Over the last few years pilates and yoga have taken the world by storm. What is it about that 6am Bikram yoga class with the line out the door, or that Reformer class with the month long waiting list? People just can’t get enough! While pilates and yoga both whip you into shape physically, I’m convinced it’s the mental and spiritual practice that keeps people hungry for more.

After a long stressful day at work, taking a yoga or pilates class is a sure fire way to calm and focus the mind. Both disciplines focus on turning inward and practicing body awareness. By placing your intention and awareness on the body or breath you become instantly present. The worries, and thoughts whirling in the mind quiet and tension subsides. And for crazy busy celebs, mind-body work is exactly what they need and desire. So, take a cue from the stellar ladies below and roll out a mat for some centering yoga or pilates.

Kerri Walsh, Beach volleyball olympic hopeful in Bejing, attributes her chiseled core to her pilates practice three times a week. “It makes you more felxible, so you’re stronger and more stable, too.” As if she doesn’t already work out enough! Those olympians just train, train, train.

Madonna, who’s turning 50 this year(!), literally transformed her entire self using mind body exercises. Madge’s friend Sting introduced her to the practice of Ashtanga yoga during a session with yogi guru Danny Paradise. Besides her amazing physical metamorphosis, yoga allows Madonna to find mental calm and clarity. She told ABC’s 20/20 “I want to be liberated from my ego, less concerned about what other people think of me.” She also said,”I remember that I couldn’t sit still for a second. I was always on the move. I was often pretty aggressive, wild and unpredictable, but all that’s changed.”

In the August issue of Self, Rebecca Romijn discusses her weekly fitness regime, which surprise, surprise, includes lots of pilates. She keeps up with her super fit, high octane beau Jerry O’Connel by practicing pilates three to four times a week and working the elliptical for 30 min. five days a week. The 30 year old model is more in tune with her mind and body then ever before…”When you’re in your 20’s, you’re sort of going along for the ride, still partying and not quite getting it. I don’t regret one second of it. But you’re constantly looking to the external to find happiness. The older you get, the more you realize it comes from a much deeper place.”

Victoria Beckham also swears by pilates because she can’t stand the gym. Since, the pilates method offers thousands of movement variations I can see why it keeps her excited about staying fit. Running on a treadmill staring at the wall could never keep my interest either! She admits, “I like to do pilates, even though I should go more often.”

Travel bug itching? There’s nothing more mind numbing than sitting in your air conditioned office peering out the window at the gorgeous sunny day you could be enjoying. After all, that could be you in the linen dress sauntering down the sidewalk, window shopping, and nibbling on sweet treats from quaint cafes. Ahhhh traveling… if you’re like me it’s all you really work for. Yes you have responsibilities, but you want to see, taste, and experience the world! We currently find ourselves in the midst of prime getaway time, so I wondered, how can we exercise and eat healthy during our much deserved travels?

Here are my top 5 tips for fitting exercise and stellar eating habits into any vacation:

1.) Walk, Walk, Walk: Stuff some sneaks in your bag and explore a new town on foot. You would never discover, that hole-in-the-wall burrito joint, or packed underground lounge on a tour bus. Mingle with the locals and find the hidden gems of your dream destination by walking everywhere. Stroll through museums, and parks to stay active. Forgot shoes? Hit the beach for a barefoot power walk in the dry sand… preferably at sunrise or sunset.

2.) Hit The Market: If you happen to be staying in a condo or room with a kitchen, save money and eat well by cooking some meals. I love finding outdoor markets where you can buy ingredients for authentic local dishes. Nothing beats the spices and insects I discovered in Thailand markets!

3.) When In Rome…Ride A Bike: If you’re more of a city lover, check out bike tours and rental shops. Like walking, riding around the narrow streets of a huge city is the best way to see everything and burn off any indulgences.

4.) Pack Snacks: Take plenty of nutritious snacks to keep you satisfied on all of your adventures. Save the calories for meals of the local fare. Baggies full of whole grain cracker, nuts, and dried fruit are perfect.

5.) Choose Active Adventures: Instead of lounging by the pool, sipping on high-cal pina coladas, sign up for a rainforest hike or kayak tour. Spend your days hiking breathtaking waterfalls or snorkeling with the sea turtles. The activities are endless!

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.
-Buddha

The thought manifests as the word; The word manifests as the deed; The deed develops into habit; And habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care, And let it spring from love born out of concern for all beings.
-Buddha

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Lounging on a bright yellow beach towel, surrounded by your best girl friends, while rocking your stunner shades and floppy hat, is only entertaining for so long. The tireless workouts you endured for bikini season have paid off, so why not skip the gym and sweat out some calories at your favorite sandy local? Inspire your girls to toss a frisbee in the shore break for some heart pumping shits n’ giggles. Besides, who said gaining a little extra attention from the hotties across the sand was a bad thing?

Here are 7 fantastic ways to utilize the beach as your calorie blasting playground:

1.) Build A Sand Castle: Between the digging, hauling, pushing, and shaping of your fantasy sand palace, you’ll activate muscles rarely used and burn between 210-315 calories an hour.

2.) Volleyball: Create a community vibe by gathering friends and fresh faces for a game of Volleyball. Bump and set your way through an hour of this calf burner and roast up to 475 calories!

3.) Frisbee: Toss a neon frisbee into your beach tote for a wet and wild game. Playing in ankle deep water presents it’s challenges and therefor more of a workout. Playing catch or twirling a frisbee burns about 200 calories an hour. Depending of course on how daring and competitive you get!

4.) Surf/Bodyboard: If you’ve got the cojones to brave the pumping sets, you’ll be rewarded with a major full body workout that can burn up to 250 calories an hour.

5.) Swim or Bodysurf: If you’re a fish like me, the water is where it’s at. Diving through and catching waves is by far my fave pastime at the beach. Thankfully it burns up to 420 calories an hour. Just treading water in place works wonders.

6.) Rock Jump: Get your heart pumping by climbing and ahhhhh jumping off cliffs/rocks into the ocean below. If you’ve got the landscape use it to your advantage. Fearlessness can work off up to 500 calories.

7.) Build a Bomb Fire: When the sun slides to the horizon and you cozy up in a thick sweatshirt the only thing left to do is chat around a blazing fire. Just fifteen minutes of carrying wood from the car to the pit burns upwards of 70 calories.

All calorie calculations above are based on a 130lb. person. Want to know how much you’ll burn? Use Glamour’s calories by activity calculator here.

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Photo by Ron310