My Couture Form of Exercise: Gyrotonics

My dear friend and talented couture designer Zang Toi introduced me to Gyrotonics/Gyrokinesis. Above is a picture of Zang Toi together with Lance Armstrong. Zang has always been a huge inspiration to me and has put together several fundraisers and events for the Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation. We actually met through our personal trainer Dave Janik and have always shared our mutual passion for exercise and wellness. About a year ago, we were grabbing afternoon tea at the St. Regis when I started talking about getting into pilates. I used to be a dancer when I was younger and wanted a form of exercise that helps me build smaller muscles and create a longer, leaner body. Zang Toi wrote on a napkin “Jackson 2124593369” and told me to make the call…

I’ve been doing Gyrotonics with Jackson for about a year now and it is truly amazing. It is a beautiful and intense full body workout that I am constantly improving upon. After each session, I feel a true difference in my body and I only wish it was more widely available. I’ve tried pilates as well and although people often compare the two, they are definitely different. Gyrotonics is made up of 360 degrees and three dimensional movements that engage all of your muscles throughout your body as the same time. The machines are fascinating to me..they make look like medieval torture devises but it’s the closest I feel to being on an adult playground.

Created by ballet dancer, Juliu Horvath, who after seeking asylum in the US from Romania, developed Gyrotonics as “Yoga for Dancers”. Gyrotonics/Gyrokinesis integrates movements from yoga, swimming, gymnastics, and tai chi. Gyrotonics uses a series of machines that are developed and designed by Juliu Horvath. Today, it is a living practice that is constantly changing, improving as Juliu and the gyrotonic community grows and evolves. There is a very rigorous training program that one has to go through in order to begin teaching Gyrotonics. I took classes at Gyrotonics Manhattan run by Sebastian Plettenberg who also at one point trained Ari Weller, the Philosopher of Fitness that I blogged about.

Here’s a video of me doing a series of arm exercises. It is filmed by my friend Zang so I am unable to explain why he decided to tilt the camera 180 degrees half way through it.

Here’s a video of Zang doing “arches and curls”, the basic exercise that typically starts a Gyrotonics workout, to open your spine and chest.

Finally, here’s a video of Jackson, our superb trainer doing a series of leg exercises. You must watch this, it’s really incredible and I’m working on getting there!

For more information go to: http://www.gyrotonic.com/

Celebrity Boot Camp

This past January, I went to the Ashram, this famed super intense healthy vegan boot camp just outside of LA in Calabasas known of regular guests such as Oprah Winfrey, Cindy Crawford, etc. There have been flocks of celebrities that have attended this camp and some of which did not last the entire weak. I figured, this was the best way to start off 2009! With a waiting list of over 300 guests, you have to book on average one-year in advance. Each week, they take on 12 guests, prepared to get beaten down, re-energized, lose 5-15lbs and walk away with new friends and perhaps a new way of living. When I showed up, 8 of the 12 guests were return guests, some who have attended the Ashram annually for over 10 years!

The place was founded by two Swedish women in the 1970’s Dr. Anne Marie Bennstrom, who invented the Thigh Master made famous by Suzanne Sommers.

Actually you can use the Casall pilates ring in the same way by placing it between your inner thighs…great to do while watching your favorite TV show!

The Ashram is run day-to-day by Cat Hedberg, a vivacious Swedish woman who immediately makes you feel at home when you meet her. With 12 guest per week, for 364 weeks a year, it’s incredible that she remembers everyone’s name and personal story. Cat is the common link that makes everyone feel part of the Ashram family. The 6-day week is super intense and here is a typical day at the Ashram:

5:30 wake up

6:00 start yoga in darkness and watch the sun rise

7:30 breakfast (usually Ezekiel sprouted organic cereal with home-made hemp milk)

8:30 hike for about 15 miles with lots of up-hill climbs (snack is usually 3 almonds and 1 prune)

13:00 lunch (soy bean sprouts, arugula, avocado salad with manna bread)

14:00 one of massage

15:00 water aerobics

16:00 weights and resistance training

17:00 Core training, Lotte Burke method

18:00 Evening restorative yoga

19:30 Dinner (zucchini chopped in slices with vegetable stew)

20:00 Meditation or just hang out with other guests

21:00 Bedtime

The entire week is mostly organic vegan and after I have returned, I have maintained the nutritional values that I learned from the Ashram. I have most given up red meat, ex the occasional Chinese home-made dumplings or steak tartar. I am much more conscientious of consuming highly nutrient dense foods like anything that is sprouted. And the daily 15 mile hikes?...not so much…

I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who’s looking for an INTENSE jump-start on a healthy lifestyle. My favorite Ashram moment? Not being a morning person at all, 5am yoga on day 5 watching the sun rise and feeling lighter, more toned and energized!

Things I miss about New York

Okay it’s been about 2 months since I officially moved to Sweden. The sun is out, which has this really strange effect on Swedish people. First off, Stockholm seemed to have doubled in population in the past month. Secondly, I notice that that people are sitting outside even when it is freezing (at least freezing for me). I find it really interesting that people are outside with blankets just to get some sun! Thank you for the suggestions on the various running loops. I have found a couple I like and just did the Djurgården loop earlier today.

Here are a few critical things that I miss about the New York. If you can help me locate these items or similar services in Stockholm, I would be so grateful:

1) Wheatgrass shots

These are widely available at practically every juice bar in New York, at every Jamba Juice

and at Equinox gym food bars. I am so used to taking them on a regular basis. I have heard they are available at one health store in Stockholm but when I tried to visit on Sunday after my run, it was closed… should I start planting my own?

2) Blueprint Cleanse





This company delivers sets of 6 freshly squeezed juices to your doorstep daily for 3-day, 5-day, 6-day detox cleansing. I am a personal believer of detoxing about 3 times a year and this service is so convenient. After a cleanse (I usually do Level 3 for 5 days), I feel totally revitalized and full of energy with the added bonus that you typically lose some weight.

3) Wholefoods

This is my favorite grocery store. In fact, it doesn’t even belong in the class of grocery stores because it is a whole experience of its own! Here’s my short list of foods I can’t find in Stockholm that is readily available at wholefoods (link as many of these as possible): Ezekiel cereal, coconut water, Bragg Liquid Amino, the entire Kashi line, Matcha Japanese Green Tea powder, Lärabars, freshly cut and cubed watermelon, Manna sprouted bread, Fage fat-free Greek yogurt, Tofutti Ice Cream…

4) Starbucks

I miss being able to order my daily “Grande Soy, 3 pumps of Vanilla, Free-Pour Latte” in the winter months and in the summer months, my “Ice Venti Passion Ice Tea”. Ice tea is hard to find in Stockholm and many coffee shops do not have soy milk here…Don’t get me wrong, I can certainly enjoy an authentic cup of real coffee, whether it’s Italian or the really strong Swedish coffee. But I spent my adolescent years in Seattle and my first job in high school was as a Barista at Starbucks so I am unfortunately addicted to this branded corporate coffee.

5) Pinkberry

Pinkberry, please expand to Stockholm! I love their frozen yogurt! Okay, it is definitely overpriced and has great branding but I am still willing to pay $3.95 for my little slice of healthy heaven for 98 calories. When the chain first opened in New York (originally from California and a copycat brand from the true original Red Mango from South Korea), the line used to be as long as a 45 minutes wait. Now they have expanded to more locations and it is a convenient pick-me-up!