CAN YOU LEAVE YOUR STRESS AT THE DOOR?

Who hasn’t faced stress? Work, family, children, friends and just life in general can cause stress; so much stress that we let it all build up and forget how to cope with the pressure. Have you ever walked into the gym or a group exercise class so stressed out that it affects the entire room? Being an instructor, I have seen this way too many times. When an individual steps into class in a stressful state it sets the entire room with low energy and a feeling of awkwardness. We all want to either help and reach out to that one person who is overwhelmed and stressed or throw them out the door. Sometimes it is best to let that person be and for them to realize that the greatest place to relieve their worries of the day is the gym and/or in their favorite exercise class.

If you are reading this and realizing that you have been that person to walk into a room where everyone surrounding you knows that you are stressed out, it is ok. No one is perfect. What is good to know is that you realize it and now you can find a way to change it the next time it is about to happen. I personally LOVE releasing all my stress through dance (go figure?! Haha!). Some of us might not choose exercise as a stress reliever so I have put together some other tips to alleviate the stress from your life and I want you to give them a whirl! Go get em!

Crank up the Music
Now, I am not talking about hard head banging music as a stress reduction tool because that would just be silly! Instead, a good tip is soft calming tunes, which are better suited to bringing down stress levels. We can always respond to harmony and rhythm, which is why soothing music can melt the stress away. Try artists like Toby Lightman, Norah Jones, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer, and Sting

Dance away your stress (MY FAVORITE)
If you are someone who enjoys dancing then use it as a stress reduction tool. Make it a habit to dance everyday or at least twice a week. Putting on your favorite tunes and allowing your footwork to do the rest, should lower stress levels. Try artists like MaDonna, Michael Jackson, Pointer Sisters, Beyonce, and The Black Eyed Peas.

Hit something like a punching bag!
High stress levels can lead to evil tempers and those who bottle up their emotions are more likely to encounter larger temper outbursts. A good stress reduction tool is to try hitting a punch bag. Even taking up kick boxing classes can be a great way to focus your stress and anger in a positive way while getting a workout all at the same time! Two birds… one stone.

Take a Hot Bath
Relaxing in the tub is a great stress reduction tool. Take out some time to soak away the stress! Try lighting candles, dimming the lights, burn the aromatherapy oils, and let the stress melt away.

Talk about it
Allow yourself to discuss the reasons behind stress that you’re feeling. Talk to a trusted friend or family member, as they will help you work through the stress and the problems causing the pressure on your mind.

Don’t overschedule!
Trying to cram in too many appointments, meetings and events in one day or one week can raise stress levels very quickly. Manage your time better and learn to de-clutter your schedule.

Time to start a sport
Exercise is a great stress busting tool. Team sports, such as hockey, rowing and even tennis are all great examples to try. What a great way to relieve tension and aggression and get fit!

GOOD LUCK!

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW TO LET ME KNOW HOW YOU DID AND HOW MUCH BETTER YOU FEEL.

LIKE I ALWAYS SAY, YOU WILL THANK ME LATER!

A Simple Post

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a of couple weeks. Life has been crazy for me, but all in good ways. I have been extremely busy with many projects so stay tuned as I begin to share them in my upcoming blogs. In the meantime, grab a friend and/or a family member and see if you can groove with this clip below from my "Dance Party" class at 360 Health Club.

Behind The Scenes: Day 2 Photo Shoot

The long awaited Day 2 footage is finally here.  

 Thank you for letting me share this amazing experience with all of you.

Please click the link below to view...

DAY 2 FOOTAGE 

Behind The Scenes: Day 1 Photo Shoot

I wish I could have taken all of you with me.  

But, since I couldn't...

Please click the link below to view...

DAY 1 FOOTAGE

Dudes To The Dance Floor

Do you know any men in your life that could benefit from dance?  Could dance be something new, different, and challenging for the male population to try?  Wouldn't you agree, that 2010 should be the year that men really or actually "step up" and "bring it" to the dance floor?  

I am calling all "Dudes To The Dance Floor" PLEASE!  

You know where to find me:  http://www.ilysebaker.com/ 

Please take a moment to turn up your volume, watch this clip below and help me spread this message to EVERY dude out there:

Dudes To The Dance Floor

The Right Foot

Can you believe that another year has gone by and we are saying Happy New Year yet again? Where does the time go? 2010, A New Year and a new decade dawns: What dreams will come, what will we do?

Our society and tradition both dictate that every 365 days, we should start fresh and try to get rid of bad habits. We are told to sit down and reflect: What kinds of New Years resolutions will we make this January 1st?

On New Year’s Eve, I was asked the simple question, “Ilyse, what is your New Year’s resolution?” I answered, “Oh my gosh…I haven’t even thought of one. That is a really good question. I guess I have been so busy listening to everyone else’s goals and desires for 2010 that I forgot about my own.”

2010 for me will begin with the right foot. What do I mean by this? My Mom advises me to always walk in with the right foot whether it is for an audition, airplane ride, or even just the supermarket. It does not matter what, why, or where…walking in with the right foot says it all. The right foot sets a positive path for a new way, a new beginning, and the unexpected.

With the right foot, I will continue inspiring many, changing peoples’ lives one body at a time, motivate, be a confidant, and get the job done. I want to share my passion, drive, and enthusiasm for dance and fitness with the entire World. I will continue my blog on a weekly basis. I want to focus on not spreading myself too thin and saying yes to everything and everyone. I tend to do this a lot and realize that I am really not doing what Ilyse wants. My list of things for 2010 goes on and on…

Now it is your turn…I am sure that most of you, if not all of you have your resolutions set and your goals written out. Here are some more ways to approach things that I think will benefit you:

1) Be realistic by setting achievable goals. Winning the lottery, for example, is out of your grasp, but you can still dream?! ☺

2) Describe your resolutions in specific terms. Instead of "I don't want to be lazy," opt for "I want to exercise regularly" or "I will cut down on my television watching."

3) Break down large goals into smaller ones. For instance, commit to losing weight by resolving to join a gym and improve your eating habits.

4) Find alternatives to a behavior that you want to change, and make this part of your resolution plan. So you want to quit smoking but you smoked to relax yourself? What other forms of relaxation are available to you?

5) Above all, aim for things that are truly important to you, not what you think you ought to do or what others expect of you.

I encourage you to write your goals down on a piece of paper and post it in a spot that you see everyday. There are no excuses for 2010…you CAN do it…you WILL do it! It is as simple as what I always say, “It is not that deep. Just do it. I promise you will thank me later.” Walk into 2010 on the right foot…it is just that simple.

What Do You Fear?

Wouldn't you agree that we all have at least one fear in life?  Some that we have already dealt with, some we will never deal with, and some that we continue to deal with.  A fear is a normal and healthy part of life.  It is easy to become afraid of almost anything.

About a month ago, I was invited to go to the Santa Monica Pier to take a flying Trapeze class with other Lululemon Ambassadors.  When I read the evite, I responded yes right away without even thinking twice about it.  It sounded fun and exciting so why not?!  As it got closer to the Trapeze class, I suddenly got fearful.  I remember trying to think of every way possible to get myself out of going, “Am I crazy?  I hate heights.  There is no way I can do this.  I can’t I can’t…I just can’t.  Wait, don’t I have to wash my hair or something?”  I thought of every negative thing to say or any excuse to get me out of going.  I had never tried something like this before.

That Friday came sooner than I thought and I found myself at the Santa Monica Pier with the rest of the Lululemon Ambassadors ready for Trapeze class.  The set up was crazy and I couldn’t believe what they wanted us to do.  My heart was palpitating, my palms were sweaty, and I literally thought I couldn’t do it.  The instructors went through all the technicalities so fast that I remember saying, “You want me to do what?”

Climbing up the tall ladder was so scary and I literally cried the entire way to the top.  My heart was beating so fast that I couldn’t even introduce myself to the cute instructor at the top waiting to assist me.  I was one hot mess.  He said, “Just look out into the ocean and do not look down.  I am right here and will not let go until you are ready to jump.”  Was he joking?  Did he really just say all of this to me?  At this point, I was laughing and crying at the same time.  The next minute I knew I was screaming my head off and felt so alive.  I was in the moment and now determined to do everything they told me to do.  It was the best feeling to know that I overcame my fear and did it.  It happened so quickly and I wanted to go again.  As I climbed the ladder a 2^nd time, those butterflies in my stomach came back.  This time, I took a step back (not literally) to breathe and forget about the fear.

"Ilyse, I am dying to take your dance classes, but I can't dance.  I have 2 left feet.  I hear you’re an amazing instructor, but I just can't can't can't!" I hear this each week from people at the gym or outside of the gym who hear about my dance classes.  When I hear the negativity, I can't, I can't, all I hear these people saying is that they are making an excuse and not admitting to me that it is a fear they have to dance.  They are fearful to step out of their comfort zone and try something different.  Facing a fear or trying something different is never an easy thing to do and most people do not do it on a regular basis.  I now know this from experience and it comes down to this:  You have to at least try.  What is the worst thing that could happen?  You find out that it is not for you so you move on to something different?  Or best-case scenario, it is for you and you love it!  Either way, you can at least say you tried it, you know how it feels, and you did it!     

This is a perfect time of year to reflect back on.  Can you overcome one fear from 2009 or try to deal with it?  What about bringing in 2010 with trying something different?  Overcome a fear or 2…

Check out how I overcame my fear.  I did something that scared me, challenged me, but made an impact on me:

Ilyse fears the Trapeze School