FASHION Diaries

FASHION Diaries

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Life and Health

Fitness: Detox yoga, spinning and more on the menu at Spynga

Posted March 4th, 2010 | 2:30 pm | By Anna Cipollone | 1 Comment

The best part about participating in a month-long workout challenge is the motivation you gain. Before enrolling in Spynga’s Dare to Do 30, finding the time to exercise five or six times a week seemed impossible. Now I know that I can physically achieve this goal, and that finding the time is really just a matter of making it a priority. It’s the finer details that make Spynga stand out: the complimentary towels, the lavender-scented cream used for a quick neck massage during savasana, and the eclectic play list (a spin class blaring the best of the ’90s—or worst, as the case may be—was an obvious crowd pleaser).

Here’s my report on the other classes where I sweated it out:

Read the rest of this entry »

Daily Steal

The daily steal: Ballet boot camp class, $10

Posted February 24th, 2010 | 9:00 am | By Rani Sheen | 3 Comments

Dancer and certified fitness instructor Jennifer Nichols (extensionmethod.com) leads you through a one-hour ballet bootcamp that is hard work but fun–a great way to relive the glory of those under-10 ballet-class days. Watching Nichols gracefully lead the class is almost worth the (very reasonable) price of admission. At 99 Sudbury, Toronto  (99sudbury.ca), Fridays, at 6.30 p.m., $10 drop-in fee.

Life and Health

Confessions of a (freshly-minted) Spynga-holic

Posted February 5th, 2010 | 1:30 pm | By Anna Cipollone | 2 Comments

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I wish I could blame my recent gluttony on the holidays, but really I’ve never needed an excuse to overindulge in cookies. Needing the extra push to get back in line with a healthy routine, the Dare To Do 30 challenge at Toronto’s Spynga’s (spynga.com) seemed like the perfect fit. The four-week program includes unlimited yoga and spinning classes along with group meetings with Dr. David Macklin (drdavidmacklin.com) to address nutrition and lifestyle changes. Spynga offers a variety of classes, and I was excited to push myself back into shape with the studio’s unique approach to exercise. Here’s what I tried:

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Life and Health

Yoga for Olympians (and you, too)

Posted January 19th, 2010 | 2:05 pm | By Siofan Davies | 2 Comments

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As everyone pours into yoga studios this month to pursue their 2010 resolution to trim down, those who have had enough of the post-holiday crowd should stay home with Eoin Finn’s latest yoga DVD, The Pursuit of Happy Hips ($25, at Lululemon and Chapters. Visit blissology.com). Along with partner Insiya Rasiwala and some past and present Olympic athletes, Finn shows the whole-body benefits of strengthening the hips through the practice of yoga. Focused on preparing the body for the rigours of winter sports, the video is just as beneficial for those who are more likely to curl up on the couch than hit the hill when the snow falls. Read the rest of this entry »

Life and Health » Fashion » The Styled West

Learn to shred at Snow Camp

Posted January 18th, 2010 | 2:30 pm | By Rebecca Tay | 1 Comment

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I might not be competing in the 2010 Games (at under one month to go, I think I missed the boat), but it’s never too late to brush up on my snowboarding skills. My favourite place to do just that was at Roxy’s two-day all girls All Star Snow Camp (from $185, whistlerblackcomb.com/roxycamps), which recommences after the Olympics break. Read the rest of this entry »

Life and Health

Fitness class report: Body Conditioning by Dancers

Posted November 20th, 2009 | 3:00 pm | By Rani Sheen | 5 Comments

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Photography by Steve Carty

For those who like to work up a serious sweat, get thee to Eva Redpath’s Body Conditioning by Dancers class series ($169 for an 8-week series, evaredpath.com). Read the rest of this entry »

Life and Health

Jordan’s fitness diary: Week four

Posted October 16th, 2009 | 9:04 am | By Jordan Porter | No Comments

Our assistant fashion editor, Jordan Porter, embarked a one-month fitness frenzy at Get Spun. This is her final week!

Monday: I can’t believe I have made it (alive) to my final week! I swear I have seen my new gym friends more often than my boyfriend this past month, but with my waist whittling away and my bum and hips in haute condition I can’t say he is complaining. Today is an extreme functional training class, and my trainer Chris has me using the Bosu Balance ball, Gravity machine, TRX, and running footwork patterns fit for a tight end. A high-energy, super fun class that’s over before you know it…just my style. Read the rest of this entry »

Life and Health

The class: Rock-n-Roar Fitness

Posted October 15th, 2009 | 10:45 am | By Rani Sheen | No Comments

Love a high-energy fitness class but tired of the gym’s Eurotrash techno remixes? It’s time to rock out. Toronto fashion designer Rory Lindo (of Doll Factory by Damzels) runs a mean Rock-n-Roar cardio and resistance class featuring such signature moves as “the Townshend” (arms swinging wildly in circles) and “Rush the stage” (jogging forward with arms up and rock hands). There’s really nothing like doing a gruelling set of knee-ups and jumping jacks to “Back in Black,” and while the class completely kicks your ass, you’ll find yourself laughing against your will throughout. Lindo has recently expanded from her east end Toronto spot by adding a class in the west end. Check out rocknroarfitness.com for the skinny.

Life and Health

Jordan’s fitness challenge: Week three

Posted October 9th, 2009 | 8:55 am | By Jordan Porter | 2 Comments

Our assistant fashion editor, Jordan Porter, is on a one-month fitness frenzy at Get Spun. Check back every Friday for updates!

Monday: My butt is totally getting perkier and I am one happy camper. I’m feeling toned and confident and I’m now seeing the tough classes as a challenge, rather than torturous. It’s amazing what exercise can do for your state of mind. So today’s class was Extreme Functional Training, an hour workout that combines Gravity, TRX Suspension Training and Bosu Balance training. I’m like the nerdy fitness kid, totally giddy about all the new toys. The class, taught By Chris Cecile, who is so incredibly nice that you feel guilty not giving 110 per cent, is a super combo of balance, weight, and cardio training, and is one of the best all around workouts I have ever had. Read the rest of this entry »

Life and Health

Jordan’s fitness challenge: Week two

Posted October 2nd, 2009 | 10:36 am | By Jordan Porter | 1 Comment

Our assistant fashion editor, Jordan Porter, is on a one-month fitness frenzy at Get Spun. Check back every Friday for updates!

Monday: Gravity round two today and I have a new instructor who toughens up the workout by adjusting my incline even higher, forcing me to lift a greater percentage of my body weight. This function adds another checkmark to my “Why I love Gravity” column. The machine lets me continually challenge myself, and it’s good motivation for dialing down the body weight, although mathematically I’m not sure this makes any difference, but I’m not a math whiz by any means and hey, whatever works! Read the rest of this entry »

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