEST

While I'm off in MEXICO!!!
check out KERI O'MEARA,
guest pilates instructor
Her Group Classes @ MISFITSTUDIO

Monday January 17th: 7:15pm
Tuesday January 18th: 6:15pm
Wednesday January 19th: 12pm
Friday January 21: 7:15pm
Saturday January 22: 11am

Jan 13, 2011

week off

MISFITSTUDIO WILL BE CLOSED
SUNDAY JAN 16- SUNDAY JAN 23

MEXICO IS CALLING. . . . . . . .

If interested in private sessions
please cotact Keri O'Meara
Klo.pilates@yahoo.ca
416.564.3186

Jan 12, 2011

PORTUGAL RETREAT

TAKE THE TIME OFF
SET THE DATES AND FLY AWAY

MISFITSTUDIO, The Inside Out & OMG Baked Goodness
will be Retreating in Portugal
April 3-10, 2011

Our mission is to create the ultimate get-away; to find the balance of relaxation, enjoyment and fulfilment. Combining time to de-stress, sweat and stretch away your worries in the sea air of Moledo. Ocean walks, log fires at night all while being treated to fantastic food and wine every day.

Details:

3 Daily Pilates, Fusion and Yoga Classes
3 Meals, with plenty of Wine, created by
Lesley Mattina from OMG Baked Goodness
Reiki and Indian Head Massage treatments

check out the facebook page, for more info
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Misfitstudio-The-Inside-Out-Retreats/156352864416124

Jan 10, 2011

wisdom

WISDOM
a little thought, my inspiration pulled from Byron Kady
once you've made space, clearing yourself enough to listen to your inner strength, your inner voice, you can begin your inner relationship
wisdom
the inner inquiry
changing something for the better
clear away what isn't working, shake it up, try to do something different
when you know you want to create change, and when you feel clear in your mind and body,or clearer for that matter, it is THEN
then that you start listening
check in with yourself
engage yourself in a conversation with who you are
at your core integrity

challenges are important in your next step of personal evolution
how do we know that what is happening to us isn't for the best.
choose to not engage in an unhealthy dynamic, interaction, or relationship
walk away, and allow yourself to find peace in that
it is unnecessary to be reactive, to explode and over build boundaries
the practise and the art of being a human, and a yogi
is to practice not being a hypocrite
knowing what your truth is
and follow it
and that truth may change over time, as your evolution continues

received each experience as a teaching, but know to not stay in it
use the lesson to become stronger, brighter, lighter
and until you claim who you really are
you are going to keep getting the same lesson
quiet your mind, listen to your inner wisdom and keep learning. . . . .

check out Byron Kady here!
http://www.thework.com/index.php

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testimonials

Some shamless self promotion! I have taught around the city of toronto for ten years now! 10 years in some form or another, and it is just a pure pleasure and joy to continute to teach,classes, private clients, Corporate classes and mega events, its always an adventure, a ride and humbling hour or so where I learn more and more and more and am blessed to share time with so many amazing, inspiring people!
here are a few new testimonials from clients, student and teachers themselves!

"Amber brings a huge amount of energy and warmth to the classes she runs. She is one of those wonderful people that lights up a room when she enters. These wonderful traits she brings to class are part of the reason they are so popular, you couldn't leave her class not feeling happier. Her classes are amazing by themselves though, the movement style and creativity especially during Fusion classes keep things fresh and if you want, they can push you to your limits. In short she is one of the best and most motivating teachers I have ever had."
-Jason deCoursy

Amber offers a workout that builds strength, core stability, and flexibility. Don’t be fooled by her charmingly gentle demeanor – come ready to work hard! Each and every week, Amber will push you to the limits of your potential with humour, grace, and intelligence, while always respecting the individuality of your body.
Kristie Painting

For 3 years running I have been attending a yoga/pilates fusion class led by Amber. Every Monday evening she has me sweating, stretching, groaning and walking away feeling like I’ve just done something spectacular both mentally and physically. Amber’s enthusiasm for the practice and her passion to share that enthusiasm is just one of the things that makes her such a fantastic instructor. Her focus on the individual and one’s overall well-being makes her standout amongst her peers. The combination of Amber’s smooth style and gentle demeanor along with her ability to push you to places you didn’t think you could go, will keep you coming back for more!
-Theresa Smith

I have been doing yoga for years and Amber is by far the best yoga/pilates instructor I have ever had! I always come out of the class feeling like I got an amazing work out, but her focus on deep stretching and meditation also allow me to walk out of the class feeling amazingly zen and positive.
-Karen Wang

Amber encourages each student to maximize his/her individual potential in all areas of the mind, body and soul. She’s great!

-Chris Salvatore

Each week is a new adventure! Amber caters each class to our requests while still maintaining consistency and building on progress from week to week. She walks us through the poses, exercises and stretches with patience and encouragement. I have definitely noticed an improvement in my core strength and overall fitness. My best runs are on Tuesdays after our Monday class when I am stretched out and energized from our practice.

Thank you very much for all of your help in whipping our butts in to shape Amber!!

Cheers,Rob Beach
Amber’s sessions have had a major impact on my overall wellness. I am eternally grateful. I am a competitive skier and volleyball player who’s been troubled by debilitating back pain for years. Her core strengthening focus and smooth delivery style have allowed me to (safely) gain much needed stability and strength in my core. I have much less pain day to day in my back and my strength has improved a great deal. My ability to perform in ski racing and volleyball has been improving ever since I adopted her program and attend the classes regularly. She’s a remarkable guide to wellness and her ability to bring focus and inner peace during the course of a hectic day is second to none. I HIGHLY recommend her.

~Andy Durnford

I have done Yoga and Pilates classes before separately but have never imagine that they could be integrated. Well, Amber has made the integration so smoothly and seamlessly that her Yoga/Pilate routines “make sense”. Amber knows how to build us up from the start. During my first few weeks with Amber, I was sweating and shaking a lot doing less advanced poses as I am doing now. Now, I just perspire a bit and feel great after each class. Amber also tailors the class to how we feel that day to help us relieve our stress and pain. She explains to us most of the moves that she was asking/showing us to do, of course, with lots of laughs and giggles !!! Never a dull moment !
~Amy Tam

Amber's fusion of pilates and yoga have been a godsend. I've had scar tissue in my left aductor that's plagued me for 2 years. After 2 months of weekly classes, I have more mobility than I had before my injury. Every breath, movement, sequence, and class builds on the next. I've never felt stronger or more flexible. She raises your confidence and lifts your spirit. For that, I can't thank Amber enough.

Nick Lijoi

I am not a Yoga or Pilates person, but I knew that it was good for me. Previously we had an instructor and I dreaded the classes. Then we got Amber, I love it. I schedule my meetings around attending her classes. She makes it fun, even when we are in pain. My back is stronger and I am more flexible as result of attending her classes. I looked forward them every week.AMP – Burn! You get amped and then you burn! Get amped while you burn. AmberBURN??
~Sharleen Moodie

Movement Tip

a little blurb

MISFITSTUDIO is a unique studio hidden in the depths of parkdale. Blending elements of Pilates, Yoga and Dance, this studio focuses on the experience of movement
Group Classes and Private sessions are individualized and created based on students needs and desires, as most bodies need different and varying attention
With her many years of Dance and personal Yoga and Pilates practise, Amber nurtures her students, creating a warm environment in which comfort and lightness can be felt
laughter, joy and celebration are encouraged at MISFITSTUDIO

As winter sets in for the long haul, and the days seem shorter, the light disapperas earlier and motivation fades. . . . .dont fret
allow this time to relesh in all of your yoga teachings, breathe, stand tall and allow warmth to circulate thruough the body
and mostly, keep healthy
its during these dark nites cold, flu and illness can sneak up on you. . . . .so drink fluids, eat balanced meals and get pleanty of rest, and if you still need some assistance, check out this link for lots of healthy tips!!!

Brian Kest, Power Yoga

http://www.poweryoga.com/

BACK PAIN

With just a few moves, you can bring your legs, hips and spine into proper alignment, release tension and gain supportive strength. The following asanas provide traction for your spinal muscles, as you root through the hips and let a gentle pull or gravity make space between the spinal bones. Over repetition and time, you’ll start to enjoy a body that’s no longer stopping you, but rather serving you to live, move and play!!!

1- forward bend, slight bend at the knee and feet hip distance apart, deep fold at the hips and hang out! let gravity take over, breathe slow and deeeep, shift weight forward and fight the urge to crank yourself out, go slow and reset your spine as you stand

2- downward dog, If done properly, this tried-and true asana can be excellent for spinal traction and back health

3- childs pose, knees wide, big toes closer,if your head doesn’t touch the floor, place a block or fists under your forehead so you can relax completely

In all asanas, take time to connect to your breath, breathe slowly into your back body, consciously expanding the back and creating space on the inhale, and on the exhales, let ever more tension dissolve

WRIST Support
If you are practicing vigorously and adding lots of arm balances, chaturanga, side-plank, full plank, wild thing, you get the picture....if using a thick mat isn't available,
try doubling up on your mat!!

Hydration in the HEAT!
The summer is here, full on, so drink fluids all day long to ensure you are well hydrated. This is useful for your day, any outings, but especially during exercise!
Water is best, as we all k now, but try adding a squeeze of lemon, or grapefruit into your water, refreshing with a touch of zing!!!!