Gianna is one of the most stylish woman I know. I was lucky enough to meet her last summer after the lockdown desperately looking for some active sports lessons in order to heel my post quarantine depression. Once I attended Gianna’s Yoga lessons at the stunning Roomer’s Hotel in Baden-Baden or at her private retreat center in Alsace/France (20 km from Baden-Baden), La Maison des Temps, Gianna’s work out helped me to take the rest of 2020. With her positive spirit and warm hearted nature she quickly became a friend. It’s not only her inspiring personality which strikes me, but also her looks. Call her a typical inside out beauty. She told me that she owned most of her wardrobe forever, some pieces since she was 12 year old. Think of a classic ‘less but better approach’ towards dressing and buying.
As fashion is closely related to well being and body consciousness, I decided to do a quick and efficient interview which may inspire all of us during these months of quarantine which will hopefully come to an end soon.
1) Do you see a connection between health and fashion?
If we speak about health in a way of wellbeing I think there is a connection, yes. A healthy body makes you feel good and gives you self-confidence - I’m not talking about a perfectly trained, skinny body I’m talking about “your personal feel good body”. I think it's the same when it comes to fashion, if you’re wearing something that really suits you - in your very own understanding - you instantly feel comfortable and move differently. The combination of both plus a balanced mind, makes you sparkle.
2) What is your approach towards fitness and what are your favorite workouts during lockdown?
Moving my body ist fuel to me - I guess that’s also the reason why I became a sports therapist. My regular practice with or without lock down is doing yoga, pilates and jogging. During my teenage and young adult years with my background as dancer and athlete, my workouts were strictly performance driven. Per consequence, my approach towards fitness is completely different these days. I listen carefully to my body and align my workout according to my body needs with zero pressure to perform. Sometimes I may feel like pushing my limits and other days enjoy moving gently. A meditative flow can become the most effective workout.
3) Take us through a day of meals in your quarantine life from waking up to dinner. Do you have any recommendation for quick and healthy dishes?
I’m not a breakfast person, so I skip this meal every day. First thing in the morning is I drink a glass of warm water with a tiny bit of fresh pressed lemon and ginger juice. I’ll have that while taking my dog for a walk. Afterwards I drink my coffee and only if I feel like my body needs some extra energy I have a piece of seasonal fruit or sometimes a date. Usually my first real meal of the day is lunch. My lunch menu varies from steamed veggies, various salads or bowls mixed with grains and or seeds, feta or goat cheese, pasta with fresh herbs from my garden or just leftovers from the day before. Most of I keep lunch light as I move a lot throughout the day during my classes and personal trainings. I know its not healthy to eat late, but my absolute favourite meal of the day is dinner. I enjoy it most because by afterwards my day feels complete, I can relax and take as much time as I want to eat and spend time with my family. Oh and I forgot, I definitely eat a lot of soups. Therefore, I’d like to share one of my favorite recipes, which suits the season btw.
Creamy Beet Soup with Oven Baked Jerusalem Artichokes
3 large beets (either multicolored or just red beets)
1 apple
3 medium sized potatoes
2 large Jerusalem artichokes
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
100 g soy cream or coconut milk
1 tbsp fresh or dry thyme
vegetable oil or olive oil
toasted black and/or white sesame (optional as a topping)Preheat the oven to 200° C.
Boil the Jerusalem artichokes for about 15 minutes. Pour off the water and let them cool down a bit. In the meantime peel onion, garlic, beets, potatoes and apple. Dice the onion and garlic and set aside. Then chop beets, apple and potatoes into medium sized cubes. Heat up 2 tbsp. of vegetable or olive oil in a pot and carefully sauté the diced onions and garlic. When the onions are translucent add the beets, apple and potatoes and slightly brown it all. Deglaze with water so that all the veggies are covered, season with salt and pepper, put a lid on the pot and let it simmer until the veggies are soft. While the soup is simmering, cut the Jerusalem artichokes into 5 mm thin slices. Place the slices on a baking tray. Drizzle with a bit of oil (approx. 1 tbsp.), thyme and salt and let it roast in the oven until the Jerusalem artichokes turn golden brown. After the soup has simmered for 20 minutes remove the pot from the stove, add the sour cream and blend all the ingredients with a hand blender to a creamy soup. If the texture is too thick add a little bit more water and carefully season again. Serve the beautiful pink beet soup and top off it with the oven baked Jerusalem artichokes, thyme and some toasted black and/or white sesame. Enjoy!
4) What are your favourite lounge/sportswear brands and why?
My favourite sports brands are Casall and Ambilethics. Both are sustainable sports fashion brands with a very high quality standard and cut and fit in a way that makes you feel comfortable while moving. I find my favorite lounge wear at AVMM, Berlin-based and online operated store offering a curated selection of sustainable fashion and accessories from local makers. My preferred brands are Ade Velkon or Maria Morgana, a young designer’s sustainable fashion brand, again Berlin based.
5) Do you follow a daily meditation routine which helps staying focussed and balanced?
Yes I do- to being able to teach mediation I understand it as my job to practice myself. Meditation is key to maintain my healthy work-life balance and really keeps me in the right headspace to live through difficult times like the last months. For me there are two ways of meditation wich I regularly practice. One is an active meditation so as yoga or running - what I like about active meditation is to shift my focus through experiencing movement - an actual physical sensation. Sometimes this is an easier way to find access to “meditation”. But also the silent mindful meditation I practice regularly - it teaches me to stay present in the actually moment and learn more about myself and my emotions. I know when it comes to mediation, we all need to find our own initial-channel to our self, our soul and emotions. So these are just my ways but maybe they are an inspiration.
Classes:
Mondays: BODY & MIND FLOW 19:00-20:00 live online via Zoom
Wednesdays: BODY & MIND FLOW 19:00-20:00 live online via Zoom
It you’d like to join, text (+49 152 29207567) or email
COMPANY ONLINE CLASSES on request
For more info, have a look at Giannas Webpage and on the homepage of La Maison des Temps
pictured by @stefanarmbruster wearing Casall and Stella McCartney
pictured by Malcolm Gompf wearing Casall
pictured at the beautiful La Maison des Temps by @johannhaehlingvonlanzenauer