The Manifesting Abundance Program

findyourbalance — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:20:35 +0000

Highly recommended group by our friend, Britt Bolnick of In Arms Coaching.

The Manifesting Abundance Program. It’s a 10 week virtual group of women, supporting and cheering each other on, and jam packed with content to get women heart-centered, aligned with their joy, and moving forward in their life with structure, motivation and focus. For more information, click here.

Fire Island Fitness

findyourbalance — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:25:36 +0000

I have been blessed and happy to be meeting and working with many Fire Island residents while they embrace their summer and get in some soulful and sweaty personal training and Pilates sessions! Take a look at some pictures below and be in touch with any questions surrounding classes and sessions on Fire Island.

Do You Sabotage Your Fitness Goals?

findyourbalance — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:19:12 +0000

I realized in June that I was in the habit of stopping short just before reaching my personal fitness goal.
I was fearful of trying my best and seeing no results and decided that instead of being held back out of fear and self-doubt, I would take the challenge of truly stepping into my physical potential.I completely changed my diet to a more balanced and healthy one. I began taking supplements, I asked for help from an acupuncturist, Pilates Instructor, and Personal Trainer, and I drafted out my ideal workout plan.The biggest question I needed to answer for myself was not the what but, the how.
I knew I wanted to feel better and look stronger but I needed to follow through with the steps to do this. I’m here to share what changed for me to finally reach a fitness goal that I’d spent years and years sabotaging.

1. Ask for help.

I know I give this advice all the time but I can’t tell you enough how important it is to have guidance, support, and a program catered just to you.
We all need help.
Who wants to do all of this alone?
I asked three different practitioners and one close friend for their guidance and support. What started as a change, soon became a healthy habit but, I did not get there alone.

2. It is not about work, it is about commitment.

The first time I heard this phrase it struck me as very simple yet powerful. Challenging your physical potential isn’t about the work; it is about the commitment to yourself, your body, and your personal goal. When your goal is turned into something you are achieving as opposed to work you have to schlep through, your results will be bigger and more soulful.
Commit to yourself and your dreams.

3. Be reasonable with your plan.

When I was (alongside my personal trainer) making my plan to reach my goal, I wrote out a 2-week workout plan. When I got to the 3rd week, I began to feel overwhelmed. Instead of letting the “overwhelmed feeling” take over, I kept my plan at 2 weeks and set reasonable personal goals. Once the 2 weeks was up, I seamlessly wrote out a 4-week plan.
Lesson: do what works for YOU, what YOU feel you can take on and really master.

4. BELIEVE.

One thing I’ve learned to get out of the habit of saying is, It’s not happening.
Some things take more patience than we think we have. It is not easy to change your body, diet, or habits. However, I changed that phrase into one that propelled me forward as opposed to held me back by saying, It is happening.
Not, It’s going to happen or, It’s not happening or, One day I’ll get there but simply, It is happening.

5. Know that you are worth it.

You deserve to feel stronger, healthier, and better in your skin. (I will repeat it one thousand more times if you don’t believe me!)
It is not materialistic or selfish or superficial to want to feel good about your body. Your feeling comfortable with your body is a powerful, satisfying, and divine feeling. It is real and important. YOU deserve to feel that right now.

-Charlotte

findyourbalance — Tue, 18 May 2010 01:09:41 +0000

Your April Exercise of the Month!

findyourbalance — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:08:42 +0000

Your Exercise of the Month!

Booty Camp!

Seriously Love Your Butt.

This exercise can be done at the gym or outside or anywhere you suddenly get the inspiration to love your butt.

1. Start standing and check in with your posture and form.
2. Step your right leg up onto a bench.
3. Let your left leg float up, knee reaching toward your chest. (If you’re feeling off balance, step the left foot onto the bench.)
3. Extend left leg down, stepping left foot down onto floor.
4. Lunge your right leg directly behind you. **Make sure both feet and legs are parallel and both knees are bending at a 90 degree angle. Never let your knees bend forward past your toes.
5. Send your right leg forward and step it directly back up onto bench to repeat.
6. Repeat 10 – 15 times then switch legs. Do this for 2-3 sets.
7. Look fabulous in summer swimsuit, skinny jeans, summer sun dress, booty shorts, etc.

In a gym?
Use a step or exercise bench.
Outside?
Find a park bench.

Want more of a challenge? Here are a few options:
Hold weights by your side or a body bar over your shoulders.
Pick up your speed.
Do this exercise after a strong walk or run.
Add push-ups in between each set or lunge.

Be sure to stretch out your quads, hamstrings, and glutes after this one to keep your legs long and lean!

As always, be mindful and careful when executing a new exercise and consult a professional if you are recovering from any injury.

Don’t forget to let me know how you incorporate this exercise into your fitness routine!

What Person Do You Want To Be This Spring?

findyourbalance — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:47:58 +0000

What Person Do You Want To Be Today?

Do you find yourself saying things like:
“I always attract crazy people” or, “I will never find my dream job” or, “I always fail at new goals and projects.”
Funny that what we truly believe is how we truly live our lives. Same holds true for positive, successful, and confidant thoughts.

What if those negative thoughts were turned into positive and imaginative thoughts RIGHT NOW?
What does your imagination want to see grow and bloom this spring?
What man or woman do you want to be?
Say it and be it.

Simple.

I’d love to hear your sentence or two of the person you want to be today! Please email me your Spring Soul Statement to charblake@gmail.com.

Sometimes, The Strongest Workout Requires Letting Go.

findyourbalance — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:26:19 +0000

Working Effortlessly

Everything in life takes work.

Relationships, careers, keeping a comfortable home, having a fit and healthy body, raising children, and eating healthy, just to name a few.

What if the work we are required to do in life was effortless?

I am often reminding my clients to release tension while executing exercises. Effortless work requires a sense of letting go, which inspires the simple act of being in the present moment.

Looking for a more balanced and in-the-moment workout? Try to connect with the idea of working effortlessly next time you walk into your fitness class, personal training session, or gym, by remembering these 5 tips:

1. Find Your Perfect Match

Who can think twice about attending something they love? Being passionate and joyful about movement is the key for effortlessly working up a sweat, feeling your heart beating, and journeying into a stronger body. If you’ve found your ideal class, personal trainer, workout partner, or gym, then cherish it. If you are feeling uninspired by your workout choices, think about searching around to find your perfect movement match.

2. Set Your Intention

Take a moment to connect in with the reason you are working out. Is there a particular goal you are trying to achieve? Let that goal and that intention carry you through your workout.

3. Talk To Yourself

Maybe not out loud but, connect into what exactly you are doing. Are you standing and doing a bicep curl? Before initiating the exercise, connect your mind and body by drafting out what exactly is going on in your body.

Bicep curl:

- Feet are rooted into the ground.

- Shoulders are directly over hips.

- Navel is reaching toward your spine for core stabilization.

- Bending at the elbow, hands are bringing your weight to your shoulder.

- Arms then extend completely.

- Shoulders remain dropped, head and neck relaxed.

- Breath is moving.

The body wants to work efficiently. This dialogue will help clear any extra tension or unnecessary movement.

4. Open Your Heart

In this world, we are all hunched over at our desks, commuting to work, caring for children, etc. During your workout, focus on keeping your heart literally and physically open. This will help broaden the chest which inspires correct posture. For an example, instead of running on the treadmill with your head leading the way, lead with your heart. Feel the difference in your posture, stride, and energy.

This also may bring up some emotions. Leading with the heart opens up the heart chakra, making us more vulnerable than we may be comfortable with. If you find yourself asking what you are opening your heart to besides better posture, remember the intention you set for yourself at the beginning of your workout.

5. Let Go

Do you find you are forcing your body into a particular exercise, pose, or even meditation? Instead of using brute force and willpower, remain mindful and try trusting your body. Let go of expectations to allow your movements to energize and revive you as opposed to depleting and draining you.

Challenge yourself however, simply BE fully present in your own body. You may find your body is stronger than you think it is!

Reclaim Your Balance

findyourbalance — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:41:05 +0000

Find Your Balance this February

This past weekend I took myself on a date to see the New York City Ballet perform “The Sleeping Beauty”.
As I was walking up toward Lincoln Center, I suddenly remembered how much I used to take myself to ballets and dance performances.
While I was moved by the gorgeous dancing and live music, it also felt refreshing to reclaim something that was once very important to me.

One of my favorite song quotes is, “Maybe everything that dies, someday comes back.”

Do you have something in your life you’d like to reclaim?

- A more healthy lifestyle?
- An old friend or family member you have lost
contact with?
- A hobby or trade you have let go?

You could be feeling the thick of winter and wishing for light to be shed into your life. Maybe you are recovering from having a baby and want to reclaim your body. Perhaps you are recovering from a physical injury or illness. Maybe you are recovering from an emotional injury such as loss, depression, or heartbreak. Perhaps all is well but you realize there are certain aspects of your life that you miss.
There is always a time and place for a calling back to ourselves. I’d like to encourage you to take a few moments and simply write down what you would like to reclaim in your life.
Keep it simple or keep it big.
Your choice.
After you have written down these goals ask yourself, “Can I bring this back into my life?”

All you have to do is say YES.
(Now say it three more times; Yes, Yes, Yes.)

Tagged: articles, bliss, fitness

FREE Mama Moves Pilates Event at Nimble Fitness, February 7, 2010

findyourbalance — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:55:55 +0000

Nimble Fitness and Charlotte would like to thank our sponsors who will be participating in a gift bag for all of you!

View our sponsors and more information HERE!

Tagged: community, event, Mama Moves, mom and baby, nimble fitness, pilates, post baby, post natal, rehabilitate, updates

Ease Into Your Power Year

findyourbalance — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:40:01 +0000

Are you finding the new year transition to be overwhelming and stressful?Are you feeling frustrated you haven’t met your 2010 goals?

Do you have your new goals in the back of your mind but can’t quite take the leap into big changes?

I realized, a few days ago, I was being hard on myself for having not reached my new goals yet.
I asked myself if I need to be more radical with my approach. I wondered if I need to work harder, make bigger changes, or put myself ‘out there’ more.
Then I remembered that these are resolutions I have made for the ENTIRE YEAR.
How wonderful we have a full year to make small steps that will lead into bigger changes resulting in inner and outer growth!
With this realization, I resolved to simply be easy on myself.
And so with this said, I encourage you to seize your day, seize your year, but be easy on yourself.
I read recently that 2010 is bound to be a power year. Let’s all be powerful beings this year!
However, let’s decorate our power with faith, respect for how far we’ve come, bold enthusiasm, ease, and balance.

Tagged: articles, bliss, community