Celebrating over 16 years in the fitness industry!

Did you know?

Our founder, Jennifer Khosla, has been in the fitness industry for over 16 years?!?!

Read on to learn more!

Jennifer, how long have you been in the fitness business? How did it start?

Jennifer:

I have been in the fitness industry for 16 years! I can’t believe how fast time has gone by and all the changes. I started working at the local YMCA in Northwest Connecticut when I was 16 years old. My job was to teach members how to use and adjust the many exercise machines, I had to clean the machines and monitor clients while they used them. During that time, I was available to provide exercises to members, and answer fitness questions. You may be wondering how I knew so much. I was like a sponge, I learned everything I could from trainers, DVDs, and books. I was only 3 years old when I started dance classes and gymnastics, and team sports in school began early on. I loved playing sports year round, but I found that it wasn't about being competitive. I liked the sports because I loved the feeling of being physically fit. I started working with the Athletic Trainer in my school to learn more. Eventually, I designed an internship for Athletic Training at our school for myself and future students. I knew then that I needed to find a career that would make fitness and wellness a part of my life. I have to thank my brother for giving me my first yoga mat. It was the start of something beautiful. Yoga was one of the many pieces to my education and journey of fitness and wellness.

Springfield College was the top school in the nation for sports medicine. I knew that was where I had to be to make my dreams come true. I went on to receive my B.S. in Athletic Training, with a minor in Nutrition.

I started personal training during my time at Springfield College, and actually took my first personal training course through ACE when I was only 18 years old. I have been working actively as a personal trainer now for 11 years! It’s hard to believe, the past decade has flown by! I worked as a personal trainer in Boston for several years while furthering my nutrition education, and later decided to combine all my passions into one total wellness business. 

California here I come! I wanted to get my yoga certification at one of the leading yoga studios in La Jolla, California. I trained with some of the top Yogis in the field. This was important for me personally as well as for future clients.

I have worked in several gyms, private training settings, yoga studios, and owned two fitness and wellness businesses in New York and currently now in Florida. I officially opened Lean and Green Body® in 2015, and now lead a team trainers, coaches and fitness & wellness professionals here in Naples. We are a growing national brand with clients in Florida, New York, Connecticut, Ohio, Minnesota, Georgia, and California. We currently see clients in their home, community gyms in Naples, Florida, or at our studio on 5th Ave S in downtown Naples, host weekly yoga classes at our studio and live stream, as well as see clients nationally through live stream technology.

It is amazing how far I have come professionally in the last 16 years! I could never have imagined my career what it is today, and I am grateful for this journey everyday! My clients and my team continue to push me daily to be the best leader in wellness and fitness that I can be. This is only the beginning for me and Lean and Green body®. 

Big Announcement!

The past few months have been very busy at Lean and Green Body®. 

November 2017, we signed a lease for our new studio location on 5th Ave S in downtown Naples.

February 1, 2018, Jennifer’s first book, Revitalize & Renew was published. It is currently available in our studio, on our website, on Amazon.…and local retailers coming soon!

Now we are so excited to reveal our next launch!

LIVE stream classes!

Simply login and join us for LIVE yoga classes and LIVE workouts. 

We are excited to be one of the first in Florida offering classes this way.

I personally love to travel, and am always disappointed when I know I will miss my favorite classes. Now you won’t have to! You can log in and join from anywhere! 

Too nervous to go to your first yoga class, or perhaps the hot and sweaty studio is not your thing? No problem! 

Prefer to workout at home, and avoid the craziness of the gym? No problem!

Now you can have your own yoga instructor and personal trainer from the comfort of your home, hotel, or anywhere you go!

When you log in, you will join a LIVE class.  You will only see the instructor, and the instructor will be able to see everyone in the class.

How is this different than taking an online class from an instructor or popping in a workout DVD? The class is LIVE. Which means your instructor will be able to check your form (major plus!!), motivate you, and push you to do your best every step of the way! This is a much more personal experience, than just pushing play on a DVD. 

You can sign up for classes by clicking here.

Classes begin March 28th!

60 minute classes = $10

For more updated live stream classes and events, be sure to check our Schedule page.

2-For-1 Special: Workout with your partner or bestie!

Valentine’s may be over but there is still time to take advantage of this exceptional offer!

Revitalize & Renew Book Tour at Revival Yoga

Join health and wellness expert and E-RYT 200 hr, Jennifer Khosla, owner and founder of Lean and Green Body® on January 28th. 

Jennifer will be leading us through a detoxing yoga class followed by a nutrition discussion promoting her new book ‘Revitalize and Renew: 7 Days to a Healthier You’. Fresh pressed juice will be served after the yoga class.

Reserve your spot today!

Yoga On 8th Recap!

We had a great turn out for our free community yoga class on Saturday! 

Thank you to everyone who came out to flow with us!

See you back here on Saturday, February 17, at 9 am.

The Lean and Green Body® Studio is Open!

Studio is Open!

800 5th Ave S

Naples, Fl 34102

Schedule your appointment today!

(239) 290-3482

Yoga On 8th

Join us on Saturday, January 13th for a free beachside vinyasa yoga class!

Holiday Gift Guide

Perfect for the health and wellness enthusiast in your life!

MAZI Towels 

$44

Perfect for yoga, beach, hiking or wherever your next adventure takes you! 

For every towel purchased, this company plants a tree!

INEYT Yoga Mat Towels and Hand Towels

$14-$34

Perfect for the yogi in your life. These towels showcase some beautiful colors and patterns sure to inspire you!

Lifefactory 22 oz BPA-Free Glass Water Bottle

$16+

These have been my favorite water bottles for the past five years! I prefer to use glass over plastic and love how easy these are to clean.

The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein

$10+

This book guides you in letting go of what is holding you back. It helps you to let go of the fear and to be open to what is waiting for you. One of my favorite books I’ve read this year.

Mikalyn Yoga Straps

$24.99 +

These yoga straps make carrying your mat hip. Find the strap that matches your style!

Manduka Yoga Mat

$42+

My favorite yoga mat, and the only mat I have used since 2011! I use the Manduka Pro daily for my practice, but love bringing the Manduka Superlite Mat whenever I travel!

Harney and Sons Tea

$6+

Love this tea and the family behind this company. I grew up in the same town as this tea family. Even though I moved away, I still enjoy it daily and it reminds me of home.

Favorite flavor for this season :  Hot Cinnamon

Fitbit Alta

$149

Track your sleep, workouts, and stay on track with this fit bit! This new sleek design comes in a variety of colors and the battery last 7 days!

** This is not a sponsored post, just simply a few of our favorite products!

Benefits of Meditation

Meditation has endless benefits for our mind and body.

15 reasons why you should add meditation to your daily routine:

Reduce stress

Improve concentration

Encourages a healthy lifestyle

Slows aging process

Boost immunity

Reduce depression

Reduce anxiety

Increase self-esteem

Increase optimism and awareness

Improves mood

Increases memory

Increases cognitive skills and decision making

Helps one process information and ignore distractions (excellent for those with ADHD)

Decrease blood pressure

Increases energy

Creating a meditation practice can be intimidating at first, but it does not have to be. 

Start with just 5 minutes per day. 

Increase by 1 minute per week until you reach 20 minutes. 

Meditating for 20 minutes per day will change your life. 

Relaxation Techniques

When faced with numerous responsibilities of work and family it can be difficult to find time for yourself. Taking a few moments each day to relax and unwind can be very beneficial.

Practicing relaxation techniques can reduce stress by:

Slowing your heart rate

Lowering blood pressure

Slowing your breathing rate

Reducing production of stress hormones

Increasing blood flow to major muscles

Reducing muscle tension

Reducing or elimination chronic pain

Improving concentration and boosting mood

Lowering fatigue and increasing energy

Relaxation Techniques…

Deep breathing

Hypnosis

Massage

Meditation

Yoga

Biofeedback

Music

Learning which relaxation techniques work best for you will help you to manage your tension and stress. You will become more aware of muscle tension, tightness and stress in the body and be able to eliminate or diminish it with these techniques. This will help you to prevent your stress and tension from getting out of control. All of these techniques take practice, and you may need to experiment and try several different techniques until you discover which ones work best for you.

Introducing Long Distance Client Packages

Not local to Southwest Florida? Lean and Green Body offers long distance packages via FaceTime, Skype or What’s APP, customized to meet your needs. Train, practice, and heal your body from the inside out from the comfort of your home.

Call (239) 290-3482 to schedule your appointment today!

Recap: Nutrition and Yoga Event with Delicious Raw

Clean eating and yoga are the staples for a balanced life. This is what we brought to our local Naples, Florida community last week.

Lean and Green Body and Delicious Raw co-hosted a free event for our community to promote a healthy lifestyle. We started our event with one hour of gentle vinyasa flow, centering ourselves and detaching from our week. Bonding with our neighbors, and even using them as support during our balance sequence.

Delicious Raw nourished us with alkalizing juices, smoothies and treats post yoga. 

Clean eating and a balanced diet are the essentials and baseline for our health. We discussed the components of a clean and balanced diet, bioavailability and healthy fast food alternatives. We created (and tasted) our new morning routine... apple cider vinegar shots anyone?

Our event was full of relaxation, education, and community bonding.

We hope you will be able to join us for our next event on Wednesday April 26.

Clean Eating

It’s not all about the macros. Recently everyone seems to be so focused on macronutrients, consuming enough protein in proportion to the amount of fat and carbohydrates. Paleo, macrobiotics, carbohydrate loading, gluten free, vegan... there are so many labels boxing us in to how we eat. Instead of boxing yourself into a label and a specific group - eat foods that fuel your body and nourish your soul. Eat in a way that honors where you are today, and where you would like to be in a week, a month, and in a year from now. What does that look like for you?

Our dietary focus needs to be on eating clean, eating in a way that honors our body and soul. We need to prioritize what’s important when it comes to our food. Understanding where our food comes from, and how it will work and digest in our bodies; these need to be our priorities. Clean eating simply means consuming whole unrefined foods in their natural state, with minimal processing and preservatives. Think potato instead of french fries, apple instead of apple pie... eating ingredients and foods in their natural state. With clean eating, we want to minimize or eliminate the use of preservatives.

How long will it take for that avocado to start rotting on your counter? In general, the faster a food begins to rot on your counter or in your fridge, the easier it will be for your body to break it down and digest it. I suggest consuming foods that are bioavailable, foods that our bodies can recognize, break down, and utilize.

Instead of attaching a label to your diet, eat in a way that honors your body. Every time you eat, think about fueling your body. What would be a better option for you? Which will sustain your energy? How will you feel an hour after eating? These are all things to consider when choosing foods. Eat foods that make you feel good, inside and out. Eat foods that increase your energy, making you feel vibrant and ready to take on the day.

Where do you begin? Start by eliminating all processed foods from your house. You are the gate keeper, it is your job to control what foods come in. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store where the fresh, whole, clean foods are. Begin to choose healthier options for you and your family.

Everyone’s dietary needs are slightly different depending on our current health status and our goals. Consider what your body requires today, and what it will need to help you meet your goals. Eating clean, whole foods, and eliminating processed and refined foods, will ultimately lead to a healthier and more vibrant you!

To learn more about clean eating join us for our Nutrition Talk on Wednesday, March 29 at Delicious Raw (Pavilion Location) beginning at 6:00pm with an all levels yoga class. Please RSVP to jennifer@delraw.com.

Power Vinyasa Playlist | Guest blog by Julia Szilagyi

There is honestly nothing better than a feel good, heavy breathing, sweat pouring power vinyasa class. It’s not only a great way to get your workout in, but you are able to stretch and build strength simultaneously - while being able to connect to your breath. 

Here is my personal playlist that I use whenever I feel like I need a good and swift kick in the asana. Playlist is about 60 minutes long, please enjoy! 

OM - Hippie Sabotage 

Six Shooter AKA the History of Dance - Nikhil P. Yerawadekar & Low Mentality

Come Get It Bae - Pharrell Williams

Into You - Ariana Grande

Cool Girl - Tove Lo

Drop The Game - Flume, Chet Faker

Classic (feat. POWERS) - The Knocks

All These Things That I’ve Done - The Killers

Too Good - Drake

Get Free - Major Lazer

Work Song - Hozier

Shamanic Journey - Anugama

F*** Being Perfect

F*** being perfect. I was in yoga class this afternoon with three girls wearing this exact shirt: “F*** Being Perfect”. I think it was a sign. I tried for years to be perfect. To be who I thought I was supposed to be, to go to the right school, to meet the right people, to do everything “perfect”. Well let me tell you one thing - perfect does not exist. That goal of trying to be perfect is unattainable, boring, and will not allow you to reach your fullest potential. Nothing is perfect. And that is perfectly okay.

When we stop trying so hard to please people, and tune out all the other voices - we are able to tune in to the one voice that truly matters. Our own. Our intuition will guide us. Through yoga, meditation, and a cross country journey I was able to tune into mine. It opened up a whole new world for me. I ended up dropping out of graduate school, quitting my job as a Nutritionist at a Boston hospital, and selling almost everything I owned. I moved across the country to La Jolla, California. In my eyes - the land of dreams. I had finally listened to that voice. The voice that had been telling me to go to San Diego for the past eight years. I finally said F*** being perfect and took the chance. I only knew one person there, had no place to live and no job. Yet in my eyes, it was a golden opportunity. I would start my 200 hour yoga teacher training just days after arriving. Somehow I knew everything would be okay. There was a reason I had to be there. I had started listening to that inner voice, my intuition. To say that La Jolla and that year changed my life forever would be an understatement. It was by far the most challenging year of my life and one of extreme growth and discovery. I finally stopped trying to be so perfect and realized how unattainable that goal really was - and instead, focused on being happy. Through this happiness, I was able to share my shine with those around me. This discovery lead me back to the east coast to finish school and start my first business. Five years later, I sit here writing this to you from my beach house humbled by the journey.

The journey to self took years with many life lessons along the way. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the last decade was sitting right in front of me in yoga. Instead of trying so hard to be perfect, why don’t we try to be real. To be true. To be humble. To love. F*** the rest. 

Stability Not Flexibility

But, I can’t even touch my toes? I’m not a Bendy Barbie? What if my flow looks different? It’s OK. Everyone’s yoga practice is unique. You do not need to be flexible to come to yoga. You need to be open to increasing your flexibility physically - and also mentally.

One of my teachers recently told me,

“Yoga is not about being able to touch your toes - it’s about what happens on the way down.” (Lisa Frey, Yoga Loft Naples).

This really stuck with me this week - yoga isn’t about being able to touch your toes - thank goodness because most mornings that isn’t likely. Yoga is about finding stability, on and off your mat. It’s about grounding your energy, creating a strong foundation - and from there finding flexibility. 

I connect with what Lisa said because it’s so true...and it doesn’t stop at yoga. This principle can and should be taken off your mat as well. Find stability in your life, find your constants, find your home base, and ground your energy. From this place in your life, you will then be able to find more flexibility in your head space.  Your thought process and the way you look at things will begin to shift. 

One of the things that first drew me to yoga was that every class was different...even if the poses were similar. The way I experienced the class, the way my body moved, my mental shift, my fellow yogis were different every time. The one constant was the blissful feeling I would leave with. This state of bliss and zen after Savasana (final resting pose) kept me coming back for more. I slowly started learning more about yoga and Pranyama (breath work); and the Pranyama became my stability. From my breath I was able to find more flexibility, breathing into the pose, moving with my breath. Finding more length on each inhale, expanding, and letting go with each exhale. I began taking this practice off my mat - breathing and practicing my Pranyama when I was stressed, anxious, or upset. Finding my breath, slowing down, deepening the breath allowed for more flexibility in my life. It allowed me to see things in a new light.

It’s okay if you never touch your toes, it’s what happens on the way down. You do not need to be a Bendy Barbie to step onto your mat, you simply need to breathe. Find your stability, find your grace and from that place of grounding will come flexibility. 

Be sure to check out one of Lisa’s class at Yoga Loft Naples soon! www.yogaloftnaples.com

Preparing for your SUP Adventure

This Saturday, I will take out some adventurous clients on a 90 minute Standup Paddle Board Excursion. Midway through our excursion, we will break for some Standup Paddle Board Yoga. Nothing will take you out of your element more than trying to do Warrior III on a Paddle Board. This sport allows for so much freedom, adventure, and relaxation all rolled into one. If weather permitted... currently we are in hurricane season here in Southwest Florida...I would be on my board every day. 

Although Standup Paddle Boarding may seem like all fun and games; there is a lot that goes into preparing for your SUP Adventure before you even step on your board. First things first...ALWAYS check the weather. Our weather here is constantly changing, especially in the summer...and the last thing you want is to get stuck out in the Gulf or even the back waters when a huge storm rolls in. Be prepared. There are dozens of radar and weather apps; know what you are heading out into..and know what is around you. Where will you go if the weather gets bad? Do you have a plan B?

I typically have a water proof bag hooked to the front of my board full of almost anything we could need, luckily we rarely have to utilize it. There are obvious items you will need when out of the water...sunscreen, water, sunglasses, hat, life jacket and more water. The sun is more intense when you are out on the water; protect yourself. Paddle boarding can very relaxing and soothing, connecting with nature; but it is a workout. Stay hydrated and fuel your body before going out. Extra items I tend to pack in my water proof bag are...snacks. I once had to tow a girl in because she passed out due to lack of calories before paddling. Rope, whistle, hair ties, bandaids and duck tape are all essentials in my bag. When I am out on the water I like to be ready for anything; you never know what adventure may be ahead. 

Lastly, don’t go alone. Always paddle with a buddy, or tell someone when and where you are going and let them know as soon as you return. Be safe.

Paddle boarding is one of my favorite sports, and is such a simple way to connect with nature and the beauty all around us. Go out, explore, be safe, and most of all have fun!

If you missed this weekend’s excursion email us at jennifer@leanandgreenbody.com to find out when our next adventure will begin!