The Power of Passion
By Patricia Moreno

I'd like you to finish this sentence, "It's my time to__________." When you are doing what you really love, and loving what you are doing, you are tireless, inspired, alive and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Keeping your dreams alive is one of the keys to your success and to help make this happen, this month's focus is Passion.

When I came up with the idea to create the IntenSati Method, it was after months of trying to figure out a way to help people experience positive and lasting changes in their lives. I had such a strong desire within me that it fueled my ability to read two to three books a week, attend endless seminars, and travel around the globe to learn from teachers who I thought could help me figure out "the way". I was obsessed and single minded in my quest, and I was passionate about finding an answer.

Then, one day, while attending an Anthony Robbins seminar, I was walking on the beach doing positive affirmations as part of an exercise, my "aha!" moment came. I stopped dead in my tracks and exclaimed to myself "A class with affirmations! That's it! That's the answer!" I went right over to the gym, got on a bike, and started to chant affirmations to myself. I was crying and laughing all at the same time because I knew I had found the answer!

I tell you that story because to me it reminds me that when we know what we want with all our passion and enthusiasm, we walk forward knowing we will achieve success. It just happens and a bell rings inside of us. It's knowing and having certainty that we are going in the right direction. This knowing, this certainty is also what helps us to continue to achieve our goals even when difficult times arise. Want to read more of Patricia's inspiring story? Click here to learn about her journey and the power of her passion.

Conference Highlights

ECA/OBOW 2010 NYC

Don't miss out on the variety of exciting programs at ECA/OBOW NYC, taught by the revolutionaries of the wellness industry. Learn more about how our ECA/OBOW presenters have rocked the fitness world at the ECA website.

Grapevine Featured Product:

The Reit House Moves CD by Christiane Reiter will be released at the upcoming ECA/OBOW NYC convention.The beat is deeper and smoother --this is house music!

OBOW Monthly Green Tip

In President Obama's State of the Union address, one of the many important and relevant topics he touched upon was encouraging American innovation, with a focus on clean energy. With the marketplace evolving and companies becoming more socially responsible, jobs in the green, sustainable and eco-friendly field are rapidly growing. Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) positions are becoming as popular and as crucial as CEOs or CFOs. Education in this field is one of the fastest growing majors across the country and is where the job market will surge in the future. Have kids? Teach them the importance of sustainable living and guide them down a prosperous career path.

Did you know?

It's time to hang onto that lovely bunch of coconuts! Coconuts have many health benefits, whether you eat them, drink coconut milk, coconut water, or use coconut oil. Coconut Milk, contrary to popular belief, does not transform into bad cholesterol to clog up arteries. The principle fatty acid in coconut milk is lauric acid, which is the same fat that is abundant in mother's milk. It is known to promote normal brain development and contribute to healthy bones. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV.

Coconut oil promotes healthy growth and shinny hair, removes stress, moisturizes dry skin, prevents premature aging, and aids weight loss. The list of benefits goes on and on. Check out what else coconuts can do for you

Fun Feature

March is Women's History Month. For the past 30 years, during the month of March, women are celebrated for their many achievements in history. Each year there's a new theme and focus; 2010's theme is Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet. This theme recognizes the hard work and perseverance that women throughout our nation's history have put forth to bring environmental issues to the forefront.

Financial Fitness

with Joseph Esposito

Q:I am a sole proprietor and I would like to save for retirement and reduce my taxes. What is the best way to do this?

A:There are several ways to save for retirement and reduce your tax liability. The amount you need and can save will help determine which plans that will work best. For example, if you plan on contributing less than $5,000 per year, the traditional IRA would be the most cost effective way to save for retirement. On the other hand, if you can contribute more money, an Individual 401k, a Simple IRA or a SEP IRA would be the types of plans that would allow higher contributions. There are several important issues to consider when choosing a plan.

Generally, how much you can contribute, how much you need to save to meet your retirement goals, the cost of the plan, the amount of taxes that you would like to defer and how many employees work for your company. Also, if the only goal is to save for retirement and taxes are not an issue, the Roth IRA or 401K would be an option. There are no immediate tax benefits to these two plans. The benefit is down the road in retirement. The savings in these accounts grow tax free and no taxes will ever be due in the distribution phase of your life. Whereas, the aforementioned plans only defer the taxes to the future. Taxes will be paid on any distributions in retirement. It is extremely important to sit with a Financial Advisor to perform the proper retirement analysis. This will determine the type of plan and the amount of money that will be needed to help you meet your goals.

For More Financial Tips and Advice
Contact Joseph Esposito at joseph.esposito@lpl.com or visit PinnacleInvestmentConsultants.com

The No Om Zone

Step 1: Meet Kimberly Fowler.
Step 2: Enter "The No Om Zone."
Step 3: Gain body awareness.
Step 4: Lead a healthier, more fruitful life.

Just as Harry met Sally, Fowler met yoga 27 years ago and her "mind over body" approach went into overdrive as she recuperated from sports-related injuries. Fowler set her sights on tailoring the 5,000-year-old yoga practice to fit a no-nonsense, modern approach and thus, the Yoga for Athletes program was born. The Yoga for Athletes program has gained a cult following over the past eight years with more than 500 students filing into YAS, her minimalist Venice, California fitness studio, on a daily basis.

Fowler's promise of "no chanting, no granola, and no Sanskrit" coupled with classes designed to meet the one-hour mark, has earned her recognition as the "go to" expert for all things yoga and sports-related as well as articles in numerous publications such as such as Self, W, People, In Style, and Glamour to name a few. Fowler has also found her way onto the silver screen with segments on Dr. 90210, KTLA News, and most recently, a spot on CNN's Fit Nation with Sanjay Gupta.

To read more about Kimberly Fowler and "The No Om Zone" check out the ECA Newsletter!
SUBSCRIBE HERE

Featured Event:

ECA/ OBOW NYC FITNESS CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW! Located at THE MARRIOTT MARQUIS, New York, NY. The best in programming, presenters and fitness products! For more info or to register: 516-432-6877 or www.ecaworldfitness.com

March

WEST COAST WARRIOR CHALLENGE w/ Patricia Moreno.
When: March 1-31 Where: Equinox Fitness Club, Los Angeles, CA. For more info or to register: www.satilife.com/schedule.html or lissette@satilife.com

C.H.E.K. EXERCISE COACH COURSE w/ Dan Hellman.
When: March 3-7 Where: Triumph Training, Atlanta, GA. For more info or to register: 760-477-2620 or teamchek@chekinstitute.com

C.H.E.K. HOLISTIC LIFESTYLE COACH LEVEL 1 w/ Josh Rubin. When: March 5-7 Where: C.H.E.K. Institute, Vista CA. For more info or to register: 760-477-2620 or teamchek@chekinstitute.com

WILLPOWER & GRACE™
Phase I Instructor Training. When: March 6 Where: Hollywood, CA. For more info or to register: http://www.willpowerfit.com

PHI PILATES REFORMER FOUNDATIONS I.
When: March 6-7 Where: Pittsburgh PA For more info or to register: 1-877-716-4879

PHI PILATES MAT LEVEL II & PILATES MAT
with Props. When: March 6-7 Where: Stamford, Ct. Register now by calling 1-877-716-4879

Pilates Matwork Essentials w/ June Kahn
When: March 06 Westminster, CO contact: june@junekahn.com

Foundational Beaming™ w/ June Kahn
When: March 07 Rochester, NY contact: june@junekahn.com

C.H.E.K. HOLISTIC LIFESTYLE COACH LEVEL 1 w/ Josh Rubin. When: March 12-14 Where: Boston, MA. For more info or to register: 760-477-2620 or teamchek@chekinstitute.com

Willpower & Grace Phase I Instructor Training. When: March 13 Where: Mesa, AZ. For more info or to register: http://www.willpowerfit.com

PHI PLIATES REFORMER FOUNDATIONS
When: March 13-14 Where: NYC, NY. Register now by calling 1-877-716-4879

PHI PILATES TOWER/CADILLAC & INTEGRATED TRAINING.
When: March 13-14 Where: Livingston, NJ. Register now by calling 1-877-716-4879

Willpower & Grace Phase I Instructor Training. When: March 14 Where: Las Vegas, NV. For more info or to register: http://www.willpowerfit.com

C.H.E.K. INSTITUTE ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAM
w/ Paul Chek & Mark Stone. March 18 -21 Where: ECA, New York, NY. For more info or to register: 516-432-6877 or www.ecaworldfitness.com

PHI PILATES MAT LEVEL I.
When: March 20-21 Where: Pittsburgh, PA For more info or to register: 1-877-716-4879

PHI PILATES MAT LEVEL II & PILATES MAT
w/ Props. When: March 20-21 Where: Zionville, IN. For more info or to register: 1-877-716-4879

PHI PLIATES INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
Week One. When: March 20-25 Where: Pittsburgh, PA. For more info or to register: 1-877-716-4879

C.H.E.K PRACTITIONER LEVEL 2 w/ Mark Stone.
When: March 21-23 Where: Salt Lake City, UT. For more info or to register: 760-477-2620 or teamchek@chekinstitute.com

PHI PILATES REFORMER FOUNDATIONS I.
When: March 22-23 Where: Pittsburgh, PA. For more info or to register: 1-877-716-4879

INTENSATI INTENSIVE.
When: March 22-26 Where: Los Angeles, CA. For more info or to register: support@intensati.com or www.satilife.com

PHI PILATES REFORMER FOUNDATIONS II.
When: March 24-25 Where: Pittsburgh, PA. For more info or to register: 1-877-716-4879

C.H.E.K. EXERCISE COACH COURSE w/ Jodh Rubin
When: March 24 -28 Where: The Sports Club/ LA, San Francisco, CA. For more info or to register: 760-477-2620 or teamchek@chekinstitute.com

WILLPOWER & GRACE Phase I Instructor Training. When: March 27 Where: Taylorsville, UT. For more info or to register: http://www.willpowerfit.com

PHI PILATES MAT LEVEL I. When: March 27-28 Where: Allendale, MI. For more info or to register: 1-877-716-4879

On The Horizon

THE GROOVE METHOD™ FACILITATOR CERTIFICATION
w/ Misty Tripoli. Where: April 10-11 Where: Toronto, ON, CANADA. For more info or to register: misty@mistytripoli.com

C.H.E.K. GOLF BIOMECHANIC
When: April 10 -16 Where: Toronto, ON, CANADA. For more info or to register:760-477-2620 or teamchek@chekinstitute.com

WILLPOWER & GRACE Phase I Instructor Training. When: April 11 Where: New York City, NY For more info or to register: http://www.willpowerfit.com

C.H.E.K. PRACTITIONER LEVEL 1 w/ Josh Rubin
When: April 14 -18 Where: Natural High Crossfit, Okotoks, AB, CANADA. For more info or to register: 760-477-2620 or teamchek@chekinstitute.com

THE GROOVE METHOD™ FACILITATOR CERTIFICATION
w/ Misty Tripoli. When: April 17 -18 Where: NYC, NY. For more info or to register: misty@mistytripoli.com

PHI PLIATES INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
Week Two. When: April 17-21 Where: Pittsburgh, PA. For more info or to register: 1-877-716-4879

C.H.E.K. EXERCISE COACH COURSE w/ Dan Hellman.
When: April 21- 25 Where: Progressive Fitness, Charleston, SC. For more info or to register: 760-477-2620 or teamchek@chekinstitute.com

C.H.E.K. EXERCISE COACH COURSE w/ Robert Yang.
When: April 23 -27 Where: C.H.E.K. Institute, Vista CA. For more info or to register: 760-477-2620 or teamchek@chekinstitute.com

GROOVING WITH KIDS CERTIFICATION w/ Misty Tripoli. When: April 24 Where: Toronto, ON, CANADA. For more info or to register: misty@mistytripoli.com

WILLPOWER & GRACE Phase I Instructor Training. When: April 25 Where: San Juan, PR. For more info or to register: http://www.willpowerfit.com

If you have events / workshops or products to be listed: Please forward the following information to Carol Scott at: carol@ecaworldfitness.com or lilli@ecaworldfitness.com, include: Date, city, state, title of event, event sponsor, and contact information including website, and / or phone number.

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