6-Pack Abs with Ryan

Everyone had a chance to take a look at my Pilates experience, which targets among other things, your core. Immediately following that class, Ryan (a trainer you may remember from such webisodes as "The Weigh In, Part 1") invited me to his 6-Pack Abs class. Back-to-back core work - what could be better.

Now, these blogs on drop-in classes and programing often cut out a lot of the information: demo's, safety points, etc. But it also cuts out many of the movement options that the fitness leaders provide: from beginner and intermediate, to advanced. I have learned that I repeatedly choose the hardest movements and put my body through as much physical stress as possible. This class was no different. At the start of the class I felt great, then came the planks... and it all quickly deteriorated.

Aside from choosing to push myself to the limit (notice the plank tremble), Ryan was great and so was this class. 6-Pack Abs is a class (approx. 30-40mins) that runs on the lunch hour. So members get the opportunity to blast their core, and get back to their desk on time. So convenient. I highly recommend this class it was "muy beuno", and I will be back!

Skating Lessons

ALL VIDEO'S WILL NOW BE POSTED ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE PRIOR TO ANYWHERE ELSE... COME BE A FAN!

I have been looking forward to skating lessons for a long time. People who have been taking lessons have been RAVING about them. And I played hockey and long, long, long time ago... and I used to be pretty good (for a 9 yr old). I was looking forward to seeing how my skills had deteriorated over time. See for yourself... I describe them as 'Awkward and Terrible', but regardless had a fabulous time on the Olympic Oval Ice!

'Lets giv'er the ol'heave ho.' - Pilates with Joan

I had taken three pilates courses before in my CSEE program, and somewhat new what to expect in this drop-in class: mat work, body weight, and lengthening of muscles. What I had forgotten completely about is how much internal body awareness and control it takes to do pilates correctly.

Stacking vertebrae, rolling up and down, and controlling the mid-section during lengthening movements for me, is more taxing mentally then physically. Having proper posture and form along with sequencing your muscle contractions is something that takes more then a few intro sessions to be second nature at. Mad respect to Pilates... mad respect to my instructor, Joan.

Joan was so funny... taught everyone (including 3 beginners) so well with humour and definitely created a relaxed atmosphere. Loved the moves (and will steal many of them to update my ab routine) and completely fell in love with some of the more… interesting moves like the seal.


You know, I've read a few times that the first strength gains in physical activity is not due to muscle adaptation, but because of the brain learning how to fire what synapses and in what order to efficiently move. Pilates was great class to remind me that the mind is what counts, and learning body awareness is something a lot of us take for granted.



Thanks Joan! Definitely looking forward to Gyrokinesis!

Thanksgiving

I was lucky enough to catch most of Sunday's games at the Dolphin tournament this weekend. And it reminded me why I love the game of basketball. It is a perfect combination and application of power and skill. And its in an open environment where vision and anticipation are so crucial. 

But more then that... it has the power to bring people together. Handshakes, hugs, and pounds were out in full force this weekend. Ballers catching up with ballers. And although I personally didn't really know a lot of people there, it reminded me of may baby - the the Support the Court Sanctuary Tourney - where each year I get to come together with good friends from what seems like a lifetime ago...

Today the Dolphin tournament reminded that I am thankful for sport.

Welcome to interACTIVE

Today, July 17th, is the day of the interACTIVE web launch. interACTIVE is an initiative designed by myself to make the Oval webpage more... well... interactive. On this page you will find the brightest minds, elite athletes, events, research, and Oval trainers coming together to help people on their fitness journey.

Also launching today is a network of social media. What does that mean? It means a brand new facebook page, youtube channel, and lots of Tweets!

N-N-N-NIA

I have been thinking for the past 5 minutes how to describe my NIA experience... and I can't really. It was like a cosmic collision of modern dance, yoga, martial arts, and my child hood.

Here is the class descriptions from the fitness department:

Nia, is a fun and energizing fitness dance practice that teaches you to be more joyful, expressive, and alive in your body. Nia is instructor led fusion fitness drawing from dance, martial, and healing arts and is taught to diverse and inspiring music. Strengthens, improves balance and nourishes the spirit. Nia is practiced by people of all walks of life, ages, and fitness levels.

This was so much fun. It reminded me of a modern dance class I took at CUCA for my fine art credits! AND I got some sweeeeeet video. The first video is an 'About NIA', the second one is me doing my best to keep up in the class. You can tell, I have so much fun in this class!

PS: I butcher all the moves... but that reminds me a one of the critical rules of NIA - there is no 'right' movement. Like we say at Oval Kids - Every move is a good move!

The Weigh In... Part 2 (the Great Scale Debate)

So Salmon Fest has run its course, and I am up and at em' early to get my weigh-in finalized. Pat, one of our fabulous trainers was working, and we had a great chat about why you will be hard pressed to find a scale on the fitness mezzanine. The fitness staff had voted on not having the scale out in the open. Of course I asked why... and the argument makes sense.

I will do my best to paraphrase....

When you are physically active you burn fat and build lean muscle mass. This does three things (much more of course, but three for now). First you will find that your energy increases, second you will in fact gain weight since muscle weighs more then fat, and third as you burn fat your measurements and inches will shrink.

So when you look at the results of physical activity, relying on a weight measurement can very much be misleading and even discouraging. Sometimes the numbers, when we speak of weight, lie.

It goes back to what my former professor Ali Wilson said many, many, many times in Sociology of Sport: "Its all about the process". Or if you go to a basketball camp with J Mottl as a coach, "Process, not Result". It is much, much better to focus on the process of getting to the destination, then the destination itself.

Now I really wanted to sum that up because the video cut off this great conversation with Pat. This is definately only one side to the 'Great Scale Debate' however. This is a good reminder for me when I finally sit down and redo my goals. I will definately be setting process goals.

Anyways check out the video, sorry there is so much feet. Because I asked so nicely we brought out the scale from the back and I set my weight and body fat baseline!

Salmon Festivus for the Rest-of-Us

"Sure, I'll organize the parade!"

When I was a kid we would go with my Grandma to the 'May Day' parade in Cumberland. One year I dressed up as a jester and won $10 for Best Comic Releif. The parade had a bands, some floats, and lots of candy. For those who don't know, Cumberland is a small town just west of Courtenay, and the May Day parade was a small parade. So when I was asked to organize the Oval contingent for the Salmon Fest in Steveston, I said no problem. I mean how big could it be...

Well, I know now that Salmon Fest is the littlest big birthday party that Canada throws on July 1st. And that it usually draws around 70,000 people (this year 100,000). Needless to say, being a rookie at parading, I was in slightly over my head. But with a lot of help, the parade went off without a hitch. We gave away free passes and promo's for our Oval Kids Summer Camps and our Summer Gold 3 month for $100, along with flyers, totes, and yo-yo's. By far we had the best shwag there! Check out the photo's.

AND with some help I got a hold of a Salmon mascot costume! As you can see it was a sauna in there! The only way I survived was to have Angela and Pat duct tap ice packs to my chest! Oh but what glory... Salmon Man... majestic.

When I can, I'll try to get a hold of some video.