Lightlife and PureYoga…do you like your pilates HOT?

By popular demand (all four of my readers requested this 😉 ) I wanted to give a quick recap of the hot pilates class I took at PureYoga and also the fun Lightlife event I enjoyed last night!

First, food. As you four many of you are quite aware if you’re read one or two posts of mine, I am an omnivore through and through. A bacon-ista of sorts. A real “I’ll try a bite of anything!” kind of eater. So when I was extended the invitation to attend a LightLife event which would be showcasing their vegan products, I was definitely intrigued at this opportunity  to step outside the bacon-box so to speak.

The folks at Lightlife beyond generously offered to pick me up in a car since I was rushing straight from work. As I walked outside my office, I was greeted by a big black Escalade. All I could think of was “Wake up in the morning feelin’ like PDiddy.” In hindsight, I guess that’s weird I didn’t think J-Lo or a female pop-singer, but if nothing else, I am honest…Right, back to the point. I arrived at the event which was held at the magnificent Glass Houses in Chelsea.

LightLife went all out decorating the space, each area of the venue was an ‘ode’ of sorts to a different way of cooking. Whether it was a quick vegan meal to bring to the office, cooking at home, entertaining/appetizers or a summer BBQ, they highlighted (in my case) the way their products could help vegan/vegetarian guests in your life feel welcome and included in delicious and creative ways.

Since my camera, unfortunately was dead, let me regale you with photos from the lovely Ashley who I enjoyed some wine with last night (and then a 3.5 mile treadmill run this morning after walked out of a bad substitute instructor’s spin class..ooops…):

Vegan goodness:

Caught enjoying some red wine…I’m much better looking in the dark:

More Vegan fare:

Thank you LightLife for a lovely evening of vegan eats, bloggers and beautiful views.

So in the spirit of a good counterbalance (eat and counter-eat as I like to call it…) and as previously mentioned, I enjoyed a Hot Pilates class at Pure Yoga (West Side) courtesy of Self Magazine. I extended the invitation to two of my lovely and fit friends who live on the Upper West Side. When I started talking about hand massages,  product samples and hot pilates at a swanky studio, I knew I wouldn’t have to beg too hard.

We started with hand massages in one of Pure’s cushy lounge areas. Swanka-la-la.

After our hand massage, it was time to sweat. In style, of course.

I have to say, pilates is a workout which I am not the biggest fan of. That is probably because I find it difficult and don’t do it often…(side note: my future mother-in-law is, among other things, a certified pilates INSTRUCTOR! how cool??) So when I saw hot pilates was the only class open, I was excited but unsure. I wasn’t sure if I would like it or survive be able to keep up. When we walked into the gorgeous studio and felt the heat, I further doubted my sanity ability. But there I was, and it was go time. The instructor (Jillian) was terrific and hit the ground running.

The pace was extremely fast and energetic, really allowing for an intense and sweaty (well, hi, yes, it was about 100 degrees) workout. We used the pilates circle for the class (try to hold that behind your back and squeeze it to do triceps…OUCH) which I definitely found very challenging. The class maintained a quick pace and by the end I was ready to relax and child’s pose and finally escape the heat.

All in all? Pilates is still not “my” workout. That said, the class was great, the heat made it challenging and it felt good to really ‘sweat it out’ in a gorgeous studio.

So, lovelies, have you ever taken a HOT class (yoga, pilates…others???) and also, tell me your experience with vegan food(s)?? Would you eat meatless meat??

This weekend will be filled with some excellent dining and workouts, stay tuned!

xoxo

s

ps) i will start charging my camera battery…i will start charging my camera battery…