So it’s that time... like it or not???  Kids buying school supplies... teachers counting the days left of summer and moms starting to think about getting back to taking care of themselves!!  We see it every year, class sizes dwindle in the summer as moms are busy hanging with their kids or carting them from place to place and students in general are just trying to soak up as much of summer as they can.  But then there comes that moment, as Labor Day approaches, when it's time to start thinking about ourselves again.   Read More

Happy birthday to me!!  Yep let’s just throw it out there...
I’m turning 60 on Monday!!!  Yikes!!  What??   How did that happen??   Be assured, all of those sentiments have crossed my mind. But it IS true...and I’m actually ok with it. Ten years ago...not so much.  Ask my friends and family. I turned 50 kicking and screaming.  A few tears...a couple of meltdowns and all and all just a lot of resistance.  But fast forward 10 years and here I am about to turn 60 and realizing that the last 10 years have been great!!   In fact, I would go as far as to say my 50’s have been my favorite decade yet!!  Lots of quality time with friends and family...opportunities to travel and visit new places...and the gift of continuing to grow and be immersed in a business that I love!!   Not too shabby...right???  So why fret over turning 60 when life is so full and who knows maybe the best is yet to come??Read More

Have you ever played the island game??  It’s a game my family has played for years and it goes like this: If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you want to be there with you?

Here’s the kicker... because you play this game with close friends or family, you can’t pick any of them.  Ha!!  Would not go over well... plus it’s the point of the game as you have already essentially picked them.    So you can’t pick your kids, or your husband, or your best friends.  

The island game is focused on those peripheral people in your life who you cross your path once in awhile and then you say to someone (who knows the game) "he or she would be on my island!!"  Basically, it means that there is something about that person that makes you want to be around him or her more.  Or, that you feel a connection with that person beyond your casual relationship.  

So, last week I went on a last minute road trip with Chris which involved a stop at her dad's house in Ohio.   Yep you guessed it... this build up is all to tell you that Chris’ dad, Dave Witzi, would be on my island!! 

Anyone who knows him might assume that I would pick Dave because he is a work horse, or as one of his grandchildren recently remarked... "Grandpa is a beast!!!"   He’s pushing 80 and never stops moving.   Always on the go...always fixing something...climbing on top of roofs and ladders and most recently vans!!  Oh, and let me add that this work is most often for family, friends or the church he is involved with...rarely for himself.  But while I admire the fact that Dave doesn’t let his age or his aches and pains slow him down...it’s his attitude that sets him apart and lands him a spot on my island.    In his words...”I make the choice every day not to be grumpy!!”   I love this!!!!!   And when I heard those words it instantly inspired me to try harder to take on this attitude myself as well.  Make a choice every day not to be grumpy.  Ridiculously simple to state but some days so hard to really live!!! And, let me also assure you it’s not because Dave hasn’t had his share of hardships in his life.  Like the rest of us there have been tough times but through them he has managed to make the choice every day “not to be grumpy!”   

I figured if this made such an impression on me, maybe some of you could benefit from hearing this as well.   Who likes to be around a grumpy person???  Let’s be reminded to find something positive in each day, to let stuff roll off of us with more ease, to find a way to focus more on the needs of those around us, and when all else fails just to try and fake it till you make it!!

Oh and like it or not Dave...you’re on my island!!

Who would be on your island??

Twice a year, Chris and i head out of dodge, find a remote place to honker down, and spend 3-4 days planning all the workshops for the next season.  We gather ideas from staff prior to this time and then piece together this giant jigsaw puzzle based on everyone’s availability and the time BL has space available between classes.  We try to mix in some workshops that are educational, some that might help you chill and others that are just for fun!!  Regardless there will be lots of opportunities for us all to get together this fall and connect!! Read More

Hey guys…just wanted to give you a heads up about the changes taking place this summer at BL.   First of all, these changes are not taking place until Monday, June 17th.  This is in large part due to the fact that many of our teachers are also school teachers, and are available at different times during the summer but not until school lets out.  Secondly, these changes only are in effect until Labor Day when we switch to our Fall schedule.  So, if you love a class let us know and maybe we will find a spot for it in the Fall, and if you’re not a big fan of a class, still let us know but remember its only for 11 weeks!!  Also encouraging you to look at these schedule changes as an opportunity to get in and shake things up…good for your body and for your brain.  Oh, and if you’re playing our Summer Shake Up Challenge, it gives you an opportunity to grab more stickers.  Just 20 stickers representing 20 different teachers from June 1st until Labor day, and the cute duffel bag sported on our BL mannequin is yours!!!  Read More

Believe it or not, there is usually a method to our madness!!  So when we came up with the Summer Challenge it was based on the fact that a lot of our students fall off or even disappear over the summer months.  We all know that summer months are fleeting and full of all sorts of distractions, but then come Fall we see you guys back in class and on your mats all discouraged about losing strength, flexibility and often gaining a few pounds!!   Read More

My antics this week start with just a shout out to all moms… whether you are a mom or are celebrating yours.   Whether your mom lives nearby, far away or has left this earth… we all can celebrate the impact they have had on our lives!!  Read More

Do you know the number one reason why individuals leave a community they are a part of??   It’s because they don’t feel a sense of connection. 
Chris and I have heard this time and time again from the many business conferences we have attended over the years.  It is why we work so hard to offer  opportunities for all of you to connect with one another and with us - from workshops to social nights to just providing the area we call The Link.  
Of course this is, in part, because we want you to continue to call BL your fitness & yoga family but also because offering you a space to connect is the most rewarding part of our jobs!!  Read More

Hey guys…in my continual mission to spread sound nutrition information, I’m offering you two opportunities to “Ask Andrea” this month.   One… our Body Blast Board in the lobby.  Grab a green post-it that says “Huh?”   Write your nutrition or fitness question on it and post it on the board.  I’ll grab a purple post-it that says “FYI” and I’ll answer your question at first chance I get.  Read More

Today I got the chance to take Julie’s Sunday yoga class and she inspired me to talk to you today about barriers.   As we moved through our postures, she reminded us that yoga is initially about acknowledging the physical barriers in our bodies.  Maybe for you it's tight hamstrings or maybe you store tension in your hips.  Read More