The Studio in Newbury Park opened it's doors last week. A new venue has come to the Newbury Park area. The Studio which brands itself as a Wellness Center, offers everything you need to get in shape and incorporate health and well being into your lifestyle. With group classes in Yoga, Pilates Mat and Pilates Reformer, as well as an early morning Boot Camp for those serious about getting on track for spring! With a nutritionist on-site and a well rounded fitness/eating plan incorporated with most programs you can't fail to meet your goals this year.

Stop by and take a tour of their spacious well equipped facility, you're sure to find it inviting and warm. Privately owned by Herb Dizon and Colleen Ballew, The Studio is bringing a personal touch to your health and fitness. Contact The Studio at (805) 498-2800 or visit them on the web at www.thestudioNP.com.

There's more to breathing then meets the nose!

Your sitting in Yoga class and you are told to breath deep through your nose, exhale through your mouth. There are a lot of good reasons for this.  Emotionally, deep breathing reduces feelings of stress, aids in achieving a relaxed state, and assists us to put our busy minds to rest by inducing a meditative state, however, one of the most important reasons is purely scientific! According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, it's because of a gas called nitric oxide that's made by your nose and sinus mucous membranes. This gas is produced in small amounts, but when inhaled into the lungs, significantly enhances your lung's capacity to absorb oxygen. Nitric oxide is lethal to bacteria and viruses and is also known to increase oxygen absorption in your lungs from 10-25 percent. This is why it's important to inhale through your nose, especially when you are exercising.

Go ahead, take a deep breath!

Q. I know red bell peppers are high in vitamins, but what about green and yellow ones? I use one color one night, another the next in my salads. Am I shortchanging myself? -- Michele

Many people avoid weight training because somewhere along the way they heard that it will make their muscles big. This is simply a matter of misinformation. Strength training is a critical element to create muscle tone and burn fat and should not be left out of your well rounded routine.