This year Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13.   So treat your mother or that special someone and let them know how much you appreciate them with a pampering gift at the Spa at Ethos.

Choose from one of our Mother’s Day Specials (no substitutions of other treatments):

• Go Pure Facial for $125 (valued at $150) redeem by 6/30/12
• Signature Massage for $90 with complimentary Scalp Massage (valued at $25) redeem by 6/30/12

• Gift Certificates available – standard expiration

Click here to view our Spa Menu.

Health in review.
Your health is important, but so is that of your immediate family.  Review your family’s health history with your doctor, letting them know if anything has changed.  Was anyone diagnosed with disease, such as breast cancer or diabetes?  If so, make your physician aware so any additional diagnostic testing can be scheduled.  Based on your family’s history, your provider may be able to make preventive recommendations.

Get up to date.
Are you due for a mammogram or other tests?  Do some research and find out what routine testing health care providers suggest for someone with your age and history.  For example, many providers suggest women have a thyroid test done every three years, starting at age 35.  A fasting glucose test is often suggested for women 45 and older every three years, as well.  For men 50 and over, screenings for prostate cancer are in order, unless there are risk factors.

Make a list.
Do you have a chronic health problem, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol?  Or, has something changed about your health that gives you concern?  Have your eating habits changed?  Are you dealing with depression or anxiety?  Write down anything about your health that you feel warrants discussion.  Additionally, take note of all the medications you’re currently taking, as well as the dosages, so you can talk to your physician about any changes that might need to be made.

Move forward.
Do you have some extra weight you want to shed?  Ask for suggestions from your health care provider to get started. Or, perhaps you want to quit smoking.  Your physician will not only be a potential support system, but has probably helped other patients kick the habit.

Source: This article was excerpted from mtj® (Massage Therapy Journal®)

Jump Start your Fitness Program for the Summer

Small Group Training packages are a great way to get in Shape for the Summer. Click here to view our new and exciting packages specially designed to target those areas that are most exposed in the summer months.

 Personal Training packages available as well click here.

Purchase any of the above packages along with a 50 or 80 min Spa Service and receive a $25 Retail Coupon.
Spa Menu

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Valued at $60.

This effective combination of products helps to reduce oil without drying and giving the skin the hydration it needs, while the oxygen blast enhances the benefits of the facial.

Call 201.251.4500 to book your appointment!

by Elizabeth Carr, BS, CPT

I have  been running and training for seven years. What got you to commit to running in your first 5K race?  A friend, your own personal goal or the free goodies, like a t-shirt?  Whatever the reason, you are sure to have a great time!  Enjoy the energy and excitement of your fellow runners!   They will be stretching, jogging, wearing their best gear, greeting some familiar faces, and ultimately aiming for their personal best.

So, with that in mind, do not worry about how fast the other runners are going! Leading up to the race, you should train at least 4 – 6 weeks before hand.   Make sure you challenge yourself with different types of walks or runs, so you can be prepared for hills and flats.  Be especially mindful of how your heart rate responds – be in tune with your body.  You can use your watch to help you, or simply listen to your body and breathing.    Running or walking with others toward a common goal is so inspiring!  Since I like some friendly competition, I keeping myself at a pace I can maintain, then look ahead and try to pace myself with other female runners.   Ultimately, it’s my own fun!

 I enjoy every aspect of participating in a race! The best tip for training for a race is to make sure you strength train your entire body! You need a strong chest and back to keep you upright and stable.  You need, strong arms to help propel you forward, and a strong core! So, do not just train by walking or running;

Tip:  Want to improve your walking or running stamina?

Strength train your entire body!  Do chest presses and seated rows for your upper body, planks for core stability and squats and lunges for leg strength.   Do some strength training and cross training, like spin class.     Find a friend you can train with to keep you both accountable.  If you have any questions about walking or running, your first 5K feel free to ask.

 My favorite runner’s exercise is called a Runner’s Lunge.

Begin with dumbbells in each hand. Stand tall and lift your right  knee toward your chest, the left hand should be curled toward your shoulder, like a biceps curl, while the other arm in at rests by your thigh. Lower the right leg down and step back into a rear lunge and bring your right arm toward your right shoulder on a bicep curl.  Do the same side for 10 – 15 reps, and then switch legs. While performing the exercise it will look like you are performing a running motion with arms and legs.

For more great exercise tips from Elizabeth see her on our fitness floor, email her at elizabeth.carr@ethosfitness.com or better yet take one of her classes. 

View class schedule:   http://ethosfitness.com/schedules/group-fitness/

Then join us on Wednesday, April 11 and book for yourself an Anti-Aging Facial. 

Special $99, Regularly $135 

A routine from Peter Thomas Roth includes a mask, exfoliator, brightener and tightener.

15% off Peter Thomas Roth products for the day of the event 

Peter Thomas Roth was featured in a New York Times Article. 

Click the New York Times image to be linked to the article ”A Longer Stairway to a Better Complexion?” 

Published: November 15, 2011“ 

Call 201.251.4500 to make your appointment.

As we head into spring, renewing our commitment to health can be particularly poignant, especially after a long winter cooped up indoors.  Read on for some habits you can easily incorporate into your health regimen.

Eat breakfast.
Busy schedules, early morning appointments, any number of things can conspire against your eating a healthy breakfast.  But the often-heard saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day isn’t without merit.

The American Dietetic Association reports that breakfast is the first chance your body has to replenish the glucose levels that are essential to brain function and energy.  Skipping breakfast can lead to feeling tired and irritable.  Another benefit is weight management.  Eating a healthy breakfast can keep you from binge eating later in the day.  Try to make healthy choices, such as whole-grain cereals or fresh fruit.

Protect your skin.
As the weather warms, more and more people start spending time outdoors—getting flower beds ready for planting, for example, or relaxing on the porch.  Being outdoors is great, but you should make sure you’re taking care of your skin.  The message has never been that the sun is the enemy.  After all, sunlight is a major source of Vitamin D.  But, you need to take precautions and protect your skin.

First, always wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.  If you’re going to be outside for extended periods of time, wear a hat and other protective clothing.  When  possible, avoid the midday sun, doing the work you need to do outside before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m.

Good dental hygiene.
Your teeth do more than help you chew food.  Today, physicians are finding that oral health impacts a person’s general well-being, with Dr. Michael Roizen, author of RealAge, suggesting that flossing your teeth everyday adds as much as 6.4 years to your life.

One fact that gives credence to this idea is that your teeth have a blood supply that comes from the heart.  Some researchers now believe that the bacteria that cause dental plaque can enter the bloodstream and may be associated with the plaque that causes inflammation in blood vessels, leading to heart disease.  Good oral hygiene should be seen as an integral part of your overall health regimen.

Source: This article was excerpted from mtj® (Massage Therapy Journal®)

Through Reflexology, a specific type of steady, even pressure on the feet that produces dynamic healing and relaxation in all parts of the body. Through this process of deep relaxation, a better posture and gait may be achieved.  Thus, we see improvement in total body function.  From a purely anatomical viewpoint, each foot has thirty-three joints and thousands of nerves. By using specific Reflexology techniques, one directly affects the nervous system in a very positive, relaxing way.  When the body is relaxed and the nervous system stimulated, healing has a perfect opportunity to take place.

Reflexology cleanses your body and gets your natural energy flowing the way it should. These benefits of Reflexology can normalize the glands and reduce physical as well as emotional tension.

Reflexology does not claim to be a miracle cure, but it is generally believed that its benefits can have a powerful healing effect as it allows our bodies to recover their proper balance and removes unhealthy blockages. Reflexology has the potential to heal a number of illnesses ranging from back pain to migraine headaches to sleep disorders. Some people who have had sports injuries believe that it helped them to recover quicker. Some Arthritis sufferers have also found benefits to Reflexology.

Additionally this treatment can be beneficial for circulation, digestion, and respiratory problems. Sinus sufferers maintain that it offers instant relief from congestion. It can also have a vivid impact on stress levels as well as helping to restore hormonal imbalances. Stress is now believed to be a major cause of physical illness so by reducing tension and improving blood and nerve supply, this alternative therapy can contribute to better overall health. As well as combating stress, therapies such as this one have been found to improve one’s self-confidence and helps increase your ability to concentrate. Reflexology is aimed to bring about greater unity of mind, body and spirit, as well as being an excellent form of relaxation.

Reflexology is a great add on to any massage or facial.

For more information or to make an appointment call 201-251-4500

Trainer Tip of the Month
An Alternative to Traditional Training

By:  Kaitlyn Haitz, Ethos Personal Trainer

HIIT is an alternative to traditional exercise. It can reduce your exercise time drastically. The key is to do quick bouts of exercise with small rest periods in between. Rest periods should consist of “active rest” where you walk around or lightly jog in place. Do not sit down following an intense interval because that can cause dizziness.  HIIT is demanding, and it requires you to use your maximum effort.

Always warm up and cool down for at least five minutes before and after each HIIT session. HIIT increases the amount of calories you burn during your exercise session and afterward because it increases the length of time it takes your body to recover from each exercise session.

The exercises are not for people who have bone or joint issues that will worsen with impact from the exercises. Any exercise can be modified. If you want to try it but if you have bad knees or ankles, do short sprint intervals on the stationary bike with short active rest periods in between sprints. HIIT is not for beginner exercisers or people with cardiovascular problems or risk factors. If you have cardiovascular problems or risk factors you should NOT attempt HIIT unless your doctor has specifically cleared you for this kind of exercise.

Feel free to discuss HIIT programing  with Kaitlyn. Visit her on our fitness floor or email her at  kaitlyn.haitz@ethosfitness.com.

By: Kaitlyn Haitz

No Time? No Problem!

On the go? Try each of these exercises at your own pace for 50 seconds with 20 seconds of rest in between exercises.

1. SQUAT JUMP
Start in a squat position, reach your hands down and explode up using your arms for momentum. Land with soft knees.

2. JUMPING JACKS
That’s all! Your traditional jumping jacks. Keep your arms straight and reach overhead.
To make it more challenging grab a 3lb free weight in each hand and do weighted jumping jacks! Start with weights by shoulders and press up doing shoulder presses as you’re doing jumping jacks.

3. BURPEES
Start in a standing position jump/walk your feet back into plank position, jump in with your knees tucked into your chest landing on your feet and jump straight up. If that sounds like it is too much to memorize, just repeat “Down, Out, Together, Up!”

4. SQUAT KICKS
Start in standing position with feet hip width apart, squat down and as you come back up, kick out one leg. Alternate legs. Make sure to keep your weight in your heels! This is a great core exercise when you engage your core to lift your legs!

5. MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
There are two variations for this exercise.

A) Start in push up position on your hands (a modified version would be on your elbows) bent knees and bring in one leg at a time as if you are running up a hill.

B) Start in standing position feet hip width apart. Alternate high knees to chest and reach arms straight up in the air.

For more great exercise tips see Kaitlyn on our fitness floor or email her at  kaitlyn.haitz@ethosfitness.com