Author: Lana Arcinas

  • Vino + Crochet // Imago Girl’s Night In

    What better way to kick off Valentine’s Weekend than with a classic GALentine’s night in? Charlene Alcanices, Imago Studio Ambassador and Personal Trainer, is a lady of several talents. Aside from her fitness career, Charlene is a fiber artist and owns a business named YARNchitecture. She has been hosting several, fun events where she is redefining yarn art. 

    When asked about her passion behind this, Charlene had an incredible story to share.. 

    “Yarn heals. 

    The old past time craft to knit and crochet no longer sits within the dated idea of our grandmothers sitting around a circle, knitting/crocheting a baby blanket or booties.  Over the years, there has been a resurgence of this wonderful craft and tons of research around the health and wellness benefits of being able to knit and/or crochet.  Once someone has gotten over the learning curve of first learning how to knit and crochet….there are few of the health and wellness benefits that yarn-crafting has demonstrated.  For many, it reduces stress and anxiety.  The repetitive motion is said to release serotonin, which is seen as an anti-depressent.  More over, the craft can help boost self-esteem because honestly… there is a sense of pride being able to wear or make a piece made from your own hands.

    I have been knitting and crocheting for almost 9 years.  I was blessed to have a friend teach me.  Since then, I have been making custom pieces for people.  However, it has always been my goal to create a resurgence of this old past time craft and teach those who have always wanted to learn.  The root of YARNchitecture has always been pushing the boundaries of fiber art and translating it into high fashion pieces.  The Needle House was birthed by YARNchitecture to begin teaching people the craft in hopes to inspire them to also push the boundaries of fiber art.

    I had the blessed opportunity to share my love for yarn crafting with Imago where I was able to blend my adoration to teach the ladies a new skill while also opening up the health & wellness benefits that this skill will bring over time.  As a fitness professional, it is not just the physical aspect that I focus on but a true integration between their physical & mental total wellness.  The Needle House is my way of extending my passion to helping individuals promote and live a healthy, balanced life.” 

    We hope to have several more events like this within the Imago Studio! Please contact us at info@imagofit.com or by simply commenting below if you would be interested in the next Imago Vino + Crochet night. 

    For general inquiries please contact: yarnchitecture@gmail.com


  • #imagoLOVEmonth

    #imagoLOVEmonth

    Happy Love Month!

    A new year is a new chance to recommit yourself and to go after your goals! Achieving these goals may not be an easy, one-stop destination. It may be a long road of bumps and turns, but together we can do it! Whether your resolutions are to begin working out, to eat a little healthier or to lose those last few pounds, we know the importance of goal setting and staying accountable with one another. 

    With LOVE month among us, we can use health and fitness to boost our self love, confidence and happiness! With our January #imagofitchallenge behind us, we have officially kicked off the month of February with our #imagoLOVEchallenge. Follow us on social media as we journey through this! To stay connected + accountable, check in and hashtag #imagoLOVEmonth! 

    Also, to help you further achieve your goals this new year, we’ve put together a special promotion just for YOU! 

    Treat yourself, a friend and/or family member with our limited time 16% OFF promo code! 

    Promo code: LOVE16

    Discount can be applied to:

    • Fitness Transformation Program *
    • Personal Training Sessions *
    • Gift Certificates [excludes transformation group classes, synergy classes and retail]

    [Promotion ends February 29th] 

    *only applicable to full payments on  transformation program and personal training sessions

    // Contact us at info@imagofit.com for any questions! // 

  • Annette – Feeling Great at 48!

    I began this new fitness journey about 10 months ago never imagining what was to come. After a horrible fall while hiking Mission Peak, my doctor told me I was to stay off my feet for two weeks. This was my wake up call to figure out another way to workout. I literally hobbled into the Imago Studio doors after learning about my friend Angie’s 12-week transformation. I was a diehard when it came to working out, but you wouldn’t know it when you saw me. I was well over 200 lbs. and in denial about my weight. It happens to everyone. I just figured this was how I was supposed to be. 

    After my accident and looking at the 17 stitches that decorated my swollen knee. I was not only frustrated with not being able to workout, but I was frustrated with myself. I met up with Coach Huong and she then spoke to me about the program. She used words such as, obese and diabetes, which runs in my family, that scared me to death. I bit the bullet and decided to focus on my nutrition. Since I couldn’t workout, I focused my energy on my new meal plan. 

    This changed my world! My energy level was higher than ever before. I began noticing that my clothes were starting to feel loose. Other people began to notice the changes as well and would pay compliments. The compliments enticed me to work harder and to stay consistent with my meal plans.

    After completing my first transformation I dropped almost 30 pounds. Coach Huong saw something in me that I couldn’t quite see in myself. She didn’t want me to stop just yet. I completed 2 more 12-week transformations and dropped a total of 86 pounds. This wasn’t an easy journey, with family vacations, holiday dinners, and other celebrations. I met such an amazing support system at Imago. The beautiful women I met encouraged me with their kind words and their hard working spirit. 

    My smile is bigger and energy is through the roof. I’m happy and grateful to embrace this new spirit and spread it to others. It excites me to share my knowledge. My new goal is to continue this journey of being healthy, happy, and at peace with this new chapter of my life. 

    “It’s not just about losing weight, it’s about gaining confidence, too. It’s not about shrinking in size, it’s about growing in strength.”