Not only did I attend the University of Southern California with this talented businesswoman and teacher, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with her in a
documentary (not yet released) about fitness and pregnancy. Valentina and I were both pregnant at the time- she with her first and me with my third. We had a blast
demonstrating prenatal yoga and ballet, as well as sharing our pregnancy “fit tips.”
Her dedication to mind and body wellness is truly inspirational, and I know MCbJ readers will feel the same. Enjoy this chic mommy’s words of “Fitspiration!” xx
1. Tell us about Up Lift.
UpLift: body, life, community, is a space for people to come together and discover their strengths, commonalities, and for building relationships. We believe that through physical health and well-being one can achieve many things in life. We provide wellness and fitness classes as well as self-empowerment workshops. Our workshops have been carefully selected to cater to the needs and desires of the community. We have collaborated with a team of legal, medical, and wellness contributors, who will host monthly workshops for UpLift members. These workshops range from legal topics, health, medical, beauty, holistic and art healing. UpLift is a place for all people and their loved ones, to come together and feel at home in a comfortable place which nurtures long lasting friendships, growth and strength.
2. When did you open UpLift? What was your inspiration?
UpLift was officially opened in the Fall of 2013. I grew up in Tustin, attending the local elementary, middle and high school. Most of my family lives in Tustin and have businesses here. The people of Tustin have raised me and supported me, and because of that I wanted to give back by opening a small business here. I have been motivated over the years to build bridges in the community and promote peaceful coexistence between cultures and religions. Initially, my intention for UpLift was going to be a space for non-profits and charities to host their events and have a cozy space to promote their causes. However, because I am the creator of a ballet barre style, called Dance Barre and a yoga teacher, I wanted a space to teach while also creating a community vibe. So that’s why I added the words: body, life, community to our name. I believe that people feel good when their body feels in tune. People thrive and flourish when they are constantly seeking knowledge and ways to better their lives, which is what inspired me to ask local professionals to host workshops on various topics that UpLifters can benefit and learn from – community is what we are all part of, and UpLift wants to support that. We have a give back philosophy, which is a percentage of one’s membership is given back to a cause of their choice, and if none selected, UpLift chooses at random based on the needs of the community what to give back. What we seek to do at UpLift is exactly what our name suggests, and that has been my primary inspiration.
3. What classes do you offer that are specific for new moms?
UpLift is the official home of Babywearing Ballet! A new class for moms and babies to enjoy together. The creator, Morgan Castnor, is ballet trained, and has two little ones of her own. She created a class while wearing your baby, you can enjoy the toning and lengthening moves of a proper ballet class. The babies love it, since they are being held close to the moms (or dads!) and the music usually lulls them to sleep. Moms can enjoy a nice workout without having to worry about leaving their baby behind.
UpLift now also has Mommy and Me Pilates. This class is taught by a new mom Nicole Bonilla, who is a trained gymanst, was a competitive cheerleader, and now pilates teacher. She put together a challenging class for moms who also bring their babies and workout on the mat and ballet barre. The babies are also worn in the carriers for a short segment and then they go on the mats with their moms and are used as weights for various abdominal and arm exercises. There is also an entire side leg series which makes the moms feel like they are in an actual mat class except with their babies!
4. Did you always have classes that were “mommy friendly” or did this start after you, too, became a mom?
Since we opened the studio, Babywearing Ballet was in the works. My friend, and Dance Barre teacher Morgan, has been working on it since December 2012. When we opened, I planned on her teaching the classes. None of us knew how fast it would grow and how popular it would become! As the interest grew in mommy and me classes, and even our babysitting room, I wanted UpLift to be a studio for moms and non-moms to come and feel welcome as well as be challenged with our class options. Since I became a mom 16 months ago, my mind was focused on how to make UpLift child friendly, easy for moms, and also stress free and relaxing for non-moms who just want to come and workout. I think we have a created a nice atmosphere and ambiance that strikes the right balance for all.
5. What fitness tips do you have for pregnant and postpartum moms?
My advice would be to keep moving. Everyday do something active to get your heart rate up. Whether it is a brisk walk, or treading water in the pool, movement is key to feeling energized especially in the third trimester. I taught the entire 9 months. My son was listening to house music and Pitbull in the womb as I shook my tail feather in dance barre daily. I also had no choice, I had to teach my classes, but I am so happy I did. After every class I taught I always found myself breathing better, and feeling lighter on my feet. The two classes I skimped on and wish I didn’t, and now recommend to pregnant women are: yoga and pilates. If you can try and do one of those classes 1-2 times per week along with cardio daily for 30 minutes, I think it is a perfect blend and routine to make your pregnancy more enjoyable.
6. In your opinion, why is it so important for moms to make time for exercise?
Sanity. Exercise promotes mental health and stability. Mental well-being and staying positive is 90% of being a mom. So many moms are exhausted, have lack of energy, and can’t be at their best for their children because they don’t make the time for themselves to regroup and get re-energized. Of course, nothing can replace a beautiful night of restful sleep without interruptions, but exercise comes pretty close! If you can’t get in the sleep, at least get in the exercise because it will give so many of the same benefits: reduce cortisol, increase serotonin, make you feel more confident in your body, help you achieve your goals, and make you a part of a community of others who also want to get in shape or just boost their energy. Exercise, whether it be putting on a YouTube fitness class while the baby is napping, going for a walk with baby, or actually making it for a class is key in performing better as a mom (wife, colleague, student, neighbor, daughter, sister, human!).
7. For moms it can be tough to get to a class everyday. For those days when you can’t fit in a whole class, what are some exercises you recommend doing at home while your baby (or babies) nap?
Dancing! Create your most favorite playlist, put your headphones or your speakers on and just dance! Create new moves to whittle the middle or just twerk it out by yourself and tone your bum! Honestly, I remember listening to “Feel this Moment” by Pitbull when the baby was 3 months old, and I wasn’t back to teaching yet. It was the theme song for Dancing with the Stars at that time, and whenever he was napping, I would put the song on repeat, and pretend I was on the show doing my salsa, cha-cha and just random moves to make me happy, feel light and carefree again! Dance Barre is based on movement and music, and I trained my teachers to listen to music and feel inspired by it. New music equals new moves that are going to tone your body. So, dancing is the best way and I think the most fun to get in shape!
8. What do you love most about your job?
The people I meet who tell me how much fun they had in class, as sweat drips off their eyebrow or is soaked through their shirts! When I see people sweat and smile, I know I am doing my job. I love that I get to listen to music and pick music weekly that is new and fresh from around the world that people will be inspired to move and get energized by. Music in any language, it could be African tribal, Brazilian congo, deep house music from Ibiza, or remixes of the top 40 – I love to listen to and explore new movement. I love that Dance Barre and yoga are both individualistic to each teacher, and teachers can be as creative as they want with the fundamental moves they are taught. What I love most about this job, since it is a deviation from my formal training to become an attorney, is that I am still in an industry that involves helping people, making people feel good and happy, and just using the body, music, movement and focus to get a natural lift…up, daily!
9. As a new mom, what have you found to be most enjoyable and most challenging?
The most enjoyable part of being a mom, is the blessing to be a mom. To care for another human, to put my needs aside to make sure another person is well cared for, is really the greatest blessing for me. When I got married to my husband, I knew I would happily care for him and love him; however he is still an adult, and really he can take care of himself at the end of the day! By becoming a mom, the responsibility is all mine to make sure my child is loved and taken care of. To have the gift to give all my love, to this new life is really something special. The most challenging is everything else! If I had to pick one thing, I would say to function during the work hours on such little sleep. Even if the baby sleeps good, the mom in me still wakes up every so often throughout the night!
10. Finally, what will you be having for dinner tonight?
Summer salad with all kinds of fun ingredients…I hope!
with love,
Valentina
UpLift provides wellness and fitness classes as well as self-empowerment workshops. They offer a variety of classes to give you the cardio, toning, stretching, calming, relaxing, and “centering” you need. For more information about UpLift, visit their website or email info@upliftoc.com.
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