Beginner Bootcamp!
Finally a bootcamp class that is designed for a beginner!
This class will run for 6 weeks starting: March 17th - April 23rd.
This class is ideal for someone who has not been active or is not interested in an intense, extreme paced bootcamp class but would still like to see the benefits that bootcamp has to offer.
Space is limited so please register soon!
Ramblings from behind the desk...
I am currently reading a selection of books right now that keep referring to the importance of mindfulness in everyday life. I finished reading a section and decided I would take the opportunity to go for a quick run on my treadmill and watch the latest episode of Battlestar Galactica (one of my guilty pleasures). I ran and watched and after my workout was complete, I sat back in my chair to read a little more. It was at that moment that I realized just how disconnected I am, and most of us are, to our physical bodies and to the act of exercising.
I enjoy working out and most of the time I consider it quite pleasurable. What I often do best while I am exercising is to distract myself from what I am doing. I watch a show, listen to music or when I am in a class, I talk or daydream. When do I actually take a moment to actually become quite in my mind and to feel my body moving, to notice my breath, to become aware and present in the moment?
My first thought was how do I place myself into this environment? Of course, I should incorporate yoga and stretch into my routine! And yes, this is would definitely be beneficial into my routine; but, what about all the other activities I love? Running, plyometrics, pilates, weight training...teaching? How can I create mindfulness in moments that are meant to be loud, aggressive and rather distractive? I was thinking about this question when I read a beautiful mediation practice in a book called "Wherever you go there you are" called the Standing Meditation. Using this meditation practice as inspiration I would like to share my personal new practice, and for those of you taking my bootcamp classes...guess what we are going to be doing?
These 3 little moments of mindfulness will only take a moment but I thought I would share with you some of the health benefits from practicing mindfulness
(SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS, Dr. Chris Walsh)
1. States of high attentiveness and deep relaxation involve not only the mind but also affect the body and therefore impact one's health. Brain alpha waves increase, skin conductivity decreases and the metabolism becomes more efficient.
2. Mindfulness helps people be more in contact with and hence more responsive to their bodies.
3. Heightened attentiveness also greatly increases the "high" associated with running and other forms of health-promoting exercises, thus making exercise easier and more appealing.
4. There is improved functioning of the immune system in regular mindfulness practitioners. Davidson (2003) et al have shown an increased response of antibodies to flu vaccination in people who have been practicing mindfulness regularly for eight weeks.
5. The same study showed an increase of blood flow to the left frontal cortex of the brain in these mindfulness practitioners after the 8 week course. This change is associated with increased optimism and sense of well being.
Now I just need to create a practice of mindful eating...especially when I am on my computer!
Yours from behind the desk,
Monica Candy
New Classes at the studio:
Come spice up your fitness routine with DanceFix! This aerobic style "dance" class combines cardiovascular training and muscle conditioning. Dancefix will keep you movin' and groovin' through a challenging workout. No dance experience necessary, come prepared to get silly, sweaty and have fun!
Begins Sunday March 01st @ 10:00am-11:00am
Nia combines a diverse blend of Eastern and Western movements from the worlds of the healing arts (love), martial arts (mindfulness), and dance (technique). Nia reaches people emotionally, in their hearts, motivating them to get fit and healthy by creating a deep personal desire to explore their potential and love their growth. Fitness, health, well-being, and self-love naturally result from the Nia experience. What makes Nia so innovative is its unlimited adaptability, all kinds of fitness levels can participate. Nia strengthens the legs, core, heart, lungs and lower extremity joints and opens the shoulders, chest, spine, hips and neck. Nia teaches awareness of space, sensations of flexibility, mobility, strength, and agility and shows you your own body's way of natural time and movement. Nia is great for anyone who loves to dance, move to good music and get a great workout while having lots of fun.
No experience is necessary and all levels welcome!
Begins Sunday March 01st @ 11:15am-12:15pm
Is Your Kitchen Clutter Making You Fat?
Five tips for un-cluttering your kitchen, and your life
By Trina-Rae Cuff
Does your kitchen support your healthy lifestyle choices, or does it sabotage you? Studies show that kitchen clutter can in fact make you fat, and there just might be a correlation between your stuff and your appetite.
So how do you combat kitchen clutter?
Tip One: Keep your countertops bare and the sink clean - unused appliances get in the way of nutritious food preparation, and a spacious and clean work area makes it faster and easier to put together a healthy meal.
Tip Two: Get rid of the all cookies, chips, dusty canned items, freezer treats and salt-laden processed foods that cause temptation and crowd out your cupboards. If you must keep certain food items around to appease family members, keep them in a separate cupboard or part of the fridge that is off-limits to you. » More
Staying healthy and fit when your job is going or gone!
By Tara Weiss Forbes.com
It may seem impossible with all the stress - but you can do it, and it's more important now than ever.
By the end of the 45-minute "boot camp" exercise class, the four remaining participants - down from the eight who had started - were drenched in sweat, out of breath and completely flushed. The consensus: They hadn't felt this good in weeks.
Several hadn't been to the gym for months. They had cancelled their gym memberships after they were laid off. So the free class at the New York Sports Club on Wall Street in late January was a welcome gift. It was part of the club's first career workout day, which offered both a job-search seminar, by the staffing firm Forrest Solutions, and a workout to invigorate both body and mind.
"I feel amazing. My whole mind-set is different from when I came here," said Rebecca Creason, a talent management professional who has been out of work for four months. » More
Working Out Through Menopause
(IDEA-Health & Fitness Association)
For many women, menopause is uncomfortable. Drops in estrogen levels can trigger mood swings, hot flashes, weight gain, sleep loss or fatigue. Menopause is also associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis and heart disease. The good news? Research shows that exercise can help. Karen Bram, a fitness professional in Gainesville, Florida, lists some good reasons to work out during this life stage and offers tips on how to approach an exercise program.
Health Benefits of Quinoa
Nutritionally, quinoa might be considered a supergrain--although it is not really a grain, but the seed of a leafy plant that's distantly related to spinach. Quinoa has excellent reserves of Protein, and unlike other grains, is not missing the amino acid lysine, so the protein is more complete (a trait it shares with other "non-true" grains such as buckwheat and amaranth). The World Health Organization has rated the quality of protein in quinoa at least equivalent to that in milk. Quinoa offers more iron than other grains and contains high levels of potassium and riboflavin, as well as other B vitamins: B6, niacin, and thiamin. It is also a good source of magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese, and has some folate (folic acid). More »
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