Hermosa Beach, California

“High quality nutritional support, meditation practice, yoga, consistent exercise, rest, play and meaningful relationships help us to experience the radiant health I believe we deserve in all areas of our lives no matter our age.” Mindy Schinnerer

Outfit Details:
Onzie Leggings, White Tank, Alo Yoga Leggings, Sunnies, Awe Medallion

As a woman, there’s overwhelming pressure to look younger. As a woman at midlife, there’s even more pressure. We live in a culture that values youth over wisdom and life experience. It’s enough to make a woman at midlife want to run and hide, yet there’s a better way; a healthier and more natural way. Why not begin to look at Healthy Aging in a whole new way by embracing who you are and finding natural ways to turn back the clock?

Hitting the shores of LA 6 years ago brought with it many life changes. Leaving a marriage after two decades, I headed west on a mission to find myself. Returning to school to earn my Masters in Spiritual Psychology was at the top of my list. Having discovered the spiritual path 25 years ago, I intended to immerse myself in the study of the inner world. With this came a natural inclination to dive deeper into yoga and meditation. I’ve been a yogi for quite some time, resonating deeply with the ancient Buddhist teachings. Yoga means “union;” the ultimate union is with yourself. Yoga is an internal process that really has very little to do with the poses, or “asanas” as they’re called. Yoga is meant to help you expand your internal world, creating space inside of you to attract more of what’s intended for your highest good. A former long distance runner, I used to thrive on the rush of adrenaline and the typical runner’s high. Having blown my knees out, the universe made it clear my running days were over and it was time for a gentler form of exercise that was more healing for body and soul. In the studio, on the beach, or in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park, yoga always brings me back to me. Yogaloft in Manhattan Beach is my studio of choice, situated overlooking the Pacific ocean with the most magical sunsets and vibe.

Relocating to the South Bay, I discovered another form of exercise that’s the most kick ass workout and reshapes the body like nothing else. Yoga is really about the inner world while the Bar Method is where I head for my outer world and a bit of muscle tone and definition. Milly is the owner of the Hermosa Beach Bar Method Studio and she’s a delightful little spitfire who commands a powerful class. The Bar Method is centered around a series of dynamic isometric exercises that serve to tone the body rapidly. Having spent a year unable to walk, I was nervous returning to class. It’s a testament to the power of the method as well as the instructors. Within one month, I was back in shape and on my way to returning to my former fitness level. Women around the world are turning to Bar and “Barre” classes because they work and they work quickly. A typical class begins with a warm up followed by arm exercises and pushups. Milly always tosses in some planks and ab work. Of course, the core of the Bar Method are the isometric exercises, many of which are done on your tiptoes and result in a bit of trembling that shows you that your body is changing. Bar Method has some of the most fabulous instructors around, always changing up the exercises to transform your body quickly. It’s a jam packed hour that flies by and leaves your muscles quaking from the intensive routine. My friends, Rachel Gabriel and Jessica Maurina joined me in the fun. Rachel is another “nutritionista” like myself and the founder of Rachel’s Brand. Jessica is one of the sweetest and perkiest Fashion Bloggers I know and the creator of Petite Style Script.

Rachel, the visionary behind “Rachel’s Overnight Oats,” joined me in hosting a special nutrition event at The Bar Method. Rachel and I joined forces to share our passion for helping people develop healthy lifestyles. Serving up her overnight oats with the most delicious cinnamon flavor infused throughout, everyone was delightfully surprised. Loaded with the finest ingredients like chia and hemp seeds, Rachel has created a product that’s simple to use yet loaded with dense nutrition. It’s the perfect compliment to my nutrition of choice, Isagenix. Joining the number one health and wellness company in the world was an easy choice. Seeing what it did for my body and my mindset, I never skip a day as it’s become an integral part of my life. Discovering the secret of superfood nutritional cleansing has been life changing. There’s something about cleaning and clearing the inner world through detoxification and solid nutrition that begins shifting the way you see the world and the world sees you. It’s all about clearing that lens of perception. When it’s clear, we can see and experience life more clearly. It’s not a diet or a quick fix but rather a system to transform your relationship to food. Mindy Schinnerer, my team leader who’s been with the company for over 12 years, often compares Isagenix to a computer reset. It has a unique way of resetting the body to it’s own innate, intelligent set point. Using incredible anti aging vitamin and mineral support that engenders healthy telomeres. Telomeres are the ends of our chromosomes that shorten over time and result in the aging process. The scientists and research doctors at Isagenix developed Product B as an answer to healthy aging and turning the clock back. Truth be told, I was an obsessed sugar addict, until this miracle system brought me into balance and took away those pesky cravings. The stories of transformation I hear everyday are remarkable.

Another secret that millions are now tapping into for healthy aging is meditation. I’ve been trained in many forms of meditation, from Transcendental Meditation to mindfulness to breathwork. Meditation is about clearing the mind and the thoughts. Traditional meditation like TM uses the power of a mantra or sound vibration to stop the mind from grabbing a word or language. I use mantras all the time as a valuable means of stopping negative thoughts. Enlightened beings throughout the ages have used meditation and we’re finally catching on to the importance of the inner world. I recall a retreat at Whistler with Deepak Chopra. It was an intensive retreat with 12 hour days packed with meditation. Returning to LA, I vividly recall my friend asking if I secretly went to have plastic surgery because I looked so rested. I had to laugh! I would definitely take meditation over plastic surgery any day.

In an effort to shift toward healthier options, I’ve made changes in the products that I use. Becoming more mindful of chemical toxins, I discovered a line of healthy hair care products that’s eliminated most of those nasty chemicals. I’m a huge fan of Madison Reed and the inspiration behind the products. In order to feel our best, it’s important to look our best. When my hair looks and feels great, I feel amazing and it’s never been easier than with Madison Reed. My pale blonde hair with the Goldie Hawn bang has become my signature look. I’m thrilled to discover a company that truly values the health of the customer and helps me maintain the color and integrity of my hair without doing damage to my health.

Isn’t the ultimate key to healthy aging embracing who you truly are? Embracing those perceived flaws and connecting to those gorgeous inner qualities and resources is the key to healthy aging and a happy life. If you’re looking to age naturally and turn the hands of time back in a holistic manner, there’s no better way than adopting a healthy lifestyle that’s based in solid nutrition. Supplementing with a solid exercise routine, adopting a meditation practice and eliminating those pesky chemicals and toxins is imperative to age in the healthiest way possible.

I’m sure you’re interested in learning more about Healthy Aging! I’d love to help achieve your goals and change your lifestyle. Contact me here or at info@catherinegraceo.com. Cheers beauties. To your health!

3 comments

Reply

awesome post. thanks for sharing this

Reply

Thank you so much!
Catherine

Reply

I love that you shared your story and so many ways to help with anti aging. It makes me want to go back to barre class and also focus more on meditation even for just a few minutes a day.

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