Saturday, May 2, 2009

Love and Appreciation To Dear Friends


A special and heart felt shout out to all the wonderful Pilates friends I've had the honor and pleasure to spend time with these past two and a half years in Northern Virginia. Location- Sport and Health at Tysons and Kep's very own Stott Reformer at her secret hideout!!

Here goes:AMY-the sweetest girl who is always on count, and donates her beautiful hair for the cause; ANNA-wonderfully passionate about life; ARTEMIS-positively kicks all our butts, and I seem to remember something about Subway; JENNIFER-must fit into those brides-maid gowns, and she does; KATHLEEN and PAUL-just love them both, and as for diamonds, they sell the most beautiful, and Kathleen wears them best of all-you may want to give it a shot-Charles Schwartz and Sons in DC; LARRY and LIZ-the entire class thanks Larry for being our precision timekeeper and for not allowing me to do just one more repetition- that didn't really work- and for your sense of humor, and Liz, come back soon, your reformer is waiting for its mermaid to return; MAUREEN-a very happy golf widow, lunch and shopping date, a dear friend, and luckier Peter because he is married to Maureen; MELISSA and JESSIX-two talented and beautiful trainers-cycle, Pilates and marathon runners, who will stay in touch with Matt, and come visit us in California; PATTY-long spine and short spine rocks!! and always willing to try IT!, whatever it may be; ROXANNA-Orthodontist extraordinaire and wonderful spirit, sharing Tom's birthday and bringing in 2009 together, and did I mention her other extraordinary skill? Horoscopes-she will nail yours and everyone in your world!!; MICHAEL -marathon runner and yogi who brings me gifts from his travels to India; MAY-Michaels' sister-faster marathon runner and yogi and fitness instructor! but NO gifts; MICHELLE-trying to keep up with her amazing award winning fitness instructor mom; MARILYN-loves the reformer because at 4'7" she fits; DEBRA-not even close to 4'7" and she fits too!!; JEANNE-not a varsity, but a professional cheerleader; IRENE-you are doing great!; LUCY LOCKET-merci and a laugh to die for; BECKY-dedicated yoga teacher and great taker of notes, thank you for your support; SIMONE, SHERYL- Washington attorney who shows up no matter how tired, and we LOVE her, and a hug to her daughter Gabby, and health to Lonnie; GITA, KATHY-tremendous support when I first arrived here. Kind, generous, sensitive friend, runner -rain or shine, bearer of movie passes, and many shared meals at Wildfire with the help of Geo; AMI-simply lovely and really strong, thank you for sharing your love story with me; REENA-our restaurant guru; NAHIELI and REED-happy marriage; KATA-PH.D any time now, truly a friend, it was an honor to share your 25th wedding anniversary, we will always cherish the memory of Larry, and we love Judy's remarkable Obama painting; JUNE-ageless and so wonderful, I am so honored to know you; LINDA-we began together about 2 years ago-you were one of the first to enter my world. Thanks for supporting me and I hope you love yoga and Pilates, anyway!; CAROLYN-simply lovely-our class video director and psycho-therapist-she has helped to heal many a student, and she knits great slippers; AMBER-best of luck modeling; PAMELA-concert pianist and friend; KIM and HEATHER; LAURA and KRISTIN-beautiful mother and daughter- actually a daughter, who when corrected by the mother accepted the help-Kristin said "Mom, you're right." And I think she also said "thanks." Awesome; HOLLY, NISHA, SHARI, BRIANA and ERICA, DEIDRE, TESS, COLLEEN- who is now in Chicago, and who brought so much energy to our sessions. And our supreme effort, over COCKTAILS, to finally figure out men and relationships, with the help of Roxana, we nailed it!! OLGA-such a darling person, best of luck with your degree; BESSIE-Pilates teacher and sole owner of many PAL SHAZAR t-shirts and an amazing blogger; MOLLY and BARRY, NADIA-who is ALL heart, someone we all missed when she left for Iraq, and safely returned to the Pilates studio, and who shared Christmas dinner (she brought most of the food) with our family and friends, and whose mother shared her personal story of love and war. May you be drenched with love.

Please, all of you, use this blog to communicate with me and with each other. Google-health and beauty by Keppi.

To Nancy Sanchez of Sport and Health, who made it all possible for me. My forever friend as well as my Pilates Coordinator and just the most wonderful woman ever!! and I mean ever!!

I am also loving Samantha and Morgan-two more amazing women who supported me completely as my group fitness coordinators. Thank you.
AND, to my three perfect children-Jenny, Maggie and Matthew-"If not for you winter would have no spring, Couldn't hear a Robin sing, I just wouldn't have a clue, If not for you." (Thanks Bob Dylan). I love you very very very very very much. (Thanks very important word book).

And God Bless My Sister-she helped me create this monster of a blog!! She is famously known as Pal Shazar at- www. PalShazar. com . Check out her music and art. She's the talented sister, and she makes me laugh a lot, everyday!!

My husband requested an honorable mention too. As you all know, his name is Tom. It is because of him that we are in Northern Virginia. I've probably had most of the fun, club hopping . To clarify, 'health' club hopping, as opposed to 'bar' club hopping-I like that too! So, my deepest ever appreciation to Tom, the most adorable and coolest man in the universe-no, even better, in DC!!

Am I not the luckiest!!

And now that I am back in California I want to thank my Pilates friends for a most wonderful year-2011. Thanks to Marilyn, Barbara, Barb, Deeha, Laurie, Digna, Paige (Paigelet), Judy, Lisa and Lisa,Cathy, Suzanne, Danielle and Danielle, Robin and Hannah-mom and daughter, Victoria-although she did a disappearing act, Marrian, Brian, Darron and I think that may be it for this year.  Not too bad for stretching and strengthening in 2011.  Pat, Harriet and Rachael, Lydia, Pat, Marrian, Janet, Carol, Patty, Gale, Mikki, Erika, Lisa, Laurie, Mar, Carissa, Barbara, Paige, and, oh there will be someone else!!    Much love and appreciation to all.

5 comments:

  1. I've been taking pilates, yoga, and stretching classes with Keppi for about two years now, and with every class and every interaction, with Keppi, I learn something new. Keppi's training has helped to round out my fitness program and keep me limber, injury-free, and balanced. I LOVE the various cues Keppi uses to help describe how to move the body in the subtlest ways to maximize an exercise. Keppi typically asks each person what area they would like to work on, and she's never at a loss for exercises that target the area of need. Keppi is also a real "people" person, always remembering names and interests, strengths as well as injuries or limits. She is also extremely careful to ensure that each participant is safe and enters as well as exits positions in a safe manner. Her sense of humor can get you through the most challenging of positions, and her enthusiasm is hard to beat. We'll miss you Keppi! Next maybe you can send us workouts via podcast or some other new wave technology!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well Keppi I hate saying goodbyes and I want you to know that I owe it to you big time for helping me get back in shape and re-introduce me to Pilates. I took Pilates almost ten years ago but did not last beyond the third class at the Tyson's sports and health club. I must admit I was a little skeptical at the beginning since it all depends on the instructor and the teaching techniques. I have been taking reformer Pilates classes with Keppi for about 8 months and I have never felt so energetic and flexible in my life. I have always had back problems and Keppi managed to encourage me with hands own instruction and her individual attention and patience with me has helped me regain my flexibility. She also knows when not to push too much since she is aware of my back problems. This was my biggest fear in taking Pilates and she helped me alleviate that fear. She gives each and everyone of us in the class her time and attention and making sure I get to work the muscle I am supposed to work on. She also keeps the momentum going and will work according to what we request. Her dedication, sense of humor and unbelievable shape is amazing. I will miss you so much and I wish you all the luck wherever you go. You have been a good friend and a listener to me. It was a pleasure having me and my mom at your house and meeting your lovely husband. You are a true gem and I hope we keep the friendship going when you are in the West coast.

    ReplyDelete
  3. i am always thinking about you kep. for every stretch you make, another bite i take. hey, i rhymed!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Keppi, you are adorable. Your beautiful spirit is infectious. Never knew that one could make teaching so much fun. you are inspiring in demonstration of not only your physical but also emotional strength. You will be missed Keppi, I hope you will come back and visit us soon.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Simply stated, I love you, Keppi.
    You are...
    ...a prism of light, full of color and beauty, that entered my life and inspired me to continue looking for and seeing the beauty in each person and each situation
    ...a nurturer
    ...an encourager
    ...a lover of giving love
    ...a sharer (of Stan Lee)
    ...an amazing guide and teacher
    ...an open, amiable spirit
    ...a strong, focused person
    ...a mentor...and...
    ...a friend whose energies i carry with me every single day - you are in my veins, keppi!

    See you soon in heart and in person!

    Love and peace to you and Tom and Stan Lee and Allie and your family ALWAYS,
    Nancy Sanchez

    ReplyDelete