EVD's Celebrity Trainer Spotlight: Ashley Borden

"Every month we like to focus on one particular trainer making innovative changes in fitness and how we approach weight loss. Our spotlight shines on celebrity trainer Ashley Borden for February 09."

Ashley Borden is a fitness and lifestyle consultant to some of Hollywood's most recognizable faces. Her unique approach to fitness can be attributed to having tackled her own personal struggles, transforming them into a positive philosophy and dynamic training program making her one of the most sought-after experts in her field. Her personality and humor suits all types of celebrity clients, including: Christina Aguilera, Natasha Bedingfield, Mandy Moore, Tori Spelling, Lauren Graham, Sean Hayes, Annabeth Gish, and more. Recently, Borden was part of UFC champion, Matt Hughes' team in preparation for his UFC 79 against George St. Pierre


Ashley Borden's surefire tips and techniques have been featured in InStyle , Vogue, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Prevention, the Los Angeles Times and Glamour , to name a few. In 2007, she was selected as a member of Fitness magazine’s prestigious advisory board. Internationally, Borden has been recognized by publications such as Elle Japan, Harper’s Bazaar Russia, Who Australia and London’s NOW magazine. In addition, she has been interviewed on the Today Show, Discovery Health, Extra, the Tyra Banks Show, MTV, E! Entertainment and more.


While maintaining a devoted training clientele, Borden is steadfast in mastering the newest exercises and nutritional advancements. Her hard work caught the eye of NIKE , who invited Borden to become a Nike Elite Athlete starting in 2004. She now teaches Master Classes at NIKE Studio LA to top trainers and coaches from across the nation. She has worked with both Evian and Splenda as a brand ambassador to the health and fitness world. One of North America's premier health product companies, Flora , joined forces with Borden to promote Flora’s high-quality, enviromentally-friendly, organic products, including Ashley’s favorite Udo's Oil. T his year, Borden became the face of Nintendo's new Wii Fit .


After a successful three year run at the Four Seasons Punta Mita, Mexico , Borden has taken her private retreats to locations across the globe. Each retreat is thoughtfully tailored to the clients fitness and food specifics, as well as personal goals.


Publisher McGraw-Hill debuted YOUR PERFECT FIT , a book co-authored by Borden and denim designer Paige Adams-Geller (of Paige Premium Denim) in January 2008. The book, the first to marry fashion, fitness and food tips, was given kudos by LA Confidential, the Tyra Banks show, and the Wall Street Journal .


Most recently, her volunteer work with at risk youth through the Chaka Khan Foundation has kept her busy; Borden is working with and educating over 50 children to improve their knowledge of health, nutrition and fitness.


Borden was raised in a tremendously athletic and nutritionally oriented family. An avid dancer growing up, she always felt an inherent connection to fitness, yet battled a vicious eating disorder throughout her teen years. Hitting bottom at 18, Borden finally found a peaceful balance of exercise and nutrition through Overeaters Anonymous. After having such a profound recovery experience, I felt it in my soul to share my insight on exercise and nutrition with others, says Borden. Clients gravitate to Borden to learn her training regimen and her widely written about SOS Food Plan . She is currently certified with the National Health Club Association .

Yoga DVD Update:

Yin Yoga with Paul Grilley

By Richard Rosen

Pranamaya; www.pranamaya.com; 5 1/2 hours.

Twenty-some years ago at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco, my classmates and I were subjected to a practice called "timed forward bends"—each of the poses in the sequence was held passively for somewhere between 10 minutes and an eon. Paul Grilley systematized this timed, passive-holding approach as Yin Yoga, which, he says, is a complement to the more active, huff-and-puff yoga styles favored in the West. The two DVDs in this package include a lecture on Yin theory, an accompanying practicum, and three hourlong Yin sequences.

Since Yin students spend five minutes or more in a pose, a Yin instructor needs a good shtick to keep everyone interested and in place. Grilley is an intelligent and empathic teacher and a congenial raconteur, both educator and entertainer. His technique can potentially help increase flexibility and self-acceptance, not only in your asana practice but in your daily life. And this is a great resource for learning it.

Calling all Yogis …. September 2, 2008 Paul Grilley will be releasing his Yin Yoga DVD. This video is over 300 minutes of yoga and wisdom from guru Paul Grilley.



Learn more at http://www.yogayoga.com

Pure Barre: Ballet, Dance & Pilates Fusion (2007)

EVD Review: (5 out of 5 stars)

The Pure Barre Technique (PBT) is the fastest, yet safest way to change your body. PBT fuses dance, Pilates and Lotte Berk exercises while utilizing the ballet barre to create the most intense and effective 55-minute workout that exists. The results of PBT are: flat abs, thin thighs, a lifted seat, toned arms and sculpted backs. PBT is an intelligent exercise technique - each strengthening section of the workout is followed by a stretching section in order to create strong, long, lean muscle without the bulk, while increasing range of motion. PBT will not only quickly transform your body, it will clear your mind, help you focus and contribute to a happy and healthy life. All you have to do is this DVD 3 times per week and your body will change - it is that simple.

This is an advanced workout. I absolutely love to add new innovative workout to my routine. It keeps you from getting bored. This is a fantastic workout with toning in a bellet like form. The stretching section is heavenly. I recommend this workout for anyone wanting to lengthen and tone (PBT Style).

The FIRM: Cardio Overdrive (2007)

EVD Review: (5 out of 5 stars)

Cardio overdrive will kick your weight loss into high gear. Unique low impact cardio and body shaping exercises burn calories both during and after this dynamic workout. Tone your legs arms and waist to the high-energy beat with easy-to-follow steps and Alison s expert coaching.DVD Includes:45-minute Complete Workout25-minute Express WorkoutOptional Equipment: The FIRM CardioweightsSystem. Released May 6, 2008.

The FIRM is one of those “gym quality” workout series that every at-home exerciser should own. I personally, have 10 Firm workouts in my collection. The toning and flow of Cardio Overdrive is excellent. This DVD will give you results fast if you stick to it. Whenever I feel like I’ve been slacking a bit on my intensity of workouts I like to do a FIRM video to get back into the “Warrior Goddess” mindset and push it up a notch.

10 Minute Solution: Pilates on the Ball (2007)

Review: (5 out of 5 stars)

No time to exercise? We have the solution for you the 10 Minute Solution! Everyone can find at least ten minutes in their day and we ve developed 5 innovative Pilates workouts that are just 10 minutes each. They will slim tone and tighten your whole body. Compact and ultra-efficient these workouts fit into even the busiest of schedules. Split them into 5 separate workouts or do them all together for one incredible Pilates ball workout! Workouts include Pilates For Abs Lower Body Pilates Upper Body Pilates Pilates for Flexibility and Total Body Pilates.

10 Minute Solution workouts are the highest quality workout you can get in a limited amount of time. It’s something about them that’s so infectious. Every time I put it in after 10 minutes I want more. I end up doing another segment and another. It’s a great way to stay motivated and sneak in a good workout on busy days. Each mini workout on this dvde is an effective routine on it’s own. This is also a great workout if you’re new to using the ball. It was released May 6, 2008.

Consider checking out some of the other workouts in the 10 Minute Solution Series also.

The South Beach Diet Super Charged Workout (2008)

Review: (4 out of 5 stars)

Lose weight faster with a unique metabolism-revving exercise program! Five years ago renowned Miami cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston set out to change the way America eats with The South Beach Diet. Now Dr. Agatston wants to change the way America lives by helping Americans become fitter as well as thinner and healthier...for life! He's designed a new exercise program that is based on the latest exercise science combining functional (core) fitness and cardiovascular (interval) exercise. The workout is designed to rev up the metabolism - and burn more fat and calories - even at rest.

"The South Beach Diet Super Charged Workout" DVD is a supplement to "The South Beach Diet Super Charged" book but can be used as an exercise plan without using the diet. To achieve best results, reading the book is very helpful. The book explains in depth how to maximize fitness results with interval training and core conditioning performed in a short period of time. With this knowledge you can optimize your results with the DVD.

The DVD begins with an introduction from Dr.Agatston in which he explains that new research has shown how interval training in short durations can provide greater benefits than lengthy workouts. The workouts follow the introduction. There is a 20 minute cardio interval training workout and 3 fifteen minute total body workouts to select from. In the book Dr. Agatston uses walking for the cardio training but gives alternatives. In the video the instructor varies exercises using simulated jump roping, lunges etc. Each burst is followed by a recovery period. For example you might do 30 seconds of jumping jacks followed by a 45 second recovery period of marching in place. The 3 total body workouts follow the exercises given in the book and evolve in difficulty from Phase 1 to Phase 3. Agatston also suggests a leisurely walk of 15- 20 minutes on the days you do the total body workout.

What I like about this workout is the length and organization. It’s really structured to try to give you the best results possible. Anyone who is a fan or interested in the South Beach Diet will enjoy this routine. It was released on May 13, 2008.

Similar workout is the Abs Diet Workout.

Walk Slim: Fast and Firm 4 Really Big Miles (2007)

Review: (5 out of 5 stars)

Leslie boldly says this is her best walk ever. If you want to walk off weight fast this is the workout for you. It s jam packed with great music boosted walking and body sculpting using one of Leslie's favorite boosters the Firm Band. This challenging 4 mile walking workout will power your walk to a whole new level . It s fast; it s fun; it works! Motivation pops on your screen to keep you walking at the perfect speed to burn hundreds of calories. Our popular mile markers allow you to choose a 1 2 3 or 4 mile invigorating walk anytime of the day. Add the Firm Band while walking to fire up the intensity of your fat burning and slim and shape your upper body. What a powerful combination! You will finish this total body walking program with a calming stretch to keep your joints moving in a full range of motion along with keeping muscles long and flexible. Now you have every feature you need to Walk Off Weight! Go for it! This DVD was released on May 6, 2008.

Walking is the one of the most beneficial forms of exercise you can do. Leslie Sansone is the queen of the “walk videos.” When you do one of her workout you know you’re getting a good 2 or more miles walk in the comfort of your home. I love these workouts because on days when you’re dead tired, just not motivated to do the whole aerobics thing, or too sore you can manage to walk. You can fit in one of Leslie’s workouts. We all will have those days some more than others and when they do occur grabbing a walking workout will keep you on track. A must have for anyone working out at home.

Check out any of Leslie’s walking videos for a good stroll in your living room.