Fitness & Wellness Blog

We all know what time it is. The air is getting crisp and boots are comin’ out. In other words, it’s pumpkin spice season. We all know how much of a seasonal ritual is to indulge in a hot and creamy pumpkin spice latte, or a delectable slice of pumpkin cheese cake…but how nice would it be to have a sweet treat you can treat yourself to without the richness of dairy and the heaviness that comes with it. Imagine a light and refreshing version of a pumpkin spice latte that you can have as a snack or even a meal. Well, we’re giving you just that! Share your delicious

Sometimes, you just need that satisfying indulgence of chocolate to boost your mood and satisfy your sweet tooth. We’re giving you a recipe for a healthy Chocolate Mug Cake that will make you feel like you’re a little kid at a birthday party (without the sugar rush). Ingredients: ½ ripened banana1 whole egg1/3 cup Kodiak pancake mix, or any mix you have on hand!1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder¼ cup vanilla Greek yogurt Directions: In a large mug, mix mashed banana, 1 whole egg, and yogurt. Stir well until blended. Add in pancake mix, and cocoa powder.For extra chocolatey goodness, top with 1 tbsp of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Place the chips in

Pulse flours are made from pulses, which are the edible seeds of legumes (chickpeas, lentils, peas, etc). These gluten-free flours are packed with protein, fiber, and are typically very low in fat. All of these qualities make the flour more nutritious and filling, which can help fuel healthy digestion and a strong immune system. Pulse flours also contain powerful nutrients such as folate and iron, important for growth, energy, and red blood cell formation and regulation. We’re breaking down all of our top picks for plant-based pulse flours and why they are so darn good for you! Let’s get into it. Chickpea FlourFound at most grocery stores, chickpea flour is

Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer! As many of us have started to up the sweat sessions and lighten up the grub, it can be tough to keep it consistent with the start of scrumptious summer shindigs. The good news is there are many ways to savor all of the good stuff while staying on a healthy track.   Hydrate! - Amongst the celebratory beverages and other indulgences, it’s important to drink lots of water in order to avoid becoming dehydrated and getting a seriously unwanted headache. Keeping the water intake consistent can also keep you from overindulging on the goodies. Sweat! It’s inevitable, we are going

by Edward Vilga   There’s an ancient parable about blind men encountering an elephant for the first time. Each feels a different part of the animal––tusk, side, legs, tail, etc.––and each has a completely different take on what he’s experienced.   Depending on one’s version of the story, they either come to blows or remain baffled, each person convinced they’ve tasted the absolute truth, yet each confined to his limited experience.   The same can be said about experiencing yoga for the first time — you may have heard a lot about its benefits — ranging from increased flexibility to sweaty calorie burning and strength building, to deepened serenity — but you aren’t quite sure where to begin.   In

Everything you want to know about Exhale's Floating Meditation, straight from the creator, Elisabeth Halfpapp. Plus, a special Meditation Month offer at the bottom of this post!   A weightless surrendering to yourself as you tune out and float effortlessly in a 30-minute guided meditation with your body being held and supported in a silk hammock.   The first time I experienced this relaxing, calming effect was at Miraval Arizona (an Exhale's sister resort) as just the meditative component without the restorative poses. When I developed a similar class for Exhale, I thought the addition of restorative stretches after a breathing meditation in stillness would help the physical body surrender deeper with more relaxed muscles

Shop, wrap, deliver, repeat. Too often, gift-giving feels like a chore. This holiday season, we’re re-thinking our gift giving strategy — and we found a way to give better gifts in the process. Enter experiential gift-giving, the scientifically proven way to give better presents. Here’s why you should gift experiences (rather than things) this holiday season. It will benefit your relationships. According to Cindy Chan, an assistant professor in University of Toronto, "the reason experiential gifts are more socially connecting is that they tend to be more emotionally evocative." An experience gift helps you connect in a more meaningful way than if you gifted them the latest tech gadget. It’s proven to make the recipient

Part of maintaining your sense of total wellbeing lies in the way you maintain your happiness. Often times, the first step in boosting a mood comes directly from our mindset. Mindset has the power to shift the course of the entire day. A good mindset can mean a good day. A bad mindset can mean a bad day. Sounds simple, right? Well truthfully, maintaining that mindset can be hard. Life has a million and one things to throw at us each and every day, and it’s up to us to use the power of our mindset to fight off negativity and anxiety. To help keep that mindset in check, and

In exhale Barre classes, our Core Conditioning Series follows a pattern: Flat Back, Round Back, and finally the Curl – which introduces a progressive challenge of increased spinal flexibility with each position. All three exercises address two fundamental needs: strengthening the core while building flexibility in the back. Joseph Pilates always preached that the “supple spine equals a youthful body,” and it’s true. The more spinal strength and flexibility you have, the more strength and flexibility you’ll see in every other area. The curl takes discipline because it’s a complex position. You have to prioritize pressing the lower back down on the mat while simultaneously curling up enough to keep the shoulder

When Katie first came to exhale with a 30-day unlimited class package, she was recovering from a life-altering car accident and brain surgery. Here’s her incredible story of building strength and mindfulness at exhale – one class at a time. First, please indulge me in some brief (kind of) background info. I was hit by a car while crossing the street in July 2016 which left me with a grade 3 concussion and a left hip injury from the impact. The injury restricted my physical activity. About six weeks later, in September, I underwent brain surgery to remove a colloid cyst. My neurosurgeon estimated it had about a 50% chance