From the monthly archives:

April 2010

蝴蝶 ButterflyDon’t forget that just when the caterpillar thinks the world has ended, it becomes a butterfly. I am sure all of you at some time have been through a period that is chaotic and intense? It’s part of life and I am doing my best to ride the wave even when it’s wild with spunk and strength and learning from the little wobbles along the way!

Just before things are about to blossom and move forward, life can throw you all sorts of curve balls and it’s how we deal with them that counts. The best advise I can share, is to be clear about what you want and how that would feel for you. Focus on the feelings and let the chaos move through you. It always passes. Life is a series of ebbs and flows but hopefully mostly flows. The best way to flow in my opinion is to live in your truth, to focus on our visions, desires and the feelings we want to experience. For me, it has always been to live in harmony, abundance, fun, freedom to be myself, feminine power, vibrant health and clarity. Least I not forget with lots of pleasure and yummy food!

What feelings do you want to experience? If you would like to share your answer, please share in the comments section at the bottom of the post. Thanks!

I have learned a lot recently about myself when faced with an old pattern. Warning: it’s Mercury retrograde and things from the past can show up to be cleared, (for more from Astrostyle see below). My body was repelled and the old fear swelled in me. This was all male anger and issues relating to control. It was also about staying true to my  feminine power, my voice and ultimately my worth. One guy literally told me he hated everything I stand for! Really I responded with as much grace and compassion as I could muster, “what is it that I stand for”? He couldn’t answer but babbled on about in his drunken states about how being in my power and supporting women in some way was attacking men! Wow, what an interesting perspective to take. That has never been my intention. Rather my vision is to co -create with men. I love men! Bodylove is about loving ourselves, regardless of gender. I believe women can have more loving relationships with the men in their lives and much deeper intimacy when we love ourselves. We are able to give more, express and shine more without shame or guilt. For some this is certainly threatening but it need not be this way. I never intended to threaten men, I just wanted to be healthy and to live the best life I could with the self esteem we all deserve.Inspired when I  had my own health crisis, I had a vision and that was to create a Bodylove movement, and here I am years later doing my own small thing in the world to create a more joyful way of living for women regardless of shape, size, age, ethnicity of social standing. In time, I hope to include more men too! You know a lot of men reach out to me to say they love Bodylove! Yeah hah bring that on!

I sent love to all the men in my world this week who seemed to be challenged by me and Bodylove, cut all energetic chords and came home to my heart, full of peace and divinity. When I do this I am set free. It was awkward at first but extremely cathartic. Now I am stronger than ever, empowered by the lessons, flash backs from past mistakes observed, the intuitive messages and the fact that no matter what, I trust myself to make the best decision for myself and for all women. I honestly believe when we stand in our power we create a trickle effect, empowering others to do the same, male or female! I  believe that we are forever changed by appreciating and integrating these lessons. I believe that life is made up of so many of these moments and as long as we can heed the wisdom that is always waiting for us, we will grow in ways never imagined. In the middle of a wobble, ask yourself,  what am I feeling? Or what is the emotion behind the feeling? Tune into your spirit and your body to listen to what it is trying to tell you? Your body never lies, so ask and if there is no answer, chill out a bit and come back to the same question in an hour or so. Go for a walk or continue working with a deep sense of trust that the answer will rise in you. You might just get a flash of wisdom in a feeling and or like me, you might see a picture or a word. When we see beauty in the chaos we shift our energy and then change the experience from something painful into something pleasant and even pleasurable!

“You must carry chaos inside you to give birth to a dancing star.” – Nietzsche

And finally, when in doubt reach out! If you need someone to listen to your quandary then your wise gal pals can be an invaluable sounding board. So this week a big thanks from me to sister goddesses Jackie, Andi, Lisa, Tricia and Susan, you are all rock stars. I feel honored to know you and truly loved and supported by you. And yes to the men in my life who think I rock, thank you for loving me for who I am in all my feminine glory. Thank you for supporting me when I have a wobble! You are the men who are making a huge difference in the world by partnering us in every way. I bless you!

“All true things must change, and only that which changes remains true.” – C.G. Jung.

astrostyle_logo2009-1General Astrology Overview for All 12 Signs:

Let the dating marathons begin. Love-planet Venus swoops into Gemini on Monday, activating the energetic, adventurous, communicative sides of us all. It’s time to venture beyond the standard “dinner and a movie” schtick or play-it-safe coffee date. Love blossoms when we see each other in action; attend events that provoke long, opinion-rich discussions. It can take a little nudge to see (or remember) the fullness of what another person has to offer. Instead of gazing into one another’s eyes, try looking out onto the world together. Venus in Gemini has the power to call our “soul twins” out of hiding. Like attracts like, so those who are on the hunt for love should fully put themselves out there. This is the way to be recognized by your other half.

On Wednesday, the vibes just get sexier, thanks to the full moon in scintillating Scorpio. Unspoken chemistry explodes into a passionate gropefest. For those who wish to avoid temptation, you’d be wise to stay far, far away from the object of your lust that day. Binding contracts are highlighted under this full moon, and may come to fruition after six months of build-up. This includes marriages, divorces, real estate deals, commission checks, inheritances, tax returns, and any other fiscal arrangement where the deal is not necessarily a 50/50 one.

For your daily or weekly horoscope visit the go to girls at Astrostyle. http://www.astrostyle.com

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 7 comments }

Fitness expert Michelle Lovitt has trained Hollywood celebrities such as Courteney Cox, Julianne Moore, Julia Luis-Dreyfus, Amber Valletta, Eve Jeffers, David Arquette, Jason Statham, Yvonne Strahovski, David Duchovny, Gabriel Aubry, and Keifer Sutherland, in addition to professional and Olympic athletes. Michelle’s signature training methods give her clients educational tools that help them understand their bodies, lose weight, get stronger, stay motivated and enjoy a better quality of life. The author of Exercise For Your Muscle Type: the Smart Way to Get Fit, currently runs, Lovitfitness, a Los Angeles based training company.

images-5“I love training with Michelle because she has so much energy and enthusiasm and her knowledge of the body is incredible!” – Courteney Cox

What does “Bodylove” mean to you?
Bodylove means recognizing and loving your body despite the “flaws”.

How have you become more confident in your body and if so how?
I just turned 40 and I am much more confident in my body now than I have ever been. It is in your twenties and thirties that you become familiar with your body and in my forties feel blessed to be given such health and strength. I am much less critical about the “little things’.

What do you think about social and media standards of beauty that communicate to women that we need to be thin to be in?
Social and media standards need to be challenged. Unfortunately media has a very large platform in which to distribute ideas and standards. It will take a concerted effort but getting healthy strong bodies to replace the rail thin bodies is and should be the goal.

What inspires you?
My clients. Everyday I wake up and get to educate my clients about exercise, nutrition and how their body’s work. It is an inspiration to me to inspire a change toward living a healthy lifestyle.
bio-img2
What is your passion?
My passion is education. Educating people about their bodies inspires me to get out of bed every morning.running2

What has been your biggest life lesson thus far and how did you make it work in your favor?

My biggest life lesson is to take a risk and pursue your dreams. Don’t let anything get in your path, especially fear of failure.

What has your biggest are-hah moment been?
When one of my clients listened to me and followed my advice for one year. The ah-hah moment came when she lost 4 sizes, looked at me and said “I think you might be on to something”.

What makes you the happiest or most satisfied and why?
Inspiring people and seeing people make positive changes in their lives. Seeing them get excited about life and health is my greatest satisfaction by far.

images-8What is the most important lesson you have learnt and how has it helped you grow?
I have learnt that in life without risk there is no reward. If you follow your dreams and work hard you will grow both as a person and in your professional life. This brings a much better quality of life.

What is your favorite meal or snack?  What is your least favorite food?
My favorite snack is a wasa cracker (wholegrain crispbread) and a tablespoon of peanut butter with a sliced apple. Least favorite food is duck!

You work with celebrities too do they have the same health concerns as us “regular” folk?
Yes, absolutely they have same concerns but elevated a bit because they are always on camera or being photographed.

If we only have 20 minutes a day to commit to training what would you recommend?
CARDIO, CARDIO and more CARDIO!

What do you think is the best nutritional advice you have to offer?
Eat several small meals throughout the day to keep your metabolism firing and be sure to drink plenty of water.

What is the best way to get a toned butt, hiking, running or squats?
All of the above!

How does attitude and mind set play into getting results?
Attitude and mindset are everything! Without the proper attitude and visualization, it is hard to stick to a consistent program and achieve the desired results.

What is the biggest health myth you would like to correct?
That carbs make you fat.  Calories make you fat!

If you could get your clients to do one thing each day to improve their health what would it be?
Drink more water!

What do you believe are the reasons behind the obesity epidemic?
Portion size.

What do you believe is the solution to obesity?
Cut calories, be consistent with cardio, watch the amount of carbohydrates eaten (and type of carbs eaten), and drink plenty of water. The key is simple – move more and eat less and you’ll fit into that sexy dress! Exerciseweb

http://www.basichealthpub.com/detail.php?ProductID=61

To purchase Michelle’s fabulous book visit the link below. Packed full of powerful solutions, Exercise For Your Muscle Type, will transform your body and the way you approach fitness!

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 1 comment }

“Elegance in my opinion, goes beyond whether your a fashionista or not. The seed of elegance sprouts by creating your signature style, it embodies how you hold yourself, they way you speak, express your truth, the way you treat others and your outlook and perspective on living. An elegant woman knows her worth but has grace, humility, spunk and passion.” Ingrid Arna, founder of Bodylove.

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 0 comments }

A few years I ago I had a wake up call. I realized that I’d been lied to over and over again! And you have been too.

I was living in NYC working and working in a stressful job in TV development. In need of a holiday and some good R&R, my only salvation from going totally insane during the long enduring winter was my local gym. I loved my gym because it was the only luxury I could afford at the time, and for an hour a day I felt that I was living the live, at a luxury resort.

Everything at the gym was immaculate. Attendants who catered to our every need maintained the changing rooms. I ordered organic juice served to me as I lounged by the pool. It was heaven in a concrete jungle.The liberating thing about this busy gym was the confident women I met. The girls changing room was a naked sea of women steaming, bathing, chatting and preening. I have to confess, I couldn’t help but have a good look around! I am not a pervert by any means, but I just couldn’t help taking in all the nakedness. It is hard not to when you have someone’s bottom literally in your face. I saw so many varied looking women, each so different in body size and shape – voluptuous bodies, extra voluptuous bodies, tall women, short women, toned and lean women, sagging breasts, perky breasts, large full bottoms, white, black, Asian, bony bums, cellulite, vaginas covered in fur and others Brazilian bare.What struck me was how sexy all these women were. Huh? Hadn’t I been taught that you had to look like a model, a polished reed or a famous actress to be sexy? Deep within me, I knew the media ideal of ‘beauty’ was a narrow limited view, but it wasn’t until I really saw such a broad range of nakedness that I realized I had really been lied to and blatantly brainwashed. These women were all gorgeous, each and every one of them! What really struck me was how these women strutted. There was no hiding. These women were sexy, empowered and not afraid to show it ALL off!

The same week at work I had been interviewing a selection of women for a advertising project. Each lady had a different job, passion, and opinion and their own unique perspective and attitude, created their individual sexiness. They all had very individual body shapes, faces, skin tones, opinions and yearnings; and yet they all exuded a brilliant charisma infused with confidence, passion, and determination. Some of them where almost ethereal grounded in their unique beauty. And to top of my sexy research, my new ‘sexy’ view of appreciation was consolidated by the glorious women I had featured at my clothing launch. From size 16 to size 8, each and everyone rocked.group

“What is sexy is a woman who takes care of herself without guilt attached to honoring her body and soul.” Carre Otis, Actress and former model, now a yogini, Los Angeles

images-3
All three experiences ignited my desire to expose the truth about true definition of sensuality for women today. Often I think we can intellectualize that beauty and sex appeal comes in all shapes, sizes and ages, but unless we can really start to live it and believe whole heartedly in our sexy sensual selves, we can’t really be free to be the women we are entitled to be – strong, clever and yes you guessed it sexy and sensual, without guilt.

By unmasking the sexiness in every woman, we can work towards establishing a strong sense of who we are – damn brilliant specimens, all perfect in our uniqueness. Exposing our raw sexiness sets new foundations and gives us the capabilities to lead by example, to encourage our mothers, friends, children and associates to claim their own sexy energy. To unveil our raw sexiness we need to be more in tune with our bodies and all the other gifts that make us women. The compounding effects of media propaganda constantly drum our internal drive for perfection and it has to stop! Are you over it? I know I am! It is now time to live differently by reclaiming that strength from within.

“Imagine us shaping a new woman, dream of the future, out of transformed obsessions that presently rule our lives.” Kim Chernin, author The Hungry Self

We are so consumed by living up to the ideals of others that they have become our own.We are brain washed into believing that we have to force our bodies and our lives into looking like the picture of success the billboards present, like it was a biological blue print of what women should be. This is completely insane! If we can pull back, meditate and tune into how divine we really are, we can start to clearly see how pathetic and comical the situation is. But it’s so hard when we are bombarded with hundreds of messages daily, images that re-program our sub-conscious minds. So I have done simplified some truths for you to absorb! It is time to expose the truth! You’re damn sexy and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

“They feed you on the guilt to keep you humble, keep you low. Some man and myth they made up a thousand years ago.” Melissa Etheridgemelissaetheridge

What is sexy, I have discovered is a woman or a man for that matter, who is connected to WHO they are. They have a magnetic aura about them and that energy attracts people to them, like honey to bees. You don’t have to be a super hottie physically but we can all harness our inner idol by really appreciating who you are from the inside out. When you can claim self-confidence, you can’t help but exude that sexy alluring quality.

So how do you become sexy?

It is my belief that being sexy is available to everyone. I have met many a man who is super appealing because of the way he talks and walks and he doesn’t look like Brad Pitt. I have also met many women who are playful, warm, engaging and confident in their skin and they don’t look like super model Gisele either.

In summary here are the six key attributes you can embody to get into a new sexy groove! Have fun with it.

6 SEXY SECRETS:
1. PASSION - Have something your passionate about so you get excited about your life.
2. CONFIDENCE – Get to know yourself and your strengths and then embrace them. Typically it might be things you take for granted. Sometimes those are your greatest gifts. Celebrate and cherish them!
3. SELF IMAGE – Hold yourself well and talk with a self assured manner, fake it until you believe it, then be at peace with who you are. Dressing well always puts me in a good mood and if I take the time to groom well, then my self image gets a good boost. Have fun with the girly things that make you feel good. For instance, like a great dress that flatters your shape, a new piece of jewellery or spend a few hours buried in your closet putting different outfits together. Work with what you have!
4. WELLNESS – Know what makes you feel good emotionally, physically and spiritually and engage in those activities. It might be the food you eat that makes you feel nurtured or the daily yoga class that centres your spirit, or that dance class that ignites passion in you. Perhaps walking in nature or swimming in the sea set you free! Movement opens up the chakras and encourages you to breathe in the joy of live. More oxygen is always a good thing too!
5. ATTITUDE – Authentic acts of self honoring which boost our self esteem organically translates into sexiness = positive, confident, joyful and alluring women. How we perceive ourselves reflects our attitude to live and all things we encounter.
6. SELF RESPECT -Modify your thought patterns. Stop the negative chatter and turn it into positive self talk.The best way to become sexy is to look within. Discover who you are and fall in lust with it.

A great affirmation to repeat: I am sexy and sensual and I effortlessly attract playfulness and appreciation into my life.

When you like who you are and what you stand for (and no that is not the clothes you wear of the car you drive), without effort a natural sexiness starts to grow. You begin to be playful in conversation engaging all those around you, you start to dance with life and the people you meet and the new people you attract will be drawn to your engaging personality and your fun loving spirit.
If your stressed out and feeling overwhelmed sexiness tends to shrink. To charge up your inner mojo take the time to nurture yourself with rest, play and exercise. If you’re really having difficulty claiming that sexy glow then some good therapy to build your self confidence is a great way to really discover how fabulous you are. Having sex can help too and it’s always fun, hopefully!
“A sexy woman to me is a woman comfortable in her own skin, powerful but still feminine. She is centered and connected to everything.” Tina Brown, Cosmetic entrepreneur, NYC

In addition, change the way you think about yourself by shifting your inner dialogue and repeat this little mantra “I am sexy and everyone I meet is attracted to my playful and engaging personality. I feel fantastic”. As soon as you have a healthy sense of self then others will feel it.

Ok, so the foundation rests with this little bit of wisdom. SEXY starts from within. There is no doubt about it. And it’s worked for me time and time again. Being truly confident in your skin regardless of what you look like on the outside, is like the elixir of sex appeal. It’s the very juice that will attract attention from all sorts of people and not just the men!

dancing-bodyloveAs you explore the your own sensuality, accept and respect yourself and gradually let go of any inhibitions your world will have a lot more fun and excitement. I believe flirting with life is good for the soul. As you journey into this new playful territory, you will discover parts of yourself you might not have experience before. So to all the sex kittens out there, go claim it, live it and irresistible is what you will be.

Much Bodylove,
Ingrid Arna

Founder of mybodylove.com, Ingrid Arna is available for wellness coaching. For a FREE 15 minute phone consultation call Ingrid today. Sign up on our blog and receive our e-book, The 10 Rituals To Bodylove, short, powerful and transformational content.

Copyright Bodylove © 2010

  • Share/Bookmark

{ 4 comments }