Three Cheers for Gentle

September 14, 2023 ellen
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The idea that “gentle” is for babies or for the injured, but aside from those specific demographics, you should be embracing intensity, is still alive and well in the world today, but not in my world. In my world, gentle is sustainable, nurturing and a winning aspect of longevity. What is a gentle workout? First, gentle might just be slower. It might just be shorter. It might just be avoiding certain ranges of motion that cause pain. Gentle doesn’t mean less effective.  Secondly,...

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Boss Move

September 7, 2023 ellen
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Ladies, it’s our nature to ebb and flow. Our energies and moods fluctuate and our needs constantly shift. One day we’re extroverted and have loads of energy, and the next day we might need to prioritize a good nap. In 2013, the big catalyst for writing the 28 Days Lighter Diet was my realization that our culture ignores – and rewards us when we do – one of the most important aspects of women’s health, the menstrual...

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Hamstring Happiness

September 5, 2023 ellen
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A happy body needs happy hamstrings, yet nobody pays much attention to their hamstrings unless they’re tight or sore. I say ignoring your hamstrings is a fitness cardinal sin. Here are three simple ways to create some hamstring happiness:  1. Give your hamstrings a massage. Sit on the floor with your legs in front of you and knees bent. Then take your fingers and “dig” into the backs of your thighs. Start behind the knee and work...

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Ellen Barrett Let's Move!

Deal of the Century

August 30, 2023 ellen
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You want to know what the most neglected, underrated, and underestimated aspect of physical fitness is? Extension. In most people’s daily life – and in their workouts – the body stays in its tiny little box, never busting out. Overtime, ranges of motion get smaller and smaller, and the body’s comfort zone shrinks. In turn, the body is easily uncomfortable.  Don’t be an average Joe! Take this call to action: be sure to stretch. Stretching can...

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Ellen Barrett

The Vitalist

August 28, 2023 ellen
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The other day, I heard a word and knew it was special: vitalist. A vitalist is someone who believes energy is what it’s all about, and therefore wants to optimize it. A vitalist seeks vitality – he or she is an “energy snob” so to speak, but in the best way. It’s important to know that we can conjure up more vitality, not always but very very often. Here are five big vitality boosters: 1. the consumption of high...

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Feel Good Flow ellenbarrett.com

Feel Good Flow – now streaming

August 21, 2023 ellen
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I was just talking about how I like to get creative with naming workouts and here I come out with a “boring” title that’s not all that exciting, and seems a bit generic. I know, I know….but the workout told me its name. The workout was adamant it be called FEEL GOOD FLOW. All the other names (“Barre Flow” was a frontrunner) were shot down by this workout’s incessant whispers I couldn’t drown out.  Feel Good...

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Let's Move Ellen Barrett

Whole Self Thriving

August 17, 2023 ellen
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More and more I see the reciprocity between the body and the mind. Let’s face it – exercise gives us a leg up in life. It’s a well-being tool, not merely about physical health. I heard the term recently, whole self thriving, and just love it. That’s how I feel about exercise – it’s whole self thriving – and that’s probably why I prioritize it. So let’s all prioritize regular exercise. Let’s Move! and let’s thrive. 💚

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Let's Move! Ellen Barrett

Instant Results

August 14, 2023 ellen
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One of the best things about exercising is that there are instant results. Maybe it’s standing taller. Maybe it’s feeling stronger. Maybe it’s being more embodied. Whatever the instant results are, we usually don’t pay much attention to them. We move on with our day, and often don’t take a single moment to acknowledge the positive shifts that might have occurred.  Yoga classes do have that moment, and it’s usually immediately following Shavasana, right before class ends....

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Ellen Barrett Let's Move!

AGLOW WITH ENTHUSIASM

August 7, 2023 ellen
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You go house hunting, and upon walking into a dream home that’s up for sale,  you have so much enthusiasm for it, you can’t contain yourself. You love this house. You want this house. It’s the one! BUT, then your spouse whispers to you something like, “Shhhh….play it cool. Tone it down,” because the realtor is watching. This scenario is truly painful for me not just because I’m bad at playing it cool, but because repressing enthusiasm feels...

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Nurture the Green

July 31, 2023 ellen
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It’s the summer of green, and I’m here for it! First, because of so much rain in Northeastern USA, my environment is super lush and all you see is overgrown green foliage. Second, I’ve been wearing green – all different shades – and really rockin’ it (or at least I think so). And third, I’m eating (and growing!) lots of high vibe green foods…hope you are too. In Hindu, green represents peace and nature.  In...

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