My introductory lesson in Capoeira, a Brazilian Martial Art, was the highlight of my entire week. Professor Chin masterfully shared his trade with a dynamic warm up, the basic movements of Capoeira, and a completely non-threatening sparring session to close. I’d seen a friend practice capoeira many times before, the perfect packaging of his strength and agility with the graceful movements was mesmerizing to watch. As a personal trainer and athlete, I was every bit as captivated learning the movements myself. The beat of the afro-brazilian music made the movements feel more like a beautiful dance than a preparation to fight. I noticed that I had a smile on my face the entire time, even though trying to do a cartwheel after 20 years was a huge challenge.

Thank you Professor Chin; I can’t wait to do it again!

Search the site to find holistic-minded fitness experts like Melanie Webb, explore the mystical art of meditation, or find community coops that support a greener, sustainable lifestyle.

You’ll want to at least check out the site for it’s jungle-themed soundtrack and zen-like homepage design – sure to set your mind on a healing frequency to counter the waves your computer screen is emitting as you read this blog…(and by the way, thanks for reading!)

How often have you met someone who signed up for an incredible outdoor adventure trip thinking they would have plenty of time to train and prepare? Before they know it, the trip is 4 weeks away, life has gotten busy, and they aren’t ready. There are two choices at this point – 1. Go anyway and hope for the best; or 2. Blitzkrieg the sport-specific training and find an expert to coach you along the way.

This is the kind of fitness training that gets the outdoor adventure guide/personal trainer/gear head in me so excited that my energy overflows as I coach my clients toward their fitness goals. To summit a mountain, spend a week in the desert, or be on your game in the Big Apple requires much more than simply ‘showing up.’ As your fitness adventure coach, I will help you develop a strategic plan, research the physical demands of the destination, select the right outdoor equipment, and prepare you mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. Preparation becomes part of the experience, the trip itself is the climax, one which will exceed your expectations because you invested the time and energy to achieve it.

So plan that adventure trip! Live the life. Tap into your fullest potential. Accomplish your fitness goals with Melanie Webb of Sol Fitness Adventures.

Because fitness is more than a gym workout – it’s a way of life!

Being fit involves more than bicep curls and crunches. Don’t forget the healing side. The local experts on this page will help you accomplish your fitness goals; soothe sore muscles; make spinal adjustments when necessary; and guide you to overcoming substance abuse or behavioral obstacles. Your local Santa Barbara mind body experts are here:

• Make the connection between mind and body with expert personal trainer and outdoor adventure guide Melanie Webb. (805) 722 – 4599 or soladventure.com
• Soothe sore muscles with the healing touch of massage therapist Yolanda Chasteen at Spa Escape. Find Yolanda at (805) 456 – 9208 or spaescapesb.com
• Receive rapid relief with the expert methods of Dr. Kara Gochnour. (805) 687 – 0533  or DrKaraGochnour.com
• Kick those nasty habits with the assistance of Dr. Adina McGarr. (818) 518-6775 or mysantabarbaratherapy.com

Fitness is more than a gym workout – it’s a way of life!

Now that I live in Santa Barbara, California, farmers market produce is abundant. The idea of being a ‘locavore,’ eating food from your own community, is shared by many in this environmentally conscious city. But I still want the feeling of being involved in the production of the food I eat. Two months ago I built garden boxes in my own backyard. My careful preparation of the soil – I use the lasagna gardening method of layering compost, soil, and other organic material – has resulted in a promising crop of organic vegetables.

Growing our own food provides great nutrition, saves money, and is therapeutic. But I would suggest that growing our own food, whether it’s a tomato plant in a pot on the 20th floor of a high rise apartment building in New York City, the salad greens in the four little garden boxes I’ve built in Santa Barbara, or the many fenced urban gardens of Washington, D.C. should become part of our environmental consciousness. The transportation of produce around the country not only requires too much fuel and wasteful packaging, but separates us from the very earth we sprung from. Humans need to be grounded, to feel dirt under our nails, and most of all, to be connected to the food we eat.

Enough of my banter – time to go harvest my local Santa Barbara produce!

A well-rounded core workout combines exercises that strengthen the back, butt, legs, and last but not least, the abs. Every person, from every age and background, can benefit from a regular program of core fitness exercises.

Sol Fitness Adventures personal trainer Melanie Webb brings a new brew of core fitness to Santa Barbara with her “Core Fitness Fusion.” Rather than follow one formulaic training method, Core Fitness Fusion is a smooth blend of strength training, yoga, floor Pilates, and Foundation exercises. Participants strengthen the back, butt, legs and abs in a dynamic group setting. Class regulars have decreased back pain, gained rotation in their golf swing, and lost inches off their waistline.

Taught at the Montecito Country Club,  members and nonmembers alike are invited to attend this dynamic group exercise class.

Details:

What: Melanie Webb’s Core Fitness Fusion

Where: Montecito Country Club, located at 920 Summit Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108

When: Monday and Wednesday at 10:00 am

Members: $15/class

Nonmembers: $20/class

For more information email info@soladventure.com, or call 805.722.4599

The Strong Woman’s Guide to Total Health, by Miriam Nelson, a leading researcher on exercise for women, discusses ways to get more creative with walking in order to reach the hour-a-day goal of exercise. For those who are stuck sitting at a desk all day, try these methods to get more steps:

* Take 100 steps around the office every hour
* Walk the long way to the bathroom
* Walk one city block = about 200 steps
* Take a 20 minute brisk walk during your lunch hour = 2,000 steps

It is recommended that American’s strive to walk up to 10,000 feet/day. The best way to track your progress is to get a handy pedometer and watch your activity level to fall into one of the following categories:

* Fewer than 4,500 = very sedentary
* 4,500 – 5,000 = sedentary
* 5,500 – 7,500 = getting there, but you need to step it up
* 8,500 and up = you’re active, stick with it

Give yourself the jump start you need to walk your way to better fitness. Sol’s walking group meets at 7 am Monday and Wednesday at the Douglas Family Preserve, Linda Street Entrance. Walk to the sound of crashing waves, the smell of morning dew, and the feel of the warm sunrise on your skin. It’s so beautiful you’ll feel invigorated mentally as well as physically. See you there! Contact us for more details.

It isn’t often that I promote one method of training over another, but Foundation is worthy of a post. And for those who think I just like to post pics of myself with hot men touching the small of my back – think again! I knew I’d stumbled upon a legitimate technique when, half-way through my first class by Eric Goodman at Platinum’s Summerland, California location, I felt my back muscles build so much tension that they began to shake. Gaining this level of fatigue in my muscles using only the resistance of my body usually requires minute adjustments and a trainer who knows how to target my weaknesses.

But Foundation is a nicely packaged routine of exercises that focus on the posterior side of the body – from the ground on up to the cervical spine. The premise of Foundation is that by improving the mobility of the hips through a combination of strengthening and flexibility exercises, the function of the back improves. The end result is a legitimate method of both treating and preventing back pain.

I’ve been a regular at the classes now for over 3 months, and through hours of study with Foundation’s originator, Dr. Eric, I’ve begun using the method with my own clients with much success. Anyone in the Santa Barbara area will benefit by making a point to attend a class. And for the rest of you hungry for real back exercises you can do anywhere, keep your eyes peeled – a book and DVD’s on the way!

Check out the exercises at Foundationroots.com

This five-week course combines essential core strengthening exercises with stand up paddle boarding technique.  The result is a fun, exciting outdoor workout that builds up to a coastal down wind paddle to show off your skills.

Course Breakdown:

• 5 week small group program with SUP/Surf instructor Mike Wathen and certified personal trainer Melanie Webb
• 30 minute beach fusion of yoga/Pilates/Foundation techniques
• 1:15 minutes on water stand up paddling
• 15 minutes beach boot camp cardio
• 30 minute optional free time with the SUP’s

Course Details:

• 5-week course taught in two sessions. Choose one:
  • Session 1: Thursday 10 am – 12 pm
  • Session 2: Saturday 9 am – 11 am
  • $750 per person
  • Only 8 spots available/class

Price Includes:

• SUP rental
• Paddle
• Wetsuit
• Healthy drink and snack at each class
• 15% off all SUP-related gear purchases from Paddle Sports
• One additional 2-hour SUP rental/week/person
• Professional SUP instruction
• Small group SUP strengthening fitness session

Sign up by phone or in person at Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara:  117B Harbor Way Santa Barbara CA 93109       805.899.4925