DANCE OFF!

Out of the many reasons that I LOVE my husband, one of my favorite's is the pure fact that he loves music and loves to dance. No, nothing technical, just for the funk of it. Sometimes when a song comes on the radio he will say," eeewwww sick! I had a routine for this one." while moving his head. One of the things we used to do, was go up the city and dance. If we tried doing that today we would fall asleep before we even get into the car to go up there. Funny how being 30 something is different than 20 something. LOL Well, it was only to come that having a Mom who was/is a dancer and Dad who loves to dance...., Noah LOVES to dance! Anytime there is music or even if there is no music on, he has to move. I'd like to think it 'cause I was dancing the whole time I was pregnant with him, and he was around dance for the first 3 years of his little life.

At this point (as I write this ;)~ )about a week or so ago...we had gotten back from Noah's Christmas program at school , and Peter says to Noah, " Son, you want to have dance off?" Oh Noah was ALL about having a dance off. He's ego was way high on this subject, because just earlier that week we went to a birthday party, and a song come on, and he went into his step... He had a circle around him and high 5's were being given out. So, Peter tells him, put your outfit on and meet me downstairs.... Here is what I got of that night-

Dad started with the challenge

Noah right away, shows off his one arm push-up... He is NOT joking around here...

He switches off to the other arm to show his strength... He is serious about winning this competition..

Dad comes back to show that he put together some mean Choreography...

Noah again, comes back with a flying jump on to land and jam on the beats... his movements.. UNPREDICTABLE....

WATCH OUT did Dad really bring this move in!!! DANG....this tough, this ... is... tough...

Noah ends on a strike that CAN NOT BE BEATEN DOWN!!!!!

yes, we are this wild and fun! I LOVE MY family. If we aren't doing "family hugs" which we do often, then we are staying up way to late, dancing, laughing about farts (it's a boy thing.... I still don't get it ) or DANCING... Sorry Miss Zahn, I promise when school starts back up I will do my parent duty of getting him in bed at a "normal" time. LOL Hope everybody enjoyed their Christmas holiday!

Christmas in the eyes of 1st graders

aawwww to be a Child again and to be only thinking about the exciting part of Christmas- I am so blessed to have Noah in my life, because when I get really stressed out about whatever. He brings me done to what life is really all about... excitement, family, friends, putting the decorations up on the tree, making cookies.... and SANTA! I know alot of Christian's don't like even bringing Santa into the picture of Christmas, but I think it's OK! He is learning that Jesus came as a humble baby, but there is a wide eye wonderment that happens when I tell him I talked to Santa, or when he asks me questions about Santa. So, if you have children I am sure they also look like Noah in this picture... supper Excited about what is to come on Thursday night.

Noah goes to a small Lutheran School, Apostles Lutheran where I too went. I really had no question in my mind that when I had kids they would be brought up in the Christian faith, and going to a Christian school. As a 31 year old women, I am still growing in my faith everyday, but I can honestly say, you don't want to mess with a child's faith! And Noah LOVES the Lord. He is the one who starts our dinner prayer every night. You can guess where I came up with name, but really, I had no question about it.

My mom, Oma, was requested to come to the Christmas party. He actually didn't even want me to come, but like I was going to let that happen. This is one of my true joys about owning my own business, I get to be more apart of my son's life. They are only young once, and the past six years has past by so fast. They are moments that are frozen in my minds eye that if I could I would go back to them in a heartbeat.

After lunch prayer and pizza it was time to start the games! The first game was Winter Memory. If any of you have been to a baby shower, you might of played this one- You have a tray with items on it, you see it and then you have to write them down. Whoever get the most written down wins! Here comes the try!

I wish I could say this is Noah's handwriting, but we are still working on it :) I like how they spelled ortamint :) LOL. If only we could get away will misspellings, people are not that forgiving on that one ;)
They were to whisper in their group what they saw... of course their whisper was loud enough that all the groups could hear one another.... Too funny... an then you would hear..."NO!!!, Oh Yeah!!!, A Bell a Bell!!"
The next game on tap- was "snowball" race. Done with a marshmallow- Two teams, scoop the snowball onto the spoon and run to the other bowl. They had TONS of fun with this one.

Miss Zahn even join in on this one! That's another thing about 1st graders they are totally cool with their teacher joining in on the game-

They came back in and played, musical chairs! Talk about tension rising kicking in. Am I going to get a chair, am I not, am I getting a chair, am I not!!??!!!?? Tons of laughter, pointing, pouting, and screams on this game!


Don't touch the chairs!! that's cheating! LOL


Then last but not lest was pictary.... This would be Noah's donkey... that would be Marry on the donkey. The whiteboard at home has really gotten him into his drawling artistic ability. :)


After that game, it was time to call it Christmas break! One parent commented to Miss Zahn, "break for you, work for us." Yes, it is trying when they are home or when you have to bring them to work with you, like I do, but I enjoy him home. He would like to be home schooled, but I can't see that I'm a candidate for that one. :)

And the teacher's desk... now this makes me feel good- I'm not alone! my office desk is cleaner than my home.... but this looks like something I can relate too.

I can't believe that 2009 is just about over, what a year it has been- a very blessed year at that. May you find yourself back in the studio at the start of 2010!

Long Time No Blog :(

Since Thanksgiving my life has been a whirl wind. Because money is tight this year, my side of my family decided to make each other's Christmas gift- Sorry can't show them yet, but come back after Christmas and you can see what has taken up my free time. However; in other news I have sad news. Sad in a way, but seeing it as a positive part in my life. We've all met Lisa-


Lisa is a US traveler in her own Right, living all kinds of different states. I think it is awesome that she can just live in one place, and when the opportunity comes up to move elsewhere, she GOES for it. She is also at the end of finishing up her PH.D. which, I also find totally inspiring. Well, sad to say Lisa is now moving to San Diego where she will be employed, and with how everything is going in the job area- this is awesome for her. I am always sad to see any of my clients leave, not just due to the fact that this is my job, but more importantly because of what all I put into their training and vis versa.
Every six weeks I write out a new Pilates program, that will take my clients to a new level of strength, balance, understanding, and fun for their Pilates workout. I don't just mindlessly think of programs, I think about their bodies, their mindset, their stress level, and give them a workout that takes the hour into something they can walk away with, and say, "wow, that is just what I needed." In some respect I'm a body healer, weather it's taking my client out of pain, stress, or making them see they are strong and they can do it! I LOVE IT!
The last client that left that totally effected me was my client of 5 years. Talk about the growth she and I had together. She was my first client. By the time she left, due to moving too, her form and her strength was incredible. I cried for about a month knowing that she was leaving and that I had to move on without her. So, I do get every attached to my clients.
Lisa, I wish you all the blessings to you! I know you will LOVE San Diego, I know you will be very welcomed in any Pilates studio. May you continue to grow in yourself as a physically active Lady that you are! You were awesome to train, you were an awesome client, and I if you ever find yourself in San Jose, stop by.
Heidi

Happy Birthday DAD!

The Month of December is almost as bad as February. We have Peter's sister Nicole's birthday on the 3rd, my Grandmother's on the 4th, my Mother-in-law's the 8th and then my Dad's on the 11th... I also have a cousin who's is on the 23rd. So, ya a busy birthday month. For my Dad's birthday we went out to Hickory Pit. If you are on a diet I would advise not to go, unless you are cheating LOL. Me, my Brother Karl (on the right) Heather in the middle, Noah, myself and Jessica (friend of Karl's)


It is a very Kid's friendly environment- On their menu's they have kid's colored pictures. Oddly enough, Noah jumped right on that... I think he is into fame. He is getting a lot more into coloring. Last year in Kinder he hated it so much, he teacher wanted me to get his eyes checked. turned out his eyes were fine- he just plain didn't like coloring.

Noah had to jump right in to help Opa blow out his candles

His meal came with a scoop of ice cream, vanilla. Noah used to say nanialla. Look at those eye lashes... He kills me, just like Peter.

I put together pictures from Peter's cousin's "ranch" that I took back in Spring 2008. My dad loved it- and I was pretty impressed too ;)

Here is a nicer picture of my sister and my Dad. He was very happy to have all of us with him for his very special day! Love You Dad!

Christmas MUST be in the air!

Like I really have to say anything. If you have children, they are reminding you every second of the day! I don't know about fellow parents out there, but I have Santa's phone number, that way I can call him with updates on Noah's behavior and of course to ask misalliance questions that come out of Noah's little month... Questions like: How big is Santa's House? Is Mrs. Santa Claus fat? How old are the elf's? Did you call Santa last night? These are very compelling questions to my 6 year old. His energy level is like fire crackers going off every minute... and it only seems to be getting louder as the day goes by... DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!!! LOL. So, needless to say i enjoy my day of quietness, before I pick him up from school. In the meantime, we have also gotten into somewhat of a routine here in the Garica house hold. First grade has been an adjustment for us all HOMEWORK and going to bed EARLY seems to our challenge- We are all night owls so, this has been some adjustment. Homework must been done the minute we get home. To help us out I got a white board... that thing is GREAT!

He loves the organization of it all- and it help me out a TON!

We are also getting ready for the baby... Noah is always talking about what month it is and what month comes next....He was very cute when we got the bassinet from my brother and sister-in-law. He wanted to take it up to his room right then and there. He even helped me take it upstairs. He has made it clear that I can't redecorate his room.

Today I got the cutest gift from one of my clients, Misty!Misty came to me back in June and it has been Fabulous working with her again- I had trained her once before for a short time. I then started my own studio and she had stayed where I was training. She saw my sign and called. The name didn't ring a bell that I should know her, but the minute she walked into the studio it was such a sweet surprise! She is so strong, and is a very hard worker. She has a great attitude and I love being her Pilates trainer! Misty, your change is incredible! So, she walked in today with a big box.... She said, I just couldn't wait till February- look at this cozy blanket so sweet - then I open the blanket....

And this cute little princess came out! LOOK OUT IRON MAN Princess Piggy is moving in! This by far the cutest thing I ever saw- she is complete from head to tail!

Thank You so much Misty for the wonderful gift, it puts a smile on my face when I look at her. And Thank You for being such an awesome Client!

Question....????

I received this question from my SI joint post: Do you think it is really helpful without any treatments from doctor?http://sijointpain.org/si-joint-injections/sacroiliac-joint-injections.

Here is my take on it... As for me I'm going to go the alternative route. I did have a client who had SERVE SI joint pain. It totally affected her walking and comfort level. She was doing Pilates, she was going to the Chiropractor and still had no relief from it. She went to the doctor, was on pill after pill to help the pain, but nothing worked- So she needed up getting the shot in the SI joint.
I say try other avenues before getting the shot, talk to your doctor about the options you may have.
Every body is different-

I hope that helped :)

Next Question:

When I diet I can measure my results in pounds. When I do yoga I can measure my results in flexibility and balance. How (or what) can I measure my result in Pilates? It doesn’t seem as obvious to me.

not to be a smart ass... but... HOW CAN YOU NOT MEASURE YOUR RESULTS IN PILATES!!! lol If you are going to a certified Pilates studio, and have a certified instructor, you should feel results within 4 to 6 weeks.

• your body will just FEEL better


• your core will hurt the next day after class


• the shape of your body will change


• your waist will get smaller


• your balance will get better


• if you have low back pain, it will go away


• you gain more flexibility


• your muscle tone will be long and leaner-

Just a couple of ways that you could measure the results.. :)

What should my Lumbar feel like while I'm standing normally?

Connect, connect, connect! let's take a look at the spine so that we know where our lumbar is-

As you can see there is a natural curve, however some of us can have too much of a curve, Hyperlordosis. Without overwhelming you I will just answer the question and not go into too much explaining: We have to start at the ribs. When standing upright, you what not extend the ribs outwards, try to pull them down, and relaxed. The next is while standing, don't grib your butt, or just let your belly (below the belly button) just fall out. You want to do a connection with your pelvic floor, which fires your transverse abdominals and brings your belly button to your spine. When you do this your low back, lumbar, will fall in the natural state that it should be in- If find that this "tires" you low back out, you then have a tight low back and it will take some time to loosen and stretch it out- I've seen this situation a many of times. :)

Next:

If I could put in yoga or Pilates in my regular workout which should it be and why?

I have to say I'm basis on this question: Pilates!!!

There are three different body types:

A)ectomorph: tall and lean, low blood sugar, weight will be carried in hips and thighs, poor circulation. Just to name some-

B) a mesomorph: solid, tight and can put on muscle easily, weight when not active will go to belly

C) a endomorph,rounder body weight is throughout body, less flexible than an ectomorph but more than a mesomorph. they have potential for strength, endurance and flexibility.

Now that you know that Pilates can help out each of these body types. Granted Pilates is not a cardio workout, your heart rate will go up due to the flow of class, your flexibility will increase, due to the stretching that goes in your program and your strength will increase, due to the fact that you are WORKING OUT.

Next and Last:

What is that clicking I hear either in the shoulder or ankle?

Sometimes when doing a movement like externally rotating your shoulder or circling your ankle you may hear or feel a clicking... all it is, is a tendon rubbing across your bone. This mostly comes from tightness in that area, or an injury. Nothing to worry about unless it hurts.