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Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts

4/1/16

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Yoga is hitting its stride so much so that yoga gear and yoga-wear have become perfectly appropriate outfits to wear outside your studio and away from your practice. For instance you'll see many donning this look to the grocery store (guilty), or for a quick jog through Central Park (guilty again).

During NY fashion week, we too saw plenty of comfortable sporty trends both on those attending the shows and those actually walking the runway.

But despite being fashionable, there is still a stigma to yoga. I still hear people saying, "that's just stretching", or my favorite, "that's not a real workout; I'll do that on like my off day". 

I will admit, if you asked me a year ago, I would have said the exact. same. thing. Well, after practicing yoga for 9 months, I've changed my tune, and here are my reasons why.

1. You WILL see progress.
Like any awesome workout there is room for growth, and if you practice regularly, then you will see progress in you're ability. I'm highly motivated by visual progress, and I think a lot of us are. You will be able to see and feel a difference in your ability the more you practice. 

I could do none of this, let alone a Chatarunga....
2. You will gain strength. 
Speaking of Chatarungas, which are part of every Vinyasa practice, they take a lot of core and arm strength. Here are two videos for a better Chatarunga.

Quick Video:

More In-depth Video:


3. You will gain mobility and flexibility.
Some people are naturally more flexible than others, but yoga can make you bend with the best of them. There are triggers in our day that cause our bodies to become stiff. I bet you didn't know the leading cause of neck and back issues is the constant craning we do over our cell phones. Add the fact that you may have a desk job, that drive to work, or a sedentary lifestyle your mobility is what takes a huge hit over the years. This can easily be reversed, and you can actually be the most flexible you have ever been if you stick with yoga. Your joints will thank you!
  

4. You will have a better appreciation for your body.
What's really cool about yoga is that it is really community based. Of course you can practice on your own, but you can also practice with a lot of other people. Lole is a company that holds free yoga sessions in amazing picturesque places for thousands to enjoy. For many, yoga is more than a workout, and everyone comes onto their mats with a dedication in mind. For me, I was able to learn how to better appreciate and take care of my body. For you it could be something completely different. But, you'll only find out if you give it a try!


5. You'll learn to breathe.
Sounds silly. You're thinking, 'We all know how to breathe; it's instinctual'. But, did you know that in times of stress, or intense rigor, anger, anxiety, we actually stop breathing, and shorten our breaths? One of my yoga instructors said something to our class that has really stuck with me,'yoga without breathing isn't yoga at all; it is just going through the motions'. I think this applies to life as well, our lives without stopping to take deep, long, breaths and to appreciate all that is around is, isn't living; it's just going through the motions. Yoga teaches you how to breathe through the tough stuff. And, I'm all for that. 

The next time a yoga class is offered at your local gym, give it a try! If you need to, then grab a friend. Sometimes we need that extra motivation. You'll  be glad you did!

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog 




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3/29/16



Danielle: We all know someone who has made the leap. Someone who now works for themselves and is fulfilling their dream by being their own boss. A lot of us want to know how it all works, what it's like, and how to even get started. Well, my someone is Sheri Homayoon--who I've known for almost 10 years now! It's crazy to think that I've known her for this long, since it is kind of a funny story how we met. You and I were dating two guys who were best friends, and it was in the very early stages of our relationships with those two that we met. My immediate thought was that you were such a nice person, and beautiful to boot! Even though those relationships didn't last, (we were in high school!) we stayed in contact. I see that as a testament to girl power, and being in the right place at the right time, and the good that can come from every situation. So, now that my readers know how we met, could you introduce yourself?

Sheri: Awesome! My name is Sheri Homayoon and I’m a Holistic Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner. I’m a Master Life Coach, Spiritual Gangster and also coach people on a nutritional system. I love to inspire people my age to start their life and step into their authentic power.  I love to educate people on why they do what they do, so they can understand the magnitude of their inner strength. I have seen the darkest of days and committed to myself to rise into the light, now I love to show others how they too can rise into their greatest, brightest self!




Danielle: You say that you were, "a happy soul living inside and unhappy body", and this fueled you to find a better path for yourself. You also have said that finding your purpose has given you balance. Oftentimes what we are passionate about is really our purpose, but sometimes it's hard to follow that purpose and make it into a career. How did you turn your passion into something you do for a living? How can others turn a passion of theirs into something marketable, but also allow for this passion to remain soul fulfilling?



Sheri: I’ll never forget the day I had my ‘ah-hah!’ moment. The moment where I shifted on the inside, and thus everything on the outside changed. I always casted myself as a ‘weird’ girl who loved self-love books, and was a hippy walking around in work clothes. I didn’t think a business could exist that centered around inspiration and empowerment or at least a business that would pay me the level of income I wanted! I’m highly money-motivated and thus found myself making 6 figures in a Quota-Driven Sales career but hating life. 

It was once I entered network marketing, and began to grow a business helping others part-time that I saw a bigger picture for myself. I had a mentor, Joanna Cavalcante that introduced me to the industry that ultimately saved my life. My part-time fortune began to grow, as my belief in network marketing, and myself as a coach did as well! Eventually, my business morphed into a full-time income and I was able to take the step out of corporate America and into the glory that is Entrepreneurship! 

I attribute my success to my amazing mentors; women my age and into their 30s making 6 and 7 figures and leading as an example of what was possible. For me, Network marketing was the answer to everything I had been searching for, a way to earn money through service, to put towards fueling my dream and a way for me to teach others everything I know. 

Growing up, I always wanted to teach, but I also wanted to be a millionaire as well. I didn’t think that was possible, but God proved me wrong. I can not think of something more fulfilling than reaching my dreams and providing a road map for others on the same path. My best advice is to find something that doesn’t feel like work, but rather is something you enjoy. Ask yourself, how can I add value to people’s lives with this passion? Find the need. If there is a need, the money will follow. 


When you connect to your ‘Why’ you will become unstoppable. Then go on and create your vision. Remember: Leaders go first.

Danielle: I looked around your website, and I love it! I want to focus mostly on the Life Coaching and the Lifestyle and Health Coaching, what is your approach? Is it different for each client, or do you find you have a certain approach that works for many?

Sheri: A little bit of both? So, I take a very consultative approach; I’m a talker! However, I value my time- a lot. I always take the first call to get to know what’s going on in my client’s life. Now, that call can be longer or shorter for some; so I also go in with a set of questions that I want to know the answers to. Rather than being ‘interrogative’ I’m more of a conversationalist. I always think before each call, “Sheri, this person is an assignment in your life, how will you serve them today?” By the end of the call, I let the client know if I can take them on or if I’d prefer to refer them to a friend for better assistance. 

I have referred clients to many people that I personally work with, because of the financial freedom I’ve created. This to me, is awesome! 

When it comes to life coaching, I do follow a fairly specific means of communicating with the client. One hour sessions; availability through email. They have my personal cell and specific business hours. For my Health and Lifestyle clients they have me, my mentors, an online support group, all in addition to the team of conscious leaders I’ve coached, for help. 

The Health and Wellness Company I’m partnered with has an amazing culture that I’m able to plug people into that is focused on nutrition & personal development. I’ll also provide free life coaching for all my clients that remain active on their nutritional system simply because I love my clients.

I do provide lifestyle coaching for those that are not looking to follow a system & rather want help with meal prep; however, I will rarely take them on as a client. In this case, I will refer them to a dietician or nutritionist that I work with.
Danielle: What is the most common problem you see clients having? What is one piece of advice you would give those suffering from similar symptoms?

Sheri: The most common problem I see clients having trouble with is comparison, and perfection. SO many people I coach struggle with perfection, and meeting their visions of perfection. This is where I take the time to explain that perfection is just an imaginary thought, and feeling ‘not good enough’ can be traced back to conditioning at a younger age. 

Perfection will keep people trapped in their mind so my best advice is generally to read literature; such as The Four Agreements, and The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz. Secondly, comparing ourselves to others is a huge development area for many. People will compare their chapter 1, to another’s chapter 8 and expect their results to mimic someone else’s. My advice here is always to acknowledge your personal journey, and know that rarely we see the entire picture. We see the glory, but don’t know the story—and so I encourage my clients to see through a lens of love always, and rather than internalize disappointment and fear--- know that if someone else can do this, so can you! 
Danielle : I am such a huge fan of the #ladyboss portion of your website where you celebrate all women with different types of professions at different parts of their life. I too, try to highlight as many motivational women on my blog as I can-just something else we have in common! I think it's really important for women to build each other up and celebrate each other, instead of putting each other down. I think sometimes women put each other down, and they do this unconsciously. Growing up did you ever notice this? What inspired you to add this portion to your website? What is the philosophy behind it?

Sheri: Growing up, I was surrounded by my 5 older brothers, a beautiful mother who worked 3 jobs, and a passive aggressive father who was a Doctor. My father was very judgemental of women and their looks, and so I watched my mother and I become the victims of this phenomenon. I struggled with a sever eating disorder, as my mom internalized self-sabotaging thoughts. 

I believe women are pitted against eachother, due to our egos and the culture we live in. Society marks what they believe to be ‘beautiful’ and ‘cool’ thus everything different is said to be not as such. This message to the world is powerful, and so it takes developing inner strength for women to remember that we are all connected. We are each a child of God. It’s interesting to think also about how powerful our parents are as the early influencers in our lives. 

My longing to understand why I felt the way I felt had me on my knees praying, doped up on pharmaceutical medication trying to escape my life. I recognized the Stigma of Mental Illness and how nobody would talk about it. The Universe brought a man into my life, Jeff Combs who coached me, and put me on a path with the most successful woman I have ever seen in my life. This man became my mentor, and revealed how successful women had a mess of the past as well, but they rose out of their ashes and made their mess their message. 

He trained me on branding, selling the dream, network marketing and understanding what it takes to be an entrepreneur. I recognized those that made the most money, were the ones who helped the most people—so I knew I had some work to do! 

What inspired me to do this piece of my website is my deep love for women and the women I work with. There is nothing sexier than a woman who believes in herself, and has an unshakeable belief to rise despite what anyone thinks. While out in San Diego, I was overwhelmed with the love and amazing vibes I felt when standing next to many of the women I showcased. 6 figure earners, 7 figure earners, ordinary women just like me with tremendous networks helping tons of people. I was smitten. The idea popped into my head again while reading ‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert. I toyed the purpose, and got in my head thinking, “Nobody cares about your Ladyboss website Sheri.” But I realized it wasn’t about me—This was for them. This is for the girl that was me, 3 years ago going through the worst depression of her life. This is for the happy soul living in a sad body, and to any woman with a desire to do and be more in life! This is for the woman who doesn’t want the 9-5. The woman who knows she’s got ideas bigger than a square box life. She’s an Entrepreneur at heart and when given the right tools and resources she will soar. 

The philosophy is to never give up and know that success, financial freedom, time freedom and a life of abundance is possible no matter who you are or what’s happened to you. The women on my page are my friends, my business partners, and other women that I’ve seen weather the storm—and continue to build their empires. They are role models, for everyone. And this world requires more access to badass women role models so why not dedicate a part of my life to showcasing them!?

Danielle: How do you hope to continue to spread wellness and positivity? Where do you hope to go from here?

Sheri: My plans excite me. I will travel this world and document everything so people see that this life is so possible. Not even the sky is the limit. My 5 year plan is to retire my mother and have my parents freed of debt. In the process, I will assist 6 people to earn 6 figures residually, and by that time have developed a brand that can be worn and seen everywhere. My vision for #Ladyboss is to move into branding and marketing. My message will reach more people as I work on my first ebook and guided meditation in 2016 and have my book ready for publishing by 2017. As I earn more, I will begin to create meditation centers, places where women can come to re-balance themselves. Most people walking around are abused in some form, I want a safe space that feels good and will allow me to take my personal Zen Den into the living spaces, and cities of others. I will be taking a yoga-certification in 2017, and also incorporate more spiritual healing into my services as well. My purpose for this is to reach more people virtually—so I will expand my Youtube network and be creating a larger network online! My mission in life is to reach the mastery of Tony Robbins, and lead as a Motivational Speaker and Author around the world. I follow in the footsteps of Peta Kelly, Gabrielle Bernstein and Barbara DeAngelis. 


Danielle: What is your favorite part of what you do? What just makes your soul sing?

Sheri: My favorite part about what I do is getting to know a new person. I have met some of the most astonishing people ever and their stories--- hearing their stories allows me to feel extra connected to them. I’m met people that have died and come back to life, that have been through hell and back, that have seen it all; at all ages! As an Empath, I can pick up on others emotions, and so I’d say what makes my soul sing is finding a person who is in tune with me. It’s like the Universe brought us together, and I immediately know I’ve been friends with them in a past life. I find myself smiling on the phone a lot, and can hear me saying ‘You so got this,’ in my head. Synchronicities are my favorite. I believe there are no coincidences in life, so the people that find me and ‘show up’ remind me that I’m on the right path. I trust my inner guide to never lead me astray, and so my soul will continue to sing for those who listen.


Thank you Sheri for brightening our day! 

To connect with Sheri visit her website: HERE

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog

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3/28/16


I haven't eaten a single nibblet of pizza since August. I know, how am I existing? Well, after finding out that I have a couple food allergies, I decided it was time to make a change to the way I eat. 
I decided it was time to clean, it, up.
The problem was, and remains to be, I am no chef. Sure, I can cook, but do I want to for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day? 
Nah. 
To describe my cooking style with one word is easy, I'm lazy.  
For example, I used to be the kind of person who would have ice cream for lunch just because it took literally two seconds to scoop and put into a cone---yeah, I'm also a cone person. 
If you're lazy, like me, then you know where I'm going with this. A cone is an actual edible dish, and now I don't have to wash a bowl afterwards either--win, win, right? 
Well, unfortunately I'm not eighteen anymore and I have to start feeding myself like an adult, so I've come up with four lazy girl approved lunch recipes that will literally take you no longer than 5 minutes. Some 2--because we time these sorts of things. 
Dusk & Rubies

Dusk & Rubies

Dusk & Rubies

Dusk & Rubies

Dusk & Rubies

Dusk & Rubies

Dusk & Rubies

Dusk & Rubies
Stay Lovely,

D.R.

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog 
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4/19/14

Dusk & Rubies
New York City caters to over 8.4 million people, now imagine multiplying that number by the number of taste buds in each person's mouth. With different tastes and different lifestyles it is no wonder that within every area from Meatpacking to Chelsea to Midtown there are places where you can get fresh pressed juices, all natural smoothies, vegan meals, and gluten free cookies! Another intern and I, love going out for lunch to get some fresh air, take in some sun (when it's out!) and try some of the great restaurants around our area. We are a couple of lucky ducks to be a 5 minute walk from Chelsea Market and this little health food takeaway and juice stand called, One Lucky Duck. 
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4/17/14

I promised to write about the health journey I've been taking and I never break a promise. This is a review of the Fully Raw 21 Day Challenge. I have successfully completed 7 days! (Further than I thought I would get sans coffee!) At the end of each week I'm discussing the pros and cons of taking the Fully Raw 21 Day Challenge and everything you need to know about eating fully raw. Yes, I have been gluten free, vegan and all that jazz and I am here to tell you all about this experience thus far. 

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3/11/14

I was instantly in awe, and yet felt completely comfortable while sitting down alongside Petra Nemcova. After she kissed me on my cheek three times ( I was ready for the two; I am French I know how this goes, but the third was a surprise!) I laughed and we introduced ourselves. I guess I should have picked up on that foreshadowing right there, being an English major and once upon a time AP English teacher. I guess I should have known that Petra and I were going to get along like we had known each other for years, but like that third kiss hello I was completely surprised! While we sat on the now empty stage inside Ann Taylor, after the panel discussion- part of the event that Glamour Magazine and Ann Taylor put together to celebrate International Women's Day, we laughed and became excited as we both realized we had so much in common. My interview quickly became real girl talk and I loved every second of it!

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3/3/14


It is like Alysia Reiner from Orange Is The New Black told us: "You guys have to be apart of it. This is my second year and I love it". A simple statement that holds a profound truth. Cycle for Survival is this can't believe it until you see it, can't understand it until your apart of it, high-energy, national, indoor team cycling event which raises funds in donation towards Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and their research into rare cancers. 

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2/27/14


Sometimes we need a redo, a fresh start, a clean slate, and other times we are forced to start new. Whether we choose to begin again, or other factors play a part in the change, it is important to acknowledge the fact that change is the only constant in our lives. Some people deal with change better than others. Whether it's transferring to a new place, starting a new job, or embarking on a weight loss journey we are in charge of how we approach change. As someone who was afraid of change, I have learned ways to not only deal, but also thrive in the face of the unfamiliar. So here are my tips and tricks to embrace change. 
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2/8/14

We love a good cardio session! We feel less stressed, more energized, and more confident after we've got our blood pumping. And, when added to your gym routine, cardio can significantly assist in your fitness progress. So fitties and newbies here are 7 ways to get the most out of your cardio workout this week.
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5/23/13


It was back in 2007 when I first decided I was going to try to start running. I wasn't a stranger to exercise by any means. Prior to running, I would work out at the gym by: lifting light weights, and trying different classes. My machine of choice for cardio was the elliptical.

Even after considerable time spent inside the gym, and outside participating in activities like: swimming, biking, and hiking for some reason I was still never happy with the outcome. I blame it on dance and tennis. As a dancer, I always had muscular thighs, and no matter how I worked them out they would never (to me at least) look slender like I wanted them too. Tennis didn't help either. The constant stop and go, lunges, and sprints up and down the court for hours was bound to build up some muscles. (I wish I had a picture of how jacked I looked after coming home from a Nike Tennis Camp where all players were scheduled to play 9 hours of tennis every day. Yikes.)

Anyway, I can't remember how the idea ignited within, or how I decided to do it, but on Easter after eating buckets of candy I realized I needed an exercise evolution. I had heard about the multiple benefits of running from so many people. How running can:
  • Slenderize your entire body, because it works many muscles at a time.
  • That it helps to break down bulky muscles into lean muscles.
  • Burn tons of calories. (About 100 every ten minutes for a 150 lb person)
  • Is great for reducing stress.
I also heard some of the negative impacts running has on the body:
  • It can, over time, really impair your joints (especially your knees) because of the constant impact with the pavement or treadmill. 
  • If you don't have the correct shoes, or the correct stride it could also cause complications in ones joints.
I weighed the pros and cons and decided it was something I was willing to try out. I'm a firm believer in moderation, and slowly conditioning yourself. Although as a teenager I had issues with my knees, because I grew too tall too fast, I recognized that if I were to build the muscles up around my knees, while I started to run that I would be less likely to cause myself an injury. So I incorporated light weight training into my new gym routine.

There was still another obstacle I had to overcome. From the time I was 8 until I was about 18 I had been prescribed inhalers for my asthma. My asthma was brought on by severe allergies, but as I grew up I also grew out of my allergies, and out of my asthma. And although I no longer suffered from the asthmatics cough I still had never exercised my lungs from cardio like many other kids.

So, with some semi-terrible knees, and the lung capacity of an asthmatic I set out to run my first mile. Great start right?

Now, I am not going to sugar coat it. After my first run I was panting like a dog left out in the sun for too long, and my chest felt like it was on fire-burning from the unfamiliarity of it all, but I did it. I completed my first mile. From those humble beginnings I am now able to run up to 17 miles in one run- the most I have ever attained. Many people ask how I do it because they want to start to run (Or, they just think I am nuts).
But if you want to be a successful long distance runner here are some tips that have worked for me:

1. Start slow. I started with one mile, every day, for one week. Then for my second week I ran one mile and a half. For my third: two miles, For my fourth: three miles. I stayed at each interval long enough, and only upped my mileage when I felt comfortable to do so.  

2. Don't force it. Yes, you can force yourself to run four miles the first day, but truth be told the people that I see who do that won't run the next day. What helped me condition myself was that I ran small amounts three, then four, then up to six times a week. Then, I incrementally upped my mileage.

3. Distance first, then time. If you want to be a long distance runner don't worry so much on how fast you are going at first. You can always condition yourself to be faster. There are a lot of people who can run a 6 minute mile...for one mile, but not so many who could run 6 miles total. If you want to run more than one mile, and it's your first time slow down your speed. Try running at a speed of a 10 minute mile and see how many miles you can run.

4. Once you can run 4 miles you can run 6. I know it sounds strange, and you may say "6 miles no way". But many runners will tell you they have a mile they struggle to reach, but once they reach it they can attain more miles. For me, when I was first starting out and had been running for about two months the third mile was always the toughest, but then the following three always flew by.

The main reason why I run now? I love it. It is a great way to relax, and escape. When I put on my music and run my tension or any anxiety I had been feeling gets left on the pavement. I hope these helpful tips, and my story has helped any of you interested in trying to run feel empowered to do so.

Like always stay lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies
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