fithiphealthy

FIT.HIP.FRIDAY GIVEAWAY! 10 May 2013

Lithe's new Studio + Street collection is almost complete!  Today's giveaway is a piece of your choice from our current collection!  For a chance to win, please tell us your favorite piece, and what you want to see us create next! 

One winner will be chosen at random on Monday, so you have three days to enter.  Rules: One entry per person.  Thank you, and good luck!

Image of Lithe Instructor Liz Galbally wearing Lithe's Spur Skirt and Air Mesh Top via Dom

25 THINGS {BY SAYEH}! 24 Apr 2013

If you've been reading my column on Fit Hip Healthy long enough, you're familiar with the term Lithe Stalling--the act of finding any reason to take a quick breather during class. Whether it's taking a sip of water or adjusting your ponytail, it's an art many of us have perfected. If you've ever taken a class with Cheri, however, you won't get the chance! She doesn't mess around, and there is not a moment wasted during her 60 minutes with you. Challenging yourself to work through the transitions without taking a break? She's your gal, and here's a little more about her outside of Lithe:

1. I am about to go back to work full time as a lawyer after being home with my kids for three years - I am incredibly nervous but super excited to get back into the working world.
2. I have a younger sister who is several inches taller than me and blonde.  She is the complete opposite of me in many other ways, too, though we're probably more alike than I think.
3. My favorite movie (and probably the only movie I have watched more than once, I can't stand watching movies I've already seen) is Love Actually.  
4. I majored in psychology at Duke, and never painted my face blue at basketball games (though I did camp out to see games). 
5. I always have at least 2-3 medicated Chapstick lip balms on me and cannot go more than an hour without putting one on. 
6. I have slept with earplugs since my sophomore year in college when my dorm room was across the hall from the girls' bathroom which had a broken door that slammed shut every time someone opened it. Now, I cannot sleep without them; whenever I try, I hear every creak and noise in my house and it completely spooks me. 
7. I am dying to go on an African safari and see Victoria Falls, though I would probably spend most of the trip freaking out and terrified of the animals.
8. I have never had a pet. 
9. I have a serious sweet tooth - my favorites are Runts, Sweettarts, chewy Sweettarts, Nerds and Fundip (but not the stick, just the sugar!)
10. I have to have some form of chocolate at least once a day - usually its a Dove Promises milk chocolate bar or Hershey's Bliss chocolates. 
11. I have so many favorite foods - pizza (my local favorites are Joe's on 16th in Center City and In Riva in East Falls), sushi, lasagna, chicken parm, bolognese sauce, french fries, avocado, cheese, cherries and dried apples. To name just my top 10.  
12. I was a cheerleader in middle school and part of high school and have danced since I was 7.  
13. I am a voracious reader - I can read anything. 
14. I met my boyfriend on JDate! I always forget that he is 11 years older than I am, except when we are talking about some movie/television/or music reference and then we remember we grew up in different decades. 
15. I have two very strange recurring dreams - one,  that I find myself at the end of the college semester about to go into finals and realize that I haven't been to a single class and never even bought any of the textbooks.  In the other, I am driving to my parents' house on Long Island and end up taking an alternate route on a road that is essentially a roller coaster with loops (though my car is obviously not tied down to a track!) and there are breaks in the Verrazano Bridge that my car has to leap over. I find both dreams equally terrifying! 
16. I never exercised until I started Lithing.  Now, I am completely addicted to the endorphins and the rush and love nothing more than working myself physically and mentally as hard as I can for 60 minutes, ending up looking like I took a shower. 
17. I used to be so impatient (think "foot tapper" while waiting in line), but I have completely mellowed in the past several years and love living life this way. 
18. It is incredibly difficult for me to sit still.  Unless I am reading - and then I can completely tune out the world, for better or worse.
19. I was an extraordinarily picky eater for most of my life - think plain spaghetti, white rice, parmesan cheese. Now I have a pretty adventurous palate and love insanely spicy foods, the spicier the better!
20. I was a vegetarian for 7 years, largely motivated by the crush I had on my 9th grade biology teacher. 
21. I am a complete and total spaz - I am always bruised from constantly bumping into walls and poles (even in my own house where I should be familiar with their location!), dropping and breaking glasses, etc.  I know many of you have caught me almost falling off the instructor platform many times. 
22. I love to laugh and am easily amused - it doesn't take much,  and I love corny jokes, the cornier the better.  You know I am laughing really hard if you can't hear it - I have a silent laugh when I really get going. 
23. I hate reality television.  Except for So You Think You Can Dance.  In fact, I pretty much dislike television in general, with the exception of a few shows.  The television is rarely on in my house unless the kids are watching! I'd much rather be reading.
24. I hate talking on the phone and avoid it at all costs. 
25. My kids (Ava, 8.5 and Ben, almost 5) are my world. Ava is so imaginative and creative (she definitely doesn't get that from me) and would do anything in the world for her little brother, despite the fact that he tortures her on a daily basis.  Ben is a crazy little boy, fearless, and such a ham, but so sweet and loving (except when he is torturing his sister!)

Image of Lithe Instructor Cheri Tolin via Dom

25 THINGS {BY SAYEH}! 19 Dec 2012

If you've ever taken a class with Lithe instructor, Kim Sauer, you have probably been infected with her unbridled energy and enthusiasm despite all of your efforts to resist. You may have come into your class hoping to be surly, but her untiring encouragement defeats you, and you have to crack a smile despite yourself. Here's 25 things you may not have known about the woman behind the biggest smile at Lithe Method. 

1. I am kind of a germaphobe. I have hand sanitizer everywhere.
2. I started dance and gymnastics when I was 2 and have continued in some way, shape or form throughout my life. I've done everything from compete, dance a choreographed first song at my wedding, Flamenco dance in Spain, and take group lessons with others!  
3. I am obsessed with the TV show Friends.  I can recite any line from any episode.
4. I come from what I consider a large Italian family. My grandmother was one of 6. My father is 100% Italian and my mother is mostly Swedish (hence my blue eyed children!) My parents are still in NJ (where I grew up) and both of my younger sisters are in NY. 
5.  I am ambidextrous.
6. When I became a Lithe Instructor, I was also the Chief Operating Officer of Back on My Feet (www.backonmyfeet.org).
7.  My husband, son & daughter are my world and I am eternally grateful for them, every minute of every day.
8. I fight my perfectionist urge everyday by trying to slow down and live life more.
9. I've received orange and yellow belts in Tae Kwon Do. I've sparred partners as big as 6'3, 250 lbs.
10. I've run Broad Street and love the race; 90 minute PR.
11. I truly believe everything in moderation.
12. I had a pretty fierce eating disorder that changed my life. I compromised myself, my life, and my relationships. I came out of it strong and have since had several transformative bodily experiences including having two children and Lithing.
13.  I had full braces and headgear (oh yes) as a child.
14. I feel naked without my nails and toenails done.  I can paint a mean French Manicure.
15. I've been to Spain and would love to see more of Europe (specifically Italy and Greece).
16. I have an excessive Pez collection that no one my age should possess. 
17. At Villanova, I co-created a peer counseling program for the business school that is still used today.
18. I have a very close group of 9 girlfriends whom I've known since grade/high school.  We call ourselves the "Terrific 10" (no, I'm not kidding).
19. I have to drink enough water, everyday.  It's a ritual I never break.  The minimum amount I drink is 80 oz/day.  I've been known to drink 130-150 when teaching multiple classes/day. 
20. I LOVE to sing and act.  I've been in plays/musicals; sang at my Aunt's wedding and my Mother's 50th surprise birthday party; I will never turn down the chance to sing karaoke. 
21. I have a skin condition called rosacea, which is characterized by flushing of the face (which is why mine is always red); it makes me incredibly self-conscious (I'm not by nature).  I've been known to try crazy remedies, to no avail.
22. Tradition: every year I always watch Garfield Halloween and How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
23. I could eat sushi for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
24. Quirk alert: although I've never injured my left thumb, it "cracks" quite a bit; it usually takes 3 spurts of pressing my thumb to my first finger and bending my thumb.  
25. I am almost never without Chapstick.

Kim, I'm with you on the Christmas movie tradition, except mine are Home Alone and Elf. They never get old, and it never quite feels like Christmas without watching them over and over. Thank you so much for sharing, and for always encouraging us to stick with it in the studio!

Image of Lithe Instructor, Kim Sauer at Lithe Old City via Dom

25 THINGS {BY SAYEH}! 12 Dec 2012

This week's 25 Things comes to us from instructor, Danielle Ingerman. Find out what she has in common with Britney Spears, Larry David and her feelings on reptiles!

1. I love Chinese food. I swear there’s a Chinese man inside of my brain like in Men In Black. Every Friday night throughout my pre-teens my mom, my best friend Molly, and I would order from our favorite takeout spot, dress in warm sweatpants, and watch TGIF.
2. I found my baby Mowgli (my cat) under a car walking home from 30th Street Station with my boyfriend. We rescued him from being squashed by cars when he was 2 months old. He is the sweetest feline ever (his little brother Pastrami is getting there).
3. My mother is the strongest woman I know. To this day, I cannot fathom how she raised a wild temperamental child like myself and maintained her sanity. She is a saint.
4. I have had the same 4 close girlfriends since middle school. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we stick with it, lawd help us.
5. I kissed a lot of frogs before my prince, my boyfriend Aaron. We have been together for 4 years now. It’s not always rainbows and butterflies, but we still laugh so hard that we cry.
6. I grew up with the most amazing brother in the world--a strong, handsome Obama campaigner, Economist reader, and lawyer to be. He passed away three years ago, and I miss him every day. He taught me more than anyone, and so has his passing. He’s the reason I am who I am.
7. My grandfather is an incredible painter. My mom and her two sisters have several houses filled with his artwork, and my home in the city does as well. He shows his work at First Friday sometimes, and I always think it’s great how the young people admire his paintings. He’s 83.
8. I was a skinny nothing up until college. I graduated, went to a cardiologist, found out I had high cholesterol, found Lithe, and the rest is history.
9. I went to culinary school with dreams of opening up my own farm-to-table cafe in the mountains. I left the culinary field after my dreams ended up filled with fat and grease--switched gears and now I’m heading to graduate school to become a dietitian.
10. I cook dinner 4-5 nights a week, and try never to repeat meals. I love cooking for friends and family, but no longer desire to be in kitchens--totally different animal.
11. I grew up trying everything, ice-skating, lacrosse, dance, acting, singing, and gymnastics. My biggest regret is not sticking with the guitar--I started when I was 7, and stopped when I was 12, and I’ve retained barely any of it.
12. I found my voice playing Sandy in Grease at day camp (how original). My mom immediately put me in vocal lessons. My highest point was showcasing in high school for Jeff Finster who discovered Britney Spears. My low point was nearly being handed a record deal to have it taken away by Hollywood Records in LA. Needless to say, it's still a dream of mine.
13. I love to eat and go crazy when I try to diet. I eat healthy but don’t kick myself when I really go for it--and I GO FOR IT.
14. I despise the cat-lady stereotype. I am an equal opportunity pet lover (minus reptiles--yuck!)
15. I had to learn the hard way that always being honest and speaking my mind isn’t always the best policy. It's something I am still learning to monitor.
16. I am not afraid to say anything, (see previous) and nothing really offends me. I am a welcomer of constructive criticism and self-improvement.
17. I love to be warm when it’s cold out--to me there is no better feeling.
18. I am the definition of Jewish humor. I grew up on Seinfeld, and my father is Larry David to a T. It’s in my blood--I had no choice in the matter.
19. I like to explore new places, but absolutely HATE the act of traveling. I need a home base so I can feel calm wherever I go.
20. I dream of living in the mountains at some point in my life.
21. I have an insane sweet tooth. My mom says she ate at More than Just Ice Cream bi-weekly when she was pregnant with me (deep dish apple pie), so I blame her.
22. I’m becoming a dietitian because I think the chemical aspects and healing properties of food are incredibly interesting, not because I want to teach people how to be skinny.
23. I love all music, from Etta James to Huey Lewis, Guns N Roses to Bonnie Raitt, but have a hard time listening to Top 40. Where are all the real musicians!?
24. I am an intense animal lover, and an avid supporter of adopting. Anytime people buy animals instead of rescuing, I get very upset!
25. I truly enjoy being an instructor at Lithe. It is the most welcoming environment for women I have ever encountered. I always hope that the women taking my classes can feel how much I really enjoy doing what I do.

Danielle, I too have a little Chinese man living inside me. Perhaps they communicate? And ordering in and watching TGIF sounds like my childhood. I used to count down the days until Full House and Family Matters. Whenever Steve Urkel would morph into Stefan Urquellle...well truth be told, I would swoon. Thanks for your always enthusiastic and vivacious attitude in and out of the studio. It's evident, even in your photos, that you love what you do, and it certainly is infectious!

Image of Danielle Ingerman wearing Lithe via Dom

25 THINGS {BY SAYEH}! 5 Dec 2012

To date, the sweatiest I've ever been at Lithe and in life is in Krista's Skinny Jeans. At the end of class, the girl at the barre next to me looked at me and said, "I've been a dancer all my life and I've never sweat this much!" Who's the woman behind the workout that makes me--someone that has a tough time breaking a sweat at all--thoroughly drenched? We find out in this week's edition of 25 Things!

1. Yes, it's true. I'm not on Facebook. 
2. The only foods I don't like are cornbread and lamb. 
3. I have a horrible fear of going to the doctor. In fact they have to take my blood pressure after the appointment or else it's high. 
4. I'm a HUGE animal lover. I volunteered at an animal shelter, but recently resigned due to my pregnancy. 
5. Being late gives me major anxiety! I also get really annoyed waiting for people who are late. 
6. My favorite restaurant is Eleven Madison Park in NYC. They outdo themselves every time, it's simply amazing! 
7. I'm a compulsive neat freak. I love organizing, cleaning, and making color coded 'to do' lists in my agenda (never digitally...it has to be hand written so I get the satisfaction of crossing it off). 
8. 8 is my lucky number. It's relevant to so many things in my life (my birthday, my husbands birthday, etc) and I always find myself looking at the clock at :08 past the hour several times a day.  
9. You will always find Staedtler multi-colored pens and my agenda in my purse. 
10. Skydiving was the most exhilarating thing that I have ever done! 
11. Tori Amos has been my favorite musical artist since I was in middle school. 
12. I've never had a cavity and I've never worn glasses. 
13. Howard Stern is ALWAYS on my car radio. I'm a huge, huge fan. 
14. I love teaching. In addition to Lithe, I've taught gymnastics and tennis. 
15. When I first get a magazine I read it back to front, then I go back and read it front to back. 
16. Camels fascinate me...especially Bactrian camels (double hump). 
17. Once when I was helping my mom bake she told me to 'butter the bottom of the pan'...so naturally I flipped the pan upside down and buttered it. I've NEVER lived that down! 
18. My family consists of my husband, EJ, our 2 Pugs (Eleanor & Penelope), a cat (Sneakers)...and soon to be 'Baby DeNofa'. I also have a sister, Melanie, who lives in Center City and my parents who live in the Cleveland area. 
19. When I was a little girl, I told my parents I was going to marry an Italian because I loved Italian surnames.  Meanwhile, EJ told his parents he was going to marry a blonde, northern European...lo and behold it happened! 
20. I went to the University of Vermont and majored in Business/Marketing. While there it was not uncommon to see me walking to class wearing ski goggles and occasionally snow shoes on the snowiest of days! I would also try to get in some skiing a few days a week before class! 
21. If I had nerves of steel (which I so don't) I would love to be in the CIA! I find intelligence/espionage work fascinating! 
22. If you want to see me cry instantly, put on The Notebook. 
23. I took a PR job in Dublin, Ireland after college and then took a year to travel to Thailand, China, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. 
24. My biggest pet peeve is when people spit on sidewalks! It's disgusting!!!! 
25. I once taught 24 Lithe classes for 2 consecutive weeks...that's my record!

Krista, I'm with you on the doctor terror. At my most recent appointment, the woman taking my blood pressure asked me if I ran to my appointment. Thanks so much for sharing so many fun facts about yourself. Your pet peeve is by far the most hilarious one I've ever heard. Do you encounter many people sitting on sidewalks??

This is Krista's last week at Lithe before the arrival of her baby. If you see her in the studio, wish her luck and give her some love and good vibes to take with her. We will miss you while you're gone, Krista!

25 THINGS {BY SAYEH}! 7 Nov 2012

Gerri and I bonded very early on through our mutual love of geekdom. We were excited to share our love of Super Mario Brothers, The Little Mermaid and high-fiving (I took her High-Mini for the last class of the challenge over a year ago, and we high-fived so ecstatically that it slightly terrified the rest of the class). Sadly, I'm not an early bird so I don't get to see her very often, but when I do chance upon her in the studio, we always find something to nerd out about. Although, after reading her 25 Things, I have come to the conclusion that I have nothing (cue Whitney Houston song) on her level of nerd-dom (see #11). 

1. I’ve always been active and have worked out daily since high school; I have been waking up super early to do so for almost 15 years (the past four have been at Lithe, though 6AM classes didn’t appear until 2010…shocking, I know!). 
2. I was captain of the swim team in high school though I was horribly slow—I am not built for speed—little hands, little feet, short limbs and “flotation devices” are characteristics rarely seen on successful swimmers. Despite regularly finishing last, my mom was at every swim meet and she would cheer really loudly and clap when I would (finally) finish.  She’s awesome. 
3. I have two sisters—one 4 years older than me and one 5 years younger. Similar to many middle children, I thought this was the pits when I was a kid, but now I feel so fortunate—I am incredibly lucky to be close with both of them as they are two of the smartest, most sincere, amazing women I know.
4. In addition to having tiny hands, I have funny thumbs that look like big toes. Apparently “toe thumbs” are more common than I had ever thought and anytime I encounter someone else with these bizarre little digits, we’re instantly excited to normalize the “condition” for one another. 
5. I was always pretty advanced in math. I knew my multiplication tables when I was 6 years old.
6. My penmanship has always been terrible and when I was in 5^th grade, I had to do extra cursive worksheets that were intended for students a few years younger. My handwriting still sucks and now I write exclusively in all caps. 
7. I played a lot of video games as a kid and would stick with certain games, playing them nonstop until I beat them—my skills are completely exclusive to old school Nintendo and SEGA Genesis.   In college, I’d try to impress the fellas with my NBA Jams (from the early 90s) prowess…it turns out kicking a guy’s butt in an old school video game wasn’t the most romantic way to jump start a relationship.
8. I have a degree in systems engineering and applied math from Penn and even though I don’t have a traditional engineering job, my undergraduate experience definitely changed the way that I look at any project. I have a spreadsheet addiction and love breaking down large systems into smaller tasks and figuring out how to put them back together. 
9. I spent two years living in Boulder, Colorado serving as an Americorps volunteer with the I Have a Dream Foundation, where I worked at an afterschool program for low-income, at risk kids. They were in third grade when I met them, and I attended their high school graduation last spring.  Those two years impacted the trajectory of my career more than I could have ever predicted.
10. I love roller coasters and thrills—I’ve been skydiving and zip-lining and love adventures. That said, I’m totally jumpy and hate haunted houses or anything where people or things jump out and startle me. 
11. I’ve always loved science and when I was young I would hoard the little condiment cups from our local Roy Rogers in our bathroom, a.k.a. my lab. I would create “experiments” in the cups by mixing together various quantities of shampoo, toothpaste, and other cleaning items in the bathroom and let them sit for weeks. I’d check on them daily and track changes in color and consistency. How nice were my parents for not throwing them away?!  
12. I have a masters degree in social work and was admitted to law school and decided to not go.  I love school, but ultimately didn’t think I’d be super happy as a lawyer. I have never regretted the decision.
13. My husband, Josh, is the coolest. He’s my best friend and it doesn’t hurt that he’s funny, adorable, crazy smart, and easily the snazziest dresser in town. He smiles with his eyes (yup…Tyra-style) and I can’t help but feel super happy when he’s around.  
14. I LOVE feedback—giving it and getting it. I always prefer to have things out in the open and talk through any issues to wondering what people are thinking.
15. I work for two of the best organizations in town! The Franklin Institute and Lithe Method, while incredibly different, both have missions that I am completely passionate about and my coworkers in both places are amazing and inspire me to be a better human on a daily basis.
16. I’ve been close with some of my best friends since high school.
17. I try to infuse as much fun as possible into every day—I have lots of little toys on my desk at work that make me smile and I am incredibly quirky and get excited about the little things pretty easily. 
18. I talk to my mom every morning. She. Is. The. Best. (see #2).  
19. I am much more patient with and forgiving of other people than I am with myself. I try to figure out where people are coming from and why they might behave the way that they do before casting any judgment. Did I mention that I have a social work background?
20. I have a lot of energy (have you noticed?) and I don’t feel right if I don’t start my day with a little (or a lot of) exercise. I’m just glad that there are so many of you who want to get up early to hang out and jump around before the sun comes up!
21. I love cookies. I can’t help it. They are delicious. 
22. My dad gets up at 4 AM every morning to exercise before going to work and is pretty much the hardest working, most dedicated professional I know. He’s totally bad-ass and looks at least 10 years younger than he is. He can also fall asleep anywhere. When I fell asleep in the IMAX a few weeks ago, I called him immediately to confirm that, if there was any doubt, I really am his daughter and have officially adopted too many of his habits—both the good and the bad.  
23. I was a vegetarian for seven years. I had a dream about a turkey sandwich while on a camping trip when I was 24 and ate one the next day.  I still keep a largely vegetarian diet, but Josh works in the restaurant industry and his passion for food is infectious. Whenever we can, we try delicious new restaurants and he teaches me about pairing food with wine and beer. It turns out I just love things that are delicious.
24. I have trouble sitting still and thrive most when I’m challenged.
25. I wish I could go back to my 16-year old self to remind her to be patient and let her know that things really do work out in nutty ways. There was no way to predict that I’d be comfortable enough with myself to publically share the fact that I’m a walking dichotomy—using my unconventional training in engineering and social work on a daily basis by leading a charge to celebrate science, engineering, technology and all-around geekiness while also teaching classes inspired by cheerleading to some of the hippest ladies in the city all at the same time! Amazing! 

List of things to do: 1. peep this toe thumb (I think I might actually have one so I must compare.) 2. Get off my butt and accomplish something! Between waking up at the crack of dawn to work out and helping the children of the world and still having boundless energy, I feel like a loser compared to Ms. Trooskin! Gerri, your love of Lithe and life is obvious when you teach (and in real life). Thanks for your endless enthusiasm, goofiness and encouragement!

25 THINGS {BY SAYEH}! 17 Oct 2012

 

When I think of Cori Tillman, the subject of this week's 25 Things, I think of Barlesque. More specifically, I think of smacking my butt, and letting out a good, loud wooooooooooooo! when doing the lasso move above my head. Cori gets into what she's teaching, and encourages us to do the same. When she's at the front of the room, moves get a little saucier and everyone lets loose a little bit more than usual, and based on the list below, her fearlessness extends beyond the studio (see #6).

1. I’ve been Lithing as long as I’ve lived in Philadelphia.
2. I’ve been 100% vegan for the past three years.
3. I love taking baths.
4. I’m an only child.
5. My husband and I live in a 106 year old barn.
6. My best haircut was a mohawk-mullet dyed black (think Carol Brady with a short mohawk on top).
7. I love everything Japanese (I always carry a Hello Kitty vinyl wallet).
8. I love the ritual of drinking tea and always have a pot of loose leaf tea after dinner
9. I have traveled to over 30 different countries, but only 3 in Europe (Sri Lanka is my favorite).
10. If I’m sitting down, I’m probably knitting.
11. I’m a certified scuba diver.
12. I’ve been camping in the Amazon jungle.
13. I was voted “Most Unique” in my high school yearbook.
14. I listen to Howard Stern every time I’m in the car.
15. I love wrapping presents (especially making bows from scratch).
16. Top Chef is my favorite TV show, however, I’m super into Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire as well.
17. I love all things vintage.
18. I’m usually on an airplane at least twice a month.
19. I’m obsessed with home decor and would love to be an interior designer.
20. I love making veggie sushi rolls (avocado+arugula+asparagus=awesome) and often wonder why there aren’t female sushi chefs.
21. I was once bitten on my arm by a poisonous spider, and it became so swollen that it looked like a tennis ball was under my skin (I still have a scar).
22. I mostly listen to music on vinyl.
23. I met my husband in New Orleans and we go there every year for Jazz Fest.
24. My favorite kitchen appliance is my Omega Juicer.
25. My favorite thing to eat in Philadelphia is the salted golden beet/smoked tofu/avocado plate at Vedge, however, the roasted Maitake mushroom with the celery root fitter takes a close second.

You make a very good point about female sushi chefs, Cori, so I decided to do a bit or research. From what I can find, the reason why there are virtually no female sushi chefs is because 'it's always been that way.' It's a popular belief among sushi chefs that women's hands are warmer than men's hands, therefore compromising the temperature of the fish while handling it. Others say that the perfume, makeup and lotion that women wear destroys the flavor of the fish. Some believe they simply don't have the stamina to stand behind a counter all day, nor the reflexes required for the precise knife skills used in making sushi. Another article suggests that Japanese women who want to become sushi chefs often leave Japan to do so successfully. Crazy right? Sounds like a great subject for a documentary. Thanks for expanding our minds as well as heping to tighten our bodies, Cori!

Image of Lithe Instructor, Cori Tillman, in Bali via Scott Tillman & image of Cori at the barre via Dom

25 THINGS {BY SAYEH}! 10 Oct 2012

One of the very first Lithe classes I ever took, 4 years ago, was with Carrie at Rittenhouse. That was back before immersion, and I remember thinking she was speaking a foreign language. And that breath! She was forcing out an exhale that was boggling my mind! When it came time for the see-saws, I was a mess. Aside from barely getting my leg up behind me, I thought that when we came back down to plank, we had to do a push-up, then go back into the see-saw. Needless to say, I was gassed after the first 2. Carrie kindly walked over to me, crouched down and whispered, "You don't need to do a push-up just yet," and helped guide me through what could have been a pretty embarrassing moment. I've taken countless classes with her since, and she is still encouraging and kind. Here are 25 things you may not have learned about her just by taking her classes over the years.

1. I have one younger sister, 3 years younger. She is one of my best friends and my polar opposit.
2. Anyone that knows me knows I cannot cook, the fire department is very familiar with my address. But I sure can clean a mean kitchen.
3. I'm dying to go to Greece and Japan
4. My animal family consists of Bo, my schizo Springer Spaniel, Kate, my cranky Basset Hound, and Ellie, my wild and crazy circus dog, also a Basset Hound, oh and our 6 year old turtle Sponge Bob.
5. I am petrified of heights and flying, yet I do it on a very regular basis.
6. My family is made up of my husband Harris, Daughter Liv, 12, step daughter Jess, 16, and step son Zach, 19.
7. I was one of Lauren’s very first clients when she first opened in Northern Liberties, love at first sight. Lithe is my saving grace!
8. I could watch the movie Annie 100x over, I know every word to every song. I always thought I should have been Annie on Broadway. Too bad I can't sing
9. I am a Gemini and a ginger and I fit every stereotype for both, double whammy!
10. I cannot stand emptying the dishwasher. I refuse.
11. The beach is my place. Any beach, any time.
12. I have not been to a movie theatre in 3 years, I simply cannot sit still.
13. I do have extremely accurate psychic abilities, ask my friends, no joke!
14. My nail polish color of choice, an oldie but a goodie OPI Suzy Skis in Pyrenees.
15. Fave Lithe Class to take: Thinny hands down.
16. I am outgoing and speak my mind (on occasion too freely). I attribute this to my Mom (she was the exact same way). She passed away 8 months ago; I miss her daily.
17. I hate camping and love hiking. No interest in sleeping in a tent or sleeping bag.
18. I love any and every water sport there is, I can definitely rock some water skis and wakeboards.
19. My house is freezing, always. AC blasting in the summertime, windows open in the winter. Everyone that comes over knows to layer up. When Liv’s friends sleepover in the summer, you can find them in fleece PJ bottoms, heavy sweatshirts and socks!!
20.  I am a speed reader, I am known to blow though 6 books on a week long vacay (actual for real books, ya know the paper kind).
21. I hate massages and facials, they stress me out
22. I have been friends with one of my besties for 25 years, oops I think I just dated myself
23. Best career move to date: left my office job to work at Lithe Some of my closest friends are fellow Lithe instructors; we are a pretty tight knit crew.
24. No dessert for me, I hate it, but bring on the fries.
25. Time teaching Lithe: Approximately 5 years, the first class taught: Fabu Legs (I was the most nervous I have ever been in my life). Approx number of classes taught to date...oh jeez, no idea! In the thousands easily!

Carrie, considering I'm wrapped in a fleece blanket right now typing this, the thought of your igloo house is giving me the shivers! Open windows in the winter?? This Texas girl would be a popsicle in NO time. Although, one thing we can agree on is paper books. I love them too, and have yet to get an iPad or Kindle. Although, I've realized that flying with a giant tote filled with books and magazines is a litte ridiculous, and envy the woman next to me paging through her Glamour mag on her iPad. So much lighter! Either way, I know I'm not the only one who's stoked that you quit your desk job and made Lithe your permanent gig. Thanks for those thousands of classes!

Image of Lithe Instructor, Carrie Gero and daughter Liv

BELLY SHOT! 4 Oct 2012

Check out Lithe Instructor, Marisa Shaaban (with baby #3).  Here she is, post-Skinny Mini on the day after her due date. Talk about inspiration!

Image via Lauren

25 THINGS {BY SAYEH}! 19 Sep 2012

When perusing Mind Body to schedule my classes for the week, I always take a moment to marvel at Brooke Holloway's class lineups. Some mornings I see that she has 4 classes in a row, and they are the toughies like High Mini and Sleeveless and Tight End and Weightless all back to back! I couldn't take TWO of these classes back to back, let alone teach all of them in a row. So I'm thrilled that she's the subject of this week's 25 Things, and we get a little insight into the woman who seems to have superhuman stamina and love for Lithe.

1. I can be really quiet when I first meet people, which often leads to the assumption that I am standoffish. The truth is I am just a little shy and very socially awkward until I get to know someone--after which, I am still awkward; you just get used to it.
2. I am one of the clumsiest people you will ever meet. I often walk into walls, fall down stairs, and trip over my own feet. Fortunately, I have only fallen two or three times while teaching a class.
3. I've had quite a few awkward encounters with celebrities. Lithe instructor Melissa Weinberg would be excited to hear that one of them was Tony Danza.
4. Over the years, my hair has been platinum blonde, black, red, hot pink, super short, and long with microbraids. I haven't done anything crazy to it in the past six years or so though.
5. When I was three, I had a crush on Skeletor from He-Man. I guess I am genetically predisposed to being attracted to bad guys (a habit I can gladly say I have come to break in the past year).
6. I have an incredibly dark and inappropriate sense of humor...sometimes I am too liberal with it and don't realize until it's too late.
7. I have 31 first cousins (25 of whom are from my dad's side of the family)! Even though I don't get to see them all very often, it's always a ridiculously amazing time when we do get together.
8. I have one older brother, Brian. His wife, Kristin, also only has older brothers and I think that this is the reason we are able to have such a sisterly bond.
9. I had my son, Miles, about two months before I turned 19. I have very often been mistaken for his nanny. This used to really bother me, but as I get older I take it as a compliment.
10. I have a toe ring that has been stuck on my toe for nearly 14 years now. My toe has since grown around it and I'm afraid that, if I cut the ring off, my foot will look strange.
11. I have a completely irrational fear of flying, which is quite unfortunate since I travel pretty frequently.
12. I do not regret any major (or minor but memorable) decisions I have made in my life, even when at the time I was told I would come to do so. I trust the fact that I know what is best.
13. My boyfriend, Manuel, and I grew up in the same area of the Jersey shore. We have connections to the same people and used to hang out in some of the same places. However, we never met until a little over a year ago when we went out with two friends who have absolutely no connection to our lives in Jersey, or to any of the mutual acquaintances that we share. The more we got to know each other, the more we realized how closely connected our lives actually are (Lithe instructor Gerri Trooskin's husband has been working with Manuel for the past three years!).
14. I am a total foodie and would eat at a restaurant for every meal, every day if it wouldn't have an adverse effect on my health (and my wallet).
15. Manuel and I have a "Burger Bucket List" and are on a quest to find the best burger in Philadelphia. It was only recently that we realized it might be a good idea for us to just order one burger and split it, rather than both of us eating a whole one. I am always looking for recommendations **hint, hint**
16. I went to Moore College of Art and Design for undergrad. When I started, I thought I was going to go for fashion design. I ended up graduating with a degree in Two-Dimensional Fine Arts with a minor in Art History. Since graduating, I have been showing my work at Projects Gallery, in group shows in NYC, and various art fairs in the U.S., Canada, and London. Before Lithe, I was working for the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program in one of their Art Ed programs, which provides art instruction to at-risk adolescents throughout the city.
17. I was supposed to be on Bravo's Work of Art, Season 2. I decided to go to the audition with a friend, though I had never even seen an episode from the first season and despise reality TV. Six months later, I was headed to L.A. to undergo the necessary psych evaluation and to sign the contract. Sitting in the Philadelphia International Airport, while the flight began to board, I realized that being on Bravo was the last thing I wanted. I went to the airport bar, ordered a beer, and let the plane leave without me. (see #12)
18. I still refer to myself and all of my friends as "girls", even though some of them are well into their thirties. I don't see this ever changing...even at 60.
19. In middle school, I was painfully embarrassed of my feet because my toes were long and awkward. I would hide them under the sand at the beach if there were any guys around. This may or may not have led to the toe ring.
20. I started cheerleading when I was five years old and continued throughout high school. I never thought that those years of practice would ever lead to a skill that would be applicable in my adult life -- until I became an instructor at Lithe.
21. I can be very forceful when it comes to making people try the foods I love and often get offended when someone refuses.
22. I went to an all-girls high school and an all-women college. Though I've never actually considered myself to be a girl's girl (probably because of the older brother thing), I seem to always find a way to surround myself with a tight-knit group of strong women. I was lucky to find this in Lithe Method after finishing undergrad.
23. I often break out into random fits of laughter, usually when I am walking alone through the city or sometimes in the middle of teaching at lithe. No, I'm not laughing at anyone or anything in the room, it's likely that I just can't seem to shake the thought of how I managed to embarrass myself once again at some point earlier that day.
24. Brooke is not my first name, it's my middle name. My mom decided to call me by my middle name because no one ever could get my first name right.
25. I fell in love with Lithe from the moment I took Immersion with Krista. I was blown away by her strength and by the fact that I could barely make it through the first set of lunges without my legs trembling. I was hooked! I'm happy to say that since that time, Lithe has been the catalyst for some major changes in my life and I couldn't be happier.

Okay, Brooke. I hope you are okay with the fact that I am now on a mission to get a load of your 15 year-old toe-ring situation. As a fellow sufferer of long-toe embarrassment, I feel your pain. To boot, I have giant toeNAILS. Yes. Giant. If I painted the big ones white, we could project a film onto them, and all watch it with relative ease. When I was younger, I would also hide my toes and would only get a French manicure on them, thinking that the white part would some how make my toenails look smaller. I've accepted it as I've gotten older, however, and just paint them in all kinds of bold colors without a second thought. It's funny to think of the things that made you so self-conscious growing up. It feels pretty great to realize none of it really matters, and to be able to walk down the street laughing to yourself about your foibles. Thanks so much for sharing!

Image of Lithe instructor, Brooke Holloway, her boyfriend Manuel and son Miles celebrating Brooke and Manuel's birthdays (they're 2 weeks apart) and Brooke in Lithe's Hotstepper dress via Dom