I keep hearing about Pomegranates and how they are really good for you.  What about them is so great?

Karen, New York, NY

Ben Hoss and Karen Lopez - Co-Founders Sequence XO, Spa Nutrition Specialists

For centuries, pomegranate has been utilized by many civilizations for its wonderful benefits. Throughout history, pomegranate has been referred to as a symbol of health, fertility and eternal life. It is one of the earths oldest known fruits. It is a native of Persia, yet its historical uses span to Greek mythology, Chinese ceremonies and even Egyptian rituals. Now, science has begun proving pomegranates’ health benefits. From blood pressure to skin care and even prostate support, pomegranate is a fruit that everyone can benefit from.

Pomegranate and your heart
A major factor in keeping a heart healthy is proper circulation. A properly functioning [Read more →]

I’m interested in starting Pilates. What specifically should I look for in an instructor or a studio?

Cindy - New York, NY

Tara Bridger, Pilates Instructor
Because the title “Pilates” can be used to describe any type of exercise that incorporates some aspect of the original Pilates method, finding a legitimate, effective, and safe studio with reputable instructors can be a consuming process.

The original method designed and taught by Joseph Pilates is practiced today at studios that trained under the Romana’s Pilates Method or Authentic Pilates Method. Romana Kryzanowska was Joe Pilates’ protégé and the one he chose to carry on his legacy before he died in 1967. Today Romana is in her 80’s, is still teaching through out the country, and continues to be the foundation of his method. Many branches of Pilates beyond these methods [Read more →]

I’ve gone to Yoga classes at the gym and don’t feel like I get a lot out of them, but I really am interested in the practice.  How can I ensure that I get the workout I’m looking for, while getting the benefits that Yoga provides? - Charlie, Houston, TX

Bailey Stoler, Yoga Expert

It sounds like you are looking for a form of yoga that provides a good workout in addition to stress release and flexibility training.  I recommend you try vinyasa yoga. Vinyasa means “flow,” and this is frequently the style taught in power yoga classes. You will move purposefully as you flow through a rigorous sequence of poses, keeping your heart rate up and achieving the benefits of a cardiovascular workout while you strengthen and stretch. 

For more information on other types of yoga, check out:

www.sheerbalance.com/yoga.html

Any advice on how I can maintain strong, healthy, active-length nails? My nails tend to split and become brittle. Would a weekly manicure help or perhaps there’s a good polish you could recommend? - Kara, Phillipsburg, NJ

- Brett Blumenthal, Spa Expert and Fitness Consultant
I tend to have this problem myself, and it can be worse or better, depending on the season. Believe it or not, our nails’ ability to grow is largely hereditary, so if your mom had weak nails, good chance you might as well. I personally find that weekly manicures can help protect my nails, but nail polish and acetone from removers can dry your nails, causing them to be more brittle.

Here are a couple of suggestions: [Read more →]

I’ve been told that if I walk three times a week for 30 minutes each time, I would lose weight.  I started walking, and I’m not seeing a big difference, is walking really enough?

- Tricia, Dallas

Brett Blumenthal - Spa Expert and Fitness Coach

Tricia, I hear your pain…unfortnately, walking really isn’t enough.  That said, it is a great start.  If you haven’t exercised regularly for a long time, walking is a great way to start getting back into a regimen.  The problem with walking is that you have to be very mindful of how you are walking. 

Are you strolling?  Are you getting your heart-rate up?  These are important factors to making walking a real exercise.  Exercise intensity is just as important as the activity itself. Further, you want to make sure your heart rate [Read more →]

I love sushi, but they don’t make sushi with brown rice. Is the white rice they use as healthy? If not, what are my options?
- Karen, Los Angeles

Jill Braverman - Certified Holistic Health Counselor

Sushi can be a smart choice if you are trying to eat healthy. Seaweed is chock full of vitamins and minerals (including calcium, iron and iodine) and fish is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein. It is also a good “fast” food choice because it’s highly portable. But most sushi is made with white rice, which is not nearly as nutritious as brown rice. White rice is a highly processed grain that is produced by taking brown rice, a whole grain, and stripping it of its bran and fiber (basically all the good stuff.) What’s left behind is the starchy carbohydrate-rich portion of the grain, which quickly turns to sugar in your body when you eat it. So what can you do? [Read more →]

I continue to hear about free radicals and antioxidants. What are they? Why should I care?
Hilary - San Francisco

Ben Hoss and Karen Lopez - SequenceXO

Free radicals are unstable molecules formed naturally and unnaturally from pollution, the environment and other factors.  Free radicals are always on the search for stable molecules that they can damage in order for them to fulfill their need to become a complete molecule.  Their search leads them to our cells that they attack in order to become stable.  These attacks create chain reactions of damage within our bodies leading to harsher health conditions. 

So what can you do to protect yourself?  Simply put, antioxidants are free radical scavengers.  Antioxidants protect our cells from these free radicals, providing a defense mechanism that terminates them before they attack us.  Antioxidants can be found in many places (Refer to Antioxidant article), but they are most potent in the right formulation of nutritional supplements.

I just received a gift certificate to a local spa for my birthday.  Having never been to a spa before, I’m at a loss as to the kind of treatment I should get.  Any suggestions? - Julie, Chicago

Brett Blumenthal - Spa Expert

A Spa Gift Certificate is always a great gift.  If you have never been to a spa before, I recommend getting either a basic facial or a massage.  A facial cleans, exfoliate and nourish your skin.  A massage is good for relaxing and relieving stress.

[Read more →]

I’m really busy, but love to exercise.  I tend to do cardio 3 times a week and weight train as well. How many times a week should I do Yoga and does it take place of any other workouts?  - Janine, New York 

Bailey Stoler, Yoga Instructor

Adding one yoga practice per week to your routine could yield noticeable results. Despite the  reputation for being all about stretching, yoga practice is a strengthening practice that builds muscle. [Read more →]