Energy.

1.  Flexibility

Safely stretching your muscles releases the lactic acid that builds up with muscle use and causes stiffness, tension, pain, and fatigue.  Yoga stretches not only your muscles but all of the soft tissues of your body.

2.  Strength

Many poses such as downward dog, upward dog, and plank pose build upper body strength.  The standing poses build strength in your hamstrings, quadriceps, and abdominal muscles.

3.  Posture

Most standing and sitting poses develop core strength.  With a stronger core, you’re more likely to sit and stand “tall.”

4.  Breathing

Deepening and lengthening your breath stimulates the relaxation response.

5.   Less stress, more calm

Some yoga styles use specific meditation techniques to quiet the constant “mind chatter” that often underlies stress.

6.  Concentration and mood

Concentration and the ability to focus mentally are common benefits of yoga.  The same is true with mood.  It may  help depression due to boosting oxygen levels to the brain.  Yoga is also being studied as a therapy to relieve symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder.

7.  Heart benefits

Yoga lowers blood pressure and slows the heart rate.  A slower heart rate can benefit people with hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.  It also boosts the immune system.

8.  Effects on other medical conditions

Yoga relieves symptoms of asthma, back pain, and arthritis.

Taking an intense power yoga class  in a heated room can provide an aerobic benefit.  I recently tried the yoga center which offers multiple hot yoga classes.  The room is heated, creating a sauna like atmosphere.  This causes you to sweat even more, which detoxifies the body.  You leave feeling refreshed and energized.  I highly recommend it.

Angie Noble is a Master Stylist at Mode Salon

Angie Noble discusses some of the benefits of Massage Therapy

1. RELIEVES PAIN

People suffering from chronic pain can experience immediate, partial, or temporary relief through massage.

2. EASES TENSION

Physical tension caused by standing at your job, or carrying and lifting heavy objects can be relieved by getting a massage to relax worn muscles.

3. RELAXES INFLAMED MUSCLES

Massage will ease the tension and soreness from exercise and other sports related injuries.

4. IMPROVES CIRCULATION

Massage helps stimulate your body tissues and improves blood flow. For some people, massage can help lower blood pressure and can improve pulse rate. This contributes to an improved overall health and well being.

5. REDUCES STRESS

Massage can relax stiff muscles, and reduce the occurance of tension headaches. It also helps you cope and manage with stress and difficult emotions.

6. ENHANCES YOUR MOOD

It has been shown that massage releases the feel-good endorphines into your body. Massage creates a sense of well being that can make anyone feel better.

7. A WAY TO PAMPER YOURSELF

Do something nice for yourself, and take a mental break through the power of massage. This will truly make you feel pampered. At various points in life, you may feel run-down, overwhelmed, or bored from the daily routine. When you get a massage, your body and mind wake up. Not only does a massage offer a relaxing escape, but the benefits continue after, allowing you to feel more alert and energized.

I will be talking you through two more looks that will have you ready for this summer. They can be worn together or separate depending on the look you are going for that day. Our first look will be the beach waves. With this look you will be ready to go outside for any activity or a fun date with the guy you like:

1. You will need a 1″ flat iron
2. Section your hair so it’s easier to work with your iron.
3. Take 1″ sections or smaller (otherwise this won’t work) and your flat iron. Starting at the root twist around your iron until a light wave forms.
   
   

   Flat Iron sections

4. Continue throughout until all your hair is done.
5. When finished run your fingers through. If too curly quickly run your iron through to soften. Then spray some gel over your hair and you are ready to rock the town.
   
   

   Wavy look

Waves from the back

Now that you have your waves, how about we accessorize with your hair braided in a headband. It is a look that will have heads turning. You will never have to buy a headband again once you get this look down:

1. First you will need to decide where your starting point will be and how thick your braid will be.
2. Once you have your braid where you want separate into three pieces and crisscross over each other.
3. Then choosing which outside piece to start with grab some hair and cross it over the middle piece.
4. Continue throughout until you have your braid at your desired place. Take a couple bobby pins and crisscross over one another and you have one of the coolest headbands around
   
   

   Headband

Now that you have your waves and headband you can hit the town shopping, go to the pool, or even out on a picnic. You will be looking like a model right out of this summer’s fashion magazines and making the town your runway.

Ready to go out!

Michelle Konieczny is a Stylist at Mode Salon

Hi Zoe, You have touched upon just about everything in the world of fashion. From Jewelry to clothing design and personal styling. What motivated you to get your start and how do you hold it all together?

I have always been interested in self expression and fashion. I feel the two go hand and hand. Fashion is wearable art, and I am an artist. I am a very creative person and am constantly coming up with ideas from designing to styling. My brain never seems to stop. It seems only natural that I would involve myself in all aspects of the fashion world.

I started out as a personal shopper after graduating college, then I dabbled in modeling as a hobby which led into fashion styling and creative direction on photo shoots. Some people saw my work which then led into Fashion Production. I actually started designing in High School.

Tell me a little bit more about Personal Shopping. This is a big service in place like New York and LA, but we don’t see that much of it in Indy.

With technology and travel today you can live anywhere and style all over the world. I am offering a new service remote styling where I can style anyone anywhere in the world from the privacy of my own home.

Personal shopping is catering to one specific client, whether it is to help pick out an outfit for a specific event to a unique gift for that special someone. The most common misconception of personal shopping is that it is only for celebrities. That is untrue, personal shopping can be for anyone from a stay at home mom, to a teacher, to a celebrity. I work within all budgets.

Going along with Personal shopping, you also do Closet Organizing. Personally, I think knowing your closet forms the basis for a person’s own unique fashion sense. But many don’t have a clue as to how to go about it. What process do you use? How do you help your clients decide what’s in and what’s out?

Having your closet as your sanctuary can definitely help inspire you when getting dressed.

There are many steps to closet organization and personalization. I listed a few below, I can’t give away all my secrets “wink”.

• The first step in the process is to meet with the client to get a feel for who they are and what they are looking to get out of the experience. This 30 minute consultation is offered free of charge to each new client.

• The next step is going through the closet with the client to determine what items to keep, what items to discard or re-purpose. Then we discuss organization (organize by season, occasion, length, color etc.).

I have my clients try on the items in their closet, let them see what fits, how it looks on them and then we discuss it. If they can’t live without it and it looks good it is a keeper. If we can’t decide, it is a maybe and we will go back to it later.

I choose what is a keep based on how it looks on them, how they feel when they have it on, what it can be paired with and how current it is to their wardrobe today.

Many people are very attached to the things in their closet. How do get people to let go of them?

I simply ask them is this something you can’t live without? Does it fit? What is keeping you from letting it go?

If it is sentimental let’s keep it, and find a new use for it. If it’s a special t-shirt lets frame it or put it into a special project. Let’s use that piece to help personalize your space rather than clutter it. It is a very therapeutic experience.

Are there any items that just might be in people’s closets right now which are coming back on the scene?

I think everyone has some special treasures in their closet that are hidden. It’s amazing the things that are found in a client’s closet. There are always a few surprises. I can’t tell you how many times clients say “I love this, I forgot I had that”. In fashion everything comes back.

When I re-work a closet I like to take things people already have and show them what they can do to create a new outfit or show them a different way to use a piece a way they never thought of.

After a closet re-org, do you recommend a shopping spree? Or just a vacation for your clients?

Shopping is definitely in order after a closet re-organization. One of the steps during the process is to make a list of things we need to replace and things that are needed to finish a wardrobe.

I give each client the option to have me take them shopping or for them to do it on their own. I offer different packages with options which can be tailored to the client, their budget and their life.

What’s next on your busy agenda?

I have upcoming photo shoots, client styling, traveling and fashion shows coming up this fall, wardrobe. Working on some new items for both my pet jewelry line (Zaney’s by Zoe) and One-Of-A-Kind Pieces by Zoe Renee. I am also getting everything ready for my big move to New York City for 2012.

Any parting thoughts?

My goal in closet organization is to have the client coming out of this experience feeling that their closet is their sanctuary; somewhere they can go to escape from daily stresses. I want it to be very personal, to feel more like a room then just a storage space. I want the client to be able to shop their closet the way they would a store.

Other Services and Packages available upon request.

Thanks Zoe. I am sure our readers will want to give you a try!

Check out Zoe on her Facebook page for more information

Top 10 foods for healthy, glowing skin

1. Avocados

Includes essential oils and B-complex vitamins that nourish your skin. Avocados contain lots of niacin, which is an anti-inflammatory. This soothes irritated and red, blotchy skin.

2. Mangoes

Include vitamin A which maintains and repairs skin cells. A deficiency will result in a dry, flaky complexion.

3. Almonds

Include vitamin E which moisturizes dry skin. Its antioxidants protect against skin damage and premature aging.

4. Cottage cheese

Includes selenium which will protect you against skin cancer and fight dandruff.

5. Acerola cherries

Includes vitamin C which fights skin damage and wrinkles

6. Oysters

Includes zinc which helps boost elastin which is the skins elastic protein.

7. Baked potatoes

Includes copper, which is an essential mineral that works with vitamin C and zinc to produce the elastin fibers that support skin structure.

8. Mushrooms

Includes riboflavin, which helps improve skin blemishes caused by rosacea

9. Flaxseed oil

Includes omega-3 which hydrate the skin and unclog pores

10. Wheat germ

Includes biotin which keeps you from having itchy, scaly skin

So try these foods out and over a period of time, you too can have healthy and glowing skin!

Angie Noble is a Master Stylist at Mode Salon and Day Spa

1. Salmon

The essential omega 3-fatty acids are needed to support scalp health. A deficiency can result in a dry scalp and thus hair, giving it a dull look. If you are a vegetarian, add flax seed to your diet.

2. Dark green vegetables

Spinach and broccoli are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. This oily substance secreted by your hair follicles, is the body’s natural conditioner.

3. Beans

Kidney beans and lentils include protein to promote hair growth. They also include iron, zinc, and biotin. Biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

4. Nuts

Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 that may help condition your hair.

5. Poultry

Without adequate protein or low quality protein, your hair can become weak and brittle.

6. Eggs

Eggs are the best protein source you can find. They include biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.

7. Whole grains

Whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals give your hair a healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

8. Oysters

Oysters include zinc which is a powerful antioxidant. Since oysters are not as common for people to eat on a regular basis, you can also get zinc from beef.

9. Low-fat dairy products

Skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth.

10. Carrots

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp. A healthy scalp is essential for shiny, well conditioned hair.

Try adding these items to your diet and watch your hair strength, shine and body increase.

Next week, I will talk about how diet can affect your skin and nails.

Angie Noble is a Master Stylist at Modé Salon and Day Spa

Guys? Want to be in the spotlight? Consider coloring YOUR hair….as one rather visible public figure just did….

http://tinyurl.com/4axbt9h