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Music for the New Year with Miles Graber, Martha Aarons, and Lev Polyakin

The program will comprise music by several composers of different periods, nationalities and styles, including a tribute to new beginnings in the form of “Spring” from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.”

  

Miles Graber received his musical training at the Juilliard School, where he studied with Anne Hull, Phyllis Kreuter, and Hugh Aitken. He has lived in the Bay Area since 1971, where he has developed a wide reputation as an accompanist and collaborative pianist for instrumentalists and singers. He has been associated with numerous solo artists, as well as with such ensembles as the San Francisco Chamber Soloists, Midsummer Mozart, the Oakland-East Bay Symphony, Oakland Lyric Opera, and the San Francisco Camerata. He is a member of the chamber groups MusicAEterna, GGR Trio, Alcyone Ensemble, the Sor Ensemble, Mira Trio, and the new music group Sounds New.  He has accompanied master classes of Midori, Joseph Silverstein, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Pamela Frank, Alexander Barantchik, James Galway, Lynn Harrell, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Lipsett, Ronald Leonard, Leon Fleisher, Alisa Weilerstein, Jeanne Baxtresser, Paula Robison, and Kim Kashkashian. He has been a frequent performer with members of San Francisco Symphony, San Jose Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, California Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, Oakland Symphony, Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra, UC Berkeley Symphony, and members of the faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.   Mr. Graber is a staff accompanist at the San Domenico Conservatory in San Anselmo, California, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and Northern California Flute Camp in Carmel Valley. Other accompanying posts include the Mondavi Center for the Arts Young Artist Competition, the Irving M. Klein International String Competition, and the Summer Brass Institute.

 

Martha Aarons’ professional career began with her appointment as principal flute of the North Carolina Symphony. Subsequently she played with the Cleveland Orchestra for 25 years.  After becoming a freelancer, she performed often with the Philadelphia Orchestra. During this time, she appeared as guest principal flute with the Metropolitan Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Mostly Mozart Festival. Ms. Aarons served as Artist Faculty with the Aspen Music Festival for 19 years. Her teaching credits include the Cleveland Institute of Music, Duke University, University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill, Oberlin College, Skidmore College, Shanghai Conservatory and Eastman School of Music. She has been soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Ohio Chamber Orchestra, and with the Aspen Festival Chamber and Festival orchestras. Her first solo CD, The History of the Tango, is recorded on the Azica label and additionally features pianist Frances Renzi and Grammy-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux.  Her newest release is the CD Last Silence with violinist Lev Polyakin and pianist Frances Renzi.  Martha is also an avid runner and has qualified for her fourth consecutive Boston Marathon in April 2024!

 

Lev Polyakin was appointed co-concertmaster of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra at age 21. In that position he was regularly featured as soloist. In the U.S. he served as assistant concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra, as well as concertmaster of the American Academy of Conducting in Aspen Music Festival. Lev has won several prizes in international violin competitions, including the Beethoven Prize in Carl Flesch in London, and Gold Medal and Special Prize in Brescia, Italy. In addition to solo performances with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, he has appeared as soloist with the London Mozart Players, Royal Philharmonic, and Cleveland Orchestra. Recording credits include Melodia, BBC, National Public Radio, and Decca. He is prominently featured on an album entitled Cafe Music comprising chamber music by Paul Schoenfield, which was nominated for a Grammy.  Lev has a special interest in jazz and has recorded three CDs, entitled Russian Blue, The Other Side of the Road, and Christmas Kaleidoscope.  He is also featured in the release by Azica Records entitled Last Silence, with flutist Martha Aarons and pianist Frances Renzi.

New Year’s Special Programming

Candlelit Labyrinth Ritual
Join us for a walk to the labyrinth.  Be guided gently and then enjoy the magic of walking our candle lit labyrinth.   The oak trees and the community hold you as you venture “in” to the center, release, and return to your next present moment.

Special Intentions Program
Showing up for your intentions for your new year in a new way! One that is easy, gentle.

Serenaded by the healing sound bowls, and guided by Jill. You will leave with kind practices to carve into your new year, a very practice-able plan AND will receive your own love letter in the future.   Begin the year with the end in mind, body and spirit.  We use all three in this program.

Special Intentions Practicing
Yes, we know…you’ve tried before.  Following some simply practices, eight simple steps, like being kind to yourself, and noticing past or future obstacles in a new way are where the real juice is for Change!  Come find out how to make your intentions happen.  In mind body and spirit.  One kind practice at a time.

Jill Thiry, MBA, RYT 500,  brings 20 years of Ranch guest experience, 10 years of Staff experience, 20 years of publishing and business management experience,  and five years of Club Change leadership and coaching experience to these special holiday programs.  In addition to her popular Ranch classes, this week her three additional programs go deeper, broader, and almost guarantee practice-ability!  One Kind Step at a time.    Jill found new “yes’s” before, at, and during her Ranch times.   Her eight-step process can work for you, too! Club Change members and ranch guests return for the loving simple and direct steps to behavior or attitude change again and again.  Being present with all of yourself never gets old, and you can choose for your intentions never to ever stay hidden!  Jillthiry.com

Qigong and Tai Chi with Wendy Smith

Qigong is an ancient practice of energy exercises used to improve energy flow, which is over 5,000 years old. It is not the same thing as Taiji, which is a Martial Art, and is a more recent development. Qigong is an ancient Chinese health-care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intention.

Although there is some discussion of Chinese medi­cine and how Qigong works, my classes primarily focus on learning different forms of Qigong to improve energy flow and release blockages- Yin-Yang Medical Qigong, Six Healing Sounds, Fragrance Qigong, 5 Treasures Qigong, etc., as well as walking forms and seated or standing meditations. All movements are slow and gentle and accessible to beginners as well as those who may be familiar with Qigong.

LEVEL ONE:
My beginning classes primarily focus on learning three different forms of Qigong – Yin-Yang Medical Qigong, Six Healing Sounds, Fragrance Qigong and doing meditations. I like to start with Yin Yang Medical form because it is a flow form which is more accessible to those familiar with yoga flow movements.

LEVEL TWO:
In my intermediate to advanced classes there will be continued discussion of Chinese medicine and how to cultivate your energy, but primarily we focus on both a review of previous forms from Qigong level one: Yin-Yang Medical Qigong, Six Healing Sounds, Fragrance Qigong and learning new forms such as: Four Seasons Qigong, Primordial Qigong, Eight Pieces of Brocade, Bone Marrow Cleansing, Tendon Healing, etc. We also practice various meditations and walking forms such as the Animal Frolics.

QIGONG/TAI CHI COMBO CLASS: Blending the special healing powers of Qigong and Taiji to promote improved wellbeing
In my combo Tai Chi/Qigong sampler classes, I focus on giving a varied sampling of Qigong in both active and passive forms: walking, standing and if appropriate, seated. Then I introduce partner exercises and the beginning movements of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is an effective exercise for numerous aspects of health, wonderful for increasing flexibility, muscle strength, lung capacity, and cardiac function. In this class participants can experience the difference between the two types of practices.

Both Tai Chi and Qigong have additional health benefits for relaxation, balance, posture and immunity. The stress-relieving factor alone can better one’s lifestyle and quality of life! In this class, I teach exercises to help detoxify the body, as well as make healing sounds for the different organs.

All these health care practices are easy and fun to do, available to even those in a wheelchair, and has been shown to lower blood pressure, increase blood circulation, improve digestion, increase cardiovascular strength and reduce stress levels. These gentle, slow movements are especially geared for those people with injuries, chronic conditions, and reduced flexibility, to enable them to gain greater mobility.

 

Wendy Smith is a professor, lecturer and wellness instructor specializing in stress management and mind body techniques.  She had been an instructor of Qigong and Taiji for many years, teaching to a variety of audiences, ranging from 8 to 93 years of age. She is certified in Tai Chi for Arthritis through Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi Productions and certified in Qigong by Master Yang Yang through the Center for Taiji Studies. A long-time student of meditation, she practices with the Blooming Lilac Sangha, following the teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

Wendy likes to use humor and variety to engage students. Then once they are engaged, she challenges them gently to go beyond their expectations.

Funtensity with Jonathan Ross

Funtensity: Lose Yourself in Play, Find Yourself in Fitness
When was the last time you had so much fun that you didn’t realize how hard you were working until you stopped?  Mix fun and fitness like you never thought possible.  Experience high-intensity interval exercises to bring you a challenge that you will lose yourself in. Smile, laugh, and sweat using brain science applied to fitness through reactivity, coordination, and friendly competition within a workout that will forever change how you feel about challenging fitness.

LECTURES
Brain Games Are Not Enough
Discover how to enhance desire for exercise making exercise and physical activity even better for brain health than “regular exercise.”  All exercise is good for brain health, but with some simple and fun tweaks to combine cognitive challenge with physical challenge, physical activity can enhance brain function now, brain health later, and aid in prevention and slow the progression of brain disease. Discover some simple methods you can use at home and even on walks around the ranch!

Complete Brain Fitness
The popularity of brain fitness is exploding. With physical fitness, an array of products and devices are creating the idea that you must test, target, and track every specific aspect of health and be afraid of your own body. The same misguided approach will likely happen with brain fitness in the future. Explore how to steer clear of expensive and unnecessary tests and assessments. By creating Complete Physical Fitness you automatically create Complete Brain Fitness. Discover the elements of complete physical fitness, see examples of them in action, get ideas for filling in the gaps, and get a handy template to share for ensuring you are getting a truly complete – brain and physical – fitness experience.

 

Jonathan Ross‘ “800 Pounds of Parents” directly inspired his prolific fitness career. He is a multi-Personal Trainer of the Year Award-Winner, creator of Funtensity™, brain fitness visionary, and creator of the Alzheimer’s and Brain Fitness Specialist Course which changes future brain health through fitness. A former astronomer, Jonathan used to study stellar bodies – now he builds them! Jonathan loves the experience at Rancho la Puerta as it is at once sublime and superlative because it helps you make your up time more “up” and down time more “down” to get the most benefit from each type of experience.

Franklin Method with Tom McCook

The Franklin Method
Your week of classes with Tom will introduce you to the Franklin Method! This series of classes will emphasize imagery and experiential anatomy to help you understand your body better, move better and feel better! You’ll learn exercises for tension release, spinal and hip mobility, strength, and balance. Instead of concentrating on a specific style of exercise, the Franklin Method places the emphasis on how the body itself was designed to move.You’ll learn what’s needed for a healthy spine, shoulders & neck, aligned posture, healthy feet, better balance, flexibility, breath better and how to make gravity your friend. You will come away with an empowering understanding of your own body that’s inspiring and fun! This approach is designed to revolutionize the way you experience your body and give you amazing tools for life! Sun, M, T, W, Th, F, 2:00 pm

 

 

Tom McCook, Founder and Director of Center of Balance, a premier Pilates, Physical Therapy, education center in Mountain View, CA. for over 25 years. Tom is an internationally recognized Master Pilates Teacher, Franklin Method Educator and Certified Somatic Coach.

Tom’s mission is to improve people’s lives through movement and inspire healthy aging! He teaches an accessible, empowering way to understand and use your mind and body better! Tom lives on the coast outside of San Francisco with his wife and business partner, Karen deMoor.

Tom’s Link Tree: All the ways to access Tom’s work!

“Choice follows awareness and energy follows attention. The Ranch is the best place to expand our ability to make wise choices to live well”! – Tom McCook

Franklin Method with Tom McCook

The Franklin Method
Your week of classes with Tom will introduce you to the Franklin Method! This series of classes will emphasize imagery and experiential anatomy to help you understand your body better, move better and feel better! You’ll learn exercises for tension release, spinal and hip mobility, strength, and balance. Instead of concentrating on a specific style of exercise, the Franklin Method places the emphasis on how the body itself was designed to move.You’ll learn what’s needed for a healthy spine, shoulders & neck, aligned posture, healthy feet, better balance, flexibility, breath better and how to make gravity your friend. You will come away with an empowering understanding of your own body that’s inspiring and fun! This approach is designed to revolutionize the way you experience your body and give you amazing tools for life! Sun, M, T, W, Th, F, 2:00 pm

 

 

Tom McCook, Founder and Director of Center of Balance, a premier Pilates, Physical Therapy, education center in Mountain View, CA. for over 25 years. Tom is an internationally recognized Master Pilates Teacher, Franklin Method Educator and Certified Somatic Coach.

Tom’s mission is to improve people’s lives through movement and inspire healthy aging! He teaches an accessible, empowering way to understand and use your mind and body better! Tom lives on the coast outside of San Francisco with his wife and business partner, Karen deMoor.

Tom’s Link Tree: All the ways to access Tom’s work!

“Choice follows awareness and energy follows attention. The Ranch is the best place to expand our ability to make wise choices to live well”! – Tom McCook

MSINGI™ with Ingrid Knight-Cohee

A unique fusion of African inspired functional, primal and mobility movements set to infectious Afrobeats. Discover 11 foundational movements that can be intensified or modified in the spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire. MSINGI™ is elemental total wellness that brings movers of any age and fitness level together. Join in!

 

Ingrid Knight-Cohee, MSc has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry and is a sought-after presenter and consultant. At the helm of programming for Fitness World Canada, she creates innovative fitness class experiences for 80,000+ members across 16 locations. She has degrees in Human Kinetics and Exercise & Health Psychology, and is an ACE certified Personal Trainer & Health Coach.

Having represented the United States internationally as a member of the US Rhythmic Gymnastics National Team, Ingrid’s ideals are rooted in team work, perseverance, and positivity. Ingrid is passionate about health and wellbeing, and thrives on facilitating and fueling that same passion within others.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” – Maya Angelou

Gentle Muscle Mobility for Aging with Strength and Grace

Developing Muscle strength is the True Fountain of Youth. Come and learn conditioning exercises that are gentle on your body and will provide you the balance, strength and mobility to age well. Each day we will focus on a different theme using available equipment that you can start incorporating into your workout program at home immediately.

 

Sherri McMillan, M.Sc. has been inspiring the world to adopt a fitness lifestyle for over 34 years and has received numerous industry awards including 2010 CanFitPro International Fitness Presenter of the Year, 2006 IDEA Fitness Director of the Year, 1998 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year & 1998 CanFitPro Fitness Presenter of the Year.  She is an international fitness presenter, a personal trainer, fitness columnist for various magazines and newspapers including the Columbian, author of five books and manuals including “Go For Fit – the Winning Way to Fat Loss” & “Fit over Forty” and featured presenter in various fitness DVDs. Sherri is the owner of Northwest Personal Training in Vancouver WA. Find Sherri on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sherri.mcmillan.

“Rancho La Puerta provides you the opportunity to recharge and refocus on your overall health and fitness plan within a beautiful, relaxing setting. The programming is diverse and offers something for everyone while encompassing all fitness components. The food is delicious, the spa is world class and the grounds are stunning. Getting ready to escape, cleanse and detoxify!” – Sherri McMillan

Gentle Muscle Mobility for Aging with Strength and Grace

Developing Muscle strength is the True Fountain of Youth. Come and learn conditioning exercises that are gentle on your body and will provide you the balance, strength and mobility to age well. Each day we will focus on a different theme using available equipment that you can start incorporating into your workout program at home immediately.

 

Sherri McMillan, M.Sc. has been inspiring the world to adopt a fitness lifestyle for over 34 years and has received numerous industry awards including 2010 CanFitPro International Fitness Presenter of the Year, 2006 IDEA Fitness Director of the Year, 1998 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year & 1998 CanFitPro Fitness Presenter of the Year.  She is an international fitness presenter, a personal trainer, fitness columnist for various magazines and newspapers including the Columbian, author of five books and manuals including “Go For Fit – the Winning Way to Fat Loss” & “Fit over Forty” and featured presenter in various fitness DVDs. Sherri is the owner of Northwest Personal Training in Vancouver WA. Find Sherri on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sherri.mcmillan.

“Rancho La Puerta provides you the opportunity to recharge and refocus on your overall health and fitness plan within a beautiful, relaxing setting. The programming is diverse and offers something for everyone while encompassing all fitness components. The food is delicious, the spa is world class and the grounds are stunning. Getting ready to escape, cleanse and detoxify!” – Sherri McMillan

Pilates with Erika Quest

Erika Quest used to sell cheeseburgers, true story….

As a self-proclaimed “Certified La Pistola” Erica has been in the international fitness, wellness, and Pilates education business for over 17 years traveling and speaking worldwide. As the Founder of Level Up MVMT, she helped instructors Level Up their programming, movement, and coaching skills through creative curriculum development, research-backed strategies, and user-friendly plug-and-play formats. This, coupled with vitality and business coaching, changes the paradigm for the movement teacher, allowing them to embody their BETTER and not MORE while thriving in an industry often riddled with burnout.

Find Erika worldwide and virtual as a premier presenter at many fitness and wellness conferences including Pilates on Tour, Pilates Method Alliance, IDEA®, ACSM, SCW, AFC, Pilates in Asia, and many more.

And yes, Erika is a former corporate marketer who specialized in fast food clients, and she left the biz and took a BIG LEAP into studio ownership, wellness, freelance marketing, and much more in 2005. Her joy is creating community, championing and supporting others, and delivering her passion of Pilates and integrated movement. NCPT Certified, Balanced Body® Principal Educator, BASI™ Graduate, BOSUÒ Elite Master Trainer. Find Erika: IG: @erikaquest Web: levelupmvmt.com or erikaquest.com

Sound Healing with Laura Gallerstein

Why Sound Healing?
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” ― Nikola Tesla

We are living in unprecedented times and change is everywhere. We need stability and peace in our lives more than ever. Sound through the alchemy bowls and toning can offer that feeling of peace and connection to our inner voice rather than the outer world.

Join Laura for a week of sacred sounds to soothe your soul. She brings her alchemy crystal bowls and harmonium for a most healing week at the Ranch. Each day she will bring in different guided meditations along with the sacred alchemy crystal bowls for a deeply transformational experience to assist you in reaching higher levels of consciousness for healing.

 

Laura Penn Gallerstein, BA, Sound Healer, Author, Master Teacher, Reiki Master, Yoga, and Meditation. She is an experienced practitioner and dynamic teacher in the world of Sound Healing and trained extensively with master teachers. Most recently, published her memoir, “Whispers in Sound.”  Her passion for Sound Healing with the alchemy crystal bowls and chanting has helped transform many lives. She was the owner of Sedona Sacred Sounds and now Whispers in Sound, San Diego. She continues to travel around the country leading Sound Healing experiences, workshops, and trainings.

“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” – Guatama Buddha

Sound Healing with Laura Gallerstein

Why Sound Healing?
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” ― Nikola Tesla

We are living in unprecedented times and change is everywhere. We need stability and peace in our lives more than ever. Sound through the alchemy bowls and toning can offer that feeling of peace and connection to our inner voice rather than the outer world.

Join Laura for a week of sacred sounds to soothe your soul. She brings her alchemy crystal bowls and harmonium for a most healing week at the Ranch. Each day she will bring in different guided meditations along with the sacred alchemy crystal bowls for a deeply transformational experience to assist you in reaching higher levels of consciousness for healing.

 

Laura Penn Gallerstein, BA, Sound Healer, Author, Master Teacher, Reiki Master, Yoga, and Meditation. She is an experienced practitioner and dynamic teacher in the world of Sound Healing and trained extensively with master teachers. Most recently, published her memoir, “Whispers in Sound.”  Her passion for Sound Healing with the alchemy crystal bowls and chanting has helped transform many lives. She was the owner of Sedona Sacred Sounds and now Whispers in Sound, San Diego. She continues to travel around the country leading Sound Healing experiences, workshops, and trainings.

“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” – Guatama Buddha

Sound Healing with Laura Gallerstein

Why Sound Healing?
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” ― Nikola Tesla

We are living in unprecedented times and change is everywhere. We need stability and peace in our lives more than ever. Sound through the alchemy bowls and toning can offer that feeling of peace and connection to our inner voice rather than the outer world.

Join Laura for a week of sacred sounds to soothe your soul. She brings her alchemy crystal bowls and harmonium for a most healing week at the Ranch. Each day she will bring in different guided meditations along with the sacred alchemy crystal bowls for a deeply transformational experience to assist you in reaching higher levels of consciousness for healing.

 

Laura Penn Gallerstein, BA, Sound Healer, Author, Master Teacher, Reiki Master, Yoga, and Meditation. She is an experienced practitioner and dynamic teacher in the world of Sound Healing and trained extensively with master teachers. Most recently, published her memoir, “Whispers in Sound.”  Her passion for Sound Healing with the alchemy crystal bowls and chanting has helped transform many lives. She was the owner of Sedona Sacred Sounds and now Whispers in Sound, San Diego. She continues to travel around the country leading Sound Healing experiences, workshops, and trainings.

“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” – Guatama Buddha

BollyPop Dance Fitness

BollyPop Dance Fitness is a 60-min high energy cardio workout with easy-to-follow moves and choreography. The class enables one to build overall strength and extends one’s dancing style and skills. The playlist comprises top Bollywood hits and also Latin, Hip Hop and Egyptian music. Get ready to shake, swerve, move and groove across various continents in this multicultural, adventurous wonderland of dance fun!

 

Los Angeles-based choreographer and instructor Aakansha Maheshwari created BollyPop with the intention to spread happiness through dance. Growing up in India, Aakansha trained in various Indian dance forms – from ancient classical dance from the temples to gypsy folk dance of the snake charmer community. Aakansha has spent years training with the masters and brings different styles together in her program, BollyPop, which is currently offered in California, Utah and India! She has choreographed for The Academy Museum, Clippers games, LA Kings games and her business was recently selected as one of the 6 Asian businesses in Los Angeles to be featured in a Google commercial. Aakansha works with a few non-profit organizations in India and spends time with children in the underprivileged communities, teaching dance and music. Her devotion towards her art is solely for the purpose of spreading happiness.

“Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance.” – Oprah Winfrey

Cardio Funk with Milo Levell

Cardio Funk
It’s a non-stop funky cardio dance experience where you can be yourself, with easy-to-follow choreography for everybody. Cardio Funk is more than just a dance class. Get ready to challenge your fitness level with an hour of non-stop fun to some awesome music mixes! Class level: all. (music-james brown, michael jackson, ew & f, donna summer, etc)

 

Milo Levell is a master hip hop trainer and was one of the private coaches for M​ichael Jackson, ​as Michael made his evolution from jazz to more hip hop movements. Among others tapping into Milo’s positive energy are celebrity private clients such as ​Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba,​ LL, Cool J, Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver, Rikki Lake (Rikki’s first born is named after Milo), D​iana Ross, Helen Hunt, Sandra Bullock, and ​Tia Carrere, t​o name but a few.

“Dancing is one key to learning your best step to your better self.” – Milo Levell

Cardio Funk with Milo Levell

Cardio Funk
It’s a non-stop funky cardio dance experience where you can be yourself, with easy-to-follow choreography for everybody. Cardio Funk is more than just a dance class. Get ready to challenge your fitness level with an hour of non-stop fun to some awesome music mixes! Class level: all. (music-james brown, michael jackson, ew & f, donna summer, etc)

 

Milo Levell is a master hip hop trainer and was one of the private coaches for M​ichael Jackson, ​as Michael made his evolution from jazz to more hip hop movements. Among others tapping into Milo’s positive energy are celebrity private clients such as ​Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba,​ LL, Cool J, Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver, Rikki Lake (Rikki’s first born is named after Milo), D​iana Ross, Helen Hunt, Sandra Bullock, and ​Tia Carrere, t​o name but a few.

“Dancing is one key to learning your best step to your better self.” – Milo Levell

Strength for All Ages

Ageless Intensity 

Successful Aging is the process of aging free from disease while maintaining high levels of physical performance and cognitive function. We know that exercise provides many health benefits and there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that high intensity exercise in particular could play an essential role in mitigating the effects of the aging process and be an integral component of Successful Aging. Yes, maintaining an aesthetic appearance is important, but as we get over the age of 40 the role of exercise should evolve to focus more on improving health and controlling the effects of the aging process. Learn how high intensity exercise can slow down aging along with the types of workouts that could help you to retain your youthful energy and appearance well into your later years. 

 

Recovery: How to Maximize Training Results 

Do you love to exercise but can’t seem to reach your goals or lose any weight?  Do you love to train and compete but can’t seem to improve your times or performance?  The typical mentality is that if a little exercise is good for us, then more must be better, however overtraining is a serious issue with detrimental consequences. Simply increasing the volume and intensity of the training stimulus may not be the best way to overcome a plateau; in fact another way to consider overtraining is being under-recovered.  Learn why top sports scientists would rather have their athletes peak at 95% of capacity than enter a competition in an overtrained state.  This lecture will help you to identify how to avoid overtraining and provide you with program design strategies to help you reach your goals and avoid the negative consequences of being under-recovered.

 

Your Body 2.0 (developed with Tricia Madden)

Aging successfully means reducing the risk of developing a disease, maintaining an optimal level of physical and cognitive function and actively engaging in life. High intensity exercise delivers many benefits including adding lean muscle, improving aerobic fitness and increasing levels of anabolic hormones to support successful aging. As many group fitness participants get older, they want the benefits of high intensity exercise and are not afraid of working hard but don’t want to become injured while sweating. Your Body 2.0 is a group fitness class format specifically designed for the aging fitness enthusiast. The workout applies the latest research on exercise and aging with a unique combination of mobility, strength and high intensity cardio to help participants add muscle, burn calories and slow down the effects of time on their bodies.

 

Mobile Strength

Form follows function, the human body is designed to move in multiple directions; this workout will use weights and multi-directional movement patterns that use your lower and upper body muscles together to strengthen and tone your entire body with a specific emphasis on the core.

30 Minute HIIT
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is one of the most popular fitness trends because it burns calories, sculpts muscle, improves health and enhances cognitive function all with one brief, but challenging workout. When it comes to HIIT, the intensity is more important than duration; this workout will engage your entire body in way that will leave you feeling strong, energized and ready take on the rest of your day. 

 

Pete McCall is the author of Ageless Intensity: High-intensity Workouts to Slow the Aging Process, Smarter Recovery: A Practical Guide to Maximizing Training Results, Smarter Workouts: the Science of Exercise Made Simple, (all published by Human Kinetics) as well as several articles and textbook chapters about exercise physiology. In addition, Pete holds a MS in exercise science and has been educating fitness professionals since 2002. Currently, Pete lives in Encinitas, CA where he is the Director of Education for EoS Fitness and a content creator for the American Council on Exercise.

Strength for All Ages

Ageless Intensity 

Successful Aging is the process of aging free from disease while maintaining high levels of physical performance and cognitive function. We know that exercise provides many health benefits and there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that high intensity exercise in particular could play an essential role in mitigating the effects of the aging process and be an integral component of Successful Aging. Yes, maintaining an aesthetic appearance is important, but as we get over the age of 40 the role of exercise should evolve to focus more on improving health and controlling the effects of the aging process. Learn how high intensity exercise can slow down aging along with the types of workouts that could help you to retain your youthful energy and appearance well into your later years. 

 

Recovery: How to Maximize Training Results 

Do you love to exercise but can’t seem to reach your goals or lose any weight?  Do you love to train and compete but can’t seem to improve your times or performance?  The typical mentality is that if a little exercise is good for us, then more must be better, however overtraining is a serious issue with detrimental consequences. Simply increasing the volume and intensity of the training stimulus may not be the best way to overcome a plateau; in fact another way to consider overtraining is being under-recovered.  Learn why top sports scientists would rather have their athletes peak at 95% of capacity than enter a competition in an overtrained state.  This lecture will help you to identify how to avoid overtraining and provide you with program design strategies to help you reach your goals and avoid the negative consequences of being under-recovered.

 

Your Body 2.0 (developed with Tricia Madden)

Aging successfully means reducing the risk of developing a disease, maintaining an optimal level of physical and cognitive function and actively engaging in life. High intensity exercise delivers many benefits including adding lean muscle, improving aerobic fitness and increasing levels of anabolic hormones to support successful aging. As many group fitness participants get older, they want the benefits of high intensity exercise and are not afraid of working hard but don’t want to become injured while sweating. Your Body 2.0 is a group fitness class format specifically designed for the aging fitness enthusiast. The workout applies the latest research on exercise and aging with a unique combination of mobility, strength and high intensity cardio to help participants add muscle, burn calories and slow down the effects of time on their bodies.

 

Mobile Strength

Form follows function, the human body is designed to move in multiple directions; this workout will use weights and multi-directional movement patterns that use your lower and upper body muscles together to strengthen and tone your entire body with a specific emphasis on the core.

30 Minute HIIT
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is one of the most popular fitness trends because it burns calories, sculpts muscle, improves health and enhances cognitive function all with one brief, but challenging workout. When it comes to HIIT, the intensity is more important than duration; this workout will engage your entire body in way that will leave you feeling strong, energized and ready take on the rest of your day. 

 

Pete McCall is the author of Ageless Intensity: High-intensity Workouts to Slow the Aging Process, Smarter Recovery: A Practical Guide to Maximizing Training Results, Smarter Workouts: the Science of Exercise Made Simple, (all published by Human Kinetics) as well as several articles and textbook chapters about exercise physiology. In addition, Pete holds a MS in exercise science and has been educating fitness professionals since 2002. Currently, Pete lives in Encinitas, CA where he is the Director of Education for EoS Fitness and a content creator for the American Council on Exercise.

90’s Cardio Dance Party with Old School Skinny

90’s Cardio Dance Party / 90s Cardio Fitness

 

Old School Skinny helps connect the mind, body and soul! Our 90’s cardio grooves allow you to get lost in the music and release your inner Soul Train dancer to a handpicked playlist that blends all the old school jams with some new school vibes. The unique combination of interval training and plyometrics mixed with some good old fashioned backyard boogie will give you a full body workout while you party like it’s 1999. Although it may be challenging at times, classes are moderation friendly.

Therapeutic Gentle Yoga for Back Pain and Self-Presence

Join Nancy for a gentle and meditative yoga practice to stretch, release, and rejuvenate.

Nancy Wang Gaeden is an ex-Buddhist nun, a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), and a faculty member of the school for Instinctive Meditation. She has served countless chronic pain and cancer patients in northern California over her last 10 years of teaching. She holds therapeutic yoga certifications from Duke Integrative Medicine and Oregon Health and Science University, and is a graduate of the Kripalu School of Yoga & Ayurveda. 

Start the Year Optimizing Your Brain & Body

Hidden Triggers of Early Aging
Don’t nod in agreement as your friends blame their physical and mental declines on “getting older.” Learn about five factors you might not have considered (or treated) that affect aging and energy. Factors range from the microbes in your gut to vitamin deficiencies. Discover which ones may apply to you.

The Science of Stress
The epidemic of our modern era is stress. Learn how it impacts you and what to do about it. Come away with accessible lifestyle strategies to make you more stress resilient.

A Better Brain
A healthy brain and mind are essential tools for living our best lives. Whether your concerns are occasional brain fog or a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s, you do not have to resign yourself to future cognitive decline. Learn some basic brain science and self-assess ways to improve your mental capacity. Learn self-care techniques to keep your neurons firing for optimal performance.

Nutrition 201 –  Answers to your Burning Questions
You’ve done your homework, you know the basics of eating & nutrition. But what about all those popular diets and new books? Bring your questions about food, nutrition, and diets and we’ll discuss the scientific basis of claims and pros and cons of trying them yourself. Please do not consider this lecture & discussion an alternative to personalized medical advice!

 

Erica Oberg, ND, MPH, has practiced integrative & natural medicine for 20 years. She has held leadership positions in medical schools, NIH research, public health, and clinical practice. Her approach to health and medicine combines the rigors of science with the wisdom of nature and our bodies. She is passionate about helping people experience health as a state of vibrancy and vitality. As such expertise is in preventing, reversing, and taming chronic disease, neuro-regeneration, and anti-aging. Dr. Oberg specializes in nutrition & lifestyle, IV micronutrient therapy, and identifying the underlying causes of disease using advanced testing. Dr. Oberg received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine in 2003 from Bastyr University, where she also did her residency. She was awarded a prestigious NIH fellowship at the University of Washington where she conducted and published research on health behavior change, nutraceuticals, and health creation. She has gone on to practice in several internationally renowned integrative clinics and is currently in two locations in Southern California – a concierge practice in La Jolla and a wellness lounge featuring IVs, vitamin shots, regenerative aesthetic therapies.

Wild Women of Song – Celebrating Women Composers of Jazz, Blues and Motown

Pamela Rose – Vocals  
Pamela Rose is that rare breed of entertainer who connects solidly with her audience by always delivering a personal and unforgettable musical experience. Her rich, bold, warm voice and easy rapport with musicians thrills audiences of all ages.
“Outstanding vocals…Pamela Rose hits that jazz and soul sweet spot”.  Frank John Hadley, DownBeat 

Rose is also best known for her touring concerts celebrating remarkable women in blues and jazz.  Her Wild Women of Song and Blues is a Woman shows resulted in a book and concert series which has toured nationally.

 

Ruth Davies – Bass
Oakland resident Ruth Davies has lent her fluid, expressive upright bass stylings to many internationally touring artists. Jazz and blues stars such as Charles Brown, Bonnie Raitt, Clark Terry, Elvin Bishop, and Van Morrison are among her long list of tour and recording credentials. Her impressive discography includes many platinum and Grammy-winning recordings.  Ruth has toured with Pamela Rose for many years, with her Blues is a Woman and Wild Women of Song shows.

 

Daria Johnson – Drums/Vocals
Daria “Shani” Johnson is a San Francisco based drummer, singer and multi-instrumentalist with a smooth, sensual style and dynamic spirit on stage. She has become one of the most sought-after drummers in the Bay Area.  After graduating from the Berklee College of Music, Daria toured with her band London Street in the US and Europe, opening for major acts India Airie, Erykah Bada, Brandi Carlisle, and John Legend.  Daria also debuted and starred in the Blues is a Woman show, bringing the audience to their feet night after night.

John R. Burr – Pianist
John R. Burr is a musician of wide ranging and diverse style. Although firmly rooted in Blues and Jazz, he is heavily influenced by his love of vocal music ranging from the Beatles to the Great American Songbook, to Contemporary Pop Music. He is a sought-after Accompanist and Arranger on the Bay Area music scene, regularly appearing with Jackie Ryan, Kenny Washington,Tony Lindsay, Nicolas Bearde and Kitty Margolis.

From the Farm to the Altar Dinner with Reyna Venegas

Farm to Altar (Pan de la Catrina) Dinner Sign Up
Thursday November 2nd,  5 PM at La Cocina que Canta
Join us for an enchanting culinary journey that celebrates Día de los Muertos at La Cocina que Canta, where Chefs Reyna Venegas and Paola Rendon will curate a vibrant tribute to Mexican tradition inspired in our bountiful 6-acre organic farm. Enjoy the opportunity to pay tribute to life and honor your loved ones in a culinary and cultural experience. Cost is $150 per person, tax and wine pairing included. The maximum number of guests is 30. Sign Up at the Appointments Desk or through the link above.

 

Executive Chef Reyna Venegas prepares fresh and delicious food that energizes, inspires, and nourishes guests. She fuses the culinary and cultural heritages of her own Northern Baja roots with the nutritious “spa cuisine” pioneered 80 years ago by Rancho La Puerta co-founder Deborah Szekely. At La Cocina Que Canta, “The Kitchen That Sings,” Chef Reyna teaches healthy eating as a celebration of life in farm-to-table cooking classes.

As a lifelong learner, Chef Reyna graduated from University of California, San Diego’s Integrative Nutrition program, which focuses on how food promotes wellness. She is also a graduate of the Culinary Art School in Tijuana, and holds a Pastry Degree from the Lycée Technique et Hôtelier de Monte-Carlo and Fondation Turquois.

She and her husband Chef Marcelo Hisaki own Restaurante Amores, a hidden culinary jewel in the heart of Baja and currently collaborates as manager of Team Mexico on their way to the Bocuse d’Or Americas 2024.

 

Chef Paola Rendon’s, culinary journey began amidst the heart of Baja California, the picturesque town of Tecate. From a young age, she embarked on her culinary journey learning from Chef Marcelo Hisaki at Amores. Her passion for the culinary arts led her to pursue a formal education at Culinary Art School Tijuana.

In 2018, Paola’s insatiable thirst for culinary knowledge propelled her to the bustling streets of New York City, where she honed her skills at acclaimed establishments such as Lamano and Sobre Masa. Here, she not only perfected her craft but also proudly showcased her Mexican culinary heritage to the world.

Now, in a heartwarming return to her roots, Paola has rejoined her hometown, embracing Rancho La Puerta’s Family. As the culinary leader of Cafecito Tres Estrellas, she orchestrates a farm-to-table symphony, artfully crafting seasonal delights using the bounty of our 6-acre organic farm.

Paola’s culinary ethos is a reflection of her genuine love for food – it’s homemade, fresh, and infused with a generous sprinkle of love. She beckons you to savor the flavors of her journey, where each dish is a testament to her dedication to the art of cooking.

 

 

The Leader Within You

Workshops will focus on Leadership and how each of us has the ability to be a leader within each of ourselves.  Lessons from women world leaders will be seen through the presenter’s PBS documentary, along with discussion of the myths we hold about who is entitled to lead.  The power of diversity, opportunity, inclusion and belonging is the theme of a session and why society, individuals, non-profits, governments and business are better off if these powers are embraced.  Practical tools and guides will be provided.

Women World Leaders – Lessons of Leadership Stories of Women Presidents and Prime Ministers
30-minute PBS documentary and discussion

Lessons and Myths of Leadership
What are the myths of leadership that some women (and men) believe, and how do these myths pose challenges for women in their leadership roles? What arethe best practices of excellent leaders, and what additional lessons can we learnfrom women who have led their country? Offering a unique perspective onenhancing opportunities to successfully lead an organization and shape a career, Laura Liswood, former Senior Advisor to Goldman Sachs and Secretary General ofthe Council of Women World Leaders, shares insights based on her work which became a book and video documentary entitled Women World Leaders-15 Great Leaders Tell Their Story (Harper/Pandora).

Finding the Leader Within You
The session looks at great leaders and how to see yourself in them and their actions and traits. We all potentially have traits of leadership-courage, energy, emotional intelligence, communication styles, ability to listen, be curious, create trust and hope in others. This session allows the participants to look at their own life experiences and find the leadership behaviors in themselves.

Women and men display their ambitions differently. Public recognition for performance is more likely to go to men, and women don’t get, or they give away, that recognition to their detriment. We will discuss how each of them deals with ambition and the challenges they face.

Men and women are rated equally successfully when measured as effective leaders but women don’t make it to the top in equal numbers. What is happening? The pipeline is full but the number of men leaders still far exceeds the number of women. How can women claim their authority to lead and feel entitled to lead?

The Power of Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion in Society
What is the case for diversity in organizations and society, why society, individuals, non-profits and business must embrace this power but why it isso hard to do in reality. A discussion of Liswood’s books, The Loudest Duck and The Elephant and the Mouse™.

 

Laura Liswood, JD/MBA is a passionate advocate for leadership, diversity and inclusion and is a sought-after speaker, author, and global thought leader on these topics.  She particularly enjoys highly interactive sessions with her audiences and uses humor and research to convey her message. She created a PBS documentary and book on her interviews with women presidents and prime ministers and was appointed Managing Director for Global Leadership and Diversity at Goldman Sachs.  After 9/11 Laura decided to become a first responder, and became a police officer in the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department, retiring as a sergeant. She is the author of four books, including The Loudest Duck: Moving Beyond Diversity, and The Elephant and the Mouse: Moving Beyond the Illusion of Inclusion.