August Newsletter

Greetings!

I hope this newsletter finds you well and you are enjoying the nice warm weather! A warm welcome to all of you who are new to yoga!  A regular consistent yoga practice is essential in leading a healthy lifestyle!

Please take a moment to check out the August Newsletter.  If you have been away from yoga for a while, find you way back, your body, mind and spirit will thank you!

Fall Book Club:  Core Power Chicks:  Sept. 29th
Great response/feedback on starting the fall book club.  If you love to read, enjoy wine and great healthy food (ok, not necessarily in that order), you are a candidate for the club!  A few non-complicated details are unveiled as follows:

-Club will meet monthly at someone’s house, restaurant, etc.  If the club is held at someone’s house, everyone brings a healthy dish and/or a bottle of wine.

-Book club pick will be based upon a drawing, enter in your book that you would like to share with the club, we will draw and see who the book winner is!

There, that is about it, simple, not many rules (you know I am not a big rule person).  Also, Michelle, from Rooted Wellness has offered to share her healthy food dishes.  Details will follow when we are ready.  I will offer my house as we roll out the first book club meeting on Thursday, Sept. 29th 6:30pm.
In the meantime, please forward me your book club suggestions, by Friday, Sept. 2nd we will draw at yoga class on Sat., Sept. 3rd! 

Yoga Class Offerings:  August
Classes for the month of August continue to be limited to the following:

Mondays at 5:30pm –Gentle Yoga
Saturdays at 8:30am –A variety of yoga, check flavor weekly on www.getcorepower.com.
Note:  Sat., August 13th there will be no class, as I will be in Boston all weekend for a Psoas Workshop.  Looking forward to sharing this fabulous info in upcoming yoga classes.

Note: RH Parks&Rec Strength Training –NEW session has just started!  There are still a few openings at  noon (11:00am is sold out) classes on Tues/Thurs!  If you are available at the timeslot, check out this total body sculpting class, give yourself 45-minutes and you will love the results!

Friend to Friend Promotion
Bring a friend to yoga this month and receive your class free!  Offer runs until August 27th!

www.RockyHillPatch.com
Check out the Patch, Rocky Hill’s new online newsletter!  Check out Core Power’s Blogs and upcoming info on the benefits of strength training as several participant’s have shared their feedback on the powerful benefits of this training!

Fall:  Looking Ahead
Looking at planning the fall schedule.  The second yoga class will be back in the fall in the 9:30am time slot.  The class will be Hot Body/Cool Mind.  Class has been redesigned to offer full strength training with weights/bands/bodyweight and incorporates yoga/pilates moves for core!  This will be a great addition to your current workout routine, but make no mistake, nothing will be routine here, you’ll see, come and check it out!

willPowerandGrace http://www.willpowermethod.com/
As always, Core Power tries to keep classes, fresh, new, fun, creative and non-routine!  Attending a certification workout on Sunday, August 21st, check out the willPowerandGrace website.  This is barefoot training with core, cardio, balance and so much more!  Look for upcoming classes!

Please share with me any thoughts/suggestions for upcoming classes as your feedback is essential in continuing to provide quality classes!  Once the fall schedule  is completed, I will share that with you!

Just wanted to let you know, I love this “job”,  I am so inspired by each and everyone of you!  It is extremely rewarding and humbling to witness all the emotional and physical transformations!  There is one particular transformation that I hope to share with you shortly from my strength class!

Enjoy the rest of your summer, be safe, have fun and remember to breathe!

Stay Well,

Lynn

Pretzel Bodies: Not Required

When was the last time you stretched your muscles?   As you know, flexibility is an important piece to the workout component puzzle.   Your workouts should consist of cardio, different types of cardio to continue to challenge your muscles, strength training, that too, should offer a variety of moves including core (crunchless only) and flexibility.   Better yet, try yoga, yes, yoga.  Regardless of what you are thinking, you do not need to have the flexibility of a pretzel to practice yoga.  A regular yoga practice will help to increase your flexibility and so much more.  Check out what you have been missing if you lack a regular yoga practice (see previous blog 40 Ways Yoga Heals) http://getcorepower.blogspot.com/, you’ll be surprised on what yoga can truly do to increase your quality of life!

Treat yourself to the gift yoga, you deserve it!  Your first class with Core Power is complimentary.

Lynn MacDonald
Core Power, LLC
www.getcorepower.com
Become a fan: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Core-Power-LLC/109781075766705

Read Any Good Books Lately?

Balancing nutrition, exercise and mindfulness……….these words are music to my ears. Recently, during an in-home personal training session, a client of mine mentioned a book about combining nutrition, exercise and mindfulness.  My ears perked up!  Three key components to living a healthy lifestyle.  I could not wait to get my hands on this book.    Interestingly enough, this book is titled TriEnergetics, authored by Sanford Severin, MD and Todd Severin, MD.

For those of you who know me, I am a health nut and a nerd when it comes to both fitness and nutrition.  Being in the fitness business, I constantly meet wonderful people who are seeking weight loss, muscle tone and 6-pack abs. The most popular question I am asked (actually almost daily) “how do I get rid of this” as they point to abdominal fat. I always respond the same, healthy nutrition, not technically a diet, exercise and mindfulness (meditation). Over the years, I’ve heard all sorts of stories (sometimes horror stories) on countless “diet” attempts for weight loss.  I’ve heard promises “with this specific weight loss program, you will be in a size 6 by December”.  What????  I try not to show my emotions, but can’t help but think, what kind of program or person makes those promises.

Anyway, back to the book!  TriEnergetics is everything I personally believe in and is how I live my life.  This book is easy to understand with testimonials on how people have transformed their lives with this program.  By the way, this is a 6-week program to yes, change your life.  This is not a loose promise, the only promise is to yourself, because you deserve to live a healthy life!   This book is about creating specific changes that lead to a healthier lifestyle, by blending high quality ingredients of healthy nutrition, exercise and mindfulness.

How do you become mindful your thinking? Incorporate a few  minutes daily of mediation (not easy, but if you do daily, it becomes a habit).  Have you experienced your body in stillness?  We go all day long 90-miles an hour.  Sit, chill for a second, close your eyes, just  be with yourself.   Relax your face, jaw, shoulders, feel your heart beating, feel the air on your skin, notice the sounds around you.  Just sit, do nothing and watch your breath.  Your thoughts will come and go, replaying a conversation from the other day or reviewing your grocery list.  All normal, I do it too.  But now, connect back into your breath, notice moments of no thoughts, thoughts, then no thoughts.  Open your eyes after a few moments, experience the difference.

Another way of becoming mindful is through the magic of a regular and daily yoga practice!  Ok, I am partial here, but it works! I’ll come clean, I have a small yoga/fitness  business( www.getcorepower.com).  I am the best example, as I never was mindful in my life, until I incorporated yoga into my lifestyle.  The biggest advantage about mindfulness,  you become aware of how you are feeling, your thoughts, emotions and how you feel after you eat certain foods.

It’s the 4th of July weekend, experience mindfulness as it relates to food.  Notice your body over the next few days after eating. Experience your body on how it feels when eating good healthy foods.  Notice if you have more organic energy (no caffeine needed), you may feel lighter, more energetic and your clothes may fit a bit looser!  Check out how your body feels after eating heavy fattening foods, ice cream, cookies or just an absolutely delicious fattening meal you love to eat!   Wait a bit, notice how you feel; maybe more tired, less energy, craving for sugar, maybe your meal is not complete until you eat something sweet.  I used to be that way, always craved the sweetest dessert I could sink my teeth in.  When you dramatically decrease sugar in your life, cravings magically disappear!

TriEnergetics will explain the physiology of stress, how your body uses food, understanding what foods are healthy, good carbs vs. bad carbs, diet myths, how your body digests foods, specific exercises(no gym required!), deep breathing for health/vitality and so much more.  This book is absolutely the real deal, nothing fake, just down-to-earth plain vanilla facts and no gimmicks. The best part of this book, advocates a healthy “diet” with exercise.  This is a marriage that can not be separated, you need one with the other, otherwise maintaining your weight is nearly impossible, especially as you age.

If you are looking to trade up to a healthier lifestyle, I would highly recommend this book filled with a wealth of health knowledge!

By the way, if you are so inclined to try this program, please share your transformation!

Lynn
Core Power, LLC

Tax News, New News and Yoga in the Park!

 

Happy Summer!  A warm welcome to those of you who are new to our yoga practice!    I hope this newsletter finds you well and hope you are enjoying the summer as well as some type of physical activity.  Speaking of physical activity, there are two opportunities that I wanted to share with you.  On Sat., July 9th, there is a 5K Red Dress Run/Walk sponsored by The Hartford Marathon (ladies only). There is a group of ladies doing this if you would like to join.  Join under the Glastonbury Chamber Chicks, walk/run for a great cause, have fun and be active!  Below is the link to the website.(http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/Events/Red_Dress_Run_for_Women_Presented_By_United_Healthcare.htm).  The other opportunity, Dragon Boat Racing, I was set to do this and have paid my $100.00, but that is the day my son goes back to college.  If someone would like my spot, the $100.00 is paid, contact me for details!

Thanks to all those brave ladies who came out for the 6-week session to Take Back Your Body!  You are amazing at 6:00am! Lots of great energy, fun and encouragement!  Classes are so much more motivating when you are working out with a group!

If you have been away from yoga, find your way back, your mind, body and spirit will thank you!

Please take a few moments to check out the newsletter!

Taxes 7/1
As of 7/1, the Governor has decided to tax yoga and pilates.  The cost of the 10-class card is now $65.00  (equates to $.50 increase per class).  The rates are updated on my website (http://www.getcorepower.com/).

Looking Forward……Recharging Batteries
You’ll notice that there are less class offerings, I personally use this time to recharge my batteries and give my body a rest.   Though the mind is still going, I use this time for opportunities to learn new modalities of training, workshops, etc.   In August I will attend a two-day Psoas Workshop in Boston, can’t wait to share all that great info with you!  Be on the lookout for a class just for the psoas!  Another exciting opportunity, in August, is WillPower and Grace!  A company that trains instructors on barefoot training using a sticky mat.  The class format mixes cardio, strength, core and flexibility all barefoot!   A special offering will be available at the end of August or first week in September as we kick off the fall back to fitness season!

Yoga in the Park:  Sat., 7/2 8:30am(sharp)—Yogalates
Saturday in Park…..yes, weather permitting (if rain, class held at the church).  This class will be offered free of charge to jumpstart your holiday weekend!  Please feel free to bring a friend, yoga is way to good not to share!!  Be ready to move, sweat, strengthen your muscles, core and as always soooo much more!    P.S.  You may want to bring a towel to place under your mat as the grass is wet.  This will help to keep your mat dry.

Vacation—–Ahhhhhh!

I will be away Sat., July 9th thru July 16th, there will be no classes that week.  Classes will resume on Mon., July18th. 

Summer Classes—Yoga Body!
Mon. Gentle Yoga  5:30pm
Thurs. Hot Body/Cool Mind  9:00am
Sat. Mixed Yoga  8:30am

No class Monday July 4th!

No Admittance—Late Entrance
I can truly appreciate how busy we all are, but please try your best to arrive at least 5 minutes prior to class.  Late attendance is distracting, we want everyone who is in class to have a peaceful, wonderful and fulfilling yoga practice!  Thanks in advance for your cooperation!

Meditation–Peace and Tranquility
My two favorite words peace/tranquility, impossible to find in today’s world.  Find 5 to 10 minutes of quietness daily, close your eyes and just bring your attention to your breath.  Meditation promotes mindfulness, which most people in the world do not practice.  Mindfulness leads to being in the present moment, aware of your thoughts, actions, how you are feeling, reduces stress, anxiety and leads to weight loss.  Give yourself 5 to 10 minutes daily, change your life, change your mind, YOUR worth it!

Please continue to LIKE Core Power on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Core-Power-LLC/109781075766705.

Looking at finally adding a few video’s on specific workout segments, that will be available on Facebook soon!  Please continue to check the website for updates!

As always, I appreciate any feedback and suggestions you have to offer, as the success of these classes depends upon you!

Enjoy the 4th!!  Hope to see you soon!

Lynn

Healthy Thoughts

Just taking a few moments out of my day, thinking of how grateful I am to have my health.  To me, having health is the ultimate gift, no money or material items can replace your health. Health is priceless, as it does not come with a price tag and sometimes you do not value health until you no longer have it.

 As I visit my ailing mother-in-law in a nursing home, I walk down the long depressing hallway that leads to her room.  I am so aware of the gift of wellness, as there are so many reminders around as to what can happen when your health fails you. 

 As we speak, my bother-in-law, a nurse, whom I used to enjoy 30-40 mile bike rides with is going through a target therapy clinical trial at Dana Farber.  Again, I am so mindful of how precious life is and having the gift of health.  I can only hope that my bother-in-law’s previous healthy body will get him through and back on the road of well being (for selfish reasons too, as I miss our long challenging bike rides).

 As I made my way through the American Lung Association 686 stair climb on Saturday, I felt so privileged and grateful to be able to participate and actually complete the climb.  My heart was pumping; my muscles were working, mind set on mediation mode as I briskly make my way to the top.  The best present you can give yourself is having a strong body to support any type of fitness goals or daily activity by living a healthy lifestyle!

How much do you value your health?  What do you do to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

Remebering Sharon

Often times in life you meet someone who truly touches your heart.  As a yoga/fitness instructor, I’ve been blessed to meet so many amazing people with fascinating stories.  One evening, prior to a yoga class, two ladies walked in and wanted to give my yoga class a try.  Over the weeks, the ladies enjoyed the class and were amazed how well they felt.   One of the ladies in particular, Sharon, really was thrilled at how great she was feeling.   Summer came along and Sharon went to her beach house in Rhode Island.  I lost touch with her for a while.  Then, one evening, as I was preparing to teach a yoga class, Sharon appeared!  We hugged, she looked great as she did before. We chatted before class and she told me “Lynn, you’re not going to believe this, but I have been battling stage four lung cancer over the last several months”.  She had completed the protocol for lung cancer and was feeling very well and up to practicing yoga.  Sharon continued practicing yoga (most of the time, side by side with two very special friends) for about a year and a half, then passed away (May2010) as her lung cancer had returned. 

On Saturday, March 26th, I will be climbing 686 stairs/34 flights to support the American Lung Association.  Step by step, breath by breath and in my heart, I will remember the very brave fight that Sharon fought with so much class and dignity.

Yoga as Medicine

Ok, your thinking….not again, another yoga blog.  Yes, but this one will capture your interest.   A consistent yoga practice promotes body awareness/mindfulness so you are totally connected to how your body feels both physically and emotionally. I know what you are thinking, yoga is not for me, as I am not flexible!  I use to think so too!  Now I teach yoga!  Pretzel bodies are not required to practice yoga!   Check out http://www.getcorepower.com/ for more info on yoga for everyBODY!

Besides from feeling peaceful, open and calm after a practice.  There are many health conditions shown by scientific studies to help a wide array of medical conditions.  A yoga practice is available to everyBODY regardless of medical condition, shape or size.  The more you practice yoga, the benefits accrue.    Yoga can be practiced in a chair, using a wall, block/blankets/bolsters, etc.  Incorporate yoga into your lifestyle for maintaining good health and wellness!

Stay connected to your body with yoga and experience the healing benefits this very special practice can offer!  See below for specific studied health conditions as outlined in the book Yoga as Medicine:

Alcoholism/Drug Abuse        
Asthma
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder  
Anxiety                                                                                                        
Cancer 
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease                                                                                  
Congestive Heart Failure    
Depression                                                                                                                
Diabetes           
Drug Withdrawal                        
Eating Disorders   
Epilepsy                                                                                                                      
Fibromyalgia                
Heart Disease                                                                                                          
High Blood Pressure      
HIV/AIDS
Infertility                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Insomnia    
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Menopausal and Perimenopausal Symptoms
Mental RetardationMigraine/Tension Headaches
Multiple Sclerosis
Neuroses
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Osteoporosis
Pain (Chronic)
Pancreatitis (Chronic)
Pleural Effusion  (fluid Collection in the lining of the lung)
Postoperative Recovery
Post-Heart Attack Rehabilitation
Pregnancy (both normal and complicated)
Rhinits (inflammation of the nose)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
Sinusitis (I can vouch for this one personally!)
Tuberculosis
Urinary Stress Incontinence