Relax with Reflexology

Posted on April 14, 2014 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

When you feel an ache or pain, what’s the first thing you do? Pop a pill, see a doctor? Modern medicine helps but is it the only option?

Alternative therapies, although rich in history, are not really the typical “American way”. But what we don’t know could be hurting us. Your low back pain, knee, thigh or hip issues, depression, digestion or reproductive health concerns could be relieved by reflexology.

Recently, we attended an Intro to Reflexology class hosted by Jane G. Doyle (President of YouHealYou and author of Expect Your Miracle) and taught by Sarah Preusker (board certified reflexologist). Ms. Doyle actually started You Health You based on her own experiences with chronic pain and her journey to heal herself without the crutch of never ending pills. When we settled into the class, we realized that we would literally be doing “hands on” foot work.

So what is reflexology? It is a thumb and finger finger pressure technique on the feet, hands and ears which purportedly has an affect on every part of the body, inside and out.

During the workshop, people were partnered up so we braved each other’s lack of pedicures, brushed off the toe fuzz and got down to business. We began with exploring of the bones in the feet. It was intriguing to feel how each toe has different joints and each bone travels into the base if the foot. After thoroughly wiggling our partner’s toes and meandering around the joints (we had a continual flow of quizzical looks on our faces while doing this), it was time for foot art!

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Sarah led us through which parts of the foot connected to parts of the body. As we followed along, we shaded washable marker diagrams on each other’s tootsies to signify different systems: digestion, reproduction, heart, and more.

We had to skedaddle a little early for work so we didn’t get to stay for more technique assistance and deeper instruction on which parts of the foot could be pressed to relieve issues.

So why attend? The class was easy to follow, definitely enjoyable and Sarah was a nurturing practitioner. She made rounds throughout the class and offered assistance to each group. It was also relaxing (for those of you who don’t have foot aversions) to use/have pressure on the feet. Sarah noted once you learned the proper pressure for reflexology, you could enlist your partner, foot friendly friend or family member to put the vice grip on you.

So the question is: does Reflexology work to reduce pain, anxiety or illness? Kate had been having sinus problems and the matching foot area was tender and responsive. Coincidence? The ped-jury is still out. Various studies show mixed results so proceed with caution and look for a reputable practitioner.

As we got lost in the toe-ment (hahahah pun!), we were beginning to think it was time to change careers to become reflexologists…but then we realized we were more just touchy squeezy foot amateurs.

So what about you? Would you like to have an alternate means to improve your health? Check out the next You Heal You Reflexology event at Tribe Healing Arts on Sunday, June 22nd!

Thanks to Christina Giordano for the invitation!

Grab this Giveaway! Jillian Michaels’ Maximize Your Life

Posted on March 31, 2014 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

One of world’s leading health and wellness expert is coming to town and maybe she won’t make you do squats while you listen to her story…or maybe she will. We have always been big fit fans of good ol’ Mz. Michaels. She may have started on “The Biggest Loser” but has since moved on to develop her own health and fitness empire. Sure, you could find her on Youtube or reruns, but wouldn’t it be awesome to hear her words of wisdom for real change in your life? Jillian Michaels’ “Maximize Your Life” Tour will be stopping by the Rialto Square Theatre on April 9th at Joliet, IL so mark you calendar! During the show, you will “learn how to harness your potential, kick-start your goals and live an exceptional life – sharing her keys to health, success and happiness. No hype, no false promises: Just results. And if Jillian is known for anything, it’s results. Dang, have ya’ll tried her “yoga” (aka yoga disguised as strength training)?

You can buy tickets here starting @ $25 bucks!

OR you could WIN them just by commenting on our blog with your favorite Jillian Michaels’ quote. We love “It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort” during those really tough days.

The winner will get a pair of tickets waiting for them at will call.

So what’ll be? Are you tough enough to comment?

Riding Spinners and They Don’t Stop: Our First Spinning Class

Posted on March 2, 2014 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Equinox cycling class

Mid February, right around V-day, we spent a little time giving love to ourselves by trying a new workout. Kate has always been a little hesitant about indoor cycling, a.k.a spinning, while Monica was fascinated with this high-energy fitness style. We picked the perfect opportunity to jump in and test the spin cycle when Cheeky Chicago planned a Valentine’s studio cycling event with Equinox Lincoln Park. We made it to class just in time to get on our bikes and chose the back row to avoid the front row spotlight.

Big tip: If it’s your first time, flag the instructor down to help you adjust your bike and show you the how to work the darn thing. Bike seats and handles are adjustable and move up/down, forward/back….very helpful for the vertically gifted or challenged. Kate’s bike seat was not quite locked and took a dip midway through cycling which was very unexpected and uncomfortable indeed.

The tools that you use throughout your ride include a red knob to up or lower the resistance of your bike and increase intensity in addition to a screen to track your rpm and mileage. And the one thing we were wondering throughout about cycling…is it possible to get a more comfy plushy seat?

The instructor started us off with a warm up of moderate pedaling and then led the class in an interval format as bubbly pop music played in the background. She was unashamed to throw Beiber and Usher in the mix to get us moving. After we were slightly sweaty, the resistance was added and we worked in a hill format. We both popped up off the bike seats and pedaled while standing, making it a killer quad and glute experience.

After pedaling full steam ahead for 45 minutes, we were treated to KIND bars and Juice Rx Gingerade (lemon, ginger and Vermont maple syrup) as other guests learned foam rolling tips from Equinox trainers. We also scored one week passes to Equinox for ourselves and our readers. Comment below to receive a one week pass!

Lincoln Park Equinox has creative variations of Studio Cycling, Barre classes, Tabata and not to be missed Yoga with Allison English! For the March schedule, click here.

Feel like spinning your wheels a little more for a good cause?

Get your spin on to help stop violence in Chicago. Ride Spin to Break the Cycle on March 8th at the House of Blues for 1, 2, or 3 hours!

Mastering the Chaturanga

Posted on January 10, 2014 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

2014 has already been a whirlwind of activity. So much so, we didn’t even have time to sketch out some resolutions to ditch after January. One thing that we consider a continued necessity in the big ’14 and not a temporary resolution is practicing yoga. Both of us initially connected over our interest in not only getting some exercise at yoga class, but also reaping the relaxing benefits of being on the mat. As relaxing as it can be,the dreaded asana, chaturanga, has never been the yoga move that made us swoon. In fact, it has been of particular frustration at times, especially after 12 Sun Salutations in a row (*shaking fist at yoga teachers!!).

Chaturanga (chah-tuur-ANGH-uh) Dandasana (dahn-DAHS-uh-nuh) means “four limbs staff pose” and is part of the sun salutation sequence. Corepower Yoga in Oak Park/River Forest recently put on a Chaturanga workshop and we were intrigued as well as afraid. Mon ended up welcoming a new family into the world the eve of the workshop (YAAAY!), so I was left on my own to brave the unknown.

Julia and Laura were the fearless yoga leaders who walked the class through a crazy amount of variations of chatarungas. Some of the most important points they made were*:

1) No need to do chaturangas every day. This could lead to a possible tennis elbow injury or overuse of the shoulder (aka dang my rotator cuff is jacked).

2) A strap could be your best yoga bud for this pose. If you wrap it around your forearms, when you go down to the bottom of the chaturanga pose with your 90% elbows at the sides of your ribcage, it gently pushes on the front of the rib cage and shows you if you’re in the right position.

*Since I am not a personal trainer or yoga teacher, do not take my advice and start slugging it out as I don’t have to money to pay for your urgent care bills. Here’s Mind Body Yoga’s step-by-step how-to on correct form or watch the video by Lululemon.

I was surprised because we actually got a full workout during the workshop and talked through all these variations of chaturanga.

Basic chaturanga – Got it down!
1 legged chaturanga – A little harder
Crow to chaturanga – Umm I flopped around like an injured crow. Best advice was use your core not your legs to propel yourself out. At least the girl in front of me was flopping too.
Forward fold to chaturanga – Somehow managed to fake it
Standing splits to chaturanga – Yeah I just watched and admired the class at this point.

Even if you’ve been practicing yoga for a long time, I think it’s pretty essential to get some walk through on proper form and in my yoga class on Sunday, I felt more confident and comfortable when completing my chaturangas. Want to get your own yoga scholar time on? Corepower Yoga is being awesome to the community and offering another free workshop on February 8th for back bends. Contact the studio for more details.

Reverse Warrior sequence with Corepower Yoga OPRF Julia (left) and Laura (right).

Thanks to Julia, Laura and Morgan, studio owner of Corepower Yoga OPRF, for hosting me. See y’all on the mat!

Bound 2 Get Fit 4 NYE

Posted on December 27, 2013 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Not sure if your family baked you 3 tins full of holiday cookies and marble cakes, but ours did. We are so over sugared from this past week that a fridge full of carrots seems like a refuge. Luckily, you don’t need to wait til the new year to strengthen your resolve and boost your healthy habits. Chicago seems to know we all probably overdid it (in true Midwestern style) and has some limited time hot deals to get you back on track even before you even squeeze into your NYE digs.

Addicted to Glazed and Infused Donuts?

Groupon is offering a limited time only deal of a 3 or 7 day juice cleanse for our fave freshy-fresh juice bar, Peeled. Info on the efficacy of juicing research is mixed but proponents say it clears toxins from the body, delivers vitamins instantly and eliminates cravings. We haven’t tried the cleanse but love their made-to-order smoothies, juices and raw foods. Try the Bright Pink juice, with dazzling pear, pineapple and ginger, for a first taste. Must haves: Motivation to say goodbye to solid foods!

Peeled Juice “Bright Pink”

Are you a Challenge Hound?

Bar Method may look like a dance in the park but we have seen our male friends quiver in the class. If you have never stepped up to the Barre, you can join the Bar-lution Challenge. Take 21 classes in 30 days from January 6th through February 4th to win! Prizes during last year’s competition included Bar Method socks, tanks, DVDs and a membership for one faithful attendee. Beyond the goodies, your body will look fantastic. We lost inches, gained flexibility and strength during our challenge foray last year. Must haves: grippy socks, knee length pants and a steely determination. Hot tip: The Wicker Park Bar Method has free parking for you driving folks.

Looking to Beat the Treadmill Blahs?

Consistently voted as one of the best gyms in Chicago, i.d. gym has a small personalized environment and a schedule chock full of original exercise classes. Ever flown in the air in a hammock during yoga? How about pushing a tire around to get a pre industrial revolution physique? Classes like Fly Yoga and the Caveman Workout may renew your fitness fire. I.d. gym is running a membership special until the end of December so hurry up and lunge in to the deal.

For those who want to get back in touch with their naughty side now that Christmas is over, Flirty Girl Fitness, an all women’s gym with a focus on bringing sexy back, has class packs on sale as well that could mix up the boring basics of gym rat life. Getting a mani pedi with your package ain’t half bad either!

i.d. gym fly yoga

Overwhelmed by Health and Fitness info?

Personal training may be a way to wade through the mass of fitness trends out there. Score a deal on a free consultation with our North side trainer extraordinaire, Sabri Xhaferi, to get the feel for it or jump right in with a package deal.

Sabri Xhaferi, certified personal trainer

With all this sweating, what about a swell new workout outfit to make you feel footloose at the gym!? We just discovered a cut and affordable spot for just such a task, vfish. What else do we wanna try in 2014? TRX, HIIT, Bollywood Groove, Pure Barre, Cheerobix and more to test out just for you!

vfish designs gripsocks!

All we want for Xmas is Pilates bodies!

Posted on December 13, 2013 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

We have to confess…it’s been almost a week since our last workout and our abs still hurt! Last Saturday, we kicked another Chi style birthday off right with our next Lululemon “12 Days of OM” event at Superior Pilates. Before we got started, we shared a nervous conversation with a fellow classmate about the reformers and their semi torturous facades. Our fears were soon assuaged by Kristen Wolf, our teacher, owner and founder of Superior Pilates as she explained that we wouldn’t tackle the machines until we had the basics down.

Finally, we snuggled into the mats and tightened our tummies in anticipation.

So what’s the hype about this workout? Pilates (pronounced puh-LAH-teez) helps build flexibility, muscle strength, and body awareness and involves the legs, abdomen, arms, hips, buttocks and lower back. This workout strengthens and stretches bulky muscles as well as tones and balances the smaller muscle groups. Need more info? Click here on Wikipedia.

During our 1 hour class, Kristen worked out every part of the body. We tried our hand at the more traditional moves like “the hundred” exercise and adventured into some new territory with the use of spring-and-pulley apparatus that pushed our triceps and calves to the sculpting limits.

The small class size allowed Kristen to give personal attention to each student. After we had exhausted every muscle fiber, we chatted it up with Kristen about her journey into pilates. Kristen suffered whiplash from a car accident and began pilates as a tool for rehabilitation. She ended up loving it so much that she followed up with professional pilates training and eventually purchased the cozy and sunny studio space.

At the end of our class, Molly from Lululemon raffled off a sweet black tank with watercolor style flowers…and guess who won? The bday girl!!

Hurry up and get in on the holiday fun at the next 12 Days of OM or take the Pilates Plunge with Kristen at Superior Pilates.

My Om My! Free Holiday Yoga with Lululemon Chicago

Posted on December 6, 2013 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Admit it. You deserve a break from the holidays already and those snowman cookies you’ve gorging on lately certainly aren’t relieving any stress. Well, real holiday relief is on the way! In the spirit of the season, Lululemon on Rush & Walton has wrapped up the gift of free yoga classes, ceremoniously titled “12 Days of OM”, at a diverse set of Chicago based studios for all of us in need of a good Shavasana. We did a test run last night for the 2nd day of OM at Yoga Fuzion. Nestled in River North, Yoga Fuzion’s studio space has all the accouterments you would expect from the posh neighborhood. It boasts infrared heating technology, free towel and mat rental, and a special cushy moisture reducing floor. During our 1 hour yoga journey with Rachel, we delighted in some much needed detoxing twists (goodbye pumpkin pie!) and a toasty heated temp which was a surprise perk given the 20 degree freeze yesterday.

We sweated it up and still somehow looked glowy at the end. Ok, so maybe we snuck a brush in our gym bags and tussled our hair a bit before the “op”.

Yoga Fuzion in River North

Following practice, we chatted it up with Jonna from Lululemon and indulged in mango lemonade, cucumber mint water and fresh veggies. She explained that class sign-ups are released each Friday and pointed us to the sign up link for “12 Days of OM” on Eventbrite. Jonna presented us a special gift in the #nohumbug Lululemon tradition, a cute coral colored sweat wicking pink stripe tank for Monica! ‘Tis the season for you to jump on the free yoga sleigh ride as well. Check out the “12 Days of Om” schedule below, back away from the cookies and throw those capri and tank in your gym bag! Next classes include Power Vinyasa Flow at Yoga Loft and Mat Pilates at Lateral Fitness.

Lincoln Park for Thrifty Types

Posted on September 30, 2013 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Although Lincoln Park has that uppercrusty feel, there a hidden diamonds for anyone, including those with empty pockets, to enjoy. Soooo come and check out some of the LP hood spots for fitness, food, and good times.

Where to tone

Lululemon on Halsted: Join the Lulu staff for a free one hour yoga class every Sunday at 10am at their Sunday Salutations series. Different instructors from various LP studios are featured each month. All levels are welcome and they share their mats.

Flirty Girl Fitness: The most recent addition to the Flirty Girl family is still just as pink and flirty. Even if you aren’t the pink purse dog carrying type, Flirty Girl offers not only pole dancing but hardcore strength workouts, Zumba and stretch classes.

i.d. gym: We desperately want to go back and try Fly Yoga with Brent Holten again. The freeing feeling of being wrapped in a stretchy hammock while you practice your asanas a few feet above the ground can’t be replicated anywhere else.

Where to taste

Peeled: Take a short jaunt down the sunny streets of LP after your downward facing dogs and try a freshly pressed juice or smoothie. Try a seasonal smoothie flavor, like Girl and the Fig, while you can. Our recent rave was raw organic truffles! We keep dreaming about the smooth cocoa dusted flavors.

Dawali Kitchen: is Kate’s go to for fresh creamy hummus (Mon is sadly allergic to the chickpea) and crispy falafels. Their falafels are one of the best in Chicago area! Non chickpea offerings include shwarma, spinach and feta pies, and other middle eastern inspired dishes.

All that working out makes us hungry anddd you probably noticed we like sweets (in moderation, of course).

Molly’s Cupcakes: lies in a people watching and shopping strip on Clark street. Molly’s distinguishes itself with filled cupcakes (how about a Chocolate Lava Cupcake with a dark rich pudding center), aptly named cupcakes (Ron Bennington anyone?) and whimsical swings at the front counter.

Molly’s Cupcakes Peanut Butter Nutella and Mixed Berry

Where to explore

With the Lakefront as LP’s backyard, you couldn’t ask for a better location. A bevy of fitness enthusiasts head to the lakefront path daily for biking, running, skating and relaxed meandering. Bike rental options abound with a Divvy station right by the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Bike and Roll at North Ave Beach and Lakeshore bikes further north on the path. For your more animal nature, walk through Lincoln Park Zoo for free and stop by their nature path to the south for a gorgeous Chi skyline view.

Lincoln Park Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

FREE YOGA and National Yoga Month: Get it to get Hawt!

Posted on September 22, 2013 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

September is not only the start of fabulous fall in Chicago but also National Yoga Month. As the hustle and bustle of school and work picks back up, yoga can bring the chill feel of summer back into your life. Read about the 10 benefits of Yoga at alignyo.com.

The Yoga Health Foundation is a major player in this push to inspire people to practice yoga and create a more balanced lifestyle. They also offer one free week at a variety of participating yoga studios – click here to find one near you.

We signed up to try Bend Yoga Studio, which just moved to a new West Town location, and will be offering a full relaxed report soon! Many other Chi Town Yoga studios get into the action of celebrating National Yoga Month as well.

For the past two years, we’ve clamored to attend Exhale Spa‘s NamasDay event. Exhale is a high end combo spa/studio that offers traditional yoga as well as barre and fusion classes. For NamasDay, Exhale goes all out for guests with mini spa treatments, healthy treats, and cutting edge classes.

NamasDay @ Exhale Spa

So where can you get your Yoga hook up?

Which category do you fit in?

A) Are you wearing fitness clothes and ready to socialize?

B) Are you wearing PJs and can barely drag yourself towards the TV?

If you’re an A, Try:

1) Corepower Yoga offers a free week to all new students. You must like it hot as they are heated classes.

2) Zen Yoga Garage, one of our favsies, gives a free week to newbies as well. Check out our previous blog for more info.

3) Lululemon and Athleta stores are a go to for the once in awhile yogi. Search for your local store for exact classes and hours. They give your weekend a boost with Saturday/Sunday classes.

If you’re a B, Try:

…Not drooling on yourself! Get up and exercise that booty!

Free online yoga in those cute cow pajamas:

1) doyogawithme.com-There is a huge library of classes for beginners to advanced students. You also have the option to buy a class for repeat views if you like it.

2) Alignyo turns a homebody into an “ohmbody” with featured classes from celebrity teachers. They surround you with other yogic interests such as interviews, yoga digs, and health tips.

3) Youtube, baby! Just search for yoga. Jillian Michael’s butt kicking yoga classes are on there as well as anything from Kudalini to Vinyasa style yoga. Tickle your fancy for whatever works in those monkey slippers you’re wearing.

Of course, we will keep the yoga party going long after September is over. Where is your secret place to score some free yoga? We are a community, after all!

Acro A Go Go

Posted on September 3, 2013 by CHIORGANICGIRLS

Sometimes you are feeling adventurous. Sometimes you are willing to ignore personal boundaries and risk that your butt may fall on some stranger’s head.

This…is one of those times.

We had been talking for months about going to Acroyoga and shied away. Did we know enough yoga? Were we pretzely enough? Finally, we mustered the courage to go to the Trapeze School of New York in Chicago hidden at the Broadway Armory.

Our teacher, Jenny Melnick, and a fellow student guided us through the fine art (or in our case, the fine line) of counterbalancing, using your body weight to support poses and each other.

Mon: As we learned the basic poses, it was a challenge to communicate and listen to my body and my partner. Some poses were easy and fun while other poses push your limit. I had to learn to trust myself and my partner as we relied on each other in poses such as the High Flying Whale.

Kat: I was meant to be a base. (Don’t be dirty! A base is the pyramid person that the pose is built on). Although it was weird at times finding the right balance, as I am short and everyone else was so gazelle like, I embraced being the rock of the formation. Jenny took more care with us as we were new which made a challenging experience more comfortable.

We both highly recommend the experience. It would be worthwhile to go with a bestie or a man friend you trust as you are often in twister-like compromising positions.

Chi Organic Girls

Category Archives: Fitness

Relax with Reflexology

Grab this Giveaway! Jillian Michaels’ Maximize Your Life

Riding Spinners and They Don’t Stop: Our First Spinning Class

Mastering the Chaturanga