I guess life does have cycles. We do everything in stages only to race to a finish line. We spend 18 years to get good grades and to figure out where we end up in terms of who finished where within their class and we focus on getting into that school to do our race all over again but for shorter periods of time. This race ends and some continue on their education track while others dive into a career and yet there are many detours, stops and starts along the way but we're all on our grind hustling and trying to figure out where we're going. There's no rule book to success but the more you're out there, you're bound to get it. But where do we need to be and what is the holy grail of "it"? It can be a little daunting and at the age of 30 I find myself saying what is it that I want and how to reorganize some of my priorities as I need to make sure that I am taking care of myself. Taking care of myself does mean staying fit, eating right etc but it's to also remember that I am a multi-faceted person with various needs. Your body knows what it wants if you listen.

I had heard about S Factor from the beginning of me coming to NY but it took until earlier this year for me to go to an open house that Crystal at Tasty Morsels Bakery participated in at S Factor for me to see a demo that kept me in awe. To have the body control to do the amazing tricks that were done on the pole was definitely a mind bender and it was a few days later that I took the intro class. I love challenging exercises that stimulate the body and the mind and I had nothing but positive things to report on this site but life is interesting. A person can do the same activity within months of each other and gain a completely different experience. Fast forward to about 6 months or so later and I find myself with various colleagues within the blogging community at an Editors S Factor session (complete w 6" stilettos). The person sitting in this session is someone that has had a lot of personal growth over the past few months and not only realizes that she is closer to what she wants but wants more personal fulfillment as well. I want to know more about me and to hear me and today's session does just that.

Our S Factor session combined yoga, pole dancing and a dance routine while encouraging that hearing yourself is an essential tool to your growth within the various courses (they run 8 weeks but there are 6 levels and unlike most classes where the conclusion of all steps have a finality, you're able to continue to grow). Jill was one of our teachers (I was fortunate to have her as my teacher in a previous introductory course) and she is a power ball of energy, understanding and sisterhood. To be able to slow down is something that I have been thinking a lot more of and it has been something that fellow Editor, Keren has been telling me and all of us via her Project Detox series. Did I wake up feeling sore (absolutely - you have a lot of ab and lower back work to do all of the sensual things that you do in class) but did I feel empowered with the idea of working within a women's only studio and to hear nothing but positive affirmations? Absolutely. For those of us that work to do the impossible whether it's within our family, career goals, etc - we need to get out our emotions and to realize that beyond being fearless trailblazers, we are still women who have sensuality, femininity and qualities that set us apart not only from men but other women as we are individuals. I can't wait to start taking courses as a student and to create a sense of balance and to get in touch with areas that I may not focus on in my day to day but can within a 2 hour session. Whether you're doing a full on course, an express, focusing on lap dances and more - you're bound to find something that speaks to you. If you're interested in finding out about S Factor and your S, from now through Dec 1st of 2009, you can contact your local S Factor (they're in CA, IL, NY and TX) and use the code kitten09 to get 50% off of your introductory class.

In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last week, we saw through the world through a new lens in order to understand where we are through a different set of eyes! Today, Keren embraces the art and necessity of slumber for full restoration.

When was the last time you’ve slept?

Really slept.

Care free. Like a baby.

That deep sleep you can taste. Leaving you satiated.

Refreshed.

Renewed.

If you are anything like me, the answer to that may be … Not since you’ve had your baby!!! (even if that ‘baby’ is your business venture or new career move).

Especially in today’s globalized, saturated & media infested culture where reading a book in bed looks more like; T.V. on one channel (DRVing another). Clutching phone pending reply text. Laptop open with your ebay auction. Tweet Tweet ‘in bed relaxing with great book!”

Simply put. Most of us do not get a good night’s sleep.

Although I am all about our high-speed-techy lifestyle and have already been anointed ‘queen of multitasking’, I am a firm believer that in order to be healthy, productive and survive as mankind, we must now—even more so than ever—infuse balance into our daily lives. Clear the screen in our minds. Slow down. Breathe.

On this trip I learned a lesson I could have learned long ago by simply watching my baby sleep.

Babies are known to be very mindful. Intuitive. Live in the current moment. Focus on what is directly in front of them. Tune everything else out. Bed time prep includes a warm bath, milk, lullaby, book (and it’s all about That book!).

Miraval knew this.

They were determined to share.

Their rule of pre-booking appointments and programs in advance of your trip is not only so that you can focus on Mindfulness but they also tailor the trip to be a unique experience to your needs. Upon hearing that I was a full time working mother, the booking specialist that consulted with me, immediately pre-booked me for a nightly massage recommending the lavender infused Sweet Slumber & suggested I take the Evening Meditation class in the evenings. Since your all inclusive stay includes a spa (or golf) credit of $125 per night of stay, you are forced to get pampered and relax. There are no excuses.

I listened and was tuned in. I SPAed in the evening before my evening meditation or yoga class. I was grateful.

It was now time to turn in.

This was when I discovered the scent that has me staging moments back home.

The in-room toiletries are that the intoxicating cactus cream scent! . Miraval’s signature Cactus Cream bath collection captures the indigenous essence of Tucson in the form of a body cream, shower gel, facial cleanser, and other products. By this phase in my journey, the desert scent has come full circle and means much more to me …besides the fact that the aroma is simply divine. I bought so many of them the following morning at the boutique and was grateful to learn they have an online store.

Clearly I was not the first to want to take this experience home.

As I sat on what seemed like the most comfortable bed ever, I noticed sitting next to me was a little note card & pen from the Miraval staff. It was titled ‘Gently Slumber’ with space to fill in my reflections of the day and bearing the quote… A man’s dreams are the index to his greatness – Zadok Rabiwitz.

As a list girl, I always have a pen and notepad by my side to capture a bright idea or a ‘to do’ reminder. To Brain dump. But since I was on the journey into myself, it was interesting to use it for the purpose of exploring...Me.

One of the most important parts of my yoga practice is Shavasana (Corpse Pose). It looks simple but it is actually one of the hardest poses to do as it requires you to relax your mind and body. To let all the energy you created from your hard work to seep into every part of your being. To reflect. To heal. To Inspire.

Sitting on that cloud-like bed, relaxed and engulfed in aromatherapy, I took a few moments to reflect and allow all the positive energy, massages, scents, experiences, & revelations of my day to relax and heal me.

Hush little baby.

Sweet Dreams.

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling

In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last week, we took a swing at seeing things from another point of view and today we look at things through the lense.

I have always been fascinated with professional photography. The eternal capture of a moment! Yet, I have never actually taken a class…short of a few priceless tips from leading photographers I have met through the years on photo shoots.

Combined with my love of nature, hiking and learning Anything new, the Photography Hike on the activities list was clearly my picture perfect next step.

After the basic 35mm photography class (cameras provided by Miraval), the instructor, a 15 year Miraval veteran and Mindfulness Guru, took us on a hike of the beautiful resort grounds to utilize our newly learned photographic skills. They strategically take you out at the end of the day during what they describe as the ‘magic hour’ capturing the last moments of light as it casts a warm hue over the desert floor.

It is meditative.

Still embraced by the Cocktail of the Senses and enjoying the beauty of the Sanoran Desert. I was now hiking through the same scenery as Desert Oasis but with a fresh set of eyes and with my word of the moment in tow (ala Mindfulness). Some of the pictures I took are posted above.

As I have already established in A View of the Valley, Miraval was designed to be a journey into your self so clearly this Photography Hike is more than a nod to the art of photography.

It is the Art of seeing the big picture while zooming in on the details. Of balancing motion with stillness. Of finding beauty in anything. Of gaining a different perspective on things by using lighting, shadows, zoom, angles. Of understanding how two people can look at the same thing, yet see it differently. And of how one person can view the same thing on different days and see it differently. Of looking at things/challenges in your life in an abstract way in order to find outside-the-box solutions. Of using the 'magic hour' to reflect on your day, and determine what issues can you step back to view in a different light? Of seeing the world through different lenses.

Thank you Miraval for the cool new ‘shades’.

I am the photographer of my life.

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling

In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last week, we took in the view of the valley but today we let go on a swing and a prayer!

 

With over 150 programs and activities at Miraval to choose from, I was able to design a vacation that was tailored to Me. And how smart that a Miraval staff member reaches out to you in advance of your trip via email to plan out your program and spa itinerary? That way you are able to enjoy the trip from the moment you get to the resort (or more like from the moment you step onto their complimentary airport transfer).

They really want you to Live and experience the present moment. To feed the “i”. Who knew I was this hungry?! So many amazing things to do and so little time (Note to Self: Begin to plan your next trip back here!).

With an activity description of ‘Just Let Go’, clearly Swing and Prayer had to be one of the first things I signed up for on Project Detox . And I am glad that I did.

People sign up for many reasons beyond adventure seeking from wanting to overcome fear of heights, to learning to ‘let go’ or trust. Some go just to have fun and are shocked by the meaningful takeaway.

Early morning, we hiked out into the desert grounds with sunscreen and an open mind. We got to the area that had a 35 foot pole, a pulley system, a ladder, four harnesses & helmets. There were also wood chairs set up in a circle where we all sat and--guided by the instructor--ran through our instructions, expectations, intentions & reminders to practice being mindful during this exercise!

We all had a task whether it was to bring the ladder, grab the rope, pull and cheer on while each of us went up, one at a time, for the 35 foot drop & swing.

I am third.

There is lots of movement, hustling, communicating, listening, & excitement on the way up. Then a quiet peaceful ‘pause’ at the top much like the pause in between a deep inhale and exhale.

The stunning view of the Sanoran Desert surrounded by the Catalina Mountains. The smiling and inspiring faces of your team below. The anticipation.

The drop. The feeling of pure release and letting go.

Swinging through the air like a bird I can actually hear the wind flapping in my ears. I am a kid again thinking of nothing but the wonderfully fun present moment.

I am the now.

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling

 

I'm so excited to temporarily break from our normal fashion lineup to share information about a friend who is launching an amazing site that is being launched with it's first focus: Project Detox. We may be in different life stages but all of us juggle a million balls at once and we may find that one of two things happen - we have no time to simply breathe or our personal/business goals seem to go on the back burner. Maybe you're all about your day job as you love a challenge, but when you leave the office, you're running to do your second gig - where you hope to become a pastry chef full time! These are situations that we have to deal with and I feel that it's important to share these issues on the site from time to time. I wanted to introduce a soon-to-launch blog about infusing balance into every day life which is filled with philosophies that I share.

 

 

Recently my friend Keren, who has worked within the beauty and fashion industry for over a decade and who has worked with amazing brands like L'Oreal Paris to styling for Celebrities and Photo Shoots, told me that she wanted to provide insight into what it means to have the elusive life balance whether you're running multiple companies or are balancing being a mother who works full time but still wants to achieve a number of goals. Throughout various posts, Keren's Journey will include her week away, where she will travel to various spas in the west coast in Arizona and California and they will be included within future Trendy Thursday posts to include within our beauty segment. I'm so excited to bring Keren in as a Guest Life Balance Editor, here on Kitten Lounge! As someone who works in the fashion industry, is a mother and comes with a lot of experience and know how; however, she is pulled in a million directions and is 'off-balance'. It took her hubby and son traveling overseas for her to not only take some much needed Me Time to travel but to finally get her interests on the table as well. I'm excited for this project and we will continue to check in on her as it goes from the planning stages to the launch but please take a moment to read on about Keren, her new blog and Project Detox in her own words (yes that is Keren with her adorable son, Etamar). Sneak peak at what's to come...

 

Speed of NYC. Commute. Pollution. Recession. Relationships. Full-time working Motherhood & Momtrepreneurism.

This Libra is way off-balance and is leaving the East Coast (and all else) behind to scour the West for equilibrium.

No life jacket required.

Just hiking gear, swimsuit & my BB Storm. (Ok, Ok ...and my poly jersey Norma Kamali convertible skirt that I dare not travel without)

'Project Detox' is Phase One of the ‘Journey into Myself’ in order to hop back on to the balance beam of life.

Step One: Send the boys away on a fun bonding trip for two weeks (aka perfect time to visit in-laws overseas)

 Step Two: Spend the first few days "having a plan and going with the flow"

 Step Three: Trade in the high-speed-pollution-infested NYC for a few days in healing-dessert-stillness of Tucson followed by the coastal hiking-alfresco dining-soothing waters of sunny L.A. Sure it’s only 7 days, but in Mommy Years--where one hour of Me time is like a full day massage B.K. (Before Kids)--this trip will feel like a lifetime and be life changing!

 Step Four: Chuck-out before you Check-in.

Chuck the Universal Mommy Guilt at the airport & know that your little one's perspective of Mommy Years offsets your own. One hour of quality time with the Real you is better for him than 2 full days of being with the stressed, busy & overworked version

 Step Five: Explore. Infuse balance into every part of your being. Get inspired ...& inspire!

 Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling.