Sound Meditation vs. Sound Bath: What You Should Know, According to Two Sound Facilitators

If you’ve ever zoned out in a sound bath and called it “healing,” you’re not wrong—but according to sound facilitators Alex Artymiak and Anna Yang, there’s more to the story.

The founders of Empty Space, a stunning new sound and breathwork studio tucked inside a restored barn in Old Chatham, New York, are on a mission to help us tune in more consciously—not just to the gongs and bowls, but to ourselves. With decades of combined experience in music, meditation, and movement (Alex has led over 7,000 classes worldwide), the duo offers a deeper take on sound as a tool for presence, not just passive relaxation.

Their belief? The real healing doesn’t come from the instruments, it comes from the one listening. And understanding the subtle (but powerful) difference between a sound bath and a sound meditation might just change how you experience both.

We sat down with Alex and Anna to explore how intention, breath, and silence all play a role and why their practice invites you not to drift off, but to drop in.

In Conversation with Alex Artymiak & Anna Yang

How would you define the difference between a sound meditation and a sound bath? Alex Artymiak: The main difference resides in the intention of the one receiving the sound.  A sound bath is more passive in that you may not have a point of focus.  You allow your awareness to travel between the sounds, the physical and emotional feelings that rise, and your thoughts.  In a sound meditation, we invite the practitioner to listen judicially. To go deeper into the sounds and listen to their relationship to one another, to hear the subtlety of the notes, and observe how their feelings are moving with the sounds. We encourage listeners to notice when their thoughts rise and in that moment, return their attention to the sound. In sound meditation, we emphasize the agency of the participant.  Though there may be some differences in how the sounds are structured or played, the real power lies in the attention of the observer. 

Is one more structured than the other in terms of how the sound is delivered or received? Alex Artymiak: It depends on the sound facilitator, and there are many different practices and ways of structuring sound experiences.  In many soundbaths, multiple instruments will be used simultaneously, “bathing” the listener in tones and sound.  Though I can’t speak for everyone, at Empty Space our intention is to take you on a journey.  Different instruments will elicit different emotions, and so we choose to play most instruments by themselves.  Playing multiple instruments at the same time may sound pleasant, but the power they have to trigger an emotional response may get lost. 

How might someone feel differently during or after a sound meditation versus a sound bath? The main difference would be that during a sound meditation, it can feel like you are on a journey.  It can be like a gentle workout for your nervous system, where there are moments of tension that resolve back into peace and deep relaxation. While both experiences leave you feeling peaceful, a sound meditation may take you through a deeper journey to get there. -Anna Yang

Is one modality better for stress relief, emotional processing, or deep rest? Anna Yang: I think the contrast between tension and release as well as the singular instruments give sound meditations a better outcome in emotional processing.  The main idea of a sound meditation is in the presence of the listener and the more attentive someone is to the sounds and the feelings that rise with them, the more they will connect to their emotions.  As for stress relief and deep rest, the more you allow yourself to feel tension, the more you will relax when you let it go.

Are the instruments used the same for both? Or are there distinctions in soundscape, rhythm, or pacing? Anna Yang: Though we use the same instruments in both, the way they are used may be different.  Oftentimes multiple instruments will be used simultaneously in a sound bath vs in a meditation we tend to focus on one instrument at a time so that the participant can go deeper into each note. When there is too much sound, the feeling of the instrument can get lost so we tend to keep it simple. 

Can you walk us through what a typical sound meditation session looks like at Empty Space? Alex Artymiak: We start with a small intro talk where we give guidance on how to approach the experience.  We then have the practitioners lay down, relax, and cover their eyes.  We guide them through a brief meditation and breathwork session to help center and ground them and then as they fully relax post breathwork we transition through various overtone emitting and harmonic instruments.  Instruments may be played close to or on the listener if they are comfortable with it so that they can feel the vibrations as well as experience the modulation of sound that occurs when you play with distance and movement while facilitating. 

What are the core techniques or philosophies you draw from in your approach to sound meditation? Anna Yang: The first sound is silence.  We play with different aspects of sound to engage the students into active listening and then have moments where we resolve back into silence.  Though we may have a ballpark intention, or an emotion that we feel an instrument played in a certain way may create, we also recognize that each individual may have their own experience outside of our intention.  For that reason, we observe how a group or individuals may be responding to the sounds and can alter the structure if we feel we need to lighten or intensify the experience. 

How does breathwork integrate into your sound meditation classes? Alex Artymiak: Breathwork is a powerful tool to help bring participants into the present moment.  We utilize a stronger, rapid breath technique which creates some discomfort, during which we encourage breathing with the discomfort and being open to experience what rises. When the breathwork ends, the result is a deep drop into relaxation with a heightened state of presence and awareness.  This acts as a primer so that participants are more available and receptive.

If someone is new to sound healing, where should they start: a sound bath or sound meditation? Alex Artymiak: Either! It depends on the individual and since you can approach either experience however you would like, I would say choose what resonates (pun intended) with you. Since the power lies in the practitioner, you could sit in a sound bath and meditate, or let go and bathe in the sounds of a meditation. Sound meditation is for everyone, whether you have never meditated before or are a seasoned practitioner.  We have had many people come for their first time, having never done a meditation or sound bath, and have an incredible experience. In the end, most people will probably shift between moments of active listening and then get caught up thinking, but we feel that having the intention and awareness that is present in a sound meditation creates a more impactful experience.

Located in a beautifully restored barn in Old Chatham, New York, Empty Space offers sound meditation, breathwork, and yoga experiences designed to help participants slow down and connect inward. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley, the studio provides an intimate, thoughtfully crafted setting where sound is more than background—it's an invitation to presence, awareness, and self-discovery. Learn more about Empty Space here.

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This Grilled Salmon Could Steal the Show at Your Next Dinner

When your summer soirées start to call for something a touch more refined than the usual “burgers on the grill,” Beth Le Manach’s debut cookbook Entertaining 101: 101 Recipes Every Host Should Know How to Make has just the thing. This grilled salmon is the definition of easy elegance, light, fresh, and impossibly simple, yet chic enough to impress your guests. Perfect for a party of four, it’s all about the details: tender salmon, artful plating, and a grated radish garnish that looks like delicate flower petals shimmering under candlelight. Serve it at your next summer gathering and you will see why Beth calls this a “kinda fancy” dish you will want to make again and again.

 

Recipe

SERVES 4

MANGO SALSA

2 cups (375 g) diced ripe mango
1⁄2 cup (75 g) diced red onion
2 tablespoons (22 g) pomegranate arils
1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped fresh cilantro
1⁄2 jalapeño, diced (about 1 tablespoon/10 g)
1⁄4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) lime zest
Juice of 1⁄2 lime
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black
pepper, to taste

SALMON

Vegetable oil, for greasing
Four 6-ounce (170 g) skin-on salmon filets
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

GARNISH

8 small cilantro sprigs
1 lime, sliced into 4 wedges
1 radish (See Note 1)

Directions

1. Make the salsa: Combine the mango, onion, pomegranate arils, cilantro, jalapeño, lime zest and juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.

2. Make the salmon: Grease an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan with vegetable oil and heat to medium-high.

3. Season the top of the fish with salt and pepper. Grill the fish, skin side up, until 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) at the bottom is opaque, 4 to 6 minutes. Then, flip and cook until the fish starts to crack a little bit on top, 4 to 6 minutes more (see Note 2).

4. Divide the fish among four plates and then spoon the salsa over the fish. Garnish each plate with 1 to 2 cilantro sprigs and a lime wedge.

5. Use a coarse hand grater to grate the radish over the fish and plates, working the radish around so you are continually getting the red part. (It will be prettier that way.)

NOTES

1. If you don’t typically have radishes in the crisper drawer (and since you only need one radish for the garnish), serve this meal with the Crudité Platter with Green Goddess Dip (page 50) or A Little Bit Lighter Gazpacho (page 96) as a starter, since both recipes call for radishes.

2. You can also make a tiny incision in the top to check for doneness. You will be spooning the salsa over the fish, so don’t worry—it will hide the cut.

MAKE-AHEAD GAME PLAN

• Two hours ahead, season the fish, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• One hour ahead, combine the ingredients for the salsa, leaving out the cilantro and the lime zest and juice. Cover and refrigerate. Add the remaining ingredients just before serving for the best flavor.

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8/8 Lion’s Gate: The Most Powerful Manifestation Portal of the Year—Here’s How to Use It

We’ve been told that manifesting is about “attraction.” But that’s not quite the case. When you view abundance and your goals as something you need to attract, you’re still seeing them as separate from yourself.

The truth is: you are a transmission tower. You are abundance. You are the Master Creator of your experience.

To harness the full power of manifesting, it’s not about drawing things in—it’s about remembering that you already are the source. That means shifting from attraction energy into creation energy. And there’s no better time to embody that shift than during the Lion’s Gate portal—a cosmic alignment that peaks on 8/8, opening a gateway to higher frequencies, accelerated manifestation, and abundance consciousness.

Sia-Lanu Estrella, author of The Rainbow Tablets: Abundance and Sacred Co-Creation, shares how to work with this potent portal to step fully into your highest manifestation power.

What is Lion’s Gate?

Lion's Gate starts late July and continues until mid-August, with the peak on 8/8. So why is it such a potent time for abundance and manifesting?

Lion’s Gate marks a special alignment of Sirius, Orion and Earth within the Leo sun sign. It creates a flow of cosmic energy that enables you to tap into higher frequencies and manifest with greater speed and ease.

Think of it as a portal to higher-dimensional planes where abundance, magic and miracles are the natural state. When you harness the energies of this powerful portal, you can take a huge leap into a higher timeline. It opens pathways and possibilities beyond anything you could have dreamed. But there is more to this manifestation portal than most realise! 

The hidden cosmic power of 8/8

The number eight is linked to abundance, luck and prosperity. Yet in the higher sense, the 8/8 portal is the amplification of the cosmic infinity.

So, what is the cosmic infinity? The pure abundance consciousness. This infinite flow of giving and receiving is the fabric of the universe.

As part of the universe, you are abundance. And your body is your manifestation vessel. It’s the physical coding of your frequency. Think of it as the infinity symbol. You are both the magnet for abundance and the amplifier of it. You are the unification of both Earth and stars. Once you realize abundance is not separate to you, you re-awaken the magic within and all around you.

Through this cosmic power of 8/8, Lion’s Gate is an activation into the pure abundance consciousness.

How to harness the power of this portal

Here are five ways to manifest at the highest levels this Lion’s Gate.

Dream big, then even bigger
There are so many layers to the lack programming. One of the sneakier ones is around setting “realistic goals”. Translation? Manifest with limitations.

This Lion’s Gate, cast all limitations aside. Go big with your dreams – really big. Listen to the most magical wishes of your heart. The true reality is one of magic and miracles. It exists beyond the illusion of the “3D” world. So, use this Lion’s Gate to elevate into the highest possibilities. And write your greatest dreams in your journal.

Encode your manifestation vessel
Start by using the Rainbow Pyramid Sovereignty Practice every morning to realign and amplify your frequency. This will also strengthen your intuition. Then spend a few minutes reading through your goals.

Breathe this highest vision into your heart and pulse it out through your entire body. Fill every cell with the magic of your true dreams. Then breathe your vision out to your energy field. Do this every day of August, so it is fully encoded into your body and being. In this way, you will vibrate at the frequency of all that you are manifesting. 

By tapping into your body as the transmission tower, it generates a toroidal field that literally creates your highest vision.

Take aligned action
After encoding your vessel each day, tune into the next steps. Open your heart and allow the guidance to drop in. Then act on it. They might be small steps you can take right away. Or it might require putting time aside during your day.

As you do each task, hold the full frequency of your vision as though it has already come into being. No doubt. No thinking smaller. Experience it as though it already exists. Let it be joyful and exciting. Your vision is your creation. Embody it like the lion’s roar – bold and regal.

Anchor it through ceremony
Come into ceremony on 8/8 and anchor all that you are manifesting. Your most magnificent expression of life already exists on the higher realms. As you connect with your dreams, you are tapping into the blueprint of this vision on the higher realms. The Lion’s Gate portal is the perfect time to anchor that blueprint onto this plane.

Find a nice spot in nature. Ask permission of the land and loving ancestors. Cleanse the space with sage, palo santo or the violet flame. Next, dig a small hole and offer your gratitude to Mother Earth and Father Universe. You might want to do this by offering a small crystal for each of them, ceremonial tobacco or an organic grain like quinoa.

Then encode your vision into a small crystal. Fill it with all of your love and gratitude for this highest vision. Call in the Earth, universe and your whole team to assist you in this powerful co-creation. Blow onto the crystal, place it in the hole and cover it up. After that, you might wish to celebrate this new timeline by making an Earth altar of flowers, feathers, shells and so on.

Keep expanding your frequency
Everything you take into your energy field either lowers or raises your frequency. So, consciously choose things that elevate you. Find empowering and inspiring podcasts. Get out into nature. Exercise regularly. And continue with your Rainbow Pyramid morning practice. A great place to start your ongoing expansion is with The Rainbow Tablets: Abundance and Sacred co-creation. You can order it online here.

And remember this...

Lion’s Gate is the most powerful manifestation portal of the year—a direct gateway into pure abundance consciousness. It’s not just a moment; it’s a return to the truth of who you are. A reconnection to the reality where magic and miracles are the norm.

Once you activate this frequency, it doesn’t fade. You don’t fall back down after 8/8. In fact, the opposite happens—if you continue to embody this higher vibration, you’ll keep creating at cosmic levels. Year after year, portal after portal, your expansion continues.

That’s the real gift of Lion’s Gate. Use it as your launchpad. Let it carry you into your highest, most aligned, and limitless self.

Sia-Lanu Estrella is hosting a free 2 Lion’s Gate workshop to help you tap into this portal and activate your highest timeline.  Click here to sign up.

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5 Entertaining Rules to Live By—The French-Inspired Way, According to Beth Le Manach

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You don’t have to be Parisian to entertain like one and Beth Le Manach is living proof. Originally from New England, with years spent in Los Angeles, Beth now calls the French countryside of Vendée home, where she’s perfected the art of hosting with warmth, ease, and just the right amount of chic. A celebrated recipe developer and creator of the popular YouTube series Entertaining with Beth, she’s built a loyal global audience by proving that elegant gatherings don’t have to be complicated.

Beth’s debut cookbook, Entertaining 101: 101 Recipes Every Host Should Know How to Make, is a beautiful extension of her “minimal effort, maximum impact” philosophy, featuring timeless recipes and smart strategies that empower anyone to entertain with confidence. From setting a thoughtful table to savoring dessert before coffee (yes, it’s a thing), Beth has picked up more than a few tricks since settling into life in France.

Here, she shares five French-inspired entertaining rules that will transform your next dinner party into a relaxed, joy-filled affair—with plenty of personality, and not a hint of fuss.

Serve Dishes Family Style.The French do this so well that it's also known as serving a meal French-style. When large platters of food are passed around the table, it creates a friendlier and more relaxed atmosphere at a party. It also saves the host from having to plate everyone's meal in the kitchen restaurant-style. The French are very concerned about waste, and serving French-style also allows guests to take as little or as much of a dish as they like. You can use platters, bowls or even boards. Boards work exceptionally well for grilled meats for 4-6 guests. Take the chicken or steak off the grill, carve it on the board, garnish with herbs or a drizzle of sauce and set it in the center of the table.

Position the Hosts in the Center. In the States, the hosts gravitate towards the ends of the table, but in France, you often see the hosts at the center. That way, they can better facilitate conversation between all the guests and give special guests "seats of honor" at the head.

Embrace the Water Carafe. Even at restaurants in France, you will see the ubiquitous water carafe on tables. It's a nice touch to do when entertaining at home. Set the table with water glasses in addition to wine glasses. Tumblers work well for this, since they are lower than the wine glass. Add a water carafe on the table for every group of four guests. You can search places like Etsy and eBay for lovely vintage carafes, and it's a bit more fun if they don't match. It will give your table more personality.

Wait to Be Served, Then Cheers! In the States, we often offer guests a glass of wine as they trickle in. But in France, guests wait until everyone arrives (the French are incredibly punctual, especially when invited to dinner!). A dinner party doesn't officially begin until everyone arrives, is served a drink, and cheers! There is something nice about this; everyone begins at the same time and every glass is clinked – even if it's a large group – it is required that you cheer each glass and look people straight in the eye as you do it. It's a way to recognize each person and make everyone feel included. This is a very old French tradition that goes back centuries. Legend has it that avoiding eye contact during a "cheers" meant you were trying to poison someone, but now it's just seen as poor manners if you don't!

Dessert, Then Coffee. It took me years to get used to this, but now I totally see the wisdom of it, and it's become a rule for me! In France, dessert is served and cleared, and then the coffee is brought out. They are two separate courses, unlike in the States, where they are often served together. The French savor their meals; no one is in a rush at mealtime. Also, there is something nice about enjoying the flavors separately. For example, a delicate panna cotta with a fruit compote doesn't pair well so well with a strong cup of espresso. They deserve to be served separately. I also like the inclusion of a little buttery biscuit or chocolate served alongside the coffee tucked into the saucer; this is another lovely French touch. Serving the coffee separately also makes it easier on the host since you don't have to juggle serving dessert and the coffee simultaneously. 

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Living Well With Carly Kremer, Founder of Beekeeper’s Naturals: On Propolis, Purpose, and Rewriting the Medicine Cabinet

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Carly Kremer has always believed that wellness should start with nature and a little help from the hive. As the founder of Beekeeper’s Naturals, she’s made it her mission to upgrade the modern medicine cabinet with clean, bee-powered alternatives that actually work. What started as a personal health quest (and a few bottles of propolis spray at farmers markets) has grown into a cult-favorite brand sold everywhere from Whole Foods to Target.

In this edition of Living Well, Carly shares her non-negotiables for immunity (hint: she sprays propolis daily), the buzzy ingredient she’d use to replace your cough syrup, and how motherhood has shaped her approach to wellness. Plus, the surprising lesson bees have taught her about building a business that lasts.

Living Well With Carly Kremer

You’ve built the brand around reinventing the medicine cabinet— what’s one item that’s always been non-negotiable in your own wellness routine? For me, it’s always been propolis. It’s nature’s original immune defender – something I take every single day, whether I’m traveling, working, or just in the thick of cold season with my little one. It’s incredibly versatile, with antioxidant and immune-supportive properties; it also has benefits for gut health and inflammation, and I love that it’s been trusted for centuries around the world. Propolis is my way of being proactive instead of waiting until I’m sick. Two of my favorite propolis products, which I use daily, are our Propolis Throat Spray and Nasal Spray. These products cover both pathways where viruses can enter the body and defend against anything you may come into contact with.

From launching at farmers markets to becoming a top-seller at Target and Whole Foods, what’s one surprising lesson the bees have taught you about building something that lasts? Bees operate with intention, considering the needs of the whole colony. Every decision in the hive serves the greater good. That’s been a compass for me. Whether I’m formulating products, creating a clean supply chain, or making other business decisions, I’ve learned to think in systems, stay connected to purpose, and make choices that support our customers and the long game rather than take easy shortcuts. I believe that quality always prevails, and investing the extra time and money to create something truly clean and effective is our top priority.

How do you personally navigate cold and flu season now that you have a little one? Are there rituals, ingredients, or daily habits you swear by? Absolutely. Having a toddler means you're constantly dodging runny noses, especially at playgroups and on planes. For both of us, I lean on a consistent pre-exposure routine: daily propolis spray, a gentle nasal mister for her, and immune-supportive nutrients like zinc and vitamin D. I don’t wait until we’re sick; I build our defenses up every day, so our systems are ready. My daughter loves her Kids' Propolis Throat Spray and our Kid's Immune Support + Vitamin C Liposomal so that also makes my job easier.

What’s something most people still get wrong about bee-based wellness? Many people think it’s just about honey, but the hive is a pharmacopoeia. Propolis, royal jelly, and pollen are all incredibly potent and functional ingredients with centuries of use and modern scientific backing.

If someone is brand new to the line, what’s the perfect “starter pack” of your products to try first? Start with the Propolis Throat Spray. It’s our most-loved for a reason (we sell a bottle every 15 seconds). It’s like a daily armor for your immune system. I’d also recommend our Superfood Honey. It’s delicious, yes, but it’s also packed with royal jelly, pollen, and propolis, so you’re getting the full spectrum of hive nutrients in one spoon. I also love to share our Propolis + Vitamin C Liposomal – it has 1000mg of vitamin C and 100mg of propolis, which is amazing for immune and skin health.

With the brand growing so quickly, how do you ensure your sourcing and sustainability practices still reflect your original mission? We’re obsessive about transparency and testing. That means everything from third-party pesticide screening to sourcing from beekeepers who practice regenerative methods. We formulate to EU standards, which is far beyond what’s required here in the United States because that’s what integrity demands.

If you could replace one product in everyone’s medicine cabinet with something from the hive, what would it be—and why? Cough syrup. The conventional stuff often contains dyes, refined sugars, and active ingredients that don’t even work, and in some cases have been recalled by the FDA. Honey—specifically buckwheat honey—has been shown in studies to be just as effective, if not more so, than the chemicals used in the most popular over-the-counter cough syrups. It supports the immune system, rather than just numbing symptoms.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up—and the last thing you do before bed? I always do a start-of-day nasal rinse with our Nasal Spray Max in the morning, and I take our Liposomal Vitamin C with Propolis first thing on an empty stomach. At the end of the day, I do my second Nasal Spray to ensure no germs, viruses, or bacteria are trapped in my nasal passage and my Stress Support Liposomal to unwind.

Besides Beekeeper’s Naturals, what are a few daily supplements or wellness products you swear by? I care a lot about bioavailability. Many products on the market don’t absorb well and end up being a waste of money, so I prefer liposomal products and use Tri Fortify Liposomal Glutathione with our Beekeeper’s Liposomal C packets. Taking the two together maximizes the results. I also love a heavy metal tested high dose omega, and I like the Needed multivitamin when I’m pre- and postnatal, and I love a sulfurphane supplement.

What podcasts are currently in your rotation—whether it’s for parenting, wellness, or a guilty pleasure binge? I’m obsessed with Dr. Rhonda Patrick. We work hard at Beekeeper’s Naturals to stay on top of all the latest research and findings in the health world, so my podcast rotation is a lot of Dr. Patrick, Peter Attia, Huberman, and most of the people covering health topics.

Complete this sentence: Living well means…
Taking care of my health, spending time with friends and family, and doing a job that gives me purpose.

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Gwyneth, Scarlett, Alessandra—Why A-Listers Are Embracing This Strength-First, Low-Impact Workout

When a workout gets mistaken for Pilates but has Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, and Alessandra Ambrosio in its corner, you know there’s more going on. Enter Lagree—a high-intensity, low-impact training method created by Sebastien Lagree, the French-born fitness innovator who engineered the system to deliver maximum muscle burn with minimal joint strain.

Combining high-intensity, low-impact strength training with slow, controlled movements, Lagree uses patented equipment like the Megaformer and Microformer to push your body to the limit in under 45 minutes. It’s not Pilates—it’s harder. And while the machines might look similar, the method is fundamentally different: think deep muscle shakes, time under tension, and a full-body burn that leaves even pro athletes humbled.

So what exactly makes this method so effective and why are A-listers and elite performers choosing it to stay sculpted? We caught up with founder Sebastien Lagree to find out.

Let’s set the record straight—what’s the biggest misconception people have about Lagree being “just another form of Pilates”? People often judge a book by its cover. When they see the visual similarity between the Megaformer and a traditional Pilates reformer, they frequently assume that Lagree is either an offshoot of Pilates or somehow based on it. However, that misconception has steadily diminished. Since 2012, we’ve been actively educating the public on the distinct differences and unique benefits of the Lagree Method. The global expansion, now with over 1,000 licensed locations, has played a significant role in reshaping that narrative. Today, the majority of people recognize that Lagree and Pilates are entirely separate and fundamentally different methods.

For someone who’s done reformer Pilates, what would they notice immediately in a Lagree class that feels totally different? The shakes. You don’t shake in Pilates. Pilates is a low impact restorative method with the sole mission of circulating the blood for repair and healing. You must keep in mind that Joseph Pilates was a nurse above all. Lagree is a muscular strength and endurance workout. The complete opposite. It is my observation that people who practice Pilates cannot keep up with a Lagree workout. They lack the endurance, hence the intense shaking

We’ve seen everyone from A-list celebs to pro athletes trade in their usual workouts for Lagree—what’s drawing them in? Lagree is a workout. It is engineered to strengthen, tighten, and tone. We use bodybuilding training techniques that are engineered to strengthen, tighten, and tone. That’s why people are switching to Lagree: the results. I encourage everyone to try the Lagree method and see for themselves 

You’ve worked with some incredibly fit, high-performance people—what results are they seeing with Lagree that they weren’t getting elsewhere? People come to me to achieve the impossible: people with an already perfect body who want an even more perfect body. I had to engineer the method for a very demanding clientele. These women (and men) were perfect in every way but they wanted more tightness, more definition. I used my knowledge of bodybuilding and combined it with the low impact quality of the spring resistance based equipment. 

Lagree is often described as “Pilates on steroids,” but there’s more science to it than that. Can you break down the method’s core principles—and why they work? The Pilates on Steroid was started by SLT, a licensee of mine circa 2011. The reference was meant to be cute and a joke; but it caught on with writers and editors who kept using and reusing that reference over the years. The reference was meant to convey how intense Lagree really is. Because, when I came into the picture, Pilates was taught at a very slow and boring pace. Lagree is based on principles like time under tension, super slow speed training, and isokinetic training, progressive overloading, to name a few. Plus new training techniques as we are evolving the drivetrain.  Its usage has diminished a great deal in the past 5 years. I don’t see that reference used much nowadays. Lagree has grown in popularity and now people can see for themselves that the reference is pointless and doesn’t mean anything. 

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The Summer Jewelry Edit You’ll Actually Keep Wearing

There’s something about summer that calls for a little glimmer. Whether it’s the glow of dusk at golden hour or the sheen of skin kissed by salt and sun, this season is all about leaning into light, texture, and intention—and yes, that includes your jewelry.

We’ve curated five standout pieces from brands that balance elevated design with heart. Some are sustainably certified, some are celeb-loved, and all are rooted in story, making them more than just accessories. 

From recycled gold to consciously sourced sparkle, here’s what we’re wearing all season long:

Tilly Sveaas — Small Gold T-Bar On Belcher Chain

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Tilly Sveaas has mastered the art of understated edge. Her now-signature T-bar necklace is a modernized take on an old-school staple, grounded by a fine belcher chain and crafted from Fairmined 18k gold plating and recycled sterling silver.

As a licensed Fairmined brand, Tilly Sveaas supports small-scale mining communities that prioritize ethical and environmentally sound practices. It’s a piece that not only looks good—it does good. And with nods from ES Magazine, Red, and Grazia, it’s no wonder this necklace has become a quiet icon.

KIMITAKE — Links HC Logo Bracelet

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Available in yellow gold and white gold with melee diamonds.

Born from the deeply personal bond between its founders, KIMITAKE is quickly carving out space in the world of fine jewelry with a signature aesthetic rooted in Japanese heritage, elevated storytelling, and modern luxury.

Every piece is centered around their original HC (Human Connection) symbol—a striking design element that speaks to the invisible yet powerful links between people. That sentiment comes to life in the Links HC Logo Bracelet, where each component is meticulously connected to allow fluid movement and quiet radiance. Choose from yellow or white gold, both accented with melee diamonds for an effortless shimmer.

With a mission to preserve Japan’s oldest traditional techniques while crafting something entirely new, KIMITAKE is bridging worlds: East and West, past and future, artistry and innovation. From their craftsmanship to their packaging, every detail is designed to reflect elegance, intention, and meaning.

Minimal yet symbolic. Refined yet emotional. This is jewelry that feels as good as it looks—and a brand destined to be on every editor’s radar.

Monica Vinader — Nura Reef Thin Bangle

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Inspired by the glamour of the '50s but made for the now, this asymmetrical bangle from Monica Vinader pairs beautifully with a sun-kissed wrist and a chilled glass of something citrusy. It's crafted in 18k gold vermeil and can be traced from conception to completion via their Product Passport—transparency you can literally wear.

Meghan Markle is a fan, and the brand’s B Corp certification, 100% recycled metals, and plastic-free packaging speak to a conscious approach that doesn’t sacrifice style.

Catbird NYC — Threadbare Gold Stacking Ring

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Delicate and hand-hammered from 100% recycled 14k gold, Catbird’s Threadbare ring is a whisper-thin staple that feels as good as it looks. Meghan Markle has worn it, and Phoebe Bridgers calls Catbird her go-to. Even Taylor Swift has been spotted in their collab pieces.

Made in a zero-waste Brooklyn studio, it’s minimalist, meaningful, and made to last.

 Aurate — Bold Diamond Baguette Ring

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Wrapped in ethically sourced baguette diamonds and forged from 100% recycled gold, Aurate’s bold band is the kind of ring that radiates confidence and sparkle in equal measure. It’s bold, brilliant, and entirely conscious.

Worn by Jessica Alba, Sofia Vergara, and Nina Dobrev, Aurate blends red carpet-worthy glam with meaningful craftsmanship, a win for both style and substance.

The Final Layer

Summer is the season of light. Longer days, bronzed skin, golden hour rituals. It’s also a time to simplify, pare back, and let the details speak. These pieces aren’t just beautiful, they’re wearable expressions of connection, craftsmanship, and care.

Whether it’s a thread of recycled gold or a sculptural bracelet rooted in Japanese tradition, the right jewelry becomes part of your story. Always moving forward, always evolving. These are the pieces that stay with you, long after the season fades.

The post The Summer Jewelry Edit You’ll Actually Keep Wearing appeared first on The Chalkboard.

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