On Friday, May 20th I had the opportunity to experience one of my dreams come true - a dream I've had since I was 13 and was inspired by the movie, "The Black Stallion" at that time. I yearned to have a relationship with a horse like that, but also, to run free on its back on the beach - my all-time favorite scene!  What a sense of freedom and joy!

In my "quest" to find that horse, I discovered that God doesn't always give us what we want, but He gives us what we need.  And that's when He gave me, Little Miss. 

At the time, Miss was only a year old and was a scrawny, malnourished, and neglected little girl - not even close to the strong and elegant Black Stallion, yet something about Little Miss' sweet soul tugged at mine and I knew she was the one. Twenty-nine years later, my soul companion and I got to experience "our" dream... running free on the beach! 

Oh my.  What a magical and "Miss"tical moment that was and forever will be etched in our collective heart and soul.

I have learned so much about life from Miss over the years.  In this case, it is to never disregard our dreams - no matter how far-fetched.  When we keep our hearts open and believe (and exercise patience and faith), our dreams come, and when they do, we often find that God has imagined it to be that much more magnificent than we ever could.

Believe in YOU & your dreams!  They are meant to be lived!

Lisa Brisse & State of the Heart Fitness

For more from Lisa about her magical day with Little Miss, check out her blog at www.stateoftheheartfitness.com/blog

We know that to maintain strong bones, proper posture, as well as a healthy back and body overall, resistance (strength) training is a must if we don't want our muscles to turn to mush!  Unfortunately, living in a culture that promotes a sedentary lifestyle, this is the very thing that often happens - our muscles atrophy (shrink in size) - and as a result, many health issues follow suit.  

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends a minimum of 2 days a week of some form of resistance training to maintain the muscle tissue we need to sustain a healthy and strong body. Resistance training can include various modalities such as weight machines, free weights (dumbbells), exercise balls and bands, as well as simply using one's own body weight. 

Working in this field for 18 years now, some people have a hard time believing that yes, even I struggle to get my 2 strength training workouts in a week.  Why? I'll be honest... boredom.  So, for myself, I have to change it up.  Sometimes I do a quick, but effective 20 minute routine of weight machines and free weights.  Sometimes its an overall body routine using the exercise ball or bands.  Lately, I've been exercising with a friend (which is always a plus not only for the social aspect, but mostly for the accountability factor) out on the beach. How great... just to be outdoors! I love it. 

The key for me is variety, and it's because of this that I'm excited to share a new way of strength training that uses one simple piece of equipment - a suspension strap that allows you to do a workout almost anywhere - in the gym, at home, outside (on the beach), or wherever! It's called TRX Training and it is a mode of strength training that simply uses a special strap and your body weight as resistance.  I'm also excited to share that our own Rob Robinson recently took a certification course to be a specialized trainer for the TRX method of training and he's open for clients who are looking to either add a little variety to their routine or for those who want to establish a strength training routine in the first place!  The great thing is that TRX training can be suited for all fitness levels, so everyone should give it a try!

SPECIAL THIS MONTH
State of the Heart Fitness is offering
FREE half hour introductory sessions
with Rob. 
PLUS, a $10 off discount applies
on all TRX training sessions during
the month of June!

Hurry!  Rob's schedule is limited so Email TODAY to sign up! 

NOTE:  Be one of the first 3 to sign up
and get a full hour session FREE!

Summer represents such an active, fun time of the year.  During the winter months, the natural rhythms of the planet and our bodies call us to retreat a little more within ourselves as the daylight hours wane.  However, when summertime rolls around, it seems everyone can't wait to get outside to take in the added hours of daylight and warm weather! 

At State of the Heart Fitness, we like to take advantage of the outdoors during the summertime, hence the reason I'd like to personally invite you to join us for our activities and programs that we will be offering!

On June 21st we will be starting our annual (summer only) Basic Training on the Beach program that will run on Tuesday & Thursday mornings from 6:30-7:30 am for 8 weeks.  This is a fun group training program that combines cardio, strength & flexibility training and is the perfect way to start one's day, even if you aren't the typical early riser.  Try a class for free, if you're not sure.  You will find that there is nothing like the serene and calm feeling of the beach in the morning along with getting the heart pumping with exercise (which always ends with a relaxing meditative stretch).  It's the best combination to make you feel energized and your best for the remainder of the day.  Please note that all fitness levels are welcome and exercises are modified so all can enjoy the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors while getting fit at the same time!

On Wednesday, June 15th, we will be doing our next Full Moon Hike on the Los Liones trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.  For those of you who have joined us before, we hope to see you there for this one!  For those of you who have yet to attend one of our moonlight hikes, it's time for you to join us!  We begin our hike up the trail in the sunlight and by the time we reach our vista (about 45 minutes from our starting point), the sun will have set and the moon will be rising in the eastern sky.  There is nothing like the full moon over the lights of LA and the Santa Monica Bay.  It is incredible and breathtaking.  After doing a short meditation at the top, everyone gets out their flashlights as we hike down with the light of the moon and listen to the crickets.  It doesn't get more peaceful than that.  We certainly hope you can join us and of course, bring your friends.  Just RSVP so we know if we should expect you! 

On Tuesday, June 21st, we will celebrate the longest day of the year - the Summer Solstice - with a Stroll & Stretch along the beach waterfront while the sun dips into the western horizon over the Santa Monica Mountains.  It's a great way to relax and unwind from work, while taking a moment to consciously acknowledge and honor the earth, the sun, and the changing of the seasons.  This too is open to your friends and family, so call to RSVP and we hope to see you there!

NOTE:  All of these activities & programs are open to everyone.  Participants don't have to be a member of the Loews to join in! 

On Thursday, May 12th, Lisa was asked to give a motivational speech to a group of 20+ students at Cal State-Fullerton who participated in a 10 week "Biggest Loser" type competition.  Over the course of 10 week period, students were trained a couple times a week by student trainers, were counseled by the University dietitians and were educated on establishing a healthy lifestyle habits that hopefully will lay the foundation for the rest of their lives.  Lisa gleaned from her years of experience in coaching people through lifestyle change, including her own personal journey of health to share some of the key points she believes are vital in living a life of optimal health & happiness. 

To view her 18 minute talk, click here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRrSE6HkQIw&NR=1

Note:  Lisa is available to speak at your upcoming event. 
For more information, see:  http://www.stateoftheheartfitness.com/lectures.htm

Summer's Here!  Recruit Your Friends!

Let's Get Fit & Have Fun in the Early Morning Sun!

Special 8-week Summer Program
BASIC TRAINING ON THE BEACH!

June 21st - August 11th
Tuesday & Thursday mornings
6:30am - 7:30am
Cost:  $325

Must Sign up by Friday, June 17th
Sign up by Tuesday, June 14th & get $25 off! 

Email or Call to SIGN UP at 310.899.4046!
& get a FREE water bottle &
State of the Heart Fitness t-shirt!

Check out a fun video from last year's Beach Training:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJu1ELFRX1k

Come howl at the Moon with Us on our next
FULL MOON HIKE

Los Liones Trail
Wednesday, June 15th

Meets: 1st parking lot on right of Los Liones road
Time: 7:45 pm - 9:30pm
Suggested Donation: $10

Bring a flashlight & a friend

Email or Call to SIGN UP at 310.899.4046!

Let's Celebrate the Summer Solstice
on the Beach with our

SOLSTICE SUNSET STROLL & STRETCH

Tuesday, June 21st

Time:  7:30-8:15 pm
Meets: at the grass square on the
beach side of the Loews
Suggested Donation:  $10

Email or Call to SIGN UP at 310.899.4046

Special Request:  Please Help Us with Yelp! 

In our efforts to increase State of the Heart Fitness' exposure to the local Santa Monica and West Side community, we are asking for your help.  If you have worked with State of the Heart Fitness in the past or present, or have had a positive experience participating in one our activities such as a full moon hike or a beach walk/stretch - or whatever it might be - we kindly ask for you to write a short review about State of the Heart Fitness on the website, Yelp (it's like a local yellow pages directory).  We value your time and thoughts and thank you for your loyalty to State of the Heart Fitness!  We look forward to continuing to share our heart with yours and many others in the future!

To write a review, Click HERE
Thank YOU!

Call 310.899.4046 or E-mail
to sign up for any of our activities!

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State of the Heart Fitness, P.O. Box 7013 Santa Monica, CA 90406
T: (310) 842-5657     info@stateoftheheartfitness.com      www.stateoftheheartfitness.com

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