Many people ask me about Pilates in comparison to yoga as I teach studio to studio. And, I love the question as I am a yogi that has done Pilates off and on for years. Actually before yoga, my first true disciplined workout was Pilates. But discipline for me is really where the comparisons end. I needed more of a soul connect.

When I took my first Pilates class back in 1995, it was to seek solace from a dead-end job and a faltering relationship as I was told you could “get in the zone…” with Pilates. Feeling too old and out of shape to return to ballet classes, I thought Pilates would be a great place (more…)

OK folks, I wish I was the first to break this story, but I’m not. You know I love all things green, organic and eco-friendly. It shouldn’t come as a shock that some ingenious and inventive eco-savvy entrepreneurs have developed an an eco-erotic boutique Organic Pleasure, specializing in organic and non-toxic pleasure tools as well as vegan massage oils. Leave it to the Brits. (more…)

Tuesday evening I had the extreme pleasure of attending a glamorous, albeit steamy, party for the launch of Kate Hudson’s new eco hair care line, David Babaii for Wild Aid, in partnership with her long time hairstylist David Babaii. The collection launched at the fabulous emporium ABC Carpet & Home in New York City’s Flatiron District. For those not in the know, ABC could not have been a more perfect fit — as a retailer they are committed to offering products that serve communities and give back to causes having established ABC Home & Planet Foundation. (more…)

What can we say about Dads? If you were lucky enough to have a great one like I did - it’s pretty much a thankless job most of the time - dolling out funds, fending off creepy crawlies in the night and generally going, “Yes, dear…” while the game was on, but secretly hearing all. Well to thank Dad this Father’s Day, why not choose from some gift ideas that honor him, his passions and the environment? You may be thinking, “Green is my bag (more…)

I know there are so many strains of yoga - and for the yoga purists it might seem overwhelming, daunting and just plain hokey. Well not to thousands of practitioners and students who take some of these more untraditional practices and call it there own.

Enter Laughter Yoga. Laughter Yoga (LY) is a relatively new style of yoga (more…)

In this last segment in our our 4-part Healthy Skin Care Series, where we’ve been reviewing various chemicals in skin care products, today beYOUmag.com looks this week at petroleum and petroleum derivatives and their impact in your skin care products while investigating some healthy alternatives.

What is petroleum?
Petroleum jelly - as it’s referred (more…)

Summer is approaching and all of a sudden the desire to expose arms and legs is upon us. Problem is: those limbs might not have seen the sun in months. The desire to “lay a base” for beach season or bronze-up pale body parts is strong now. However, try and resist the urge to “fake bake” or indulge in a tanning bed session. According to a piece on Mayo Clinic’s site all exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is damaging to the skin.

Alternatives: I know some people get a little disconcerted by sunless tanning products (more…)

Many in the yoga community tend to use natural or homeopathic cures, or turn to Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before turning to over-the-counter prescription drugs. The general consensus being Western medicine treats the symptoms but doesn’t get to the cause or the root of the problem. However, I completely recognize and thank the pharmaceutical companies (more…)

Continuing our look at various chemicals in skin care products in our Healthy Skin Care Series, beYOUmag.com looks this week at propylene glycol and its impact in your skin care products and some healthy alternatives.

What is propylene glycol?
Propylene glycol is in the alcohol family and is a clear, viscous type compound used primarily in skin care products as a moisturizer, emulsifier, lubricant (as in personal care), and is one of the main ingredient in deodorants. (more…)

The term has been subtly creeping into the lexicon: greenwashing.

Now I’m hearing it all the time - and I understand why. According to the U.S.-based watchdog organization CorpWatch, greenwash is “the phenomena of socially and environmentally destructive corporations, attempting to preserve and expand their markets or power by posing as friends of the environment…” Wow. (more…)