1. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Slow your breath down, and slow your thoughts down. Breathe deeply through the nose only. If this is uncomfortable, you can breathe through the mouth as well. When breathing through the nose only, this is called Ujayii Pranayama and it creates a little whispery sound in the back of the throat that sounds like the ocean’s waves. Try to ‘stretch’ your breath, meaning that if you are used to taking a 3 second inhalation, and a 2 second exhalation, try now to make both the in breath and the out breath 4 seconds long. This should bring a sense of calm and relaxation to the body and the mind.
2. Visualize the beautiful baby inside of you. Imagine your baby’s head pointed down towards your pelvis, and his/her back to your belly. Send your love and your blessings to your baby. What is it that you have always wished for your baby? Love, peace, laughter? Whatever it is, imagine that you are sending that to your child with each breath.
3. Sit upright and place your hands about 6-12 inches behind you on the bed. Lift your heart and if it feels ok, then let your head dip back a little. This is an extremely gentle backbend that will allow you to stretch the front of your body and stretch tired shoulders in an easy way.
4. Keep sore shoulders strong with I’s, Y’s and T’s. This is a great exercise that is normally done with dumbbells, but at this time you are just going to use the exercise as a way to get a little bit of blood circulating into the shoulder joint (with no weights). Sit up in bed and lift your arms directly overhead for one breath, then out to the side on an angle, as though you were making the letter ‘Y.’ Now take the arms straight out to the side, and make the letter ‘T.’ Repeat a total of 3 times to feel the upper body enjoying a little movement.
5. Purchase a stress ball and squeeze it with your hands. This will help you to maintain grip strength. Make sure to breathe deeply while using the stress ball, and if you are feeling frustrated about being on bedrest, imagine that frustration moving out of your body, into the ball (don’t worry, you can ask someone to rinse the ball with cool water afterwards). Remember to breathe deeply as you do this, as it is extremely important for you not to hold your breath while squeezing the ball.
6. Pillows can help you to enjoy a very easy Yoga posture called supported supta badha konasana. Lay 2 pillows vertically on your bed (these will be for your spine). Now place one more pillow on top horizontally (this is for your head). Lay back onto your pillows and allow your knees to bend and open to the sides (like a butterfly stretch, but laying down). If your inner thighs are tight, you can place more pillows under your outer thighs and knees. Lay back and relax and allow your body at least one minute in this shape and take the time to invite in peace and tranquility.

Check out my tips on Self magazine’s website to learn how to salsa dance your way to a stronger, leaner, and sexier lower body. Click here. Look for me again later this month on the Self.com site with tips on how to combat cellulite!

Events

I am excited to be presenting a fun Yoga demonstration at Century City Mall through OperationFitness.com. Attendance is expected to be greater than 20,000 coming through the expo this Saturday, February 25th. Stop by at 4:15pm for my class. The first 3 participants will receive a free Yoga for Beginners DVD.

Social Media

Check out my brand new page on Facebook. Each week I have tips on fitness, Dance, Yoga, and Pre & Post Natal Fitness. I am dedicated to sharing information that I have learned over the years and love to post and tweet lots of great info.. You will also find fun contests to win DVD’s, inspiration and motivation, and you can always send me a fitness question that you would like to have answered.

https://www.Facebook.com/DesiBartlett | http://Twitter.com/desibartlett

Your Best Body

At the beginning of each new year, many magazines, clients and friends ask me the best way to stay in shape. Consistency is the key, so even on those days when you know you only have 20 minutes, use those 20 minutes wisely. DVD’s are a great way to get in a quick workout when you do not have time to get to the studio or gym. My 3 in 1 Total Body Fitness DVD is a great tool for getting in the type of workout that you need for the day. The DVD has 20 minute segments of Cardio, Body Sculpting and Yoga, so that you can customize your workout to meet your goals.

Click here to purchase your copy today.

Classes

I am currently teaching public classes at Exhale’s Center for Sacred Movement and Gold’s Gym Venice. For those of you who do not live in the City of Angels, I currently have 7 DVD’s to choose from and many of my workouts can be found on Time Warner Cable and Netflix. For more information on my schedule and classes, please click here.

More

This month I had the opportunity to work with an amazing photographer named Natiya Guin. Natiya practiced Yoga with me when she was pregnant with her beautiful daughter. My son accompanied me to the shoot and here is a photo of us from that day.

www.natiya.com Natiya Guin Photography

Namaste~ The Divine Light in Me, Recognizes and Bows to the Divine Light in You
With love, Desi

So, as of right now, I am working to compile the newest information that inspires me. When I plan my meals, I do so based on what my body’s reaction will be. When I plan my workout, I do so based on what my body most needs that day/week/month. When I practice Yoga, I do so as an eternal student, always open to learning new types of breathing techniques, new sequences, while staying true to the lineage passed down to us in the West.

It is the mixture of the old and the new that will carry us into this new century’s wisdom of the body. Blending methods from the East and West, medical and hollistic, the gym and the Yoga studio; the ability to balance and blend is an essential ingredient in any relationship. My relationship with my career path is healthy and strong. I love what I do, and it is now not just “what I do,’ it is who I am.

Namaste,

Desi

Website

Desibartlett.com has a new look with more user friendly tools to watch media clips and read articles full of healthful information. Stop by and check out the new look!

Press

Check out my tips to beat the winter blues on the Self Magazine Website. This article is great for those of you who are snowed in and need a little boost. Click here

For Moms looking to get back into shape, click here to see Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong site, and my tips for exercising with your baby. (http://www.livestrong.com/article/326656-mommy-me-yoga-training/)

Your Best Body

At the beginning of each new year, many magazines, clients and friends ask me the best way to stay in shape. Consistency is the key, so even on those days when you know you only have 20 minutes, use those 20 minutes wisely. DVD’s are a great way to get in a quick workout when you do not have time to get to the studio or gym. My 3 in 1 Total Body Fitness DVD is a great tool for getting in the type of workout that you need for the day. The DVD has 20 minute segments of  Cardio, Body Sculpting and Yoga, so that you can customize your workout to meet your goals. Click here to purchase your copy today.

Classes

In addition to pre and post natal classes at Exhale’s center for sacred movement, I’m now teaching at Gold’s gym Venice, and continue to teach in corporate settings. I am  thrilled to be teaching public classes in both in a serene studio setting and at the mecca of bodybuilding. Click here to check out my updated schedule.

Workshops

The popular Mommy & Me Yoga workshop will return to Exhale’s center for Sacred Movement on Sunday February 27th. This is a wonderful opportunity for new moms to reclaim their core strength, dance, sing, and bond with their beautiful babies. For more information, please contact Exhale at 310.450.7676

More

I’m very excited to be represented by YAMA talent. Check out yamatalent.com to see how Yogis all over the world are working to bring the message of health and wellness to the world. I’m thrilled to be a part of this amazing roster.

Namaste~ The Divine Light in Me, Recognizes and Bows to the Divine Light in You

With Love,
Desi