In Paris, there is the Club Med gym or Waou to work out.  Then, you’ve got the fancy sport’s league (members only) the Racing, the Country Club (always pronounced with a very thick French accent), the Tir au Pigeon and so on. The new trend is to open a trendy gym club where you can find good looking people, artists, have a drink afterwards or even shop (The Klay).

But, are French people really into working out? Is it more of a trend or something they need to do in life in order to feel good?

For instance, the typical Parisian individual will rather choose to gather with his friends for a glass of rosé – than miss out on that gathering to go for a nice work out.

French people are slim I have to say it’s true! Nevertheless, they are not fit! I believe fit is the new slim. It’s great to be skinny and be able to wear any clothes you want size 0 or 34. I much prefer being fit and healthy. See that’s the issue in Paris. A lot of Parisian women and men now (new trend) are so thin because of their wardrobe (very slim pants, skinny jeans), they usually smoke a lot and they drink (obviously). I think they dress well and I’m not criticizing their style.

In LA, it is sexy to have muscles (okay not too much). It is normal to go to Yoga or Pilates almost everyday. You see people running every morning, evening and even at night with their special lights on their forehead  (it doesn’t shock you at all). Working out is part of society. People spend so much money on gym classes, working out clothes, special equipment for yoga (lululemon) which are so expensive for what they are. They do not care!

I’ve always had this American side of me that I couldn’t control. I had to work out and go to the gym. I went to dance classes and tennis classes when I was younger in Paris (5 years-old). Children in France usually do that because they have mandatory sport classes (badminton, soccer, handball …) at school so they get interested in sports even outside of school sometimes. Nonetheless, this feeling usually goes away (especially for girls) during junior high. It’s not trendy to do sports, it’s wasting your time and energy when you could be shopping with your friends or hanging out at Starbucks (to meet guys). That’s the way I see it.

I never stopped taking dance classes and I enrolled to the Club Med Gym at 16 years-old. I love it! I remember I’d finish class (which ended really late in France 6.30 pm) and went directly to the Waou Gym for a body sculpt or step class. The feeling I had after sweating and walking home listening to my favorite music on my Ipod (old model) was the most incredible feeling!

I still have this feeling and I’m so grateful for that. It’s a true moment of happiness.

I started yoga this year. It is so easy to do yoga here in LA, there is a yoga studio every corner. I chose YogaWorks. I just go to Brigitte’s class on the Westside. She is a great teacher and I must say I always learn something new about myself and my body. It’s also helping a lot with my other activities such as: running (better breathing) and dancing (better flexibility).

I recommend yoga for everyone especially if you’re new in LA. You can meet great people and it’s such an amazing work out (you sweat a lot).

Always wondered why dogs were involved in yoga. Maybe in ancient times they were the one who taught us. Who knows?

The most common, easy and famous pose:

Adho Mukha Svanasana is one of the poses in the traditional Sun Salutation sequence. Stay in this pose anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes breathing through your nose.

AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna अधोमुखश्वानासन

(also known as downward facing dog) 

adho = downward
mukha = face
svana = dog (but why dog?)

Many asanas are named for animals, such as the tortoise, the heron, pigeon, crow, or fish poses. Perhaps the most well knownpose is named after man’s best friend: downward dog or simply down dog.

NAMASTE.