This is the official blog of comedienne/lifestyle guru/handbag designer Candy Churilla. Don't be fooled by imitations! Okay, there probably aren't any imitations, but don't be fooled anyway.
I am trying to work out to a new dvd or Exercise TV workout once a week and I most recently tried Surf Yoga Soul with Shiva Rea. The workout I did was not the complete dvd, but an excerpt, about 40 minutes. I liked it enough to buy my own copy!
I like the different moves that Shiva does
on this DVD. I have been practicing for quite a long time now and a few
of the moves were new to me. I know this DVD will be great for building strength and flexibility, two things that everyone loves!
You don't have to be a surfer to enjoy this video, since it
focuses on creative movements that open your body and heart, and
strengthen your muscles and mind.
In the dvd, there are seven segments you can complete at once for a 75-minute
workout, or you can choose the ones you have time for and create your
own personal workout. One called Agni Namaskar is a challenging
variation of sun salutations developed to strengthen the core muscles
and the upper body. She takes you through the same series of nine rounds
of 12 push-ups. Another segment called Balance
Flow cultivates your balancing skills doing poses such as Warrior 3 and Side Crow, and opens your hips doing stretches such as Extended Pigeon. The other segments include meditation, breathwork, flexibility, and rest (Savasana).
This is one of the best Yoga dvds I've found because it's both
challenging and creative, and targets every part of the body. My muscles
felt the perfect balance of being strengthened, lengthened, and opened.
I could see myself doing this video regularly and not getting bored. I
definitely recommend this DVD to both beginner and advanced yogis.
I tend to be a little slow on the uptake when it comes to discovering new, funny shows, and Portlandia is no exception. I have been absolutely loving SNL these days, largely in part to Fred Armisen, one of the funniest cast members of all time. So when I finally found out he had another show, Portlandia, I watched Season 1 on Netflix. Oh my god, I am so hooked! I can't remember the last time a show has made me laugh so hard and loud. It turns me into a hyena. Here's a little bit about the show from the IFC website, in case you're like I am and don't pay attention to new shows.:
"FC’s hit original comedy series Portlandia welcomes viewers back to
Fred & Carrie’s romanticized and dreamy rendering of Portland, OR
for a second season. Starring Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live) and
Carrie Brownstein ( . . . Sleater-‐ Kinney) as a variety of
wonderfully eccentric characters, season two premieres with ten all new
episodes on Friday, January 6 at 10pm ET/PT.
Some of Portlandia’s most loved and notable characters from season
one, who brought you memorable catchphrases such as “Put a Bird On It”
and “Cacao,” return for season two including Portland’s trusty but
sometimes misguided Reggae bass playing Mayor (Kyle MacLachlan . . .); Peter and Nance, an overly
eco-‐conscious couple caught up in the organic and local food movement;
Bryce Shivers and Lisa Eversman, an arty, obsessive couple who find a
new trend to explore; and Toni and Candice, the formerly activist,
self-‐involved shopkeepers of the feminist bookstore, "Women and Women
First."
Several new guest stars will also partake in Portlandia's satirical
interpretation of this earnest Pacific Northwest community this season,
including Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, Independence Day), Sean Hayes
(The Three Stooges, Will & Grace), Miranda July (Me and You and
Everyone We Know), Penny Marshall (Laverne and Shirley), Jack McBrayer
(30 Rock), Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption), Andy Samberg (SNL),
Amber Tamblyn (127 Hours, House) and Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids, SNL) as
well as musicians Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse), Steve Jones (guitarist,
Sex Pistols), Johnny Marr (guitarist, The Smiths), Joanna Newsom
(singer/songwriter), Eddie Vedder (songwriter/ vocalist/ guitarist,
Pearl Jam) and Annie Clark (songwriter/guitarist/vocalist, St. Vincent).
Shot entirely on location in Portland, OR the series is directed,
co-‐created and co-‐written by Jonathan Krisel (SNL; Tim and Eric
Awesome Show, Great Job!), executive produced by Lorne Michaels and
produced by Broadway Video. For IFC, the series is executive produced by
Jennifer Caserta, Debbie DeMontreux, Dan Pasternack and Evan Shapiro.
People often ask me if I have any "big shows" coming up. Well, this weekend I do! I'm hosting at Rooster T. Feathers for Bobcat Goldthwait. I'm looking forward to meeting and working with him because comics actually love his stand-up and we are jaded when it comes to comedy.
Friday February 24, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Saturday February 25 at 8:00 PM &; 10:30PM
Sunday February 26 at 8:00PM
Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club
157 W. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
After a 50 minute walk with my dog late yesterday afternoon, I felt like it was too late for me to go to the gym, but I still wanted to get in a little exercise before I showered and made dinner. So I went to Exercise TV on Demand to look for a new, short workout. My legs and glutes were still sore from my workout Friday, so I needed a good stretch. I found Eye Chakra Yoga with Maya Fiennes, a 28 minute Kundalini yoga workout. It was exactly what I needed. The only criticism I have is that she instructs you to get into the triangle pose, when it was actually downward dog.
When it's all said and done, this is a quick intermediate yoga workout that will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed.
I love Kathy Smith. I have tried several of her workouts and they were all safe, effective, and fun. So I was pretty happy when I saw a link for "Free Workout Page" on her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/theRealKathySmith The free DVD is Timesaver: Cardio Fat Burner. All you have to pay for is shipping, which for me was $5.99. You get a 40 minute cardio workout which can be split into two 20 minute workouts, depending on how much time you have.
I don't have any New Years resolutions, because I just don't make them. Instead, I set goals and achieve them, no matter what time of year it is. Everyone I know who makes resolutions makes them to lose weight. I was already planning on/working on losing my "relationship weight" for my wedding and then the rest of my life! It's going well and it really helps that I am working on learning the PiYo choreography. Here are some of my favorite workout tools/motivators.
I love watching shows that make me want to work out. This new one, Wicked Fit is basically Jerseylicious at a fitness club in Boston. Season 1 just ended and I hope they return for a second season. It's funny, campy eye candy.
Whether you're already working out or just beginning, Jackie Warner's first book
Mixing up your routine constantly challenges your muscles so you see quicker results, so in addition to my weight and cardio and PiYo workouts, I like to try new workout videos at home. I tried a 20-minute Bethenny Frankel Skinny Girl workout on On Demand and it was fantastic. It's an "excerpt" from her DVD Bethenny's Skinnygirl Workout, which contains 3 yoga workouts you can do every day or do one or two, according to how much time you have. I like it because Bethenny's trainer takes her through a workout and offers modifications for each pose and they discuss which muscles they work and/or stretch.
Another fun one to try is Crunch's Fat Burning Pilates. It's from 2003, so it's a little old, but not outdated. It's a great introduction to Pilates, as it's an energetic, creative, and it encourages you to develop long, lean sexy muscles. Ellen keeps you focused on perfect posture.
The routine starts with a dance-based cardio routine. She incorporates standing Pilates moves into a low-impact, but rather fast-paced cardio section.
The second mat-based Pilates Floorwork Routine is best done in bare feet and a yoga mat is quite useful, but not necessary. I actually did this whole workout barefoot.
The only criticism I have of this one is that it's called fat-burning, when my heart rate never once reached the fat-burning zone, so I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
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