Post Birthday Thoughts

One of the best things of being a Pilates instructor is that I get to know people from all walks of life. I get to know them well, understand the uniqueness of their jobs, heard their vivid life story, their family etc. I met a stay-home-mom who taught me lots of parenting and baby-care tips (not forgetting giving me loads of beautiful hand-me-down baby clothes and toys); I got to know my dear friend, Karen, who has now embarked on the journey to be an instructor too; I also taught highly-intelligent researcher, professionals like gynae and even national athletes... some of them are well and fit and some of them have nagging medical issues. They have nothing much in common except that they have one identical goal, that is, to improve their lives through improving their physical health. Like what the wise man, Joseph Pilates, said, "Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness." How true! How can you truly enjoy life without first of all have good physical health?

Among the people I met through Pilates, I made some really good friends. I was especially touched that on my 30th birthday last Tuesday, one of the regular from a corporate mat class (who literally attended my class no matter rain or shine, even once with an injured knee!) presented a small birthday cake with a lighted candle to me after class! That really warmed my heart!!!! Back home, my fave chocolate banana cake was delivered by a super caring client (who has also became my great friend), what a lovely surprise!

Someone asked me why am I so excited to tell people that I now joint the big THREE club. But hey, i should be happy, though I am no longer in my twenties, I have so many people love and care about me! Moreover, I am only as old as my spine, and thanks to Pilates, it is quite young really! ^_^

Joseph Pilates, Returned to Life through Contrology:

"... the only real guide to your true age lies not in years or how you THINK you feel but as you ACTUALLY are as infallibly indicated by the degree of natural and normal flexibility enjoyed by your spine throughout life."

GYROTONIC instructor course

Fitness equipments are mostly scary-looking to the novice.

I was first intimidated by all the stack weights machines in school gym.

Then the torture-tools-alike Pilate equipments wow-ed me.

But until recently, i found yet another complicated yet interesting machines, and it's called GYROTONIC pulley tower:

I always want to learn GYROTONIC as I find it complements very well with Pilates repertoires. However I can't quite afford the time and money to jump into it, yet.

The next round of instructor training course is commencing soon. Here are the information:

GYROTONIC® Pre- Training

Date: April 2- 4, 10 - 11

Cost: USD$850 + Studio fee: USD$150

Pre-Trainer: Audrey D'cotta

Prerequisite: GYROTONIC® introductory Pulley Tower experience recommended

GYROTONIC® Level 1 Foundation Training

Date: Part 1 May 9- 14, Part 2 June 20-25

Cost: USD$1500 + Studio fee: USD$400 ( 2 Instalments)

Master Trainer: Dawnna M. Wayburne

Prerequisite: GYROTONIC® Pre-Training

Enrolment Deadline 31 Jan 2010

Call The Moving Body for more information and registration.

Bone for Life Workshop

I am going to attend a workshop about osteoporosis and bone health, and here are the details of the workshop for anyone who wants to join me ^_^

BONES FOR LIFE® WORKSHOP

The program for stimulating Bone Strength

Through Dynamic Movement and Weight Bearing Posture

Date: Fri 5th February
Time: 2-5pm Fee: SGD$140
Venue: The Moving Body Singapore
Guest Presenter : Dawnna M Wayburne, Pilates Master Educator, GYROTONIC® Authorized Master Trainer, Registered RAD & ISTD teacher, Bones for Life Educator

Enrolment Deadline 23 Jan 2010

WHY PARTICIPATE?
BONES FOR LIFE® is a natural program put together by Ruthy Alon, an original student of Moshe Feldenkrais (based upon the Feldenkrais Method®) which aims at improving bone strength through dynamic movement and weight-bearing posture. Without drugs, herbal supplements, or strenuous exercise you can learn ways to improve bone tissue and enhance your weight-bearing posture. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) says that osteoporosis is not part of normal aging and can be prevented through such activities as exercise. But in your (or your client's) busy life do you/they always have time to exercise? Have you/they ever been injured from exercise?

BONES FOR LIFE® addresses one of the chronic problems of today's western society: the deterioration of bone tissue. This pioneering work focuses on a preventative strategy for dealing with osteoporosis.

BONES FOR LIFE® allows you to integrate movement into your daily life to make your bones stronger without excessive exercise. It also incorporates self-generated vibration.

Ruthy Alon's breakthrough methods were inspired by studies of the African women who bear heavy loads on their heads effortlessly. These women have only five percent of the bone fractures of Western women despite having a lower bone density. These studies suggest that our everyday activities and posture can affect the way we build bone strength.

BONES FOR LIFE® consists of various movement strategies that encourage better quality of movement and alignment in everyday life. Simple tools are used such as a strip of cloth as a wrap and light weights. Many of the movements are done while pushing into a wall whilst lying down, in sitting, and in standing postures.

BONES FOR LIFE®'s dynamic movements enable the blood, which carries oxygen, calcium and other nutrients, to penetrate the solid tissue of the bones providing for growth of new bone cells