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

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?

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!