fitness

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2016 Los Angeles Marathon - Fitbit Fitness DJ

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San Diego DJ, Justin Kanoya, with the Fitbit crew at the 2016 Los Angeles Marathon.

San Diego DJ, Justin Kanoya, with the Fitbit crew at the 2016 Los Angeles Marathon.

The mile 22 cheer station at the Los Angeles Marathon had nearly as many cowbells for cheerleaders as there were runners ... okay, not really. But if you wanted a Fitbit cowbell, you received a Fitbit cowbell.

At the beginning of 2015 I wrote down a list of goals and among them were to DJ an event with at least 10,000 people and DJ at the start line of a major running event. Of course, if that second goal was met, that first one was pretty much in the bag.

A year later, I’m happy to report that I can essentially check mark both, thanks to my friends at Fitbit.

As one of the corporate sponsors for the Los Angeles Marathon, that took place on February 14, Fitbit has a major presence at all things related to the event. From the race expo, to a tent at the finish line to a cheer station at Mile 22. And that’s where I came in.

I was set-up -- along with a handful of amazing members of Fitbit’s marketing team and super volunteer Erin -- at Mile 22 to play music and cheer on runners as they made their final 4-mile push to the end.

And while it wasn’t at the start line, I can now check off “DJ for several thousand people” (20,000+ runners) and “DJ at a major running event” (the LA Marathon is kind of a big deal). You can even read about my own LA moment, with Josh Duhamel, which will probably go down as one of the most unreal coincidences in my life.


Lastly, I still have not run a marathon myself, but I can now say I DJ’d one, and in a way it was a marathon all on it’s own.

Here’s what a six hour setlist looks like.

  • Anuhea - Higher Than The Clouds
  • Crystal Bowersox - Midnight Train to Georgia
  • Oasis - Wonderwall
  • Magic! - No Way No
  • Flo Rida - My House
  • Prince Royce f./Snoop Dogg - Stuck On A Feeling
  • Charli XCX f./Rita Ora - Doing It
  • Iggy Azalea f./Jennifer Hudson - Trouble
  • Coldplay - Adventure Of A Lifetime
  • Aloe Blacc - The Man
  • Fifth Harmony - Sledgehammer
  • OneRepublic - Love Runs Out
  • Maroon 5 - Maps
  • Pitbull f./G.R.L. - Wild Wild Love
  • Demi Lovato f./Cher Lloyd - Really Don't Care
  • Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)
  • Pink - So What
  • Ariana Grande f./Zedd - Break Free
  • Kid N Play - Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody (Select Mix Remix)
  • Monie Love - It's A Shame
  • MC Hammer - Turn This Mutha Out (Select Mix Remix)
  • Coolio - 1-2-3-4 (Sumpin' New) (Select Mix Remix)
  • Mariah Carey - Emotions (Select Mix Remix)
  • US3 - Cantaloop
  • Tony Toni Tone - Feels Good
  • Imagine Dragons - On Top Of The World
  • Lorde - Team (Select Mix Remix)
  • Fergie - L.A. Love (La La) (Select Mix Remix)
  • Natalie La Rose, Jeremih - Somebody (Select Mix Remix)
  • Imagine Dragons - I Bet My Life (Select Mix Remix)
  • Paramore - Ain't It Fun (Select Mix Remix)
  • Ariana Grande f./Iggy Azalea - Problem
  • Ja Rule - Livin' It Up (Select Mix Remix)
  • Nelly - Hot In Here
  • Wayne Wonder - No Letting Go
  • Fat Joe - Get It Poppin'
  • Big Tymers - This Is How We Do
  • Usher - Yeah (Wedding Crasherz Break)
  • K7 - Come Baby Come
  • Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation (Select Mix Remix)
  • C&C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat
  • Icona Pop - Emergency (Ghassemi Remix)
  • Alesso - Heroes (Basic Tape Remix)  
  • DNCE - Cake By The Ocean (Select Mix Remix)
  • Ed Sheeran - Sing
  • Pitbull, John Ryan - Fireball (Select Mix Remix)
  • Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne - Rather Be (Select Mix Remix)
  • Chromeo - Jealous (I Ain't With It) (Select Mix Remix)
  • Afrojack, Mike Taylor - SummerThing (Select Mix Remix)
  • Ariana Grande, Zedd - Break Free (Select Mix Remix)
  • Maroon 5 - Sugar
  • Robin Thicke f./Nicki Minaj - Back Together (Clean Edit)
  • Tupac - California Love (Original Version)
  • Dr Dre ft Snoop Dogg, Kurup & Nate Dogg - The Next Episode
  • Dawin f./Silento - Dessert (Remix)
  • Jackson 5 - I Want You Moombahback (FeestDJRuud & Naffz Bootleg)
  • Beyonce ft Jay-Z - Crazy In Love (Mayeda Remix)  
  • Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On (Mayeda Remix)
  • Discotron - Disco Ballin'  
  • DJ Cassidy f./Chromeo - Future Is Mine (Promo Only Intro Edit)
  • Boyz II Men - Motownphilly
  • INXS - New Sensation (Edge Remix)
  • J. Geils Band - Centerfold
  • Paula Abdul - Forever Your Girl
  • Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract
  • Whitney Houston - How Will I Know (Select Mix Remix)
  • Madonna - Holiday
  • Beastie Boys - Brass Monkey
  • Young MC - Bust A Move
  • Usher, Nicki Minaj - She Came To Give It To You (Select Mix Remix)
  • Justin Bieber - Love Yourself (RENAIR Uptempo ReDrum Edit)  
  • Disclosure ft Sam Smith vs Justin Faust - Latch (Digital Dave Disco Fix)
  • Avicii - Broken Arrows (Promo Only M-22 Intro Edit)
  • Adele - When We Were Young (DiscoTech 2AM Radio Edit)
  • Milky Chance - Stolen Dance (Uptempo Pop Mix)
  • Beyonce - 7/11 (Tracy Young's Smack It In The Air Radio Edit)
  • Nicki Minaj - The Night Is Still Young
  • Jess Glynne - Hold My Hand
  • LunchMoney Lewis - Bills (Promo Only Clean Edit)
  • Zedd f./Selena Gomez - I Want You To Know
  • Prince f./Zooey Deschanel - FALLINLOVE2NITE
  • Charlie Puth - One Call Away (Lash Radio Edit)
  • Krewella - Enjoy The Ride
  • Calvin Harris & Disciples - How Deep Is Your Love
  • Nelly Furtado - Do It
  • Journey - Don't Stop Believin' (Live)
  • Walk The Moon - Shut Up & Dance (G Duppy Remix)
  • A-Ha - Take On Me (Kygo Remix)
  • Disclosure ft Sam Smith - Latch (G Duppy Reggae Remix)
  • Mutya Buenya - Real Girl
  • Mack Wilds - Love In The 90z
  • Nelly f./Jeremih - The Fix (Riddler Remix - Clean)
  • Years & Years - King
  • OMI - Hula Hoop
  • Demi Lovato - Cool For The Summer
  • Hailee Steinfeld - Love Myself
  • Rudimental f./Ed Sheeran - Lay It All On Me
  • Tove Lo - Talking Body
  • Ariana Grande - One Last Time
  • Mariah Carey - Heartbreaker
  • Heavy D & The Boyz & Al B. Sure! - We Got Our Own Thang
  • Mase - Feel So Good
     
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Fitbit Alta Product Launch - Trump Hotel Soho New York City

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Celebrity fitness trainer Harley Pasternak was on hand to lead a workout where all the participants were using the new Fitbit Alta.

Celebrity fitness trainer Harley Pasternak was on hand to lead a workout where all the participants were using the new Fitbit Alta.

Fitbit Alta is designed with a satin finish, stainless steel body and features a line of interchangeable bands in multiple popular colors and premium materials. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for FitBit)

Fitbit Alta is designed with a satin finish, stainless steel body and features a line of interchangeable bands in multiple popular colors and premium materials. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for FitBit)

Fitbit released a new wearable fitness device on February 2, 2016 and it is called Fitbit Alta. I was on hand for its unveiling to journalists that cover the tech, fitness and fashion industries.

The launch event took place in New York City at the Trump Hotel in Soho. My role was to DJ two 30-minute workout sessions, because why else would you unveil a fitness tracker to a group of gadget writers and not have them use it right away.

Celebrity fitness trainer Harley Pasternak and stylist to the stars Anita Patrickson were on hand to help introduce the new device, a slim, sleek fitness wristband that can be personalized to fit your style. It is designed with a satin finish, stainless steel body and features a line of interchangeable bands in multiple colors and premium materials.

San Diego DJ, Justin Kanoya, plays a hip-hop music set for the Fitbit Alta product launch and workout led by Harley Pasternak. 

After getting styled by Anita in a new workout outfit, the guests were brought into the SoHi room, a space high above the city that has an amazing views of Manhattan and New Jersey. Harley then ran them through an intense workout that included, squat jumps, shadow boxing, core work and some weight training. 

You can find the full workout to do at home on Fitbit's blog.

As per Harley's request, I put together a set of current, mainstream hip hop with a New York/East Coast flavor. I even made sure to put in some old school Big Daddy Kane, but am now regretting that I didn’t play any Beastie Boys. Oh well, I’ll save it for the next time I’m back in the city.

Here’s the short and sweet setlist:

  • Chris Brown f./Tyga - Ayo (Promo Only Quick Edit)
  • Rihanna - B***h Better Have My Money
  • Drake - Hotline Bling (Promo Only Verified Intro Edit)
  • Jay Z ft. Kanye West - N***** In Paris
  • Rae Sremmurd f./Nicki Minaj & Young Thug - Throw Sum Mo
  • Fetty Wap - Trap Queen (Promo Only Clean Edit)
  • iHeartMemphis - Hit The Quan
  • Wiz Khalifa f./Iggy Azalea - Go Hard Or Go Home (Promo Only Clean Edit)
  • Fabolous f./Nicki Minaj & Trey Songz - Doin' It Well (Promo Only Quick Edit)
  • T.I. f./Iggy Azalea - No Mediocre (Promo Only Quick Edit)
  • Jay Z and Kanye West - Otis (Kingz Klub Ready Redrum)
  • Big Daddy Kane - Ain't No Half Steppin' (Select Mix Remix)
  • Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On (Mayeda Remix)
  • Nicki Minaj ft Drake - Truffle Butter (Jester Remix)
  • Mase - Feel So Good

All photos courtesy of Getty Images for Fitbit.

Lastly, here are some initial articles on the device, a few of which are written by the guests that were in attendance. 

Women's Running: Fitbit's New Tracker is Seriously Gorgeous
Forbes: Fitbit's New Tracker Adds A Splash Of Style
CNET: Fitbit's newest band, Alta, is totally aimed at fashion
Wired: The Alta is a Fitbit for People Who Think Fitbits are Uggo

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Feel Me Flow: Programming the Perfect Yoga Playlist

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Scorpion DJ? Or just a scorpion pose with DJ gear. Programming music for yoga is more than just picking out random downtempo beats. 

NOTE: For a sample yoga playlist, scroll to the end of this article

As a special event DJ, I find myself gigging at all types of events. There’s the usual wedding, birthday party, graduation party, pool party … okay, basically anything that ends with the word party. But it was not until 2015 that I found myself playing tunes in situations many would not consider a party at all … fitness events. And more specifically yoga events.

Yoga, as an activity, was something I engaged with more in 2015 to supplement all the running and other physical activity I do each week. Yoga has benefits both mentally, physically and spiritually. But yoga as an event, where hundreds gather outside of the traditional studio and into unconventional spaces and waterfront places, found me.

In fact yoga events have really taken off during the past few years. Check out this list of seven massive yoga events. Events such as Wanderlust, Seawheeze and the summer solstice in Times Square attract thousands of yogis. Why are people stepping out of the warm confines of a yoga studio to tree pose in the outdoors? There’s just something about 500 people all simultaneously saluting that sun, while actually under the sun, that seems so much fun.

I had the opportunity to “live DJ” a yoga flow for the first time last March. I was excited as it was an opportunity to do something completely different. But it was also done with a bit of hesitation, because like anything that you are giving a go for the first time, there is the wonder on how to do it. I asked the yoga instructor, Helen Cloots, for any of her preferences and she simply said “I can teach yoga to anything, so just do your thing.”

Since that first event, I’ve DJ’d a handful of other yoga events and feel I have a good recipe for creating the perfect yoga playlist. Just like building the energy on a dance floor, there is an energy you can build on a yoga mat.

For those old enough to remember making mix tapes, preparing music for a yoga flow is similar to creating one of those. When you handed someone a mix tape, they took it to heart and truly listened to it. Unlike creating 45 minutes of background music, the students in a yoga class are tuning in to what is playing. The music becomes one with all of the other senses that are at play during their yoga practice.

Here are few tips for programming a yoga playlist, both for DJs that might find themselves playing one of these events, and for yoga instructors who program their own music.

DJ Justin Kanoya plays music for a yoga event sponsored by Fitbit. 

Do Yoga
Obviously aimed at DJs who have never taken a yoga class before, I want to stress how important it is to actually experience yoga before creating music for yoga. As with any type of new gig, it’s always better to have previously been engaged in or attended the event that you are playing music for. In the same way that it’s not wise to DJ a wedding if you’ve never been to one, it’s not a good idea to blindly put a yoga playlist together if you’ve never flowed from cobra to chaturanga to downward dog.

Yoga studios are everywhere and offer classes everyday at all hours. Go check one out, and of course, pay close attention to the music.

Take it Slow
Yoga, at least at the beginning to intermediate level is taught at a soothing, slow pace. Naturally the music that goes along with it should have similar characteristics. But that doesn’t mean playing tracks that average 80 BPM. It means listening to your music and recalling certain tracks that have harmonic breakdowns. When listening, imagine doing yoga poses to the beat. Are the sounds, beats and vocals soothing or annoying? If it’s the latter, then it’s probably not right for your playlist.

What Genre Works Best
The practice of yoga prides itself on being open to all and so, naturally, the genre of music one might hear during a flow should be open too. It’s easy to get caught up in the cliche sounds of Enigma, Enya or downtempo lounge. But realize, if you fall into these cliches, you’re not setting yourself apart from the other yoga playlists people have heard.

Since super downtempo music is not exactly on the list of club bangers and dance floor fillers, this is a good opportunity to explore genres that you typically do not listen to or play.

When researching music I start with previewing dozens of downtempo tunes. Genres such as “Downtempo,” “Chill” and “Lounge"; and there are probably dozens of other sub-genres. I’ve also found the “Trap” genre to have many sound characteristics suitable for yoga

House music also has tracks that work. Artists like, Kygo, Purity Ring and Roger Shah have all found their way into my yoga DJ sessions.

San Diego based yoga teacher, Helen Cloots.

To Sing Or Not to Sing
You may think 45 minutes of instrumental tracks is the way to go. And it makes sense, especially realizing there is a yoga instructor who is, well, instructing. This means if you’re playing vocal tracks and the instructor is giving commands over that, things could get a bit messy. While this can be true, there is a way to mix in vocal tracks appropriately.

I generally start the first 7-10 minutes of a yoga set with non-vocal tracks. I then like to insert a vocal track, usually something Indie or unfamiliar to most. Remember the music, in this case, is supposed to create an atmosphere of calm. I don’t want someone to hear a song and think about the last party they were at and how they were jamming to it.

The reason for mixing in a vocal track is to change things up a bit. If the entire 45 minute yoga session was ambient, non-vocal music, it would just sound like white noise after a while.

Following up an “unfamiliar” vocal track, I like to put in another instrumental or play a more familiar vocal track. Recently I’ve been playing Adele’s “Hello” and Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams,” however not the mainstream radio versions that EVERYONE has had enough of by now. The “Dustin Que” trap mix of “Hello” is pretty amazing. This is where research and finding remixes really benefits in setting yourself apart from the others.

I do like to play at least one recognizable track, generally at the peak of the flow when things are moving a bit faster. This could be anything, but I tend to play hip-hop or R&B, reggae would probably also work well. In this instance, I want those ears to perk up but I want people to also feel that they’ve come to the space to practice yoga and have some fun too.

Sweet Savasana
The final pose in every yoga flow is savasana, also called corpse pose. It’s when the entire class lays flat on their mats, like a corpse, taking their bodies to complete relaxation. Ironically, it’s been billed as the most difficult pose in yoga because many find it difficult to relax their body and free their mind of all thoughts.

As a music programmer, you can help by selecting the right piece of music. In this case, a vocal track is not recommended. The track should also not have a distinctive beat. This is when you need to find something that is ambient and non-descript. Beats, vocals and instruments can cause someone to focus on those sounds and they will have a difficult time relaxing.

Finding the perfect savasana track, is just like finding that perfect dance floor filling song. The best way to discover these tracks is to find a quiet space and listen to different pieces. Close your eyes and see if you can get lost in the sounds and venture into relaxation.

Conclusion
In summary, my recipe and sample playlist for a musically appealing, 45-minute yoga flow is this:

  • 0-10 minutes: Non-vocal, non descript ambient sounds; no dominating instruments or beats
  • 11-20: Start to introduce light beats, less familiar vocal songs
  • 21-35: A mix of familiar vocals, but not often heard remixes (think Trap or downtempo house versions of popular songs); introduce one or two, straight from the radio tracks; mellow hip-hop like a Tribe Called Quest or Tupac, even reggae sounds work well here.
  • 36-45: Begin to bring the tempo down, reverting back to the mix of sounds and non-vocals in the first 10 minutes of the flow, preparing the students for savasana
  • Savasana: Mellow sounds without any vocals, slowly fading the music to complete silence after about five minutes or at the discretion of the instructor.

Have you DJ’d a yoga session before? And for the instructors out there, who are some of your favorite artists or genres to teach to?

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San Diego Wedding & Event Vendors: You’re Invited to Flow

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Yoga Flow for Event Pros is a yoga event combined with goal coaching tailored for San Diego's special event and wedding professionals. 

It was almost a year ago that I DJ'd my first yoga event. It took place at Parq, a swanky nightclub in downtown San Diego. I teamed up with Helen Cloots and Sheri Matthews for a night that would combine yoga with goal setting. Since then I've DJ'd other yoga sessions, including a few with Fitbit. 

While promoting the Do Mo Yoga event I DJ'd in November, a fellow San Diego wedding vendor mentioned his dismay that he was unable to attend since he had a wedding to work the same day. I told him not to worry, because there would surely be another opportunity in the future.

That's when it hit me. Why not create an event for event and wedding professionals in San Diego, using the model from the Parq event? Yoga with goal setting seems like the perfect recipe for event vendors who are diving into 2016 with business goals to achieve.

The presenters, Helen Cloots, Justin Kanoya and Sheri Matthews. 

So here it is: Yoga Flow for Event Pros. A detour from the typical event industry networking event. There will not be signature drinks and shrimp cocktails at this one. And most importantly, no business casual dress code.

It takes place Tuesday, February 16 at 4 p.m. at Brick in Liberty Station.

And you can attend this event in your yoga pants. I know, it's like the event dress code you've always dreamed of. 

Join me and my friends Helen and Sheri and spend time doing yoga with a live beats -- spun by me -- and get started on setting those personal and business goals for 2016.

We'll have great attendance prizes as well as treats from local health food companies. I can't wait to see you all out there. Please register today!

Register for Yoga Flow for Event Pros by clicking the image above.

Register for Yoga Flow for Event Pros by clicking the image above.

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Yoga 4 Homeless Fundraiser Kick Off Event - Bird's Surf Shed - San Diego

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Yoga 4 Homeless kicked off their fundraising campaign at Bird's Surf Shed in San Diego. Justin Kanoya, San Diego DJ, provided music for the yoga and dance sessions. 

Yoga 4 Homeless in San Diego was formed to mission to bring yoga to homeless people worldwide. In partnering with yoga teachers, yoga studios, shelters and community centers to the hope is to provide  the homeless community access to yoga classes and equipment.  

This mission kicked off on December 20, 2015 with a fundraising event on Bird’s Surf Shed in San Diego. It was a mix of yoga, meditation and dancing, while beginning the Yoga 4 Homeless challenge. Fox 5 San Diego previewed the event on its morning news program. 

To learn more about how you can volunteer or take part in the challenge, visit the organization GoFundMe page.

Here’s the setlist from the night:

Arrivals

  • COMA - Lora (Robag's Fandara Qualv NB)
  • Daughter - Get Lucky (Daft Punk Cover) (Holtoug Deep House House Edit) (Extended)
  • Don Bravo - My Love
  • Janet Jackson - No Sleeep (Strobe Insomnia Bootleg)
  • Disclosure ft Lion Babe - Hourglass
  • Justin Jay - Rain Dance
  • Ed Sheeran - Photograph (Westphal & Whyman Remix)
  • Duke Dumont - Need U 100% (KREAM Remix) (Clean) (Short Edit)
  • Music P & Marque Aurel - The Feel Good Funk
  • Hudson Mohawke ft Irfane - Very First Breath (Wide Awake Remix)
  • Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft MO - Lean On (Fabian Arche bootleg)
  • Angelo Ferreri - Friendly Gang
  • S.W.V. - Right Here (Human Nature Duet) [Select Mix Remix]
  • Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
  • De La Soul - Ring Ring Ring
  • Ben Harper - Steal My Kisses (remix)
  • TLC - No Scrubs (gLAdiator & Brazzabelle Remix) (Extended)
  • Justin Timberlake ft Jay-Z vs Biggie & Next - Suit & Tie (Too Juicy Blend)
  • Ed Sheeran, Passenger - No Diggity/Thrift Shop (Kygo Remix)


Yoga flow with Jon Old Rowe

  • Alex Morais - Love & Music (Original Mix)
  • Sunlounger - Balearic Breakfast (Chill Version)
  • Ed Sheeran - I See Fire (Kygo Remix)
  • Alpha / Blx - Try to Relax (Original Mix)
  • Taylor Swift - Wildest Dreams (Dj Mike D Remix)
  • P.M. Dawn - I'd Die Without You (Intro Clean)


Parnter Yoga with Chad Scott Nellis

  • Bob Marley - Three Little Birds
  • Jason Mraz - Anything You Want
  • Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered
  • Sunlounger - Another Day On The Terrace (Chill Mix)


Open Dancing

  • A-Ha - Take On Me (Kygo Remix)
  • Naughty By Nature - Jamboree (Intro Clean)
  • TLC - Baby, Baby, Baby
  • Justin Bieber - Love Yourself (Alan V Redrum)
  • V.I.C. - Wobble
  • Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack (Select Mix Remix)
  • Mariah Carey - Dreamlover
  • Party Break - Montel Party Break
  • Usher - Yeah (Wedding Crasherz Break) (Extended)
  • Rob Base, DJ E-Z Rock - Joy & Pain (Select Mix Remix)
  • Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
  • Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown (Promo Only Intro Edit)
  • Tupac - California Love (Original Version)
  • Dr. Dre - Next Episode