Mountain sports and especially skiing has always been a natural activity for people born in the Alps. Not only since Gretchen Fraser won Olympic Gold in 1948 as the first American women, and Bill Johnson being the first American Olympic Male Champion in 1984, has skiing and the mountain sports played a part in American culture. Nevertheless, many of those American ski pioneers had German and European roots. Gretchen Fraser, for example, was the daughter of German and Norwegian immigrants and her ski coach Otto Lang who played a major part in her career was born in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The number of European immigrants and especially those with a German, Austrian or Swiss background is countless. All over the Rocky Mountains and especially in ski resorts you can still hear locals that have a German accent and many of them have helped develop the American ski and snowboard industry.

One of the great influences is Klaus Obermeyer, the founder and owner of the world-renown ski apparel company, Sport Obermeyer. He was born in 1919 in the small Bavarian alpine village of Oberstaufen and arrived in Aspen/Colorado in 1947 where he established his business. Even today you find German immigrants calling the US their home and pursuing a career in the snow and mountain sports industry. One of them is Sinah Hoenig CEO of Skihoe Apparel. Skihoe is a recent start up ski apparel company based out of LA. Sinah came to the US in 2007 helping Steve Bellamy, Founder and CEO of The Ski Channel televison network, build the channel. Today, 3 years later The Ski Channel is the biggest ski media on the block, offering a free Video on Demand service to over 43 million homes nationwide. www.theskichannel.com

The Ski Channel Crew with Sinah Hoenig (second from right)

Sinah’s idea of starting a ski apparel brand came along while working for The Ski Channel as she explains:

“It all started in the summer of 2007. A few ski athletes and young people including myself were hanging out in the mountains of Utah and the beaches of California. I kept thinking about the need of a lifestyle apparel brand that represented skiing and everybody I talked to was stoked on the idea. Friends and industry professionals always agreed with me that there was no stylish and hip brand out there for skiers, especially young skiers. The name idea followed shortly after and started with my last name, actually the first 3 letters of my last name which another ski friend of mine was amused by and thought sounded pretty original. That’s how the name Skihoe was born which basically consists out of the word ski and the first 3 letters of my last name”

Since then Skihoe has accomplished a lot. The brand is a registered trademark in the US and Europe and Skihoe became a Corporation registered in California.
To spread the message of Skihoe, the company embarked on a 2-week tour this summer with the legendary Warped Tour, where they partnered with the band The Early Strike to promote Skihoe all across the US and Canada. Along the way Skihoe met up with some famous Skihoe supporters including 2010 Winter Olympic Freestyle Moguls Bronze Medalist Shannon Bahrke. Even though the tour may have since finished, Skihoe isn’t slowing down. The ski apparel brand partnered up with The Ski Channel and became an official sponsor of the Hollywood movie premiere of a ski movie called “The Story” when some 1500 athletes, celebrities skiers and new found snow sport enthusiast filled the Mann’s Chinese Theater in the heart of Hollywood on October 24. The Story is a Ski Channel original production that shows athletes beyond their incredible athletic talent, it shows the person that’s behind the goggles. The film features ski and mountain sports pioneers as well as the best current athletes out there such as Lindsay Vonn, Bode Miller and Bobby Brown. And then once again, a German name appears on the screen, Willy Bogner who plays a big part in the movie and proves once again in 2010, that German skiing culture and expertise still play a major part in American Skiing.

Skihoe just launched their 2010-11 clothing line, and recently held a photo shoot to promote the collection. Among the distinguishing features of the upcoming collection are the materials used in the manufacturing such as high-performance fabrics that function as the perfect base layer on the slopes. Best of all – it’s made from 100% recyclable materials. The new collection will be available to order online starting January 2011. For more information visit:
www.skihoe.com

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I often hear people say “My body is my temple”. It’s sometimes said jokingly but I truly believe we shall treat our body as it is a temple, something precious and holy.

I grew up in Vienna, the city of Applestrudel, Sacher cake and sweet dumplings. When I was ten I looked like such a big yeast dumpling. I was obese, addicted to sugar and not much into sports. At a young age I hated myself for being fat and for being made fun of by my classmates. And that resulted in more eating.

All that changed in my late teens.  I started exploring health foods and exercise. I lived the extreme opposite, from vegan to raw food and fasting and extreme hours of exercise. I just needed to prove that I can be part of the “ripped” society. But again I was not listening to my body and its needs.

Luckily over the years I learned to listen, through meditation and through the realization that without my body, I cannot express my full potential. True, we are certainly more then just our bodies, but without it, we could not enjoy the pleasures of our lives here on earth.

It’s interesting to see how we often forget to treat our own body with respect. We sometimes take better care in servicing our cars.  It’s as if our bodies will run for years and years without any tune up, and sometimes it is just an annoying thing, that needs to be fed.

But the truth is that a healthy body is the foundation to a happy life. It’s time to treat it with kindness, to appreciate and bless it. Our relationship with our body should be one of love and adoration.

It’s time to stop abusing and ignoring our bodies and time to listen to our needs and act upon them.

Ask yourself what you need today. Become sensitive to that voice within. Do you need some exercise, a power hike, some weight lifting or yoga? Your individual needs will change everyday. Check in with yourself. Maybe you need some rest. How about your nutrition? Do you abuse your body by not eating enough or do you overeat? What changes can you make in your meal planning? Feel the pleasure of nourishing yourself with good quality food.  When was the last time you went for a dentist visit? Or a check up with a doctor or alternative health practitioner? How about your clothing? Is it comfortable and do you feel and look good in them? Change it if not. What else do you need? A cuddle perhaps? Make sure to get one. Take care of yourself. Today!

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UnicMatrix

In a time where the advantages of being connected and communicating everywhere and all the time have the downside of electric smog, a German invention seems to provide the solution. Intense headaches, allergies and other diseases of civilization seem to be at least to a certain extent related electronic smog.

There is no scientific proof that cell phones, computers, microwaves and other technical appliances are damaging our health, but probably they affect human beings to a certain extent. We are made out of water and our cells are electric. The World Health Organization estimates that electronic smog affects up tot three in every hundred people and is “one of the most common and fastest growing environmental influences. There is even an ehow guide on how to avoid electronic smog at home.

But how to avoid it? Filmproducer and director Mila Beck brings a unique German invention to the US that might help in the form of gorgeous jewelry.

Dirk Grafischer, the inventor of the technology behind UnicMatrix, has been a successful product developer for more than 30 years, having learned the basics of his trade from his parents, who have a production plant for organic cosmetics and medical engineering in Germany. By the end of the eighties, Dirk had developed his first product, which was successfully used in more than a thousand institutes.

At the beginning of the nineties, he started to focus on the therapeutic aspects of chemicals and minerals. At this time he realized that the inner person is as important as the outside. This insight built the foundation for his holistic biochemical and biophysical approach. Following that, Dirk came up with more than thirty patented methods and production developments. All his inventions are used in the medical therapeutic world of high-performance sports and for wellness all over the world.

During his research, he discovered a very simple barrier to electric, magnetic or electro-magnetic waves. The centerpiece of the development is a powder, produced with spagyric techniques, having roots reaching back to Paracelsus.

In 2005, a meeting with one of the leading building biologists in Europe led to the idea of looking for a formula for EMF protection which could be added to wall paint. Dirk used an ancient alchemical recipe which he added to a self developed mix of different ingredients. The result: a quantum physical kind of matrix. The first tests demonstrated that the formula was working, but it was far too strong for wall paint. At the same time Dirk learned that a small amount of the matrix in immediate body contact eliminated the stress factors from WLAN fields and mobile phones completely. Independent institutions and physicians in Europe confirmed it.

From that point on, it would be possible to protect oneself from EMF. In 2009, the idea was born to apply the matrix to handmade pendants. The so-called Pyrolet® Matrix consists of over 30 different minerals, trace elements, precious metals and wild herbs, which are smoked in several steps and ground to a powder. The matrix can work most effectively with today’s knowledge as a mixture in glass or clay also combined with gold or platinum. The result: the UnicMatrix jewelry, a sophisticated protection from electronic smog.

The UnicMatrix glass models have German sand as their base and consist of several layers, melted together with the matrix at 1100ºC (2012ºF). Ornaments of gold and Platinum are added in the last step at 550ºC (1022ºF). The partially shining colors of the glass objects result solely from natural dyestuffs and minerals (for instance, red is produced by adding selenium, green by iron). The whole production process is performed completely by hand.

No matter if you believe it or not, it is worth a try to protect yourself and see the calming effect for yourself. If nothing else enjoy the especially crafted jewelry.

We have not conducted testings and research ourselves, but we have tried UnicMatrix and the gorgeous piece of jewelry has a calming effect as far as we can tell.

See all designs at: http://www.unicmatrix.com

And the UnicHearts at: http://www.unichearts.com

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Paul, the octopus from Oberhausen Germany has had a 100% correct prediction rate of the Soccer World Cup’s results so far. But now he is shocking Germany, because he “predicted” Spain will prevail over Germany. His “technique” is that he picks the food out of either of two boxes , each box marked with a different country’s flag. By eating the food in one box before the other, Paul effectively “predicts” the outcome of these countries’ soccer match.
During this soccer World Cup the English-born sea creature was correct, even predicting the 4:1 defeat of England in the Germany vs. England game.

Still there is hope, because during the 2008 European Championships Paul the octopus was only 80% correct. And if all else fails, have your scissors ready, because an immediate remedy is to simply cut the black from black, red and gold and voilà a German flag turns into a Spanish one.

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Summer is here and with it our concerned gaze into the mirror to see if we have gained another few pounds over winter. Many then immediately launch a week of fasting to detox and lose weight, start a long-procrastinated diet, buy new anti-cellulitis lotions, or book a few hours with a fitness trainer to get into better shape for vacation trips. But which measures really help, especially over the long run? German World spoke with former German cycling champion and fitness trainer Christian Klugmann, who has been living in Los Angeles for a year now and is training many clients from the entertainment industry on how best to achieve their ideal figure.

GW: Christian, as a professional athlete and fitness trainer, what would you recommend to someone who is 30 pounds overweight and wants to look their best for a beach vacation in four weeks?
For many, depending on their figure and initial weight, losing 15 pounds can be a huge challenge. There are four basic components to how we can intentionally change our bodies: less food consumption according to the classic formula (eat half), avoid products rich in fat and sugar, and drink around a gallon of fluid, preferably water or herbal tea, a day. This combined with intelligent sports activity has a quick effect.

GW: Intelligent sports activity? Can you give us an example?
It is best to do your fat-burning cardio program before breakfast. Medical studies have shown that training before breakfast multiplies the fat burning effect by two. This is largely due to blood sugar levels and daily hormonal fluctuations. What is important here is to control your heart rate in order to train in your personal optimal fat burning range.

GW: Most of us have full schedules. What can one still do daily for fitness?
Be sure to plan in time for fitness and consult an expert for your first training sessions. Do not leave your food to chance during the day but prepare small lunches and take them with you in the car to avoid fast food restaurants. Not eating three to four hours before going to bed also has a big effect. In addition, it is a good idea to calculate your ideal caloric intake for losing weight at a healthy rate. For women this is typically around 1200, for men around 2000 calories a day to cover daily needs and still have enough energy for training. The disadvantage of the classic radical diet is that people lose a good deal of muscles, unproportionally lose weight, and the body is set up for a yo-yo effect.
GW: What do you recommend to people wanting a healthier lifestyle?
A healthy lifestyle means not only sports and a balanced diet but also enough sleep and relaxation. Most people do not get enough relaxation. And long-forgotten classical sports exercises, when carried out properly, are just as effective, if not more effective, than the latest training trend from Hollywood. A training partner or a training group can be a great support in overcoming your inner couch potato. After a while a personal interest in movement and the recognition of its positive effects takes over. This is the best impetus for effectively integrating sports into a daily routine over the long term. The goal to change your body should be similar to the goal to learn a new language.
For further information or tips email ck@champ-coach.com or call 310-557-6646.

Christian Klugmann Short Bio
Born in Frankfurt am Oder, Germany. Lives in Los Angeles since 2008. Member of the National Team of the German Cycling Association (DRV). Recipient of many cycling awards, including third place at the German Championships 2003. Licensed fitness and cycling trainer. Member of the Los Angeles Turners and in charge of developing a senior citizen and mother-child fitness program.

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Algeria protested, but Austria and Germany denied that they were just waiting for time to run out. The international Federation let the results stand, but decided that in all subsequent World Cups the final games of the group stage have to be played at the same time.

Watch the game here:

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How it happened:

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