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

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

Yoga Meets Pilates

Can’t decide which you prefer, Yoga or Pilates?  You don’t have to take sides, the wait is over.  Hot Body/Cool Mind marries the best of both Yoga and Pilates into one powerhouse of a workout!  There is so much synergy between the two that the combination is lethal!

 If you are a walker, runner, yogi, fitness or non-fitness buff, golfer or tennis player, you too can benefit from Pilates.    Pilates focus is on core exercises which are executed rhythmically.  The repetitions are low, but the intensity is high.   A regular Pilates practice strengthens the abdominal and back muscles, glutes (hips),  quads/hamstrings and improves posture immensely, essential for a healthy spine.  Back pain decreases because your abdominals and other core muscles are strengthened, improves flexibility and range of motion.  Pilates promotes symmetry between both sides of the body.  Symmetry decreases injury as your body will “work” more efficiently.  You will gain more confidence and ease at doing regular daily activities. 

There are so many healthy benefits to a regular Yoga practice as well.  Yoga promotes body awareness, weight loss, mindfulness, calmness as the parasympathetic system is activated, increases lung capacity, increases lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons, massages internal organs and detoxifies the body.

Personally, over the last several months, I have added Pilates (mat) into my workout regime.  If you are an avid “exerciser”, it is imperative to be open to new modalities, which helps your body become stronger, less prone to injury as different muscles groups fire up!  My Pilates practice also includes a weekly intense reformer session which I love! 

I’ve noticed an increase in my core strength; the biggest improvements have been a reduction in low-back pain and chronic knee pain.  The most unexpected surprise, aesthetically my abdominals appear to have more definition, though I will still pass on the bikini!

The list of benefits for both Yoga and Pilates are endless.  Combine these two powerhouses and experience the benefits for yourself!  Check out Hot Body/Cool Mind, Core Power’s hottest summer class!  For more information, check out http://www.getcorepower.com/.

Fit to Teach?

 Teaching fitness classes is a passion of mine.  Quality is embedded, I want to give my classes the best safe and effective workout in order to keep them healthy and reach their goals.  In doing so, my classes are always pre-planned, with somewhat of a leeway for spontaneity; I strive to deliver creative superior and never pre-canned classes, no exceptions!  Though I am a bit of a health/fitness nerd, education of exercises and keeping up-to-date on health issues/studies is always part of my classes as well as my life.  This allows me to continue to provide the best most effective class I can deliver!

 Over the years, I have attended a variety of fitness classes and have encountered a wide array of talented and not so talented fitness instructors.  Personally, I’ve stated this before and do not hide the fact that I am extremely selective whom I take my fitness classes from.  Just because someone has a piece of paper indicating proper certification, does not necessarily translate to a competent instructor.  That being said, please note, a professional current fitness certification is a must as well as a current CPR/AED certification for a fitness instructor/personal trainer.   

 Check out these ten questions, answer honestly about your current or past instructor and be mindful of clues to determine if your instructor is “fit” to teach and I do not mean physically fit! 

 My goal here is awareness, next time you walk into a fitness class, my hope is you are more astute to the characteristics of a competent, capable instructor and enjoy an injury-free fabulous workout!

 How does your favorite fitness instructor rate, review the list of ten questions and see for yourself!

1.  Are you properly greeted by your instructor when walking into a class?  Is the environment warm, friendly and inviting?
2. Does the instructor give his/her name, ask if anyone is new, has an injury or if anyone present has not previously taken a class by the instructor?
3. Is the class presented in an organized manner and starts and ends on time?
4. Does he/she cue for safety (stabilize torso, bend knees, slow/controlled movements) etc?
5. Is the  instructor knowledgeable, able to identify muscles being used and offer modifications for injuries such as shoulder, hip, knee, low-back issues?
6. If the class is geared toward all-levels, is a basic exercise offered, then layered by level of difficulty?
7. Is the instructor motivating, are you learning new exercises or is the class the same old routine, you know what to expect and do not feel challenged?
8. Is the instructor getting a great workout?  Is he/she sweating and “working out” or is the class focused on YOU (class is never about the instructor, not a time for his/her workout).
9. Does your instructor give concise clear cues, visual (i.e. demonstrates the exercise/pose) and gives physical cues (i.e. hand to ankle)? 
10. Does the instructor walk the talk; does he/she practice what he/she preaches?

 How do you personally judge a high-quality fitness class and fitness instructor?  Is it by how much sweat is dripping all over you and the floor?

Blog by:  Lynn MacDonald, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, CPR/AED certified by American Red Cross, Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher and Therapeutic Yoga Teacher
www.getcorepower.com

Take Back Your Body!

Take back your body…..got your attention, right?  This innovate new creative program inspired by my own workouts to do just that, take back your body!  As a yoga/fitness instructor, I meet many people who are quick to say “I am too busy to workout”.  Making the time for health/fitness is vital; consider it an insurance policy on your health.  Just like many other annual tests we endure, dental visits, yearly check up’s, etc.  Fitness should fall under the “preventive maintenance” category to help reduce the chances for diseases or unexpected illnesses.  Being healthy puts you in the driver’s seat; you take control and responsibility for what you can change along with the exception of things you can not change.

 As an avid exercise person and health nut, I personally crave variety.  This workout program consists of many of my favorite “things”……Yoga, Pilates, functional moves, swiss balls, cardio, bands, body weight exercises, free-weights, etc.  Speaking of yoga, creativity flows like a river with yoga breath work (alternate nostril breathing is responsible for this program) it really does work!   This workout is based upon interval training, yes; I am an interval training junkie!  In my opinion, interval training is the best way to train for efficiency, effectiveness, burns fat, gets the heart in shape, etc. 

 If you think you don’t have the time to exercise, think again, you do!  This is a 45-minute, NO GYM REQUIRED interval workout that can be done at home or anywhere!  Keeping workouts fresh and new will prevent boredom and your muscles will get stronger and learner!  Only constant variety of exercise will make this happen!  This workout is about a lifestyle, a way of life.   This workout is not about “I need to lose weight for my daughter’s wedding” (I always ask what happens after your daughter gets married?) or “I want to where size 2 skinny jeans” type of talk.  This workout will give you the skills necessary to incorporate fitness into your life, get healthy and keep you focused so you can enjoy life to the fullest.  

 Details….Details
This creative, dynamic, fast-paced interval class (non-choreographed) incorporates alternating energizing short bursts of cardio with functional strength, balance and core moves.  Class will begin with a mini meditation to promote focus and mind preparation.  Blended into these intervals are yoga flows and pilates core exercises to build heat, strength, endurance and flexibility!  One workout, so many flavors in a short time!  Each class is different, nothing is “pre-canned”.  Options offered for everyBODY.  The results, nothing but amazing!

 Coaching/Support
In addition to the class, participants will receive motivational tips, thoughts, exercise suggestions for the off days from class, healthy recipes and chat with the trainer for ongoing questions and support.  This information will be private and only available to class participants.

 Participant Commitment Level
Class meets two times per week for 45-minutes for 6 weeks.  Show up on time; work hard, have fun and be mentally prepared for an awesome workout that will energize your for the day! The best part, working out with a group is motivating, promotes encouragement, friendship and support!  

For more information, on dates, times, location and cost, please contact me directly via www.getcorepower.com. 

 How valuable is your health to you and what do you do to stay healthy and fit?

What’s Your Taste?

What do you prefer, Yoga or Pilates?  Well, my curiosity got the best of me, as well as wanting to improve my core.  In my quest to eliminate boredom from my workouts, I decided I would give Pilates a try.  I have been working one-on-one with Maggie, the owner of Personal Euphoria, www.personaleuphoria.com.  We meet weekly for challenging, muscle shaking, and core tightening sessions utilizing the reformer.  The reformer is an amazing machine that has springs to vary the degree of resistance.  This machine allows your body to work precisely in helping to increase core strength and flexibility.  The reformer easily identifies weakness in the body, especially notable differences on each side.   My absolute favorite, the jump board, where you can jump, similar to ploymetric jumps, but is softer on the joints!  The jump board is not only fun but strengthens the feet, ankles, calves, hams, quads and inner/outer thighs!  I have several sessions behind me and I already have noticed a difference in my core and legs!  I guess I can say, I am addicted to the reformer!  So far, so good, I thought, now I’ll get a taste of Mat Pilates.

 The mat version starts with a warm up, usually “The Hundred” (a famous move) but these classes, like yoga, depend upon the instructor.  By the way, I am extremely selective who I take fitness classes from and Pilates is no different.  Just because an instructor has a piece of paper indicating proper certification, does not necessarily correlate to the level of a quality instructor.  Look for an upcoming blog on this topic.

 Mat Pilates utilizes breath control like yoga, (inhale through the nose, and exhale through the mouth) and continues to draw belly to the spine on the exhale.  Scooping the belly is synonyms to Pilates, as this engages your transverse abdominis, the deepest abdominal muscle that forms an internal girdle for your center.  Sitting on top of your transverse abdominis is your obliques, internal obliques sit deep and rest on top of your transverse, the external obliques are superficial.  Between the two, they help to support your center and let you twist and bend sideways at the wait.  The most famous that is linked to the 6-pack is the rectus abdominis, the long muscle that extends from your pubic bone to your sternum.  This muscle allows you to bend forward at the waist.  The reason why I personally never advocate crunches, is that the transverse muscle is never engaged.  If you are interested in toning up your “abs”, and want the benefits of a stronger core, eliminate crunches and work on Pilates/Yoga core moves or other functional core exercises.

 Pilates moves at a faster rate than yoga, repetitions are quick, short and you do not need to do 20 to feel the benefits.  Quality over quantity applies!  Pilates incorporates a full core workout, back, hip, shoulder girdle, the benefits also expand to increase muscle tone, more strength and endurance.  Pilates and Yoga do share some very similar moves.  While both systems, (Pilates and Yoga) are built on strength, breath work and control, yoga unites the mind, body and spirit.  Yoga movements can be slower, but depends on the type of yoga you are practicing.  Both systems have tremendous benefits; the blends of both are lethal!

 Join Core Power in May as a creative Yogalates mixture of Pilates and Yoga will be offered to give you amazing results, not just for a strong, defined core and body, but for the mind and spirit too!

Confessions of a Health Nut

What’s your body image gripe?  Being in the fitness industry I meet so many people, mostly women who always have the same topic on their minds……how to look better, learner, how to get flatter abs, tighter triceps, thinner inner thighs (ok, I’ll admit, this one is mine) and eliminate saddle bags (extra bulge outside of the hips).

It is way too easy to get caught up in today’s society with body image issues and wanting to look new and improved.  A better approach is to be healthy and take care of yourself first from the inside out.  Eventually, everything else will fall into place. 

A lifestyle you can live with is essential to the success of your health.  Living a 90%/10 rule or 80%/20 rule making healthy decision most of the time and giving yourself room to “play” 10 to 20% of the time. My health nut lifestyle started at age 33, slowly starting eating healthier and adding in exercise, none of this was short term, 14 years later still living my healthy lifestyle and maintaining my 20 pound weight loss.

 Below is a list of “rules” I play by that have helped me sustain my healthy lifestyle, I confess to the following:

•  Never counting calories
• Reading food labels
• Using the full version of  half and half for my one and only coffee of the day
• Never ever using artificial sugar….. these fake sugars bloat the belly and you’ll never get flat abs!
• Never ever using low-fat or fat-free products
• Limiting intake of processed fake foods
• Never wasting non-nutritional calories and fat on the wide array of coffee/lattés
• Drinking freshly squeezed lemon and warm water before eating in the AM (cleanses liver and other things)
• Eating a healthy breakfast one hour upon waking (keeps metabolism revved up)
• Generously pouring cinnamon into oatmeal, cinnamon reduces blood sugar levels and has a host of healthy benefits
• Eating carbs, yes, good ones as your body needs carbs (i.e., fresh fruits, veggies, beans, quinoa, nuts, brown rice)
• Eating limited dairy products, no milk, no yogurt
• Snacking every 3 to 4 hours
• Eating a hard boiled egg daily (great source of protein)
• Eating several vegetarian meals a week
• Allowing myself a free pass one day a week to enjoy anything I want, the skies the limit (helps control bingeing and enjoying the foods you love)
• Cooking healthy meals in bulk on Sundays to prepare for the week
• Drinking white wine instead of red wine
• Drinking water, seltzer and green tea
• Performing some type of physical activity daily 30 to 40 minutes
• Practicing yoga daily
• Practicing Yoga Shoulderstand Pose (to reduce cellulite) and Fish Pose to help bathe and stimulate the thyroid and parathyroid glands with a fresh supply of oxygenated blood
• Being an interval training junkie – no machines required!
• Never working out on a treadmill (i.e., the dreadmill)
• Loving yoga with weights, yin yoga, pilates reformer and biking (preparing for a 50-mile challenge in June)
• Doing a fitness challenge once or twice a year to see what you can accomplish no matter how old you are! 

 What are your health nut confessions?

Strength Training – Rocky Hill Parks and Recreation

If you have been to any of my classes, you know I have a strong passion for strength training!  Personally, I strength train, functionally,  three times per week.  If strength training is embedded in your workout, you are already aware of a how critical it is for bone density, weight loss and is absolutely necessary to the art of  weight management!  If you have battled weight issues (like me), you understand the importance of strength training.   Oh, a side affect I need to mention, a strong, toned and chiseled body!  The benefits go on and on (upcoming blog for those benefits).

I currently teach a fun, creative, (never ever the same) functional strength class at the Town of Rocky Hill every Tuesday and Thursdays (Noon for 45 minutes).   Incorporated into the training is medicine balls, BOSU balls, free-weights, bars and bands.  These items are used to challenge the muscles in the body with a variety of moves to strengthen all of the major muscles groups (shoulders, back, chest, biceps, triceps, quads, hams, calves, core, etc.).  Balance is also sprinkled in since we lose balance as we age, this is  the only way to get it back!  Because of my yoga background, yoga is combined with strength moves to further challenge the muscles of the core!  Speaking of the core (not 6-pack abs) but the muscles of the trunk, hips, hams, glutes and spinal muscles which keeps our spine strong and movement of the body is initated from the core.  Rest assure, you will never ever do a sit-up/crunch in any of my classes, as these “exercises” do not fully engage the core muscles and add absolutely no value!  A class favorite core move (though my classes won’t admit it) will be moving from forearm plank to high plank (push up position) and back to forearm plank, or Down Dog to Plank  to 1/2 Tricep Push up, back to Plank, then Down Dog.  Try those core moves for yourself, notice which muscles fire up and check out the demand of the core and upper body!

Teaching is the best part of my day, I rather not sit behind a computer, though I need to when I am “blogging” and doing business work.  I have the best “job” in the world, love an energetic fun class, have had the opportunity over the years to meet amazing people and it is very rewarding to hear and see all of the phenomenal successes that strength training offers!   If your workout is in need of a makeover and you are a local resident, check out the next upcoming strength session at the Town of Rocky Hill (http://www.rhparkrec.org/programs.html) you will be glad you did!