Trying New Things. . .

February 23rd, 2009

I’m someone who loves trying new classes – though I think it is more fun to try something new with a group of people who are also new (i.e. I started doing Core Fusion® when Exhale first opened in Boston, so none of the other students knew what they were doing either; same with Zumba® and Budokon®). It’s really hard to try a class when you’re the only new person and EVERYONE else is experienced.

So this Sunday, I jumped at the chance to attend a demonstration of Capoeira at the Sports Club/LA. Capoeira is a brazilian martial art, and something I’ve been wanting to try for like 4 years (not exaggerating here). You might say that I couldn’t have wanted to try it that badly if it’s been on the list for 4+ years. . .but the problem is that there aren’t a lot of classes in the Boston area and the ones that do exist don’t work due to scheduling and/or location (Cambridge is a pain in the ass to get to/from, I’m sorry, but it’s true).

The class was EVERYTHING I thought it would be. They had all the mandigueiros (Capoeira “players”) demonstrate how the roda is played. The roda is a circle of mandigueiros, and they take turns competing/playing in the center of the roda while everyone else plays music/claps/sings. The way these people move is absolutely incredible – the amount of control it takes to float, kick, dodge – and they make it look so easy!

Once the demonstration ended, they taught all of the non-mandigueiros (translation: Capoeira novices) some basic moves (base, ginga, half moon kick, dodge), and we were able to pair up with some of the mandigueiros to practice them. Then we learned how to aú (cartweel), which is one way two players can enter the roda.

It was SUCH a fun workout (sweat inducing, and tough on the legs), and the mandigueiros had such a great sense of community. It actually reminded me a lot of the way the Budokon community was at the SCLA before all that drama went down.

I really hope they add a Capoeira class at SCLA, but even if they don’t, I might have to make the trek to Cambridge or Brookline fit into my schedule – this is a discipline that would definitely be worth doing that for.

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Fitness Masochism

January 28th, 2009

So this week, I came to the realization that I am a fitness masochist. I don’t know why it took me so long to figure this out – the more (good) pain a class causes me, the happier I am. I’ve been working out at a high intensity level for just about 7 years now, so these days it takes a lot for me to really feel a workout the day after. Generally, my body recovers pretty quickly

This realization ties in quite nicely to the 2nd of my “can’t miss” classes. It’s always nice to find like-minded individuals in this crazy world. And every Saturday at 11:30 AM, a large group of fitness masochists show up at Exhale for the Advanced Core Fusion® class with Denise Crowe.

There are hard classes, and then there is this class. We all joke around that Denise tries her best to kill us during our hour, but it’s kind of not a joke. For that reason, this is the class I look forward to the most all week (and I know a lot of my classmates feel the same way). It is so nice, in a society (both inside and outside the fitness world) where coddling is the norm (at least in my humble opinion), to be pushed up to and past perceived limitations. It’s also nice that this class is limited to students who have taken at least ten (10) Core Fusion® classes – since Core Fusion® (CF) is a class that flows best when everyone knows what they’re doing.

Every week I stroll in to take this class with my community of friends at Exhale (the real place in Boston where everybody knows your name) – most of us know each other, which is fun because we’re all comfortable enough to be expressive through the pain (a fly on the wall would hear a lot of groaning, begging, and the occasional outburst of what I affectionately refer to as, “CF Tourettes”). And when I say pain, I mean agonistic pain that can be brought on from the brutal arm work (the alleged “warm up”), seemingly endless thigh work, advanced glute variations and more vigorous curl variations than one would be subjected to in an Open CF class.

The funny thing is, when I talk to people who take the Open CF classes, they always wonder, “it’s already hard, how the heck do they make it harder?!!” I think that question can really only be answered by experiencing the Advanced CF class for oneself. All I can say is that if I’m still sore on Tuesday from a class I took Saturday (which routinely happens), they definitely find a way to make it harder

I’d also be remiss not to go into more detail about what an amazing teacher Denise is. One of the most thorough and knowledgeable teachers I’ve ever had the privilege to learn from, she is all business about kicking the snot out of us but really nice (and funny) at the same time (she says she’s never killed anyone during a class, but some of us have our doubts!) ;) She also NEVER loses count of the reps, which is great in a class like CF. We are extremely lucky at Exhale Boston to have someone of her experience and stature running the show. She is just so good at not just helping people understand the various positions in CF, but helping them get the most out of each position that they possibly can.

So I’m in Chicago for work for the next few days (the one place on earth with worse weather than Boston right now). . .I’ll be hitting up Exhale Chicago for sure (CF creator Elisabeth Halfpapp is teaching there tonight), and barring any horrific weather will be in my spot for CF on Saturday at 11:30 at Exhale Boston! :)

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Posted in Mind Body | 3 Comments »

Busy Week. . .

January 23rd, 2009

Still getting the hang of this “blogging” thing. . .its been a crazy week and half for me (work is nuts, which is good – except when it comes to me blogging).  No matter how busy work is, I always make time for myself at the gym.  I was lucky enough to do a 3 hour twisting workshop with one of Boston’s best teachers, Barbara Benagh last Sunday.  My first experience with Barbara’s class was a 3 hour hip opening workshop at Exhale in December.  After the 3 hours, I felt like I had new hips.  Since then, I’ve made it out to her studio in Brookline (www.theyogastudio.org) twice – once for the 3/4 class on Tuesday afternoon (the week between Christmas and New Years, probably the one Tuesday a year I could do a yoga class at 2pm) and once for this twisting workshop.  I have to say, in 7 years of yoga, I have never worked with a teacher who is as intuitive about alignment and people’s indvidual bodies as Barbara is.  The way she teaches allows students to see postures they’ve been doing for years in a new and different way.  I feel like I’ve learned so much from her in just 3 classes, and I’m going to be making her Sunday 2/3 class a part of my regular schedule.  And you know a class is good if I’m schlepping out to Brookline when I have as many options locally as I do!  :)

This weekend, I’m going to be attending the Wine Expo on Saturday (after the gym, of course!), and then detoxing on Sunday at my friend Kim’s “Restorative Yoga Detox” class on Sunday at Exhale (from 1-3).  Kim (www.kimberlywelby.com) is one of my favorite Core Fusion teachers at Exhale, and she teaches this Restorative workshop monthly (in addition to her 2 restorative classes on the schedule, Monday at 4:15pm and Saturday at 11:30am – neither of which I’m able to attend).  This workshop is the most relaxing 2 hours of my life.  I’m not kidding.  At the end of 2 hours, I don’t really want to leave (unfortunately, my half-joking suggestion of extending it to 4 hours was kiboshed).  It’s pretty much an extended restorative yin yoga class.  There are lots of props, and she guides us into different postures which we hold for 5-7 minutes on each side.  Because of the props, everything is supported – so you’re able to relax while getting an amazing stretch.  If you are a fan of working out hard, you NEED this class.  It’s a great way to nourish your body (and joints) after pushing them to the max.  If you don’t work out as much, you should still come to this class – everybody needs more relaxation in their life.

Enjoy your weekend everyone, and stay tuned for more!  :)

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The first of my favorite things. . .

January 14th, 2009

If you’re someone who is a class fiend like myself, you probably have those favorite classes that you just can’t miss.  For me, these classes are great because of both the class format and the instructor - usually its a combination of their energy, knowledge, experience, and music that motivate me.  Right now, I have 4 such “can’t miss” classes on a weekly basis – come hell or high water, I’ll be at these classes (well, except during the baseball playoffs if the Sox are home)  ;)  

Without further ado, the first of four. . .

Zumba® – Mondays @ 5:30pm at The Sports Club/LA with Alexa Malzone

As someone who has been doing yoga for 7 years, I was looking to learn to move in a different way than I was used to.  If you saw me on the yoga mat, you would have a hard time believing how horrifically uncoordinated I could be when trying to maneuver around a dance floor.  Alexa brought Zumba® to the Sports Club in September of 2008 – after 1 class, I was completely hooked.  Zumba® (http://www.zumba.com/us/about/), whose tagline is “ditch the workout, join the party”, is a dance class that combines latin rhythms (salsa, merengue) with reggaeton and hip hop. 

A lot of people’s first reaction when I tell them how much I love this class is, “well, I can’t dance”.  The thing about Zumba® is, you don’t NEED to be able to dance.  I’ve never taken a dance class that so effectively breaks down the steps.  It’s almost like dancing for dummies in that it makes dancing both easy and exhilarating.  And the broad spectrum of people who take this class is a testament to the fun factor – from the college kids to the AARP, this class is the best time you will ever have getting your sweat on in a gym.

And you WILL get your sweat on.  My average heart rate during this class is usually in the 150’s-160’s, and I burn anywhere between 600-800 calories depending on the moves.  I’ve found that I get a better workout when we’re doing songs I’m familiar with (because I can really get into it and power up), but I also enjoy learning the new steps/moves for new songs.  Additionally, this class is a sneaky ab workout – a lot of the hip movements really force you to work your core.

Alexa is an amazing teacher – very bright and energetic (and colorful – she has the best outfits!).  She is also a phenomenal dancer, and is really good at breaking moves down and encouraging people.  There are always a ton of people in class, but it never really feels crowded.  The way Alexa teaches this, it would be impossible to feel sluggish or devoid of energy – she makes it one big happy dance party.  And whether we’re grooving to Pitbull, Shakira, or Christina Aguilera en espanol, its a workout without feeling like you’re working out – which is WAY more fun than the elliptical/treadmill! 

So don’t be self conscious, or think “I can’t dance” – after a few Zumba® classes, you’ll be ready to bust a move on any dance floor in the city (and you’ll look good doing it)!  :)

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Welcome to the Jungle. . .

January 12th, 2009

So after the 942nd person told me I should blog about my experiences attending group exercise and yoga classes all over the city of Boston, I decided to pull the trigger.  Some ground rules. . .

  • I’ll keep my identity anonymous (since I am a fan of privacy).
  • Since I think that group exercise is highly subjective (what I think is a great class might not be someone else’s idea of fun, and vice versa), I’m going to try and not rip any instructors (I’m not about screwing with other people’s livelihoods, not that I have that kind of influence, but whatever) – unless they’re evil and must be stopped  ;-)
  • I’m thinking that when I write about a particular class, I’ll classify it as cardio, strength or mind/body and give my feedback accordingly.
  • For cardio/strength classes, I typically will wear a heart rate monitor.  I’ll post average heart rates/calories burned, but remember that those are a general guideline (heart rate/calories burned will vary depending on age, weight, VO2Max and other factors).
  • And lastly, I am not a fitness professional.  I’m going to use this forum to share what classes I find and enjoy.  Nothing I write should be construed as gospel – I don’t do this for a living, it’s just a hobby.  If you know of classes you think I’d enjoy based on what I write, please feel free to send recommendations – I don’t mind traveling and/or paying for a good class.

So there it is. . .my first ever entry into the blogosphere. . .I look forward to connecting with fellow fitness enthusiasts (and non enthusiast friends I guilt into reading this)  :)

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