October 28, 2015

Yoga with Jenna Hill

October 28, 2015/ sherri d'alessandro

A few weeks ago... I won one of the prizes in the Caught in Southie Instagram contest. Sidebar: If you live in Southie and you don't follow "Caught in Southie", you need to get on that... STAT.

Anyway, to my delight... I won a complimentary private Yoga session with Jenna Hill. Jenna teaches all over the city including at The Club by George Foreman and Charlestown Yoga. You can find her full schedule here. In addition to teaching in a class format and private settings; Jenna is one of the co-owners/founders of PopUpAsana. She and Kristin Khederian created this business as a way to make yoga more interesting, social and fun for their attendees. They have events all over the city and beyond and are currently working on the website but in the meantime, check out their facebook and instagram!

As soon as Jenna greeted me... I knew I liked her. She is warm, friendly, and extremely well-versed in yoga. She asked me a bunch of questions regarding my current state of health. She also asked me about past injuries, what I might want to work on, and if there are any exceptionally "tight or cranky" areas that I needed to work out.

As I moved through my practice, Jenna focused on giving my hamstrings, feet, upper back, and lower back some attention. (Yes, I told her all of those things needed help haha).

Jenna gave me all kinds of new yoga moves that I have never done before... plus some old goodies that I've neglected to do as of late. Every little re-position, adjusted twist and turn made a HUGE difference in the poses and by the time savasana came around... I was feeling GREAT! Plus, see that sunset behind me? So pretty ( and relaxing!)

I enjoyed my practice with Jenna so much that it made me REALLY want to get back into Yoga. I put a lot of demands on my body between boxing, running and lifting so I could really use some yoga in my life to balance it all out.

Thank you so much for this session, Jenna - it was amazing!

If you are interested in getting in touch with Jenna.. see links below:
Facebook: Jenna Hill Yoga
Twitter: JennaMHill
Instagram: jenna_m_hill
Web: jennahillyoga.com
Email: jenna@jennahillyoga.com

Have a great Thursday! xo

October 21, 2015

NBGNO "Knock Out Cancer" Recap!

October 21, 2015/ sherri d'alessandro

Last week, we wrapped up the last NBGNO of the year with a cause very close to my heart... "Knock Out Cancer!". I can't think of a better way to close out the season than with an event that not only unites women but also draws attention to a disease that has touched the lives of so many people. Together, we dedicated our workouts to those that have been personally affected by breast cancer. We shared stories, we learned more about the disease, and we celebrated the 26-year-strong partnership of New Balance and Susan G. Komen.

During this 26 year timeframe, the LaceUp365 program developed by New Balance has raised approximately $30MM for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. What's the main goal? To someday have a world without breast cancer AND to live a healthy lifestyle EVERY DAY.

As NBGNO typically goes... we chatted, hydrated, and headed out for a workout with two of Boston's most fearless leaders: Eliza Shirazi and Susan Reardon from The Club by George Foreman.

Check out this setup! Eliza on the left and Susan on the right. Their energy is ELECTRIC! The workouts were incredible. I know that every gal walked away sweaty, confident, excited, and feeling like they just kicked cancer's ass.

FIERCE on so many levels.

When we got back to the store - the energy was incredible. Everyone got some appetizers and cocktails and then it was time to hear Dr. Priscilla Brastianos share her story. I was honored to have met Dr. Brastianos at both the Komen "Race for the Cure" and at the NBGNO event last year. She is beyond amazing. She is a woman on a mission with a deeply personal connection and passion for finding a cure for breast cancer. She has won numerous awards and accolades including being named a Komen Research Grantee. Dr. Brastianos is the Director of the Brain Metastasis Program at Mass General and is part of the teaching faculty at Harvard Medical School. When she's not analyzing DNA, teaching, or saving lives -- she lives a healthy lifestyle -- running the Charles and writing poetry.

This year and last, Dr. Brastianos shared a fact with us that HAS ALWAYS STUCK WITH ME... READY FOR THIS?

-- REGULAR EXERCISE REDUCES YOUR RISK OF BREAST CANCER BY 20%.

If that doesn't motivate you... I don't know what will. 20% is HUGE. That is why it is so important to share our knowledge and participate in these types of events. Knowledge truly is power.

As the night carried on... we continued to share stories, mingle, and celebrate the night.

It was a truly special evening. Thank you NEW BALANCE for an incredible season of NBGNOs. Until next year, my friends... xo!

October 08, 2015

Want to Knock out Cancer with me?

October 08, 2015/ sherri d'alessandro

Because I seriously hate cancer and I'd like to punch it. And guess what? New Balance will be giving us that opportunity next Thursday the 15th at the next NBGNO!

As many of you know, my sister Stacy was diagnosed with the horrific disease last year. I am very happy to report that after a very rough year of surgeries, chemo, radiation, and hospital stays... Stacy is doing great and she RAN the Komen Race last week. She RAN it.

Dr. brastianos is pictured in the back row... third from the left.

I'll be back next week with the incredibly brilliant, inspiring, and kind-hearted, Dr. Brastianos. If you haven't already heard Dr. Brastianos speak, just wait and see - she is truly incredibly. As a side note, she really helped me with some tough questions I had during this event last year. NBGNO happened to fall during a week when Stacy was having a big set-back in her treatment; Dr. Brastianos was able to provide me with some key information that helped me relax a little bit. Anyway, I really appreciated her help.

This year, as the theme states... we'll be "knocking out cancer" with both Eliza and Susan from The Club by George Foreman. I'm especially excited about this as my main form of exercise is fighter conditioning classes. This event is going to be INCREDIBLE!