Blaize Dance & Fitness June 2015

Blaize Dance & Fitness

Little Powerhouse

June 2015

Olivia Hirsch

Profiles of a Master Trainer

Extreme Transformations Haven Henessey

Christian McArthur

Creating a Dance Studio at Home

“En Point”

Nina Gleyzer Fashion Designer Perfume " NINON" designed by Nina Gleyzer In collaboration with Frenc

ch perfumer!

ninon

First Couturier Fragrance, Ninon.

High fashion and luxury fragrance converge in Atlanta with Couturier, Nina Gleyzer and Parfumeur, Susan Sexton designing a new fragrance ensemble. Throughout history, famous couturiers like Chanel or Dior have launched a fragrance to compliment their high-end, luxurious fashions. Now, it’s happening in Atlanta, too.

Russian born fashion designer and award– winning talent, Nina has designed her first fragrance, Ninon. Parfumeur Susan Sexton, comments “Scent is about memory, so when I ask Nina to tell me about her memories of St. Petersburg, Russia, her new fragrance was born with the eloquence and creativity she so easily expresses. Since fragrance is about concept, Nina was passionate about her couturier fragrance launch, and so we had a clear, and focused direction to represent her worldclass fashion style and brilliance.” Nina’s brand is about being beautiful, timeless and often compared to the beauty of the 1940’s to 1960’s when women were so perfectly groomed, always wore perfume, nail polish and makeup.

Ninon represents the royalty and rich culture of St. Petersburg like a gilded palace on the banks of the Neva River. Designed for the sophisticated and distinctive woman that is not afraid to set herself apart with a strong sense of style, the new fragrance by Nina dances with the classic floral notes of rose and jasmine set on a sultry, sexy base of vanilla, exotic and spicy woods and chic green amber.

The floral oriental scent resembles “the White Nights” of Russia with a mysterious, sparkling,

and almost mystical note that keeps intriguing just like the city while lit with this magical light. Ninon, like the Peterhof or Russian Versailles, is architectural brilliance in a parfum. The heart notes or melody of Nina’s first parfum is something Empress; Catherine the Great would have worn herself.

Just like the brightly colored turrets of the Baroque style, this eloquent, snowy parfum expresses the talent of Susan Sexton and Nina Gleyzer melding together to do what they do best….creating style whether in fragrance or fashion, or ideally both arts. Atlanta is indeed fortunate to be the home of Nina Gleyzer, a designer whose name is synonymous with haute couture worldwide and Susan Sexton, master parfumeur at BLEND, trained by Galimard in Grasse, France which was established in 1747.

Ninon (named after Nina’s nickname as a child) is available in black 10ml rollettes ($ 60) by custom orders. To place an order, please contact BLEND Custom parfum at 404-202-5503 or Nina’s Couture at 404-350-0054.

Nina Gleyzer Designer

Contents Dance

22

Liturgical Dance No Passing Phase

30

Why are dance clothes so exspensive?

40

Ballet at Blaize Dance “ The Blaize Method�

46

Memories of Hip Hop

50

Creating a Dance Studio at Home

56

The Unseen Side of the Nutcracker

By Dr. Lawanda Ford-Johnson

62

Legends Authur Mitchell

Dance

&

Fitness

80

Recipies

88

Getting in Shape with the “SWISS BALL”

98

Couple Workout

&102 Fitness Who is Brenda Michel?

104

Extreme Transformation Haven Henessey

112

Healthy Lifestyle With Dr. Lisa Piccione, MD

118

Mentoring and the Apple Tree Strong Daughters, Stronger Women

120

Women In Business, British Virgin Islands

Features

26

36

74

120

“En Point”

Profiles of a Master Trianer Christian McArthur

Little Powerhouse Olivia Hirsch

Women In Business, British Virgin Islands

From the Editor Women in Business – British Virgin Islands. As for our dancers, you must read The Unseen Side of the Nutcracker, by Dr. Lawanda-Ford Johnson. A look at eating disorders brought on by perfectionism. Finally, in Healthy Lifestyle, Dr. Lisa Piccione, MD reveals the secret to longevity Speaking of extraordinary, I would be remised not to say a few words about one of my favorite shows, Dancing with the Stars. They continue to redefine the look of Ballroom Dance by casting celebrities such as Noah Galloway. On December 19, 2005, Noah lost his arm above the elbow and left leg above the knee in an Improvised Explosive Device attack. After a long stint in rehab, this disabled veteran rebuilt his life and is currently a personal trainer and motivational speaker. Watching him dance and execute such raw physical strength on the dance floor, speaks to an inner determination that truly dubs him as an extraordinary individual! “Noah, if you are reading our magazine, we would love to do a story on you someday.”

Webster defines extraordinary as; beyond what is ordinary or usual. Highly exceptional; remarkable. I must say that this definition sums up the stories and the incredible people that are featured in this month’s issue. While reading the articles I was inspired and truly honored that the almighty chose our magazine to capture such life altering material.

You will be encouraged in your weight loss journey as you read Extreme Transformation about Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor, Haven Hennesy, and her 30 pound weight loss in three months. Then appropriately for the Memorial Day Holiday, veteran Christian McArthur talks about his journey to becoming a Master Trainer. We are also celebrating the working woman as Patricia Adams speaks candidly about

So, as we welcome summer and get ready for barbecues and bathing suits, don’t forget to keep your fitness and nutritional goals at the forefront. Eat smart by adding foods such as sweat baked potatoes and roasted veggies instead of fries with your barbeque meats. Drink lots of water. Choose foods that help you stay hydrated such as cucumbers, iceberg, celery, strawberries, watermelon and star fruit. Exercise in fun ways by playing outdoor summer sports such as volley ball and water polo. Staying true to your healthy lifestyle change will help you continue to achieve extraordinary health results! “Your body will thank you for it.”

Constance Blaize-Shorter Editor-In-Chief

Contributors EDITOR IN-CHIEF Constance Blaize-Shorter

Special Thanks Nina Gleyzer

niniagleyzer.com FOUNDERS Constance Blaize-Shorter

Jordan Blyden

Joseph W. Shorter III

www.auraexposuresphotography.smugmug.com​

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Constance Blaize-Shorter Joseph W. Shorter III

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Constance Blaize-Shorter Joseph W. Shorter III Dr. Lawanda Ford-Johnson Dr. Lisa Piccone Patricia Adams Yolonda Turner

Lacey B. Smith TheFashionMovement.com Victor Young www.lamborghinisarasota.com Tia Young www.tampaetiquette.com Dr. Chirstie Mahaffey www.BarefotChiropractic.com Studio 28

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

www.yourstudio28.com

Laura H. Shorter Valerie Blaize

Krystal Carson

Vanessa Shorter

mysafiyak.com

Launchland Samuel Sylvia Omard Esquire

Brenda Michel

Ann Marie Thomas

www.beautybybrendamichel.com

Janet Samuel

Spring Collection 2015 By: Nina Gleyzer

Model: Anna Johnson Photo: Jordan Blyden

Model: Morgan Hennum Photo: Jordan Blyden

Model: Rachel Zehner Photo: Jordan Blyden

Spring Collection 2015

www.ninagleyzer.com

Model: Dani Haller Photo: Jordan Blyden

The British

Virgin Islands

Memorial Day Monday 25 May 2015

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emorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was initiated to honor the soldiers for the Union and Confederate armies who died during the American Civil War. Celebrations honoring Civil War heroes started the year after the war ended. The establishment of a public holiday was meant to unify the celebration as a national day of remembrance instead of a holiday celebrated separately by the Union and Confederate states. By the late 19th century, the holiday became known as Memorial Day and was expanded to include the deceased veterans of all the wars fought by American forces. In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday.

Source: http://publicholidays.us/memorial-day

The Fashion Movement Lacey B. Smith facebook.com/Hauteaccessoriesweek

Liturgical Dance No Passing Fad

I remember being in elementary school at St. Catherine's of Genoa in Brooklyn, New York . A young lady in our class named Andrea created this beautiful liturgical dance as part of what I believe was our 8th grade graduation ceremony (1982). Back in the day, Catholic Churches were not as progressive as they are today. So I Imagine that the Nuns (Sisters as we call them), really believed in Andrea’s vision and trusted that God would minister through all the dancers.

One of the memories that often cross my mind

about that dance is the position in which we started the piece. We were all laying prostrate with our torsos bent over our knees. Faces nearly touching the ground. As the music began, we rose up slowly and began to minister unto the Lord. Funny thing, I don’t really recall much else about the dance. However, I was forever effected by how blessed I felt in that moment as I surrendered my body to him physically with that one pose. I was also surrendering my gift to Him as well and allowed Him to use me through an art form that I love so much!

As time went on, that experience propelled me to start a dance ministry in my church in 1999.

My pastor, the late Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Jones D. Div, was a very forward thinking individual. He allowed my vision to unfold and the ministry is still in existent to this day. I must say that our dance ministry was a blueprint for many other ministries in the Tampa, FL area. It became the thing to do for many churches. Having the arts as part of the worship service is not new, however, it has sure changed the face of traditional worship services across the globe. It is yet another tool to express God’s word and usher the members into praise and worship (Psalm 150:4). This my friends, makes Liturgical Dance “No passing fad!”

By Constance Blaize-Shorter EIC

Lessons...

“En Point” Athletes in Training Since dancers are athletes, we must remember that there is always a risk of injury to parts of the body that are utilized the most, bears the most weight, or receives consistent sharp impact. Many dancers dream of getting their very first Pointe shoes. However, before graduating to that level, the dancer must be able to do the following; maintain turnout while performing center combinations, hold a proper ballet position with straight back, strong turnout, pull-up properly in the legs, and balance securely in relevé. Preparing for pointe work is a gradual process that begins with barre exercises to develop the requisite strength in ankles, feet, and legs. Type of exercises executed varies based on the teacher’s preferences and the curriculum used for the dance schools.

Some of the basic exercises that must be mastered at the barre are relevés and échappés. After the student is comfortable doing these steps on both feet with sufficient strength, technique ending on one en pointe foot such as, pas de bourrée and retire are introduced.

Pointe Work Woes Dancers on en pointe are beautiful and graceful when performing. They are also adding a tremendous amount of stress to their feet which can lead to issues such as bunions, ingrown toenails, bleeding, blisters, mild tendinitis or small fractures. Imagine this if you will, being on pointe is almost like wearing high heeled stiletto shoes. Both pointe shoes and high heels can be unhealthy for our feet as it is not natural for our toes to be shoved into a small area for long periods of time. And en pointe is more stressful than high heels as you are supporting all of your body weight on your toes only. “I know that this does not sound encouraging to those that dream about mastering point technique, but knowing some of the cons will give you a greater appreciation for this level of dance.”

Preventing Injuries On the other hand, a lot of trauma to the feet occurs when the dancer is wearing dance shoes that are not fitted correctly and are performing technique improperly. To avoid injury you must take care of your feet prior to and after dance by doing some of the following: select the correct shoes; massage and soaking of feet, exercises for your feet (stretching); make sure you are hydrated, rest your feet (take break from dancing); and visit a podiatrist (if all remedies such as stretching, massages and rest) does not decrease the pain). If you are not dancing at a professional level, such as touring with an ensemble and doing four to five shows a week, then the likely hood of severe trauma to your feet, as mentioned above, decreases. Unfortunately, en pointe has higher risk factor than dancing in flat leather ballet shoes. So, if you are ready to transition to pointe technique, make sure that you have an instructor who is skilled in this level of ballet. In addition, follow the instructions above regarding caring for your feet. Note that this area of dance takes years to perfect.

So, if you are really serious, take your time and don’t try to rush the process. Like any sport, you will fall in love with it or decide that it is really not for you. For some, sacrificing the health of your feet may be an issue. “As for me, a few bunions were a small price for achieving the dream of dancing on my toes! ” Dancer in the photo is Stephanie Bromfield who lives in Jamaica and currently a member of L’Acadco - A United Caribbean Dance Force.

By: BlaizeDance, Inc.

Photography by: Dwayne Bramwell

Why are dance clothes so exspensive?

"Buying a cheaper brand is not always best" Like any other athletic sport, dancers have a specific uniform that has been in existence for centuries. Two of the most common pieces are leotards and tights. There are other items such as, unitard, leg warmers, wrap skirts, ballet slippers, point and jazz shoes, just to name a few.

These items are carefully tailored to fit the dancer’s body and affords the dancer the ability to move freely as if they had no clothes on.

When it comes to dance shoes, they protect the dancers’ feet while allowing it to remain supple. What many of us may not be aware of is the fact that dance attire, (particularly leotards and tights) can protect the dancer’s feet from getting a staph infection (staphylococcus pronounced: staf-uh-low-kah-kus, a type of bacteria). These bacteria can live harmlessly on many skin surfaces, especially around the nose, mouth, genitals, and anus.

Therefore, purchasing leotards that are 90% cotton and 10% Lycra

—not only feels good and last longer– but is healthier for the dancer. Cotton absorbs moisture quickly and aids in reducing the risk of skin infections. Remember that removing garments and taking a shower immediately after dance classes is the best way to prevent the onset of most bacteria.

Having said that, we must all become more proactive when purchasing attire for ourselves and our little ones. If you feel that dance garments are too expensive at neighborhood dance boutiques, then shop around!

But make sure that the garments that you are purchasing from Wal-Mart, Target, or any other popular retail store with a dance section are selling products that offer protection and prevention.

As detailed in the paragraph above, cotton clothing is the best when selecting garments. When

it comes to dance shoes such as, soft ballet slippers, jazz, tap, acrobatics, and the like- should be leather. Non-leather materials will determine the health of your feet. Feet should be enclosed in breathable shoes that allows free movement. Also, the correct size is particularly important for young dancers as it will affect the health and development of their feet.

My goal is not to convince you that dance boutiques are not the only place that you have to purchase dance attire. Or that outrageously priced clothes are always the best. However, if you are looking for good quality in basic dancewear the cost will be more than that of clothing of lesser quality. “Beyond that, we need to realize that investing in ourselves and our children is a good cause.”

Tip: Purchasing items from small boutiques allows you to be served by store technicians that are experienced in the area of quality dance attire. Their advice and attention to your needs is priceless! If you are an online shopper you can get quality clothes at discounted prices from stores such as Discount Dance Supply www.discountdance.com and Dancewear Solutions www.dancewearsolutions.com.

By: BlaizeDance, Inc.

Fight for the Cure

Little Powerhouse Olivia Hirsch

Olivia Hirsh is a name that you will be hearing a lot in the future. This nine year old has been dancing since the tender age of three. She currently attends Dancers Domain Studio in Scottsdale, AZ where she studies Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Improvisation, Musical Theater and Hip-Hop. However, her favorite styles are contemporary and lyrical. This versatile dancer was also a Company Member at Pinnacle Dance North in Scottsdale (2013-2014). Later on, in August of 2014, Olivia’s mother decided to enroll her in Dancers Domain Company. It is through this company that she has been afforded the opportunity to enter various competitions.

Below is a snapshot of the 1st and 2nd quarter competitions for this year! We wish her luck on all her upcoming competitions.

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mportance of Private Instruction

When Dr. Lisa Piccione, secured my services for private lessons for her Spotlight (January 23-25) Ruby daughter, Olivia, she was seeking a Medal Awarded for her Solo way to enhance Olivia’s dance abilLyrical performance ity in a one-on-one setting. It can be 24Seven (February 13-15) Com- difficult for students to receive focused instruction from their dance pany performance teachers in a formal dance class.

LA Dance Magic (March 20-22) Participating in private sessions 3rd place in Lyrical allows the dance coach to immeJump (March 27-29) Gold Med- diately address areas of strength al Awarded for her Solo Lyrical as well as weakness. Knowing a dancer’s weakness and strengths, performance Hollywood Vibe (April 17-19) the coach can then tailor a proHigh Gold, 3rd in Lyrical and gram that may consists of more 5th overall in her age division intense training in the areas of proper technique, alignment, and (9-12) balance. In addition, exercises for muscle strength, cardio endurance and flexibility are often taught to

ensure the dancer is perform- time for her lessons with me, ing at an optimal level. she came to class ready! She listened, watched, and then executed most of the techeeting Olivia nique flawlessly. She was extremely open to correction and was not afraid to speak up regarding choreography When I met Olivia, one of that did not feel natural to her. the first things that I noticed Another thing that struck me about her were her eyes. They about this young dancer was are this beautiful brown with her athletic strength. She was great depth. I knew instinc- able to execute several differtively that I was encounter- ent movements with fluidity ing-what our grandmothers and most of all power! Hence use to call children who were why I found it fitting to call beyond their years- “an old her the “Little Power House”. soul”. Olivia is short in stature, If I had to make a prediclike me, so I immediately con- tion about her dance career, nected with that similarity. If I can safely say that she will you don’t know, short danc- be among the ranks of other ers must work harder at mak- athletically inclined dancers ing themselves look taller on such as Shannon Harkins, stage. Our jumps, extensions, Maddie Ziegler and Michaela posture, and overall move- DePrince. So be on the lookments must be exaggerated. out for this rising star in years So I knew during our journey, to come. there was a lot of knowledge that I wanted to share with her based on my own dance By: Constance Blaize-Shorter EIC experiences. Olivia is truly a model student. When it was

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Sept. 2015 is all about Haute Accessories Week “Want to update your wardrobe in a minute? Add a cool, new piece of accessory” says TFM HAUTE Accessories Week is the event that spotlights the contributions accessory designers make to the fashion industry; featuring the unique and creative works of independent and emerging accessory designers.

The accessories market has become a multi-billion dollar business and it continues to grow. Therefore The Fashion Movement saw it necessary to develop a platform via which designers of all fashion accessories can market and establish their brands.

We encourage the community, fashion lovers and fashionistas alike to participate in HAUTE Accessories Week and enjoy an evening of unmatched style while also shopping for designers’ products in The Designers Boutique.

At the main event, enjoy smooth jazz, delicious bites and drinks all while mixing and mingling with fashionistas, sponsors, media/press, models, Learn More designers, boutique buyers and fellow fashion lovers.

The Fashion Movement Lacey B. Smith

Ballet at Blaize Dance " The Blaize Method" B

allet tends to be a bit boring for some who may not be accustomed to dance being structured.

Grooving to a beat in Hip Hop and “free flowing movements” of Jazz tends to be more appealing. And this style of dance is often successful in keeping the students interest. Ballet on the other hand takes a great deal of concentration, coordination, and discipline.

If a student remains dedicated to the craft, they will discover that ballet is the base of all styles of dance and the training received in ballet will increase their performance level in other dance styles. Ballet is definitely not boring. As a matter of fact, it is downright challenging, fun, theatrical and one of the most creative styles of dance there is! Once the connection is made between technique and body movement, students will begin to see the benefits of this style.

Ballet increases muscle tone, strength, flexibility and suppleness. These physical attributes are not only beneficial to dancers but to athletes as well. Overall, ballet is a way to truly connect the mind ,body and spirit through movement.

Come and be a part of our on line Ballet classes at BlaizeDance. We specialize in the French Ballet Technique which focuses on precision, elegance and sobriety. In addition, the Blaize dance method takes that same technique and combines it with passion, creativity and discipline. Our dancers are on a strict quarterly curriculum and will be tested prior to advancing to higher levels of ballet.

Fact: BlaizeDance has been known to combine ballet with several styles of non-traditional dances to include Hip Hop & Caribbean!

African American dancers that are inspiring not only women of color, but all who aspire to be ballet dancers.

“When I was younger, I use to be afraid of ballet, but now I embrace it”

Dancers in the photo Samanthia Paris, Vanessa Hardy, and Stephanie Bromfield

CB Shorter

Imagery by Richard Toussaint

Memories of Hip Hop

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f you are in your forty’s now, then you can relate to being a youth when the age of Hip Hop began to explode on the scene, taking over the minds and bodies of you and your friends. Creating crowds of people gathered anywhere they could to dance to the combination of beats, rhymes, and singing that gripped our lives and stimulated the creativity of an entire generation to a new form of dancing, “Pop locking and Breakdancing”

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remember waking up with “Popping” on my mind; trying to find that new and perfect move that would have the bystanders going back to the drawing board to come-up with something better next time. Sure, I had my signature move as I mimicked Michael Jackson and Turbo by Popping on my toes but I needed something more. After all, you can only do your, “Move” a couple of times before the crowd demanded something better. I realized that aside from the NYC Breakers (The Gold Standard) that few seemed to be incorporate breaking and popping in a battle. Then, it came to me; I had never seen a dancer do an “Elbow Spin!” The next few weeks I would practice on the cutout piece

of laminate; me and my dance partner Miquiel Banks (my best friend ) would drag around all over our neighborhood. I knew it wasn’t ready until you heard the collective sound, “Ooooh!”

Battle on…

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ip Hop is a little different than it used to be. I remember how new it was and how everything in our lives somehow revolved around the growing movement. Hip Hop was young, fresh, and the world hadn’t seen anything like in a long time. Many people tried to define it, frame it in a way that could explain the phenomenon but it simply could not be defined because it was still evolving and shaping the world. It was made up of experiences that could not and would not form concise sen-

tences with a pen and pad. No, it was a movement born out of the inner city like a tidal wave poised to cover the world in something new, something “Fresh”. Now, it is mature, global, a part of almost everything. I doubt if many could imagine the reach and depth of a “Movement”, turned into a “Culture” would have on world that desperately fought its influence.

By Joseph W. Shorter III

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reating a Dance Studio at Home

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remember before I opened my dance studio, I used to hold rehearsals in the garage of my mother’s home. It was spacious, clean and provided a safe environment for my dancers to get ready for our productions. Now that I think about it, we did not even have mirrors. Well just one standing mirror that we would all take turns and stand in front of to make sure that our technique was correct. “Those were the good old days.” Eventually, I put up mirrors in the garage and moved out some boxes for more space.

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f course there were other options besides rehearsing in my garage. I could have rented out studio space at a dance school or rehearse at a recreation center or the neighborhood YMCA but I found pleasure being at home and having access to my space 24 hours a day. I saved a lot of money not renting space and discovered in the process that anyone could create a dance studio in their home provided that they have ample room. Whether the area is for a large group or your personal dance and work out needs, it is worth having space in the comfort of your own home for creativity.

Tips on building your space: 1. Decide if this space will be for a group or for your own personal needs. You want to make sure the environment is a safe place for others to come.

2. Select a room and make sure that it does not pose a noise issue. Example, if in the garage, take your neighbors into consideration.

3. You can lay rubber, wood or laminate, or carpet flooring. Wood is preferable and you can install it on your own to save money. Or you can hire a professional if its in your budget. Cover your wood with Marley (heavy duty, slip resistant vinyl) which can be purchased from a store like Home Depot or an online dance store that specializes in flooring. Cost of Marley can range on the low end from $20.50 per foot.

4. Make sure that you have a stereo system that is built in , or a CD player that is powerful enough to fill the room with sound. Hooking up your own sound system can be easy – depending on the system you choose.

5. Hang mirror on the wall. You can do this yourself or have a professional install it. If you decide to embark on a DYI (do it yourself ) project, go to Home Depot and purchase mirrors that can easily be installed by nailing and gluing it to the wall. Or you can purchase rolling stand mirrors at a dance store on the web.

6. Add Ballet Barre on the opposite sides of the mirrors.

You can purchase standard sized ballet barres from a online dance products store or go to Home Depot and get handrail or other type of wood finished rounded wood rails. You can also purchase brackets to mount on the wall. The cheapest method is to use handrails and brackets purchased from a home supply store. The dance store also offers free standing barres in all types and materials. Some are portable as they fold up and others can just be moved out of the way when not in use.

CB Shorter

Glenda Dexter recently joined Century 21 Shaw Realty Group in January 2015. With 12+ years of experience in the Real Estate industry she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company.

Glenda's educational background includes a BS in Business Administration, A Masters of Business Administration, and an AS in Nuclear Medicine Technology; as you can see she enjoys learning new things and helping others. She has been in the customer service industry for over twenty plus years, of those she's serverd ten years as a manager at various companies. Accustomed to working in a fast pace environment with the ability to think quickly and successfully handle difficult clients and negotiations.

As a native Floridian, born and raised in Plant City, FL, Glenda is very familiar with the local Real Estate market. She loves working with both Buyers and Sellers. With that said at Century 21 Shaw Realty Group works with one of the largest relocation companies in the world (Cartus). If you, a family member or a friend is looking to buy or sell a home any where in the world, with a highly qualified agent, give Glenda Dexter a call.

Glenda Dexter, Realtor Century 21 Shaw Realty Group 813-610-8369 www.myhouse21.com

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The Unseen Side of the Nutcracker

By Dr. Lawanda Ford-Johnson

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hen one contemplates what perfectionism, performance anxiety, and purging all have in common - the life of a professional ballet dancer might come to mind. With significant pressures to perform at an elite level while striving to be perfect at any cost, a dancer might unknowingly be cast as the principle ballerina of her own real life “nutcracker”- a downward spiral of mental and emotional instability that could become a life-threatening battle with calories, the scale and self-image.

Ballet is a rigorous art that requires an enormous amount of strength and athleticism.

Like professional athletes, ballet dancers live in a world of “no pain, no gain,” often characterized by perfectionism and competition. Dr. Marcia Laviage, a psychologist in private practice specializing in eating disorders stated, “…we tend to see an anxious temperament, they lean towards perfectionism, they want to perform at the highest level.” Such unspoken competitiveness can easily result in an extremely self-motivated and driven, eager to please, and tremendously self-critical dancer. In some, these character traits foster maladaptive perfectionism. Maladaptive perfectionists feel constant pressure to meet high standards usually set by themselves but also parents or others whose opinions are valued (.e.g. dance teacher). After falling short of these demands, a dancer may develop an aversive pattern of high self-awareness, characterized by unflattering views of self and concern over how they are perceived by others, also referred to as cognitive dissonance (internal conflict).

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allet is a rigorous sport that requires a tremendous amount of strength

One way some dancers attempt to resolve this internal conflict is to deny themselves proper food intake, thus controlling their weight. Just like when someone is hungry or thirsty, there is a feeling of tension, which typically motivates one to reduce this state of discomfort by eating or drinking. For some dancers, the reverse is true. A dancer may develop an obsession with being thin to resolve the cognitive dissonance that she is not meeting a high standard of performance at an elite level anymore.

“Ballet is always about aesthetic lines and unfortunately you associate this kind of thinness with beauty in the ballet world”, describes Rachel Parker, a former ballet dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Therefore, in the dancer’s mind, thinness symbolizes excellence in performance. Megan Leigh, a ballet dancer, revealed, “I felt so light, dancing on air. Slowly dying and I didn’t care. Laughter was weak, bones were brittle. But it didn’t matter, I was finally little.” Unfortunately, the desire to be a better dancer than the other dancers but also to be thinner intensifies given the long hours of practice in front of large mirrors, constantly looking at their physique, and comparing themselves to the other dancers. This tendency to be hyper critical of self, coupled with the harsh realities that dancers must endure such as: the ridicule, mental and physical abuse perpetrated by instructors and company directors, who tend to favor the very thin, fuels the need to achieve a level of thinness beyond what is considered healthy..

Kathleen Rea, a former National Ballet of Canada Company Dancer, reveals performing with several dancers, who were struggling with eating disorders, including herself. She battled with her eating disorder for 10 years. She discloses being required to be almost deathly thin. Her self-worth was so low that she slept on the bathroom floor because she thought her bedroom was too luxurious for what she deserved. Additionally, she would also sleep with a knife, almost ready to cut the fat off my thighs because of obsession with being “deathly” thin. To maintain her quest to be thin, she was binging and purging up to eight times a day. Finally, she hit “rock bottom” and decided to seek help because she knew continuing in such a way would

Eating disorders occur in ballerinas at a higher rate compared to the general population, with perfectionism playing a key role.

lead to death. Likewise, Sarah Badger, a ballet dancer recalls bursting into tears over the size of her thighs during a ballet class, which led her to decision to lose weight, and subsequently her eating disorder. Sarah eventually began calorie counting and added hours of walking and running into her intense 40 hours of week dancing schedule. She recalls experiencing muscle aches through her entire body and lacking the energy to perform tendus, perfect pliés, and pretty pirouettes, let alone power through a whole class. “Dancing—the one thing that had always brought me joy—was now almost too painful to do,” Sarah stated.

E

ating disorders occur in ballet dancers at a higher rate compared to the general population, with perfectionism playing a key role. Although men are not immune to eating disorders, women are more likely to develop them due to the ethereal world of ballet and societal pressures on women to look a certain way. As discussed previously, an early commitment to perfection plants the seed for some dancer’s tendency to become fixated on their performance and appearance. Eating disorders range from anorexia nervosa (deliberate self-starvation and intense fear of weight gain) and bulimia (recurring binge or over eating in a short period of time followed by

self-induced vomiting) to chronic restrictive/avoidant food intake. Despite the obvious physical changes of a person with anorexia or bulimia, eating disorders are mentally focused, which definitely requires professional help to treat. For instance, two dancers may eat the same meal, but for one it signifies healthy eating and for the other it does not. The dancer that views the meal as unhealthy has developed a maladaptive relationship with food, viewing it as an enemy—a deterrent from her goal of becoming the principle dancer in “The Nutcracker” because she is terrified of gaining weight. The dancer that views the meal as healthy sees food as a necessary means of survival, like most ‘normal’ people—if you don’t eat, you can die.

I

no intervention, death may be the final outcome of an untreated eating disorder.

The cultivation of good nutritional habits in young dancers is critical because a successful career as a dancer requires a healthy relationship with food. Without the foundation of a well-nourished body, it becomes impossible for a dancer to maintain the long-term stamina needed to engage in the physical activity required of an elite dancer. In light of negative public perception, many ballet companies are now implementing programs to ensure that dancers stay healthy.

L

astly, it becomes imperative to train dancers to transform the love, joy, and passion put into performing productions such as “The Nutcracker,” into self-love and self-care, behind the curtains, off the stage, and out of the spotlight. As early as possible, parents as well as dance instructors must began to assist dancers in developing a healthy self-view that fosters an urgency for them to protect not destroy their mind, body and spirit. If young dancers learn early in their career the way to achieve their goals is to focus on perfecting their dancing and not their weight, then Ballet will always be a passion and not a pain.

n recent years several dancers have come to fame because they are changing the face and esthetics of Ballet. Misty Copeland is one such trailblazer, she is altering the “traditional” view for a ballet dancer, not only because of her ethnicity but more importantly because of her body type. Young dancers remain vulnerable to developing eating disorders, even in the current environment of acceptance. As such, it becomes imperative to educate parents on the signs of potential disordered eating. Given that an eating disorder is prim­arily a mental health concern with med­ical and nutritional consequences, possible red flags for parents are: counting calories, refusing to eat at traditional meals like Dr. Lawanda Ford-Johnson Thanksgiving, experiencing irregular menstrual cycles, agitation, anxiousness, loss of close friendships, extreme Licensed Clinical Psychologist nutritional deficiency, and repeated stress fractures, heart failure, digestive problems. Ultimately, if there is

Victor Young

@thevictoryoung

Screenwriter, Director, Producer, Co-owner Lamborghini Sarasota, Co-owner BMW of Sarasota, Co-owner MINI of Wesley Chapel, CEO - Victor Young Productions, Inc.

Victor Young Productions is a film, television and new media production company located in Tampa, Florida. VYP co-produced Stratosphere Movie in 2014 and has 2 feature films currently in pre-production for 2015. Victor Young Productions uses locations and studios around the US based upon the demands of the script and State incentives available. Stay tuned for the new www.victoryoungproductions.com website this summer.

Legends Authur Mitchell Career at New York City Ballet In 1955 Mitchell made his debut as the first African American with the New York City Ballet (NYCB), performing in Western Symphony. Rising to the position of principal dancer with the company in 1956, he performed in all the major ballets in its repertoire, including A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Nutcracker, Bugaku, Agon, and Arcade. Mitchell was the only AfricanAmerican dancer with the NY City Ballet until 1970. Choreographer and director of the NYCB George Balanchine created the pas de deux in Agon especially for Mitchell and the white ballerina Diana Adams. Although Mitchell danced this role with white partners throughout the world, he could not perform it on commercial television in the United States before 1965, because states in the South refused to carry it.

Mitchell left the New York City Ballet in 1966 to appear in several Broadway shows, and helped found ballet companies in Spoleto, Washington, D.C. and Brazil, where he directed a dance company. The Company he founded in Brazil was the National Ballet Company of Brazil.

Dance Theatre of Harlem After the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, Mitchell returned to Harlem, where he was determined to provide opportunities in dance for the children in that community. A year later, he and his teacher Karel Shook formed a classical ballet school. Mitchell had $25,000 of his own money to start the school. About a year later he received $315,000 in a matching funds grant from the Ford Foundation.[6] Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) was born in 1969 with 30 kids in a church basement in a community where resources of talent and creative energy were virtually untapped. Two months later, Mitchell had attracted 400 youngsters attending classes . Two years later they presented their first productions as a professional company. Mitchell used his personal savings to convert a garage into the company’s first real home.

In Harlem, DTH created an explosion of professional opportunity in dance, music, and other related theater activities. The school has an outstanding number of former students who have been successfully engaged in careers as dancers and musicians, as technicians in production, stagecraft, and wardrobe, and in instruction and arts administration. With this success, DTH challenged the classical dance world to review its stereotypes and revise its boundaries.

Honors Mitchell has received numerous awards in recognition of his groundbreaking work and achievements, including: 1993 - Kennedy Center Honors, one of the youngest persons recognized.[9] 1994 - Named as a MacArthur Fellow.

1995 - United States National Medal of Arts, pre-

sented by the President 1999 - Inducted into the National Museum of Dance C.V. Whitney Hall of Fame, Saratoga Springs, NY. 2001 - The 7th Annual Heinz Award in the Arts and Humanities.[10] 2005 - Awarded a Fletcher Foundation fellowship in its inaugural year, in recognition of his contributions to African-American culture.

2006 - Mitchell and the Dance Theatre of Harlem were honored at the White House by President Bush with a dinner in his honor.

In addition, Mitchell has received honorary doctorates from numerous leading universities, including Hamilton College, Brown University, City College of the City University of New York, Harvard University, The Juilliard School, The New School for Social Research, North Carolina School of the Arts and Williams College. He has also received awards from the City of New York and community organizations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_Theatre_of_Harlem

"Dancetheatre" by Aude - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia. org/wiki/File:Dancetheatre.jpg#/media/File:Dancetheatre.jpg

Top Dance Schools around the Globe Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Dance Academy of Russia

The Joan Weill Center for Dance

Akademiya tantsa

405 W. 55th Street (at 9th Avenue)

Konstantinovskiy pr., 19

New York, NY 10019

St Petersburg, Russia

www.alvinailey.org

http://danceacademyrussia.com/

Arthur Murray School of Dance

Dancers Domain

10032 W Bell Rd

13610 N.Scottsdale Rd. STE.20

Ste. 102

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Sun City, AZ 85351

dancersdomainaz.com

arrowheadarthurmurray.com Dance Theatre of Harlem Canadian School of Dance

466 W 152nd St, New York, NY 10031

BESIDE BARRHAVEN MALL

http://www.dancetheatreofharlem.org/

35 Larkin Drive Nepean, On Canada K2J 2T2

David A Straz Jr - Center for the Performing Arts 1010 N WC MacInnes Pl

canadianschoolofdance.com

Tampa, FL 33602

Centerstage Dance Academy

strazcenter.org

5038 W. Linebaugh Ave. Tampa, FL 33624 (813) 961-3092 http://www.centerstagedance5678.com/

Downtown Tampa

Debbie Allen Dance Academy 3791 Santa Rosalia Drive Los Angeles, CA 90008 debbieallendanceacademy.com

Frank Rey Dance Studio

Fossveien 24, 0551 Oslo, Norway

3021 Waters Avenue W

khio.no/Engelsk/Academy_of_Dance

Tampa, FL 33614 frankreydance@verizon.net

Royal Academy of Dance

Irving Dance Conservatory

36 Battersea Square, London

3401 W Airport Frwy Ste 210

SW11 3RA

Irving, TX 75062

rad.org.uk

http://irvingdanceconservatory.com/ Tampa Bay Ballet Karl & Di Marco School of Theatre

12720 Dupont Cir

19022 Geraci Rd

Unit A6

Lutz, FL 33548

Tampa, FL 33626

http://www.karlanddimarco.com/

Citrus Park tampabayballet.com

Kidtastics 4140 N Miller Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Trondheimsveien 2 L

http://www.kidtastics.com/

0560 Oslo Norway

L'Acadco - A United Caribbean Dance Force 39 First Avenue, Kingston, Jamaica

Grünerløkka www.oslokulturskole.no/no

lacadco-united.tumblr.com

XD2 Dance Studio

Oslo National Academy of the Arts

1802 Pleasant Valley Rd, Garland, TX 75040

Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo (KHiO)

xd2dance.com/home.html

Tampa Etiquette Academy At Tampa Etiquette Academy, we offer Children's Etiquette Classes, Teen Etiquette Classes and Professional Protocol for Adults.

Classes taught are focused not only on outside mannerisms, but also on internal characteristics such as high morals, values, standards and ethics.

Programs are designed to bring back the lost art of good manners, which are depleted from our society today.

We are eager to serve you in the field of image and civility and are dedicated in helping you become your best!

Manners Boot Camp/ Summer .

Children's Classes .

Charm & Dining Etiquette for Girls .

Chivalry & Dining Etiquette for Boys .

Teen Etiquette .

Roy's Restaurant Dining .

Adult/Business Classes .

Wedding Etiquette/ Bridal Etiquette .

Private/Group Classes

Fitness

Never Forget “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima� is a historic photograph taken on 23 February 1945 by Joe Rosenthal. It depicts five Marines and a U.S. Navy corpsman raising the flag of the United States atop Mount Suribachi.[12] The photograph was extremely popular, being reprinted in thousands of publications. Later, it became the only photograph to win the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in the same year as its publication, and ultimately came to be regarded as one of the most significant and recognizable images of the war, and possibly the most reproduced photograph of all time.[12] Of the six men depicted in the picture, three (Harlon Block, Franklin Sousley, and Michael Strank) did not survive the battle; the three survivors (John Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Ira Hayes) became celebrities upon the publication of the photo. It was believed for several months that the flag-raiser now known to be Block was Hank Hansen, but Hayes instigated an investigation after the war that set the record straight. The flag raising picture was later used by Felix de Weldon to sculpt the 1954 Marine Corps War Memorial, located adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery.

Ref: Landsberg, Mitchell (1995). "Fifty Years Later, Iwo Jima Photographer Fights His Own Battle". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 5 September 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2007 hSource: ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima#cite_note-ap-12

Memorial Day Monday May 25th, 2015

P

rofiles of a Master Trainer Christian McArthur

Interviewer: So, Christian how did you get into fitness after you got injured in the Army?

of this. Figure something out! So you build this gym for the army, what is your daily routine like?

Christian McArthur: Well, after I got injured they (the Army) sent me to the Wounded Warrior program and since I was an athlete before the injury they felt like they could use my abilities to help build a gym. Also, since I was an E5 promotable they felt like they needed to give me something to manage.

So, they gave me 1.2 million dollars of fitness equipment and a warehouse and told me to build a gym.

I remember Major Perez and a couple of other guys helped me along with five other wounded warrior to help. Then I find out that I am the training manager over everything.

Christian McArthur: Well, basically we get everything up and running I have about 5-6 people to operate a 24 hour gym each person doing 12 hours on and 24 hours off. What they do at the end is dedicate the facility to a solider that died in combat and another one who got hurt real bad. It was interesting because I wasn’t even invited to the ceremony.

Interviewer: Wow! So, the military says we got a bunch of money we can’t spend. Go build a gym, and by the way, you are the manager

Interviewer: Wow, so now what? Do you spend all your time just working out all the time in this gym?

Christian McArthur: Prior to my injury I didn’t do much strength training. When I did track and Field I did the minimum weight training but when I got there a lot of guys were training to go to Ranger school and Special Forces. I had already trained for Special Forces

and got selected but they told me I needed more experience. I was straight out of the “Hood” so they were like you need to spend more time in this jungle. So, I went back to my unit and started training with a lot of those guys. Since, I had already passed Special Forces training it was a small community kind of thing so they would come workout two in the morning, 5am, 11pm you know cause the chow hall was right next to it so those jokers would come workout, eat, and train. You know, then PT was early in the morning so they ended up building two gyms.

Interviewer: Oh really, tell me about that one?

Christian McArthur: Yeah, they ended up building a fighting portion, Mixed Martial Arts because I was military combative I was one of the instructors and we got instruction from Tito Ortiz, Chuck Lidell, and BJ Penn and they were part of the Gracie Camp. The platform they used there became the basis of the BJ Penn fighting Camp and is the platform still used today.

Interviewer: Tell me what it was like before you got into all of this this training, I understand you were overweight.

Christian McArthur: After, I got injured I couldn’t walk for 6 months and I had to have two surgeries and a lot of rehab. I was sitting up playing a lot of “Call of Duty” so I couldn’t be out in the field and ate whatever. I didn’t really know

about health and fitness and so I was just like I can’t That’s crazy, I wheigh 203. do nothing, I can’t do nothin’ so it was like whatever! I Christian McArthur: That is where I want to be. came in the military at 156 lbs and once I got hurt, at Interviewer: Yeah, without the fat! [Everyone Laughing]. my heaviest I was 246lbs.

So, how did you get into the nutritional part?

Interviewer: 90lbs!

Christian McArthur: After I got out the military. I have a Christian McArthur: Now today, I am 191lbs contusion on my brain that causes me to have severe Interviewer: Can you believe I weigh more than you? migraines and they allowed me to go to training and

the trainer I had Glynis Ramirez (4 time National Power Lifting Champion) and she started telling about drinking more water and eating better. I didn’t know about this stuff, I was eating “Jack in the Crack” every night, Smoking “Black and Mild’s every night!” It was serious, drinking “Easy Jeezy” because that was all I could afford. She started telling me about eating less processed food and that is what carried me through my whole weight loss because at that time I was still 246lbs. So it wasn’t until then till now four or five years till I started losing the weight.

Interviewer: So, I shouldn’t feel so bad that I haven’t

loss the weight I want yet?

Christian McArthur: No, don’t feel so bad. It’s funny because sometimes I do a Forced March on my treadmill and put 50lbs in my pack and I can’t believe how heavy it is now it is just horrible. So, yeah that is how I got into the nutrition aspect.

Interviewer: So, take us from there to you becoming a trainer?

Christian McArthur: Glynis Ramirez started to tell me about NCEP (National Certification for Exercise Professionals) and from there I was an honor graduate but failed the test the first time. I got 78.4% and 80 is passing. So, he, the course instructor made me take it again, I thought

he was joking at first, and then; I thought he was being an “Ass”. So I had to get up earlier in the morning and take it again and I still didn’t pass, so I had to get up and take it a third time the next day. It is one of the top 3 hardest fitness certifications in the country. It’s a hands on course, so they rate your ability to sell your brand, movement, etc, and it worked real good for me because I am a visual person.

Interviewer: Is that the only certification you have? You have one for Nutrition also right?

Christian McArthur: Yes, from college I did regular, advanced, neurology certification. I have a kinesiology degree from the University of Hawaii and it is about the brain-body connection. Understanding why people just won’t do certain things and building programs that are specific to them is why I can’t work for a big organization. There is too much product placement. It doesn’t give me enough time to develop my client and the relationship and give them what they need.

lowed. It’s up to me if I make the money or not, right?

So after two or three hours that person should have a good understanding of what we are doing. You just can’t always do it in 2 minutes. If I find out they have a genetic defect for diabetes that is genetic or if there is something going on the mother’s side like an issue with the hypothalamus.

Interviewer: You really need time to develop a relationship and understand what is going on in their life.

Christian McArthur: Yeah, it goes back to the education, I studied the brain because of my own issues and I figured that it is so connected to what is going on physically, then it is connected to how people get healthier or train.

To hear the complete audio, go to www.blaizedance. com

Interviewer: They want you to sell first.

Christian McArthur: Exactly, if I have to sit down and spend two or three hours talking to this person I should be al-

By: Joseph W. Shorter III

S

Hanging with the A Moms

Ruby

Arizona

Connie

Melissa

Bici Beth

R

ecipies

When my husband and I decided to cut back on carbs in our diet, we did not realize how many of our recipes would need to be modified in order for us to stay true to our goals. We love eating rice and chicken, loaded potato soup, West Indian curry chicken and mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, all of these recipes are filled with carbs. So I went on line in search of a substitute and low and behold, I discovered cauliflower! I had eaten this veggie only with my salads, but now it became the go to starch substitute for our meals.

The thing about cauliflower is that a cup of cooked cauliflower contains 2.6 grams of total carbohydrates, including 1.4 grams of dietary fiber, 1.3 grams of natural sugars and almost no starch. Because starch is a type of a carbohydrate, the low starch content of cauliflower can make it a good food for a low-carbohydrate weight-loss diet.

in them. We found that the cauliflower basically took on the taste of the spices that we cooked with. In addition to any meat or poultry broth that was added. The texture of the cauliflower is very much like rice and white potatoes and was equally as filling without all the calories of these high starch foods. This magnificent veggie was also a great addition to breakfast. We added it to our omelets and also baked them to make hash browns.

Armed with the facts about the caloric count in cauliflower, I began to experiment with dishes that called for rice and potatoes and began to incorporate cauliflower Below are a few of my personal recipes with cauliflower:

Cauliflower Soup Ingredients 1 medium head cauliflower (broken down to florets) 1/2 cup of baby carrots, diced 1/4 cup chopped celery 2-1/2 cups water 1/4 chicken broth (Swanson brand) 4 tablespoons virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon of Table Blend Seasoning 1 teaspoon Spicy Seasoning Blend 1 cup Colby Jack shredded cheese 1 cup of Almond Milk

Directions Add 2/12 cups of water, 2 tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add cauliflower, carrots and celery, partially cover and cook until just tender, 5 minutes. Stir in chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Lower heat. Cover and simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes.

Strain soup, reserving vegetables and liquid separately, combine vegetables with just a little liquid in bowl of food processor, working in batches if necessary. Puree until very smooth. Whisk pureed vegetables into remaining liquid and set aside.

Add remaining tablespoons of olive oil (butter) and cheese in saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is well blended, 1 to 2 min. Whisk in soup until blended. Bring to boil. Lower heat.

Meanwhile, add almond milk to food processor with seasonings and puree until smooth. Whisk into soup until well blended. Low heat, do not boil.

Servings 6-8 Name Brands in recipe Tony's Creole Seasoning, Mrs. Dash Salt Free Seasoning Blends (Table Blend and 速 Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend) Lucerne Almond Milk, Smart Balance butter, Lucerne Colby Jack Shredded Cheese, Spectrum Naturals Organic Extra Virgin, and Swanson 99% fat free Chicken Broth.

Cauliflower Mash (Cauli-Mash) Ingredients 1 medium head cauliflower (broken down to florets) 2-1/2 cups water (add another ½ cup for less dense soup) 2 tablespoons butter (Smart Balance® Omega-3) 1 teaspoon of Table Blend Seasoning 1 teaspoon of Black Pepper 1 teaspoon of Garlic Powder ¼ cup of chopped Parsley 1 cup of shredded cheddar 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese 1 cup of Almond Milk

Directions Servings 4-6 Add 2-3 quarts of water to a large saucepan, add ½ to ¼ cup of seasoning and bring to a boil. Then add floret pieces to the boiling water and cook for 5-10 minutes. Cook until pieces are tender and crisp (tenderness can be checked throughout by piercing with a fork or tip of knife.) Drain florets in a strainer, mash with a masher until consistency of mashed potato. Then add seasonings, milk, cheese and butter. TIP: Sprinkle parsley on top of dish.

Name Brands in recipe Alternative to Smart Balance® Omega-3 butter is Olive Oil (Spectrum Naturals Organic Extra Virgin) or Coconut Oil (Nutiva cold pressed), Mrs. Dash Original Blend. You can also add salt free spicy seasonings for a little extra kick!

Create an evenly conditioned body, improve sports performance, and prevent injuries

A refreshing mind-body workout

Develop a strong core- flat abdominals and a strong back

Pilates Gain long, lean muscles and flexibility

Yoga helps you breathe and relax, which in turn can help you adjust to the physical demands of pregnancy, labor, birth, and motherhood. It calms both mind and body, providing the physical and emotional stress relief your body needs throughout pregnancy.

Jennie Erickson Hometown: Austin, Texas Wife and mother of three.

Enjoying poses: Extended Side Angle, Tree and Siddhasana Photography by Missy Mayo Photography- Flower Mound, Texas www.missymayophotography.com

Getting in Shape with the "SWISS BALL" The "Swiss Ball",which is known today by many names such as,the stability ball, exercise ball, balance ball, and the fitness ball),was developed in developed in 1963 by and Italina manfacturer named Aquilino Cosani. However, the ball bacame poplular when Swiss doctor Susan Klein-Vogelbach began to use the plastic balls for orthopedic medicine at the physically therapy clinic. In additon, Dr. Elseth Kong and Mary Quinton (English physical therapist) also used the balls in Pediatric pediatric neurological rehab programs.In tne 1980's American physical therapist visiting European clinics brought the knowledge back to North America.

Eventually in 1990 the exercise ball moved from the rehabilitatoin setting and was now being used in the athletic arena. Today, the exercise ball is prominant in the world of fitness.

This ball is extremely versatile and is a great way to improve strength, cardio, endurance and balance.

The stability ball works because muscles are challenged when doing exercises such as push-ups, sit ups and planks on an unstable surface. You literally feel the burn as muscles are isolated and taxed!

Selecting the correct size ball is important. As a rule, the stability balls come in three diameters that is based on the user’s height. For example; 55 cm for individuals between 4’11” and 5’4”, 65 cm for those 5’4” and 5’7”, and 75 cm for tallest of the group, between 5’11” and 6’7”. The easiets way to finding the best fit for you is to sit on the ball and make sure the hips and knees are at right angles with the floor.

Below are some exercises that you can do with the stability ball.

Constance Blaize-Shorter

1

Back Extension Target: upper and lower back Repetitions: 12 to 15 Execute: Start with the stomach and hips on the ball, legs extended straight behind (toes resting on the ground).

Hold onto the ball with the hands for balance. If this position is difficult to maintain due to slippery shoes, try placing the feet against a wall. Raise the chest high (like a yoga cobra), bringing the hands to the back of the head.

Hold for a beat or two, and return to a relaxed position.

2 Wall squats Target: gluteus, quads, calves Repetitions: 10-15 Execute: Stand about three feet from a wall with feet shoulder-width apart and the back to the wall. Place the ball between the lower back and the wall and squat down slowly until the legs form 90-degree angles at the knees. Use the ball to support the back as it rolls from the lower back to the shoulder blades. Slowly stand up again, and repeat.

3 Knee Tucks Target: abdominals Repetitions: 10-15 Execute: Start in push-up position with toes resting on the ball and straight arms, with hands on the ground under the shoulders. Bring the knees towards the chest until the knees are directly under the hips. Extend knees back to push-up position and repeat.

4 Hand-to-Foot Ball Pass Target: abdominals, hamstrings Repetitions: 5-8 Execute: Lie on your back, with your legs extended on floor.

Hold the ball with both hands, and extend arms back over your head. Raise arms and legs toward each other, lifting your head and shoulders as you do.

When your hands and feet are directly up, transfer the ball to your feet, and then lower your arms and legs back to the floor.

Repeat, this time switching the ball from your feet to your hands at the up position.

5 Dumbbell Chest Fly Target: Abs, Chest Repetitions: 10-15 Execute: The starting position for a chest fly on a stability ball is similar to that for the chest press, but the arms are lowered to the sides instead of straight down. Maximize your results by doing this exercise slowly and steadily. Start with your palms facing each other, slowly lower dumbbells out to sides until you feel a stretch in your chest, and return to start position.

6 Single Arm Dumbbell Overhead Target: Triceps, shoulders, abs Repetitions: 10-15 Execute: Brace core and begin with feet shoulder-width apart. Grab a dumbbell with one hand and position it behind head with elbow flexed to 90 degrees. The opposite hand contract triceps and press dumbbell upwards until arm becomes fully extended. Pause and return weight back to starting position.

7

Abdominal Ball Crunch Target: Abs, hips, thighs Repetitions: Work up to 3 sets/10 to 12 TIP: Exhale on curl up and inhale on curl down Execute: Sit on the ball with your feet flat on the floor. Walk your feet forward as you tuck your tail under, lower your spine onto the ball as you walk your feet away from the ball, sliding your butt down so your body is at a slight incline. Place your hands behind your head, (touching head with fingertips), squeeze shoulder blades together, and pull elbows back without arching your low back. Relax your neck. Pressing lower back into ball, tuck your chin slightly toward your chest and slowly curl your torso toward your thighs. Hold one breath and return to starting position. To challenge yourself: Walk feet closer to ball and lift butt; raise arms straight overhead.

8 Standing side stretch Target: Works abs, back, shoulders Repetitions: 20 Execute: Stand with feet about shoulder-width apart, holding ball overhead. Pull in abs and hold hips still. Lean to left (as shown), return to center, then lean to right. Next, bend over to lower ball in front of you (back straight). Rise up so ball is overhead and repeat from start.

9 Standing Bent over One Arm Triceps Extensions Target: Triceps, shoulders Repetitions: 15-20 Execute: Start off with a dumbbell in one hand, bend your knees and bring your upper body down and forward. Place your left knee and left palm on the stability ball.

Make sure the ball is stable to prevent it from rolling during the exercise. Keep the arm with the dumbbell at your waist and the other on your quad. Take the arm with the dumbbell and lift the weight up and behind your back squeezing your triceps tightly. Hold the position for a few seconds then return back to the starting position. Now alternate arms and do exercise on your right side.

10 Abdominal Ball Crunch (Elevated legs) Target: Abs Repetitions: 15-20 Tip: Place clasped palms lightly on the back of head, never pull on neck during curl up, and engage your abdominals throughout the exercise.

Execute: Lie on your back, calves on top of the exercise ball and arms clasped behind your head.

Roll your shoulder blades up and lower yourself back down after a short pause. To avoid straining your neck, look straight up instead of looking at your knees.

Lacey B. Smith

The Fashion Movement

INTRODUCING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TREADMILLS AND EFX® ELLIPTICALS Incredible design and commercial-grade parts create the smooth and natural feel that has made Precor a favorite in health clubs all over the world. New touch consoles, convenience features and integration with the Preva® network fitness app give you a personalized workout experience second only to a personal trainer. Now, it’s easier than ever to get a health club quality workout at home.

Couple Workout Do you believe in the old adage; “Couples who play together, stay together?” Well I certainly do. So, let’s just replace the word ‘play’ with the word ‘exercise’, and acknowledge that working out with your spouse is an activity that will bring you closer together. I know for some of you planning healthy meals and fitness regimens may not seem like the most romantic thing to do with your mate. But on the contrary, it is one of the most romantic activities couples share.

In an article by, Theresa DiDonato, Ph.D., social psychologist and assistant professor at Loyola University Maryland, 5 Reasons Why Couples Who Sweat Together, Stay Together - her research revealed surprising benefits to working out together.

(1) Increasing happiness within the relationship. Studies show that doing something like running together or taking a ball room dance class boost the quality of your romantic relationship. Couples have reported that they feel more satisfied with their relationship and more in love with their partner (Aron, Norman, Aron, & Heyman, 2000).

Exercising is an example of an invigorating activity that brings about these positive effects. There is a physiological arousal, rather than the novelty or challenge of the activity that drives the romantic attraction (Lewandowski, & Aron, 2004).

(2) Improves the efficiency of your workout. It is said that couples feel more satisfied with their relationship and more in love after jointly participating in an exciting physical challenge or activity. For example, your romantic partner’s presence in a cycling class will increase your speed without you necessarily being aware of their influence.

(3) Makes your partner fall in love with you again. Exercise induces physiological arousal symptoms that mirror, in

many ways, the thrill you feel during a romantic attraction.

Some of these symptoms are hands get sweaty, your pulse races and shortness of breath. People often mistake physical arousal for romantic attraction. And this is likely to boost your attractiveness in your partner’s eyes!

(4) Helps both of you achieve your fitness goals. This is important for couples specifically when they are facing challenging task such as a tough bike ride or a strenuous INSANITY class. Having your partner offer comments such as, “You can do it!” boost confidence and increases exercise performance. Staying committed and sharing in the daily ups and downs of your workout routine can help both of you achieve fitness goals.

(5) Increases your emotional bond. This emotional increase is described in the article as nonverbal matching or nonverbal mimicry (Stel & Vonk, 2010). For example, lifting weights in rhythm or tossing a medicine ball back and forth creates a feeling of bonding between you two. Nonverbal mimicry helps people feel emotionally attuned with one another. And those who have experienced or engaged in this practice have reported feeling of having ‘bonded’ with their mates.

In summary, when my husband and I decided to recommit to exercising and eating properly. And vowed to do it together, a renewed feeling of comradery was shared. Because we have busy schedules and young children, we had to work out separately during the week. For example, I went to cycling classes at 5:30am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

And on Tuesday and Thursday, he would play basketball around the same time at the gym. We even took group fitness classes together in the evening as child care was provided through our fitness club. In addition, we had a Personal Trainer who designed a couple workout for us.

I can honestly say that we both achieved some of our goals and stayed on task for the most part. However, as a couple, you must realize that there will be days when your partner may not be able to work out with you (due to sickness or injury), or is having a setback and does not feel like exercising or eating a healthy diet. In those moments, support your spouse by offering words of encouragement and let them know you will continue the journey together when they are ready. However, it is important not to allow their setbacks to hinder you from completing your workout. Stay the course as your example of being committed may help your partner get back in the saddle sooner than later!

David and Jovette Muniz.

Couple Workout by CB Shorter/ Post published by Theresa E DiDonato Ph.D. on Jan 10, 2014 in Meet, Catch, and Keep

Fashion Addict By: Carrol Burgen

Who is Brenda Michel?

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renda Michel is a worldwide Makeup Artist and Fashion Stylist. She studied Fashion Retail Management at Art Institute of Tampa. For over 13 years, Brenda has perfected her unique niche in makeup and fashion. Taking it to the next level is her mission as she redefines the meaning of fashion and beauty by helping women embrace and celebrate their personal style. She is the Owner of Beauty by Brenda Michel, a mobile company that provides a variety of makeup, fashion, and image consulting services for all occasions.

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ollowing your dreams

Although Ms. Michel has been transforming faces for years, becoming a professional Makeup Artist was happenstance for this entrepreneur. “In 2012, I was asked to participate in a project with a photographer. I was reluctant to take the job, but knew I desperately needed a change in my life. At that moment, once I accepted the position, God opened a door for me to share this hidden talent with the world”, said Brenda. Her makeover portfolio is filled with looks from natural to the extreme, which makes her one of the best in the business. So much so that Black Beauty Magazine featured her in an article in October 2014.

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omboy to Top Model

Brenda comes from a family of eight (five sisters and two brothers). Her parents were born and raised in Haiti. After he mother gave birth to her fifth child in1980, the family decided to relocate Elizabeth, New Jersey. Shortly after arriving, her mother discovered that she was pregnant with triplets! Brenda was the fraternal twin from the identical twins she was born with. “So even in my mother's womb, I was set apart, uniquely different”, says Brenda. A tomboy at heart, she did not think she was pretty, did not wear makeup or was very fashionable. She was often picked on for her large forehead and called a four eye geek. When Brenda decided to embrace her looks and love herself, in spite of the naysayers, this is when her true beauty and talents began to blossom.

Model: Becca Ashley Photo by: Adrienne Andersen

Author: Sarina Babbs Photo by: Kristian Walden Photography

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xtreme Transformation Haven Henessey

BDF: Haven, give us a little background into your dance history. Have you always been athletic?

Haven: I started dancing when I was 13 and fell in love!

My first dance teacher, Ms. Janet Beyers, was amazing!

I quickly progressed and got more involved. My mom would help clean the studio to pay for my dance classes.

I loved ballet, however, modern was my passion! Training and rehearsals got pretty intense around the age of 16. I was burned out and took a break(wish I hadn’t!). I still danced but not as intensely. I returned back to more formal training and technique in my early 20’s under the direction of Ms. Andrea Sanders. I was blessed to have been trained by highly trained professional Christian women! It was in 2000 that I joined with a friend who had training in gymnastics and started a dance team made up of young girls and boys. The dance company grew and a core group of those kids stayed with me.

We eventually turned into Infusion Dance Company, a creative arts ministry that used dance, acrobatics, cheerleading stunts, multi-media, and music to create powerful Christian messages! Infusion toured throughout the US and even abroad to Norway, and Bulgaria!

I have not always been what you would call “athletic” however, I have been active my whole life.

BDF: Judging from your dance pictures of past, you looked as if you were in decent shape. What prompted you to get into such wonderful physical shape?

Haven:Thank you! After the birth of my 2nd child I gained 30 lbs, when he was 5 months old I realized I needed to get into a gym. I joined a local gym got started with a trainer and lost 30 lbs in 3 months! From there my fitness journey began.

BDF: Tell me about your fitness journey. How many competitions have you won? Did you have a personal trainer?

What did you do in terms of eating healthier?

Haven: Under the direction of Belinda Hope, my first coach/now close friend, I won my first show, I was totally shocked!! The next two shows after that I didn’t do so well however realized where I needed to improve. I went on to place 3rd the following year and also place 2nd at a national qualifier. That same year I went to the largest show in the US and competed at Nationals. I didn’t place but brought a great package! In early 2014, I decided last minute to compete in a show and didn’t come in lean enough thus didn’t place. Huge learning lesson there! At that point I was coaching myself and decided I needed to hire a coach again! I was still qualified for nationals so I thought I would try Nationals one more time and started prep with my now coach Jason Theobald with Scooby

something I could maintain. For me it was counting my calories and macros. I maintain that approach still even in my off-season. I find that it allows me more flexibility with my food choices and keeps me from wanting things deemed “bad for you” BDF: What was your starting weight? What was your end weight/current weight -How long did it take you to achieve your weight loss and fitness goals? What was your diet like (nutrition)?

Haven: After my 2nd baby I was 160 lbs. After 3 months I got down to around 130, I would say I was more “skinny fat” then. I maintained that weight for some time, however, I have put on a lot of muscle over the last 3 yrs! My competition weight is around 117-120 and my current off season weight is 132. I am in the best shape of my life and keep seeing improvements from lifting heavy and eating nutrient dense foods. I eat about 4-5 meals a day, and track my macros. Currently I eat 215 grams of carbs, 33 grams of fat and try to eat 185 grams of protein(that’s A LOT of protein! lol). My go- to foods are oatmeal, cereal, fruit, greek yogurt, canned tuna, chicken, lean beef, fish, rice, protein shakes, cashew milk, to name a few. I pretty much eat whatever I want as long as I can fit it into those goals for the day!

BDF: I see that you have a (Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer license) – Where did you get your certification and what prompted you to become certified?

What else do you do prior to GFI/PT career? If there is something else, how do you juggle your 9-5 and your life at the GYM.?

Haven: I received my first certification though Les Mills with my BodyPump cert, I am also I certified Les Mills GRIT Coach, and my PT cert is through ISSA. I am also an Office Manager for a custom picture framing business and I have been doing that for 13 yrs now! Now that I coach 9 GRIT sessions, teach 3 BodyPump classes, and train clients it’s definitely harder to juggle everything along with my taking care of my family(husband and 2 boys). However, I have a VERY supportive husband and family. My in-laws help out a lot and some how it all works out!

Prep. I brought my best package yet but still didn’t place. When started competing I took a very strict and more old school approach with my nutrition.

This definitely set me on the right path of getting my nutrition under control. However, after a year of prepping this way I realized it wasn’t for me. I started looking into a different approach and

BDF: What types of classes do you teach? And how many classes do you teach? Where do you teach?

BDF: Can I ask how old you are Haven?

Haven: Like I said above, I teach 3 BodyPump classes a week, coach 9 GRIT sessions, and 1 Hot Body Sculpt class a week. I mainly teach/train out of Fitness 360, the hot body sculpt class is at Heat Yoga and Fitness. I am 38!

“

It can be challenging to eat healthy at home, especially when you have kids?

Did you have to change their diets when you were training? Has your household gone through a lifestyle change in ““to diet and exercise?

“

BDF: What is your message to women out there your age who have kids or don’t have kids – regarding exercise and proper nutrition?

Haven: Just start!!! Wherever you’re at in your journey just get moving and take care of YOU! A healthy/confident momma is a happy momma! It’s not too late to work on your best YOU! Nutrition is key, however, the important thing to realize is that for women eating can be emotional response. Deal with your emotions and triggers first then the nutrition will fall into place.

BDF: What would you say was your biggest challenge when it came to getting in shape? And how did you handle them? What would your message be to others regarding setbacks and perseverance?

Haven: Not feeling adequate and comparing myself to other people’s journey. I learned to be confident in my journey and to work on me. I would say that your fitness journey will never be a straight line from A to B. There will be many curves in the road but even slow progress is still progress!

BDF: How did you feel when you reached your goals and realized that you were now a certified body builder/ competing? What did that feel like?

Haven: It’s an amazing feeling to see yourself in pictures and be proud of what you see! To know that you pushed your body to it’s furthest point and could hang with some of the best!

BDF: Was your husband supportive of this new found desire to re-invent yourself both physically and occupational wise?

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tepping Up to the challenge

Haven: He wasn’t completely enthusiastic at first! LOL. However, he realized I needed to this to build my self-esteem. He also realized that this sport wasn’t sexual in nature, it was about women becoming the most fit the could be and showing off their hard work! He wants me to be happy most of all so he supports this occupation because he knows I can’t sit at a desk for 8hrs!!

BDF: What message do you have for couples out there regarding working out together and the importance of support from your spouse?

Haven: It’s very important to have your support when it comes to creating a healthy lifestyle and also setting boundaries. The gym world can be a very scary place, and as a woman it’s important to have your guard up! I think, as with every aspect of marriage, communication is key. My husband is very active and I love that about him! I feel it’s important to share that love

USANA Proudly Announces They Are Now A Trusted Partner And Sponsor Of The Dr. Oz Show

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to supplements, there is a company America’s doctor trusts — USANA Health Sciences, Inc. Announced today, the global nutrition company has joined the core of The Dr. Oz Show’s Trusted Partners and Sponsors. “For the Dr. Oz Show to call any company a Trusted Partner and Sponsor, it must meet certain criteria. Chief among them is integrity. We’ve done our research and found USANA to be an outstanding company. One that offers cutting-edge products that we here at the show would feel comfortable recommending to our wonderful audience,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz, cardiothoracic surgeon and three-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning Host of the three-time Emmy Daytime Award-winning The Dr. Oz Show. USANA began its relationship with Dr. Oz’s charitable foundation, HealthCorps, nearly three years ago with a common mission to fight for the health of America’s teenagers, especially in regard to weight issues. It is that mutual dedication to health that led to this new trusted partnership between USANA and The Dr. Oz Show. “My relationship with USANA has grown into one of deep admiration and mutual respect. It is clear that USANA and I share a common vision to make a positive impact on the health of others. It’s a natural relationship with the Dr. Oz Show,” added Dr. Oz. Starting this week and for months and years to come, viewers will be able to tune into the show and check out doctoroz. com to learn more about USANA and its award-winning

nutritional products. The Dr. Oz Show will kick off this new partnership by featuring USANA’s Procosa® — a product that delivers vegetarian glucosamine to help maintain healthy cartilage and joints. “Our products are designed for optimal cellular function in the body and we hold them to the highest possible standard, with rigorous research and testing. They are manufactured in an FDA-registered facility maintaining the highest Good Manufacturing Practices,” said Dr. Myron Wentz, USANA founder and chairman of the board. “We are thrilled to share our message of optimal health with the millions of Dr. Oz followers.” For more information about USANA’s products and company, visit USANA.com. About USANA Founded in 1992, USANA Health Sciences (NYSE: USNA) is a U.S.-based nutritional company that manufactures high-quality supplements, personal care and energy products in its FDA-registered facility in Salt Lake City. Learn more about USANA by visiting our web site http://www.usana.com or the official USANA blog http://whatsupusana.com. Media Contact: Ashley Collins Executive Director of Public Relations and Social Media (801) 954-7629 media(at)us.usana(dot)com Video - http://youtu.be/F3In1bw48Q0 Video - http://youtu. be/PaFvYE_ItiU Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/ prnh/20150120/170082 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120807/LA53885LOGO SOURCE USANA Health Sciences, Inc.

BDF: It can be challenging to eat healthy at home, esBDF: Do you, your hubby and your sons work out to- pecially when you have kids? Did you have to change gether? I love working out with my kids? Do they like their diets when you were training? Has your houseto work out with Mom and Dad? And what type of hold gone through a lifestyle change in reference to diet and exercise? exercises or activates do you do. for fitness and to be an example to your children.

Haven: My husband LOVES and plays lots of tennis, he ranked 5.0 currently and been to 2 national tournaments. Due to our schedules it’s hard to workout together, however, every so often we have a lifting session together. The boys play sports and of course tennis! As they’re getting older they’re getting more into it and hit with daddy a lot.

Haven: Yes I can! No I don’t have to change anyone’s diet however have to modify mine of course. During prep I try to incorporate part of what I making to fit my plan as well. I think we have gone thought somewhat of a change, just being more aware of what we’re eating and how much.

BDF: What does your family and friends think about

your fitness transformation? What kind affect does it have on them?

stops! It’s also not too late!!! Don’t let your age get in your way of what you want! Start slow and steady, Haven: Most friends and family have been very as you get stronger and healthier start to challenge supportive and encouraging. I have a few that have yourself more! If you need help, hire a trainer! frowned upon the sport I’ve chosen, however, I don’t BDF: If you had to describe yourself in a few words, think they realize what it’s about. A lot of family and what would that be…or what would you say? friends have been inspired by my transformation Yikes that’s a hard one! I would say that I’m a pasand shown them that if I can do it so can they! sionate woman who loves God and her family and BDF: What is your best advice to women over 35 regarding starting an exercise and fitness program?

wants to be an example to others of taking care of the temple(your body) we’ve been given!

Haven: PATIENCE!!!! Your ideal physique isn’t built BDF: What do you want women and men to take overnight it takes months/years and truthfully never away from your GFI classes and personal training sessions?

Haven: I want them to feel motivated and inspired when they leave my class or session. I also want them to feel like they got their butts kicked! lol.

BDF: What is your motto in life?

Haven He makes all things beautiful in His time BDF: Are you planning any other transformations in your life? Is there another fitness level you are trying to reach? Any additional schooling for fitness or nutrition?

Haven: I would love to compete a couple more times and attempt to get my Pro Card! Currently I don’t have plans, I’m so busy! However, I love to study and read up on the latest fitness topics and ways of thinking.

BDF: One last question…Who or what keeps you so motivated to maintaining this lifestyle change?

Haven: Seeing it motivate others!!! And loving what I see in the mirror!

Healthy Lifestyle With Dr. Lisa Piccione, MD Want to know the secret to longevity, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and optimal wellness?

There are no secrets. Stop making excuses, nourish your body and get up and move!

NOURISH . . .

1. Drink more water. Period.

2. Diet is a 4-letter word. Let’s not d-i-e-t, let’s nourish our bodies. Feed your body the nutrients it needs for proper functioning. If you put toilet water into your car’s gas tank, it won’t run well (or at all). The same goes for your body – if you feed it with junk, it will not function properly and you will not feel well.

3. Reduce your intake of (if not omit entirely) refined grains - Some examples of refined grain products are white flour, white bread, white rice, crackers, cereals, waffles, pancakes, chips . . . your body treats these like sugars.

4. Don’t reward yourself with food, unless of course you are a dog.

5. Just because it’s “all natural”, doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Arsenic is natural. So is cow dung and cyanide.

MOVE . . .

1. You don’t have time to exercise? Ok, well make sure you schedule in time for your cardiologist in the future.

2. Mix it up. A stale routine = motivation killer. Here are some options: Run, hike, bike, jump rope, swim, walk in the pool, use elliptical machine, stair climber, row, play tennis, go dancing, walk on the treadmill on an incline . . . you get the idea.

3. Sweat. If you don’t break a sweat – you aren’t working hard enough.

4. Weight training is a must. Building healthy muscle is essential to overall fitness. Strong muscles serve to protect your joints (including your neck and back), strengthen your bones, reduce your insulin burden and stops the jiggle.

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ifeStyles

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utterfly Ballerinas Club

W

hat are little girls made of? Little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. However, one ought not be fooled by this early, sugar-coated and fragile characterization of our daughters and nieces. Little girls eventually grow up to be the matrix and stabilizing rudder for our familial societies. So why it is important for young girls to have mentors or role

Virtues, which today's media disingenuously suggests, can be bought with money.

Consequently, young girls fancy the fortunes of celebrities and often see them as role models. But having gobs of money is only part of the equation that translates to success. Values and morals are integral parts of the mix.

Oprah Winfrey, the late Molly

models in today's society? It is very important that young girls learn to recognize, at an early age, what their potentials are, and who best to emulate, to ensure that those potentials are realized. Today, young girls are searching for identity, recognition,independence, freedom, friendship and love.

Ivins, Taylor Swift and Angelina Jolie are a few celebrities who have demonstrated that they are as good as their male counterparts, just as smart and just as capable. Their brand of success certainly qualifies them for mentor-ship. Many successful personalities will refer to a tough-love teacher or coach or

Mentoring and the Apple Tree Strong Daughters, Stronger Women

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upert J. Blaize is the former Ambassadorat-large for the Caribbean Twin-Island State of Antigua and Barbuda. He is a popular Singer, Songwriter and Recording Artist.

even someone in their family, who made a difference and impacted their lives at some critical juncture, as a reason for their success.

For some time now, women have been fighting the notion that they live in a man's world. They were led to believe that their parity with men could only be achieved incrementally. The final foray was and still is the shattering of the mythical "glass ceiling".

Men and women finally receiving equal pay for equal work rendered.

The capitalistic system that is so well entrenched, mainly in our western capitals, is devoid of morals. It's all about the money. Whose job is it then to instill values and morals in our youths? Parents cannot cede their responsibilities of mentoring and parenting their children to media celebrities and stars. And young girls should not have total freedom to learn whatever they want from today's societies. Young girls must be formerly introduced to the roots of the Family Tree (Mother, Father, Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie, Uncle) highlighting their sacrifices and contributions, to ensure that the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Still today, a major school of thought is that the world, with men at the helm as leaders, is tottering on the brink of disaster. We need a change-a change in gender leadership. Young girls must be groomed to assume the arduous mantle. Let the mentoring begin!! There's much work to be done.

Women In Business, British Virgin Islands

By Patricia Adams

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raditionally, women in the Virgin Islands (VI), like in most Caribbean islands, primary role was to take care of their homes and were often referred to as “homemakers”. If they did venture out into the workforce, they would likely hold roles such as administrative assistants, cashiers or secretaries. However, today there is a new breed of women in the VI, women who possess an entrepreneurial spirit, are independent, strong, and deeply grounded in their faith. They have worked their way up the corporate ladder through dedication and now hold some of the top positions in major organizations both within the private and public sectors. Roles such as Speaker of the House, Managing Directors, Vice Presidents or Head of Departments are just some of the roles held by women in business on the island. Not to mention that some even successfully own and operate their own business on the side - a far cry from being classified as a “homemaker.”

“The reality though, is that being a woman in business does not erase those traditional expectations placed on us, especially if we are married and with children”

Photo (2nd from left) Stedman Graham, (Author, Educator, Entrepreneur) (3rd from left) Patricia Adams with leadership team at a Success Conference in Tortola.

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eing the Head of Human Resources for a leading telecommunication company, responsible for six territories, I am often away from my family as I travel across the Caribbean to work. So when I am home, spending quality time with family is essential. Additionally, as Director of Communications at my church, I am responsible for the Public Relations, Events and Media Ministries. I also assist my mother with managing our family business. In all instances, I work with incredible supportive teams.

The reality though, is that being a woman in business does not erase those traditional expectations placed on us, especially if we are married and with children.

Although some of my counterparts are single with no children, most are like me, married with children and have had to master the delicate act of balancing both family and career. As a result, despite our many achievements and how far we’ve come as women, the obligation of being a mother, wife and primary caretaker are still expected. So, while preparing dinner and checking on homework, thoughts of how to strategically undertake tomorrow occupy my mind; but

that’s the price for following your dreams and daring to believe that you can have it all. I will admit it isn’t at all easy! So how do I manage? With a strong, solid family support system and the grace of God. In heart to heart conversations with some of these women, both single and married, it is evident that we share the importance of spirituality in our lives.

Our days start and end with prayer, praise and worship. That is the primary source of our strength. For this reason, many are very active in church and they willingly give back to the community by mentoring younger women on how to balance their lives physically, mentally and spiritually. They stress that it has not always been easy, as there were and still are, sacrifices that have to be made. I remember in the earlier days of my career, my son and daughter growing up in the backseat of my vehicle, because I was always on the go: from work to soccer to dance to church then home. I know, yes - sleep was a luxury, but thank God for living in a family oriented community where the extended family of aunts, grandmothers, sisters and even godmothers still all pitch in when needed

to support a career minded woman like myself. Having a good support system is key and as “iron sharpens iron”, these women will make time to meet in support groups, either at their homes or in a church setting, to share their ideas and experiences.

entrepreneurship are offered and women are overwhelmingly in attendance.

As a woman, I have been blessed with a wonderful life that keeps me motivated to accomplish even more. I appreciate my past, acknowledge my present and embrace the future. I believe that when faith and works Four Categories of Women in the Virgin Islands (VI) I would say we have four (4) categories of come together all things are possible. “women in business” or “women of business “in the Virgin Islands.

By Patricia Adams 1. Women who go into business but still hold their day to day job 2. Retired women who go into business to remain productive 3. Women who have acquired a thriving family business 4. Women who take the leap of FAITH, leave their 9 to 5 and follow their dream to start a business

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hese women are not holders of Masters or PhD’s, but holders of a dream and a true entrepreneurial spirit. As a matter of fact, the women who hold these degrees, on average, tend to work within organizations and have worked their way up the corporate ladder. On the Island, many seminars and workshops around business and

Patricia Adams lives in the Virgin Islands with her husband and her two children. She is Head of Human Resources and currently working on launching her own business in Leadership Training. ​

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Tips for Hair Care ven when we have a standing appointment with our stylist, there are times that we just cannot get to the salon. So ladies, what do we do with our beautiful main in the meantime? Hairstylist, Yolanda Turner of Crown of Glory Hair Salon in Dallas, TX, has shared 10 tips below regarding how we should care for our hair in between visits. Let’s see what she has to say regarding maintaining the health of our hair!

1

Always wrap hair at night time before going to bed with a satin scarf or satin bonnet. This will help your hair retain moisture.

Satin scarfs or bonnet sleep caps can be purchased at a Sally Beauty Supply ($2.99-$5.49)

2

Sleep on a satin pillow case because, cotton pillowcase makes hair, dry, brittle and prone to breakage. Satin pillowcases can be brought at department stores such as Target and Sears ($9.99-$24.39)

3

Prior to going to bed, brush your hair at least 10 strokes to increase blood circulation and hair growth. I recommend the Denman brush to my clients. For a wide variety of Denman brushes go to www.denmanbrush.com ($5.21$12.26)

4

Shampoo hair with a moisturizing shampoo to keep hair soft and to prevent dryness. A good moisturizing shampoo is Kera Care Moisturizing Shampoo

by Avlon. At JCPenny, Walmart (8 fl.oz. $9.62-$14.49).

5

Buy a good daily moisturizer such as Mizani Rose H20 and use a dime size amount at least three times a week on your hair. Pick up jar at UTLA Beauty and other specialty stores (8.0 OZ $19.99)

6

Take hair vitamins such as Biotin 500mg or 1000mg.

I recommend Hairfinity Hair Vitamins because it nourishes your hair from the inside out, as it is packed with essential nutrients such as Biotin, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Vitamin, A, C, and D, Vitamin B12, just to name a few. Order this dietary supplement online www.hairfinity.com or find a retailer near you. (1 month supply $24.99)

7

Take time to relax yourself, as stress has powerful effects on your entire body, and can wreak havoc on hair and skin. Enjoy a warm bath, get a massage and make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep at night.

9

Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to help our bodies function properly. If your hair roots are deficient in adequate water levels, your hair will eventually become dry and brittle. Which may interfere with healthy hair growth.

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Last but not least, do not use curling and flat irons on your hair. Excessive heat will cause the hair to be dry, brittle, and break. Instead, wrap your hair or roller set it with magnetic rollers “This is much healthier for your hair!” (Magnetic rollers start at $4.29 at Sally Beauty Supply).

8

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables as they provide a natural source of essential hair nutrients. Fruits such as Sweet potatoes, pumpkins, carrots are packed with beta-carotene that converts to vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A helps the production of oils that are good for a healthy scalp. Loganberries, raspberries and strawberries are very rich in vitamin B, which gives your cells a lot of oxygen, reduces hair loss, slows the graying process, stimulate hair growth and adds shine to your hair.

Yolanda Turner Owner of Crown of Glory Hair Salon, Irving, TX

3809 S. 2nd St. Suite D100, Austin TX 78704 Expert Chiropractic Adjustments and Nutritional Testing Services Provided •

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Scheduling (512) 800-2569 Business Inquiries (512) 900-0245

Chiropractic Work - Chiropractic Adjustments Dr. Mahaffey has had great success with people who suffer from back pain, digestive problems, ADHD, weight gain, depression, blood sugar imbalances, insomnia, menopause and many other nutritional and hormonal imbalances. Her approach is to interrupt imbalances in the body before the disease process starts.

A Healthy Lifestyle We believe that chiropractic care is a core component of a healthy lifestyle. Just as a well-maintained car is less likely to break down, a well-aligned body is less likely to get sick or injured. Barefoot Chiropractic & Wellness Center is an authorized dealer for Nutri-West™, Standard Process™ and Apex Energetics™ nutritional supplements to help you achieve a healthy active lifestyle.

Meet Dr. Mahaffey

Christie decided to enter the holistic health care field after she saw a chiropractor at age 27. Her chiropractor was the first doctor to address her body, lifestyle and emotions as a whole while attending to her needs. No other doctor had helped her tackle her digestive problems, neck and insomnia in one office before! Christie had an epiphany. Now THIS is healthcare. She saw holistic care as a huge contrast to the traditional medical system's route. Christie volunteered at the county hospital ER while in Dallas and saw, first hand, the misery of the environment and people that were stuck in a system that is failing. That first chiropractic visit opened up a new exciting world of transformation for Dr. Mahaffey.

Prior to going to doctoral school, Dr. Mahaffey spent 4 years doing cancer research at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. While there she was published 3 times

in the area of immunology and melanoma research. She also spent time volunteering for Parkland Hospital ER while working at the research center.

Dr. Christie Mahaffey graduated from the acclaimed Parker University in Dallas TX. Dr Mahaffey is board certified in the State of Texas to practice Chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and Nutrition Response Testing.

Besides her doctorate, she holds bachelor’s of science degrees each in Biology, Anatomy, and Health & Wellness.

While not at work, she enjoys reading, running, swimming at Deep Eddy, live music (especially at the Continental Club) and any craft project she can get her hands on. If you travel to Playa Del Carmen you may see her and her husband, Nick, on the beach or playing in the waves.

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