pickleball courts

Pickleball National Championships Return

The USA Pickleball National Championships return to the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens November 2-10 featuring an increased purse of $80,000. Over 2,300 players from around the globe will descend on the world-class venue which has also increased its number of pickleball courts from 45 to 49. Players in approximately 140 different divisions will play 4,000… Read more »

Making an Impact on the World

We’ve all heard of the phrase “working on your bucket list,” or completing all the things you wanted to do in life. For most it’s things like skydiving, climbing Mount Everest, bungee jumping off big cliffs or visiting exotic islands. For me, it’s what I consider a challenge of a lifetime, which at the same… Read more »

Disco Inferno Pilates

A “Night Out” Workout

While Zelda’s has long been known as one of the valley’s hottest nightclubs, upstairs they are turning up the heat at Bikram Yoga Plus – Palm Springs where Disco Inferno Hot Pilates offers Friday night fun combined with a full body workout. With many fitness fans seeking healthier nightly activities, this rocking class is growing… Read more »

Are You Ready for Tabata?

There are so many exercise programs available these days that it can be a challenge to figure out what is right for you. Everyone is built differently – some are athletic while others are overweight and have never worked out before. Therefore, it is always recommended that you consult your doctor and find a qualified… Read more »

Blood Flow Restriction Training

In the world of rehabilitation there are many treatment techniques at the disposal of health care professionals to address musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. One of the biggest problems for people recovering from injury or surgery is muscle weakness and atrophy (decreased muscle size). As the cost of health care increases, it is important that we… Read more »

It’s Time to Play Pickleball!

The growing popularity of pickleball is unmistakable. The sport began as a backyard game in Washington state in 1965 and has become the fastest growing sport in our country, around the world, and definitely in the Coachella Valley. It’s something everyone should try. My friend George from Sun City Palm Desert told me there are… Read more »

Ballroom Dancing: Good for Body, Mind and Spirit

As an avid reader of Desert Health, I have enjoyed many great articles on fitness, health and emotional wellbeing. As a ballroom dance instructor, I am proud to say that ballroom dancing addresses all of these!  Many people believe that ballroom dancing is only the more formal partner dances such as the foxtrot, waltz, and… Read more »

Exercising on a Ketogenic Diet

It seems the hot diet trend these days is the term ketosis. People are losing weight quickly and keeping it off with a great deal of discipline and significant effort. The aim of a ketogenic diet is to keep your body in a metabolic state called ketosis. Our bodies normally burn carbohydrates for energy. When… Read more »

Maximizing Your Endurance Training

The development of an endurance training program involves different variables that need to be accounted for to maximize performance. Maximizing performance is the number one goal of all training programs. Training used to consist of high intensity interval training most days of the week. Arthur Lydiard, the running coach for the New Zealand distance runners,… Read more »

The Health of Our Kids

Over the past 15 years, poor nutrition and obesity of our country’s youth has become a real health concern. Multiple studies estimate that 40 percent of all youth ages 6-17 skip breakfast and snack all day. Of these, 50 percent are middle school students, while 36 percent are in high school. 26 percent skip meals… Read more »

Parkinson’s Clients Don Gloves to Battle Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects the ability to walk, talk, balance and move. Many recent studies on effective therapies for this incurable disease indicate that certain types of exercise, specifically intense “forced” exercise, can exert a neuroprotective influence and may actually slow progression. Over the past twelve years,… Read more »

Create Your Experience

When teaching my yoga classes, I often say, “Pay attention to the experience you’re creating in this moment.” I say this to encourage people to recognize what they are feeling as they undertake different poses, practice conscious breathing, or notice their thoughts. So often, we assume that the instructor is the person who will create… Read more »

Cancer Patients Find Their Strong!

When someone is in the midst of medical treatment for cancer, they may not have the strength or desire for vigorous exercise. But gentle forms of movement such as yoga, tai chi, and qigong can be extremely beneficial in a treatment plan that addresses spirit, mind and body. Gentle movement can also be beneficial post-treatment,… Read more »

Destination Health

The world is seeking wellness. Whether at home in our daily lives or traveling abroad, more and more people are making health a priority and propelling the global wellness industry to a $3.7 trillion market. Wellness is the “state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal,” and the sectors that make… Read more »

Electroceuticals: The New Frontier!

Most Americans who experience day-to-day discomfort or pain will seek out a primary care physician who will run tests, administer a pain shot and/or write a prescription for temporary relief. Others will reach for over-the-counter pain gels, oils and creams which can reduce inflammation and pain and help with recovery; however, many don’t have long-lasting… Read more »

Living Wellness with Jennifer

Pilates: An Exercise Spanning Generations

Some forms of exercise have deep historic roots; Pilates is one of them. With a rich background, this practice of movement touches a special place in one’s heart. In 1925, Joseph Pilates immigrated to the United States, founded a studio and coined his approach to exercise “contrology,” which later became known as Pilates. He taught… Read more »