Meet Michelle from Barre Variations. Her technique is inclusive, creative and backed by proper biomechanics. Michelle has a BFA in dance, PMA-CPT, 200 hour Yoga certification and trained in The Roll Model Method by Jill Miller. Michelle put together together a 20 minute prenatal workout that's just as challenging even if you aren't pregnant. Read on to try her workout and get some of your prenatal workout questions answered! 

Owner and instructor at Page One Pilates in Chicago, IL, Page has been a certified pilates instructor for over 10 years teaching in France and the United States. Her dynamic and challenging workouts will leave you feeling stronger and balanced. We’re giving you a 20 minute at-home mat based sculpt workout. Join Page as she guides you through moves for a 20 minute three-part series that targets glutes and abs. This workout is designed to keep both your body and mind engaged. All you need is yourself, a mat and your grip socks. Tips: You can run through the series twice if you want an extra challenge. And, you can add on 2 lb ankle weights if you want even more intensity. Three-Part Workout View this post on Instagram Workout with Page at Page One Pilates. She created a 20 minute mat-based sculpt to target your glutes and abs! A post shared by Pointe Studio (@pointestudio) on Dec 18, 2019 at 2:35pm PST   Glutes Series Set-up: Start on your knees + elbows One leg reaches straight up to the ceiling for double pulses (20 sets). Then, reach the leg straight out and bend the knee into the abs (20 sets) Now, straight leg taps the floor then double pulses up to ceiling (20 sets) Bend the knee to shoulder and kick high to ceiling (10 sets + hold for 20 pulses) Repeat series on the other leg. Reset: Start on knees + one elbow Sweep your straight leg in an arc tapping the floor and circle back up to a high lift (10 sets). Then alternate between a hydrant lift with a kick to the side (10 sets). Next, reach the leg out to the floor for a big leg circle. Leg moves back / tap floor / bend in / tap floor (10 sets). Now, reverse your circle (10 sets). Final set, tap foot to floor / knee to shoulder / tap floor and lift leg straight up (10 sets). Repeat series on the other leg. Abs Series Set-up: Start lying down on your back with hands behind head Start with one heel crossed over the opposite toes, curl up and bend knee to shoulder as you curl up, then lower down (10 sets). Then, stay curled up and bend / straighten knee and tap heel to toes (10 sets). With one leg bent and one leg straight, stay curled up - lift the straight leg / lower straight leg / straighten bent leg and tap opposite heel to toes (10 sets). Final set, curl up and lift leg straight up / cross to opposite foot / lift leg back up and lower leg, place head back down (10 sets). Repeat the ab series with the opposite leg set-up. Glutes & Abs Combo Move Set-up: Start on one elbow on your side with bent knees.  Lift hips up to side plank. Lower back down and kick top leg out. Alternate top leg kick with side plank (10 sets). Hold at the top of side plank and just kick leg out to the side (20 sets) Repeat the move on the opposite side. For more inspiration, follow Page One Pilates on Instagram and if you're in the area, go take a class. You won't regret it!   

Meet Alysia from Purely Pope. She shares one of her favorite recipes for the colder temperatures, vegan pumpkin chili. Read on to hear a little bit more about what inspires her to live and feel well each day! What does a day in the life of Alysia look like?  The day always starts out with my morning routine. When I wakeup, I reach for my Five Minute Journal, which is focused on gratitude. From there, I do a short 10-20 minute meditation with the Ten Percent Happier App. After I'm awake and feeling super grateful, I then begin to get my workout clothes on and prep for pilates. It's my absolute favorite workout! Once my workout is in, I will make myself a cup of green tea with a little Inulin (great for digestion) and lemon and get the work day started. I'm the Director of Events at a wellness company, so it really fits in seamlessly with my interests (aka dream job!) Towards the end of the day, I will begin to do some school work. I'm currently enrolled in the Institue of Integrative Nutrition, more on that here. I will be taking Health Coaching clients very soon! The evenings are typically me experimenting in my kitchen and then of course documenting it all for my blog, PurelyPope! What made you want to get involved in the wellness space?  I really believe that in order to live well, you need to feel well. It all is integrated in our overall happiness! I've always been that girl in my group of friends and family that is preaching all things self-care and wellness, and I wanted to share my practical lifestyle tips and tricks, recipes, etc. that allowed you to not only be healthy but also have an amazing and exciting life while you were at it!  What's your favorite recipe to make? At the moment I'm so into Fall Flavors, so most definitely my Low Carb, Vegan, Pumpkin Chili or my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies! Do you have a mantra that helps you get to class, outside, or just get moving on those days when you're not motivated? My daily mantra for getting motivated is that I am a positive, confident and intelligent woman who can inspire others and lift others up. This really inspires me to be the best version of myself each day. For me, movement is truly my medication and I KNOW that I will never regret a sweat and that I'm only one workout away from a good mood! :) 

Meet LA-based actor and model, Natasha. She is the epitome of what Pointe Studio means when we say "sanity not vanity" when it comes to working out. And because we find her to be so inspirational, we've also been lucky enough to have her model in some campaigns. Curious to know more about this strong, stunning lady? Read on and learn why Natasha embodies our core philosophy in her day-to-day life. Tell us a little bit about yourself!  I live in sunny southern California by way of Portland and the San Francisco Bay. I think that life should be an adventure every day, so I love to explore: new coffee shops, new cities, a new route to walk through the neighborhood. I'm a professional model and actress who has an obsession with fitness, food, and my dog, Riley.  How does fitness play a role in your day to day life? Fitness is like brushing your teeth: You'd never go a day without it (I hope). It's not something I have to do but something I get to do and want to do. I do it more for my mind than anything else; It keeps me grounded and reminds me not only to push past barriers in life but also to know when to release and pull back.  What is your favorite workout? Because I'm in a constant state of wanderlust, I rarely do the same thing everyday. My philosophy is to constantly change it up and keep it interesting, so it really depends on whatever mood I'm in that day. But if I had to choose, I'd say the 45 minute 'Leaner' class at Prevail Boxing in Hollywood. It's the perfect combination of full body HIIT and boxing; And always pushes me to my limits but leaves me feeling like a total superhero.  What does a normal day look like for you, from start to finish? I rarely know what any given day can look like from one week to the next, but generally my morning routine is one I have cultivated over the years to set me up for success mentally and spiritually — so I complete it religiously without fail. My alarm goes off just before sunrise, labeled with affirming words and a song that inspires me. Coffee, candles, journal, prayer, the morning bird songs, and sunrise. It's making time for that sacred self care that makes or breaks my day. If I miss it, i'm literally not the same person. After that it's off to the races! I feed and walk the dog and make my way to set where I'll grab breakfast (if I'm shooting that day). Because most of my work is active, I generally don't workout on days that I'm shooting. After work I'll rush home, walk the pup for an hour with no phone or music, just taking in the day, letting my mind rest. I'll head home to make dinner while listening to a podcast or YouTube sermon, read a bit, then lights out around 10pm. On days I'm not shooting I often have two or three castings, so I'll prioritize my workout in the morning because that's when I'm my most energized and inspired to workout. It also saves me from that nagging 'you have to workout later' guilt trip that we let play in our heads. Once I work out, I head home for my everyday breakfast of two poached eggs or egg whites, a cup of wilted spinach, and 1/2 mashed sweet potato with vegan butter. From there it's castings and errands until I get back to the casa to walk with Riley and do the dinner podcast thing again Which sock from the photoshoot was your favorite? The black ankle socks - black is my Happy Color  Do you have any advice for readers who are struggling to stay motivated while working out? Find something you love, but always — before you workout do the 'mood work' — check in with yourself. Ask yourself how you're feeling and what you need emotionally. I find that my physical workout needs change depending on my emotional workout needs. For example, If I'm feeling kinda sad and need to clear my head, I'll usually opt for a long run or yoga. That way, the process of working out is actually therapeutic. So it's not something I'm suffering through, it's something I'm embracing because it's soothing and makes me feel better. Likewise, if I'm feeling angry or frustrated, I'll opt for boxing or lifting weights because I need to let out some aggression. I've found that when I couple my workout with what I want or need emotionally, rather than just doing something because I have to check it off the list, I give 100% effort and get 100% back. 

The word mindfulness has become a buzzword, especially in the fitness and mental health space. We’re bombarded with messages about being mindful and intentional, but are then left to figure out what that looks like within our own lives. What does it mean to be mindful? How exactly do we become more intentional or find balance? We’ve thought a lot about balance, and about making the aspirational attainable. Unfortunately there is no blueprint (though if you have one, feel free to share), and everyone’s experience is a bit different. That said, there are a few things we’re trying — despite the fact that they’re not always easy to put into practice. Find our mindfulness goals ahead — and if you’re game, join us.  Say No For some of us, saying no can be pretty damn hard. However, it’s an important step in maintaining balance. Say no when someone asks you to hang but you’re not feeling it. Say no even when you scheduled that extra pilates class but your body needs a break. Tune into yourself and establish your own boundaries — you might just find a whole lot more peace. Slow Down Give yourself permission to slow down. Breathe and create space (yes, we did take that line from our favorite yoga instructor). Life moves so fast, we forget to take deep breaths and really connect with our minds and bodies. Avoid getting stuck in a spot in life where you move through the motions just because it’s routine. Gain awareness by shaking things up and then slowing them down. Reflect Slowing down can free up space to reflect. On what exactly? Ultimately, that’s up to you. Once you take a pause, this might become a whole lot more clear. Make the most of this moment by meditating for a few minutes or writing in a journal. Do whatever helps brings some clarity to your thoughts. This can be done in the comfort of your own home, a local park, a nearby beach, or backyard woods. No passport or fancy meditation schedule required. And if you’re struggling to reflect, try saying a few affirmators out loud — and say them until you believe them. Here are a few of our faves. I am getting stronger every day. I am in awe of what my body is capable of. No one can make me feel inferior. I was not made to give up. I will not worry about things I cannot control. I am worthy of love and respect. I am surrounded by positivity. I have the courage to say “no”.