Forgive me Lord, for it has been 10 months since my last blog entry.
A lot has happened since August 2009 – I got certified to teach Zumba, and have subbed a few classes in the burbs and I got my AFAA Group Exercise certification. Some of my friends joke about how many certifications it will take for me to actually teach something (I was also certified in Budokon back in the day). Getting those certifications, then actually putting together classes and teaching gave me a new perspective on how difficult it is to be up there in front of a room full of people who are cranky because you’re not their favorite teacher (karmic retribution anyone?) And because my teacher (Marc McDonald at Om Warrior) is going to be running Pure Yoga teacher training at Equinox starting this fall, odds are I’m going to be getting my certification to teach real yoga (instead of a hybrid). If you’re interested in a yoga teacher training, you can get more information here.
In terms of new fun classes I’ve tried, here’s a cheatsheet:
My New Favorite Thing – Aerial Arts
This is one of the most amazing workouts I’ve ever done – climbing silks and ropes and trapezes and doing fun tricks in mid-air. It takes a ton of core and leg strength, and after 5 sessions, I can feel my upper body strength increasing (it’s much easier to climb now and hold myself up). Aircraft Aerial Arts in Boston is located in the new Crossfit in the Fenway (on Boylston across from Basho, in the old Goodyear building that they share with Marshall’s Farm Stand). There are a max of 5 people per class, and classes are mostly sold in packages ($25/class). You can also arrange with Jill to have a private ($60/hour) or duet ($30/each per hour), or set up a special 75-minute class with 3-5 people for $25 per person.
Yoga Teachers and Classes
If you’re looking for a great yoga class, you won’t be sorry if you attend any of the following teachers’ classes:
Kate Greer’s “Rock Your Asana” class at Back Bay Yoga on Sunday at 4pm – Kate is one of the best teachers in Boston, she has a very zen way about her and has a gift for actually TEACHING how to get into the more advanced postures. Unfortunately, rumor has it that she is moving to Florida soon, so that will be the end of that. If you are someone who enjoys a physically challenging class while still reaping the spiritual benefits of yoga, you NEED to go take Kate’s class before she leaves. She also teaches “Rock Your Asana” at BBY on Wednesday at 5:50pm and is on the schedule at Equinox (both Franklin Street and Back Bay).
Lynne Beiger’s “Hip Hop Yoga” class at Back Bay Yoga on Friday at 10am. Lynne is the owner of BBY, and this class is a challenging, sweaty flow to really fun and funky music. Nothing like being upside down to the strains of Tupac Shakur, Will Smith or other old school/new school hiphop artists. Guaranteed to get your toes tapping in standing poses, and you’ll want to sing along as you get your yoga groove on. She also teaches Hip Hop Yoga on Saturday at noon. Drop-in rate at BBY is $15, or new students can get 2 weeks of yoga for $25 (an excellent deal).
Sarah Sturges at Exhale Spa. I’ve known Sarah for a LONG time, but had never had the chance to take her yoga class until a recent holiday Monday. Not surprisingly, her class was amazing. Sarah just has a very peaceful way about her, and a couple of years ago, went to India and immersed herself in yoga for a few months. She is also an amazing Core Fusion teacher. What I really loved about her yoga class was that it was challenging while still being peaceful, which is a really hard thing to achieve. Her regular yoga class times are Monday and Friday at 9:30am. Sarah also teaches at both Equinox locations in Boston.
Adena Muncey’s “Max Power” at Sports Club/LA on Tuesday at 10am. I have seriously been trying to take Adena’s class for two years (we have a mutual friend in Renee Leblanc, who runs Yoga Power in Waltham and is an amazing teacher herself), but unfortunately for me, the only time she teaches at SCLA is mid-morning on Tuesday. On an off-day, I moseyed over there excitedly and was NOT disappointed. She teaches an intense class filled with advanced postures that MOVES – by the time you get to the floor at the end of the 75 minute class, probably 60+ minutes into class, you are DYING (in a good way). Hands down, the best yoga class at SCLA – it’s a shame she doesn’t have the opportunity to teach a prime-time advanced class so more members would get the chance to experience her. Adena also teaches at Equinox and the aforementioned Yoga Power in Waltham (at much more user friendly class times).
It’s interesting, since Marc left SCLA, I don’t do much yoga there anymore – they used to have a really diverse schedule, but now the same people teach all the classes. And while their teachers are good, I feel like they should be bringing in the Kate Greer’s and Sarah Sturges’ of the world (both of whom are elite enough teachers to work at Exhale and Equinox) to mix things up and add a little variety.
Best “New” Class – Helixing at Revolution Fitness
What is a Helix, you ask? It’s a cardio machine that moves laterally (and gives your hips, glutes and legs an amazing workout) instead of back and forth. Rev Fit, one of the more underrated gyms in the city, is the only gym in the area (that I’m aware of) that has classes on the machine (the Helixes live in their spinning room). They feature 30-minute classes on Monday at 6:30pm, Wednesday at 6:15am and 6:00 pm, and Thursday at noon. You can check out the Helix website here to see a video and get more info on the machine. There is seriously nothing else out there like this (photo below from SNEWS)
Abduction (it also does adduction)
I know I’ve said it before, but I’m really going to try to be better at keeping up the blog. I feel like I attend SO many classes both here and in other cities that I should be writing more. I may also sprinkle the blog with fun personal anecdotes and nutrition/food bytes just so I don’t lapse into not having anything to write about. Peace out for now! 