HOTTER IN HOLLYWOOD

Hot Wholeness: Soul Cycle

Soul Cycle, the latest fitness center to cause a stir in Los Angeles and New York City, has become so popular that it’s been difficult to meet public demand. Indoor cyclists attending Soul Cycle classes are treated to a full body work out, combining a cardio workout with core-strengthening arm weights, and in select studios, “SoulBands” – a resistant band that hangs above the bike that is utilized during a 60-minute workout. Hopeful attendees, unable to reserve a bike online, are lining up around city blocks, inspired by the immaculate studio space, the supportive community, and top notch instructors at Soul Cycle.

Nicholas Pratley, a former HIH hottie, is one of Soul Cycle’s finest instructors and was recently recruited by the fitness giant to instruct in their NYC studios. Fortunately for the Soul Cycle community, he offers many classes to evoke the soul in your cycle!  HIH recently attended one of his classes, and we were floored – this guy has it all! The voice, body, look, dance, inspiration and motivation makes for a most invigorating and amazing experience. His ability to get you to work harder than you’ve ever worked, to understand that it will make you feel powerful as an athlete and a person, is masterful. And he does this all while providing the happiest dance party celebration you'll ever have in class.

“One of the many things I love about Soul Cycle classes is that we always ride with intention,” Pratley says. “If you ride with intention, the energy completely changes. It comes from inside you. That's when you feel something awaken in you and we feel that in the room, because we all do it together. Then we simply dance and have fun. I really believe it's the dance, the letting go, that surrendering, that let's the intention in. It’s the surrendering that opens up a whole new part of ourselves. That’s when we see our soul.”

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to discover your true self with Nicholas Pratley at Soul Cycle. While he is based in New York City, he will be making guest appearances at the Los Angeles facility throughout the year. Learn more about his classes as well as the dozens of instructors working at Soul Cycle throughout New York and Los Angeles. Visit their website and sign up today: www.soul-cycle.com

SPIRATHON 2010 ENERGIZES L.A.

Over the weekend a crowd of people gathered outside Up Dog Yoga & Cycling studio in West Hollywood for Spirathon 2010, the fitness fundraiser that benefited The Strongheart Fellowship in Africa.

The 3-plus-hour event was a non-stop festival of yoga, meditation and spinning that refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated the minds, bodies and souls of everyone involved. It only added more beauty and energy to an already gorgeous Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles. That, and plenty of sweat (natch).

Sponsor Zrii.

For those of you who couldn't make it, you can still be involved and contribute to this great charity. Check out www.thespirathonevent.com. 

SPIRATHON 2010 IS COMING TO L.A.

Our friend and wholeness expert (and resident HIH hottie) Nicholas Pratley is at it again. This time, he's one of the driving forces behind L.A.'s upcoming Spirathon. According to him, "it's a triathalon of the spirit. It's an event creating a new paradigm of fundraising - inspirational fundraising. This is a transformational experience; its about putting YOU first, letting YOU feel connected, alive and empowered." Joining him in the experience will be yoga and meditation facilitator Colin Kim (left).

How does it all work? There are three modalities and five phases to your transformational experience. 20 minutes of Meditation, 40 minutes of Yoga, 60 minutes of Spinning (OR you can take the 5 Rhythms). Then, repeat. The 3-hour program takes you full circle and deeply integrates your mind, body and spirit. You're guaranteed to emerge renewed, rejuvenated and inspired.

90% of the funds raised by every Spirathon goes directly to the charitable donation of choice. Proceeds from the first event, taking place this September, will go towards The Strongheart Fellowship. It is a groundbreaking social-entrepreneurship program designed to help bright, resilient young people from extremely challenging circumstances around the globe develop into compassionate, innovative problem-solvers and leaders that can affect significant social change. See www.strongheartfellowship.org for more deets. Spirathon is dedicated to raising money for various organizations around the world with the theme of "EMPOWERING CHILDREN EVERYWHERE."

Who's ready to join? www.thespirathonevent.com

HOT WHOLENESS: SPIRATHON 2010

Our friend and wholeness expert (and resident HIH hottie) Nicholas Pratley is at it again. This time, he's one of the driving forces behind L.A.'s upcoming Spirathon. According to him, "it's a triathalon of the spirit. It's an event creating a new paradigm of fundraising - inspirational fundraising. This is a transformational experience; its about putting YOU first, letting YOU feel connected, alive and empowered." Joining him in the experience will be yoga and meditation facilitator Colin Kim (left).

How does it all work? There are three modalities and five phases to your transformational experience. 20 minutes of Meditation, 40 minutes of Yoga, 60 minutes of Spinning (OR you can take the 5 Rhythms). Then, repeat. The 3-hour program takes you full circle and deeply integrates your mind, body and spirit. You're guaranteed to emerge renewed, rejuvenated and inspired.

90% of the funds raised by every Spirathon goes directly to the charitable donation of choice. Proceeds from the first event, taking place this September, will go towards The Strongheart Fellowship. It is a groundbreaking social-entrepreneurship program designed to help bright, resilient young people from extremely challenging circumstances around the globe develop into compassionate, innovative problem-solvers and leaders that can affect significant social change. See www.strongheartfellowship.org for more deets. Spirathon is dedicated to raising money for various organizations around the world with the theme of "EMPOWERING CHILDREN EVERYWHERE."

Who's ready to join? www.thespirathonevent.com

JENNIFER HUDSON GOT MILK

Apparently milk does a Dreamgirl good.

JAMIE OLIVER & THE UNHEALTHIEST CITY IN AMERICA

Jamie Oliver wants to start a revolution in America.

The British cooking sensation is currently working with ABC (and producer Ryan Seacrest) to bring his Food Revolution to television. His mission: to go around the country and visit communities in need of a change in their eating habits. His first stop: Marshall, West Virginia (check out the sneak peek below to see why). This daring show promises to get down to the core of the problem America continues to face: obesity. After all, we are the fattest country in the world, and there's plenty of reasons why we've been given that title. And it all starts...with the children.

Three words: Pizza for breakfast.

PAINTING WITH LIGHT EXHIBIT & FUNDRAISER

 
American Idol's Randy Jackson, Brothers & Sisters star Sarah Jane Morris, and Sting's daughter; actress and singer Fuschia Kate Sumner were among the celebrities who attended our friend Nicholas Pratley’s Painting with Light Photography Exhibit & Fundraiser last Friday night (You may remember him; he's the one who kicked our asses in the spinning class he instructs over at the Easton Gym on Beverly).

Set in an elegant and intimate atmosphere, at the Hancock Park home he shares with partner Jeff Teich, VP of Legal Affairs at Warner Bros, Nicholas, also the founder of Intruessence.com, displayed The Evolution Collection.  Guests enjoyed original cocktails from Blue Angel Vodka, were treated to hors d’oeuvres from O-Bar and experienced the innovative photo/video booth from Visionary, an Eco-Chic Boutique.

 

Pratley also signed his latest book titled, Zen Day, A Visual Meditation.  The evening benefited The Strongheart Fellowship, an organization Pratley will be traveling to work with next year, creating spiritual empowerment program for orphans and displaced youth in Liberia, Africa.

Congrats to Nicholas on a successful night!

THE FIRST ECHO

ARE YOU READY TO DANCERSIZE?

Dancersize is the latest viral craze that's been blazing up the web. Co-produced by our pal Nathalie Curtis, Dancersize was "founded" by Jesse Mansfield, a Lycra-lovin' instructor who seems to be stuck in 1987. Feel the burn (as you laugh) and check out the intro video:

Dancersize work out video ONE from Jesse Mansfield on Vimeo.

ALICIA SILVERSTONE'S KIND LIFE

Alicia Silverstone, a friend to HIH, wants you to treat yourself (and Mother Earth) right.

The Kind Diet, written by the actress who made being vegan, well, hot, is all about living "your healthiest and happiest life to the fullest while taking care of mama Earth at the same time." It's one lifestyle guide we are definitely in need of, especially after the tumultuous year we've had (another story for another day). From fashion and food to home decor and beauty advice, the girl's got some green tips that won't cost you too much green. Whether your goal is to drop a few pounds, boost your energy and metabolism, or simply save the world, Alicia provides the encouragement, the information, and the tools you need to make the transition to a plant-based diet deliciously empowering.

And if you'd like to get a chance to meet Alicia, stop by the Barnes and Noble in Santa Monica this Saturday at 1pm (on the 3rd Street Promenade). Tell her Hiko and Michael from Hotter In Hollywood sent ya.

And be sure to check out her companion blog, The Kind Life.

THE FIRST ECHO

HIH GETS ITS GAME ON

We're getting our Game On (No, this isn't an intro to some cheesy infomercial fad)!

H: Actually, Michael and I have been following the Game On Program (or Diet, which is a word we don't like to use) for the past three weeks...and we love it.

M: It's kicking our asses! We've already lost a lot of weight (me = 5 lbs, Hiko = 7 lbs) and I've been able to totally tone my upper body. It was created by my old pals Az Ferguson, a Body For Life Challenge champion, and Krista Vernoff, the Head Writer of Grey's Anatomy. The book has this easy, almost spoken quality that makes you feel like these guys are in your living room having a chat with you (and I'm in the book!).

Left: Michael with Az in the short film Chance Meeting. Right: Michael with Krista.

H: There's no silly cleanse involved. There's no supplements to swallow. It's all about common sense while establishing a healthier lifestyle for yourself (for more deets, check out their site and buy their entertaining book (part laugh-out-loud memoir, part health guide - really, it's an awesome read).

 

Since we neglected to take any "Before" pictures, you'll have to trust us on the progress we've both made thus far. Honestly, we haven't felt this good in a really long time.

 

This past weekend Michael and I hit Franklin Canyon Park (above) for a gorgeous 3-mile hike as part of our exercise regimen. It sure beat going to Runyon Canyon, where everyone and their celebrity-obsessed cousin in L.A. goes to get their cardio on. There's a bunch of trails to hit (some easy, some pretty challenging), the scenery is beautiful, and there's not single piece of dog poo in sight. We're totally going back.

Your Soon-To-Be-HIH-Hotties-of-the-Week,

H & M