This week has so much meaning to me. It was 2 years ago ( September 07, 2007) that June Kahn was visiting me and I first spoke , out loud to anyone, about my idea regarding a Beam. It was 1 year ago ( September 10, 2008) that we had the very first Beamfit Trainer's Training held in Palm Springs.
All the while, with all the planning and the collaborative efforts of so many , I have been struggling with a way to convey the true essence of Beaming with just the written word. In every attempt I have always ended with...." well you just have to experience it".....or...... "once you get on a Beam...you'll get it"
To me , describing the experience of Beaming is like trying to describe the site of the sunrise to someone who can't see or the sound of Chopin to someone who can't hear. Yes - it is that dynamic, that powerful that impactful.
So, I offer you the opportunity to read a note I recieved today from a woman who took Beaming for the first time last week. Perhaps her experience will help me explain this wonderful thing I call Beaming.
"Hi David,
I was in your Friday class for the first time on Sept 4 and you asked me to let you know how I felt about it. Well, I was completely surprised and very affected in a whole person sort of way by that first class. I have always loved exercise and enjoyed my physicality. There was something about this class experience that completely engaged me - I felt that I was training for dance, yoga, meditation, and was getting a good workout with a lot of inner focus. Having to do everything on the beam narrowed my mental focus to where all I was thinking about was doing the movements. I experienced a lot of pleasure in the movement and imagined being in practice as a dancer and gymnast. At the end of class, I was aware of feeling a lot of emotion - a deeper sense of calm and some exhilaration too.
I'm looking forward to class tomorrow. Take care,
Mary"
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
What are we doing?
So, “we” in the Fitness Industry are working hard every day to promote health and fitness. We teach, we train, we guide and we educate...................but
· What are we actually doing?
· What impression are we actually leaving on people ?
· What is our role in the way in which our participants and clients view what it means not only to BE healthy and well.......but what the road to it looks like.
I raise this discussion because I have been teaching for 30 years - yes this month I will start my 31st year in this business. And I have been observing our industry from the inside as well as looking at it from the outside. I have talked to hundreds of people and…..What I don't understand is :
· People coming out of a spinning classes looking like they have just been water boarded....what is the message there? I have even seen an instructor go through a room and remove the seats. Why? What's the point? How does that help the average person build up their fitness level? Why does the workout have to be so over the top. I would like to think that if a person could come in the room - sit on the bike and ride it for an hour to some nice music played at an audibble decible level that .......THAT would encourage them to come back...
· Personal Trainers who take every client ( no matter age weight goals etc) through the same workout. I have seen trainers that with EVERY client - when it is 20 minutes after the hour ( any hour) they are standing at the same machine.
· Instructors who have been drawn to pre-choreographed workouts - ditching the opportunity to mold a class and plan and nurture it depending on WHO is in the room
· The pushing of supplements, powders, shakes, drinks and all of these "non food" ways to control weight
Most people show up to join a Health club facility because of some feelings of inadequacy. Because of the media, or their husband or friends, they feel they need to lose weight, or have flatter abs…..bigger arms or whatever……it’s ultimately linked somehow to not feeling “good enough.”
People need to be nurtured, encouraged, made to feel important, worthy – like they are “somebody” right here and now…..not that they have to “become somebody” .
I ask all of us in the industry to take a deep breath and look at who is walking in the doors – (according to IHRSA it is only 17% of the population. )
· What can we do to increase that number?
· How can we encourage the most out-of-shape person on the planet to come back to see us time after time?
· How can we all serve as the voice in these people’s lives that is accepting them right as they are and guiding them on a path to reach their goals…whether training for a marathon or simply trying to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
We are in a powerful position. I know each and every one of us cares deeply about our work. I know we all strive to be motivational and truly help people. I know we get fulfillment from seeing people we are working with on a regular basis succeed with their goals.
Join me….let’s collectively do what we can to REACH more people not just TEACH them!
So – Put the seats back on the spin bikes. Write training programs that are specifically designed for each one of your clients. Develop your class based on who is there and what they are capable of doing NOT on the new CD you got or the new moves YOU want to do. Walk out in the gym and invite 1 “stranger” each week to a class, and KEEP them coming on a regular basis. That is 52 new people a year in your classes….. Nurture people, talk to them. Make them feel special , convince them that they are worth it and that by being with YOU their lives can change. We have an incredible job, a fun way to make a living and a great opportunity to impact the human spirit in a way that can be transformational.
· What are we actually doing?
· What impression are we actually leaving on people ?
· What is our role in the way in which our participants and clients view what it means not only to BE healthy and well.......but what the road to it looks like.
I raise this discussion because I have been teaching for 30 years - yes this month I will start my 31st year in this business. And I have been observing our industry from the inside as well as looking at it from the outside. I have talked to hundreds of people and…..What I don't understand is :
· People coming out of a spinning classes looking like they have just been water boarded....what is the message there? I have even seen an instructor go through a room and remove the seats. Why? What's the point? How does that help the average person build up their fitness level? Why does the workout have to be so over the top. I would like to think that if a person could come in the room - sit on the bike and ride it for an hour to some nice music played at an audibble decible level that .......THAT would encourage them to come back...
· Personal Trainers who take every client ( no matter age weight goals etc) through the same workout. I have seen trainers that with EVERY client - when it is 20 minutes after the hour ( any hour) they are standing at the same machine.
· Instructors who have been drawn to pre-choreographed workouts - ditching the opportunity to mold a class and plan and nurture it depending on WHO is in the room
· The pushing of supplements, powders, shakes, drinks and all of these "non food" ways to control weight
Most people show up to join a Health club facility because of some feelings of inadequacy. Because of the media, or their husband or friends, they feel they need to lose weight, or have flatter abs…..bigger arms or whatever……it’s ultimately linked somehow to not feeling “good enough.”
People need to be nurtured, encouraged, made to feel important, worthy – like they are “somebody” right here and now…..not that they have to “become somebody” .
I ask all of us in the industry to take a deep breath and look at who is walking in the doors – (according to IHRSA it is only 17% of the population. )
· What can we do to increase that number?
· How can we encourage the most out-of-shape person on the planet to come back to see us time after time?
· How can we all serve as the voice in these people’s lives that is accepting them right as they are and guiding them on a path to reach their goals…whether training for a marathon or simply trying to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
We are in a powerful position. I know each and every one of us cares deeply about our work. I know we all strive to be motivational and truly help people. I know we get fulfillment from seeing people we are working with on a regular basis succeed with their goals.
Join me….let’s collectively do what we can to REACH more people not just TEACH them!
So – Put the seats back on the spin bikes. Write training programs that are specifically designed for each one of your clients. Develop your class based on who is there and what they are capable of doing NOT on the new CD you got or the new moves YOU want to do. Walk out in the gym and invite 1 “stranger” each week to a class, and KEEP them coming on a regular basis. That is 52 new people a year in your classes….. Nurture people, talk to them. Make them feel special , convince them that they are worth it and that by being with YOU their lives can change. We have an incredible job, a fun way to make a living and a great opportunity to impact the human spirit in a way that can be transformational.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Re-discovery
The spa was just amazing!! Ojai is beautiful. The Oaks facility was just great…and the ladies that were there were spectacular!!!
I have been understandably occupied with Beaming™ these past 2 years. And although I have been teaching other types of classes – I have had my mind on that Beam!
Well at The Oaks these past 2 days. I rediscovered the joy of ALL of the things I can teach. Yes..Yes I taught Beaming™ and Beam-lates..OK I admit it. But I also taught the most incredible Aqua class I have taught in a long time. I used all Latin music…and we just had a ball!! The pool spectacular the weather divine and all of us in the pool just had a great time!! And then there was stretch at 9:15 am – the room was full and I created a great Mix…and just let myself flow and let go. I followed this with a barefoot cardio class to some GREAT music ( very ethnic from African to Egyptian) and we just let loose……I have not taught a class like this in probably 5 years…and it was awesome and I completely enjoyed every bit of it.
I rediscovered many things at The Oaks ……met some wonderful people – had EASY traffic free drives and all in all am just THRILLED I went. The joy of what I do for a living is beyond believe. I am blessed. I am excited. I am honored to have the opportunity to help people in any way I can. What a great weekend.
Labor Day - tomorrow – yes I will be LABORING over the web site. We are launching the new and improved site tomorrow
David
Oh......and have you seen these moons the last few nights..........Spectacular!!!
I have been understandably occupied with Beaming™ these past 2 years. And although I have been teaching other types of classes – I have had my mind on that Beam!
Well at The Oaks these past 2 days. I rediscovered the joy of ALL of the things I can teach. Yes..Yes I taught Beaming™ and Beam-lates..OK I admit it. But I also taught the most incredible Aqua class I have taught in a long time. I used all Latin music…and we just had a ball!! The pool spectacular the weather divine and all of us in the pool just had a great time!! And then there was stretch at 9:15 am – the room was full and I created a great Mix…and just let myself flow and let go. I followed this with a barefoot cardio class to some GREAT music ( very ethnic from African to Egyptian) and we just let loose……I have not taught a class like this in probably 5 years…and it was awesome and I completely enjoyed every bit of it.
I rediscovered many things at The Oaks ……met some wonderful people – had EASY traffic free drives and all in all am just THRILLED I went. The joy of what I do for a living is beyond believe. I am blessed. I am excited. I am honored to have the opportunity to help people in any way I can. What a great weekend.
Labor Day - tomorrow – yes I will be LABORING over the web site. We are launching the new and improved site tomorrow
David
Oh......and have you seen these moons the last few nights..........Spectacular!!!
A word about words
I Often wonder about words…….their origin…….their meaning.
Today I am looking at the words "reconnect", "revisit" and "relax".
In the first instance, "reconnect", the word, means to come together AGAIN...implying that once , 2 things or people were together in some way and then for some reason they separated only to discover themselves or join forces once again.
The second word, "revisit" is similar in that it implies that a subject or location has had prior presence or relevance and for whatever reason has become relevant once again. We "revisit" topics as well as physical places. But it is the third word that has me baffled. We use it all of the time. But I am not sure we really actually "do it"
I am up at The Oaks Spa in Ojai California. It is a beautiful place. I am here to teach a bit of Beaming but I am also here to "relax" There are about 35 women here along with me. It is a mother, daughter weekend and there is joy in witnessing the interaction of the generations. In some instances there are 3 generations sharing some quality and FUN time away from their busy lives. In any case, these women are here for many reasons.......but the top 3 I could come up with ( aside from losing weight) are "reconnect" "revisit" and "relax".
Reconnect. In today’s society many of us have grown up and moved away from our home towns. As I sat and had lunch and dinner with these women I learned a great deal. So many of them only have a chance to reconnect for set periods of time throughout the year and this weekend here at The Oaks, for many is a “reconnecting" weekend. They sit around and tell stories of times gone by - update one another on what's been going on in their lives and genuinely seem to take great pleasure in the act of reconnecting. There are hugs......kisses...smiles and laughter. It warms my heart to see all of this as I am an only child, both of my parents are gone and I (on this level) will never have the chance to reconnect.....ever again. But for this moment in time, I can live it through what I am witnessing before me - the human condition "live".
Revisit. I also learned that the majority of these women are returning customers, revisiting The Oaks at least once a year. It is like a little home coming to them. They have their favorite rooms.....they know the class schedule...the staff.....their surroundings. There is a sense of joy and peace for them... knowing that they are "revisiting" an old friend - "The Oaks" and that while they are here they will also be "reconnecting" with loved ones and friends alike. Revisiting does the soul good - it conjures up memories in the deepest sense of the word. Not only do we recall but at the same time when we revisit we are creating new memories to be cherished the very next time we revisit.
Relax. Here I am ...back to "relax" and it is this word I am struggling with. I know that when we put "re" in front of a word it simply means acting like or doing something that we have done in the past. But as I look around me.....listen.....and then check in with my own experience I question the meaning of the word "relax". The root of the word is "lax" which means to loosen up - to let go......and the "re" in front of it implies that we have done it in the past. My question is simply this - do any of us really know what it means ... or have we ever really done it. Think in your own life. Think of what YOU do to relax. If it means to loosen up and let go.......have you ever really done it?
We live in a culture that frowns upon this in so many ways.......we look at letting go or loosening up in some cases as being lazy...or weak....... OH COME ON GET SERIOUS WIL YA?? For we must always be in control and adult-like. OH GROW UP - YOU’RE AN ADULT NOW........... As I looked around the classes I taught I saw some women actually trying to hide the fact that they were letting go and "whooping it up." But I continued to encourage them to express themselves......"the joy of movement can help release tension and even though you are working out...the letting go of the tension is a form of relaxing the mind and spirit", I saw amazement in their eyes as they came back from massages and facials -moments they were able to actually "relax and let go." There was a certain glow a shift of energy……they actually looked relaxed!
I think we need to learn the "lax" part of "relax" so that we can actually begin to "relax" more often. I know for myself - the work-a-holic that I am THIS is a lesson I need to study more closely.
I hope to reconnect with some of these women at another place and time - perhaps I have made some new lifetime friends this weekend. I hope to revisit The Oaks as it is a wonderful Spa and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay.......and I hope that my observations this weekend have shed some light on the fact that relaxation in many ways is not as easy as it is said to be.
The take away from this, for me, is that I will spend 30 minutes a day from now on “relaxing” I am going to close off the world – the phone – the computer – all interaction and simply just “BE”. I hope the next time I come to The Oaks I can take the experience of all of those 30 minute session………and actually “Relax” for an entire weekend.
Today I am looking at the words "reconnect", "revisit" and "relax".
In the first instance, "reconnect", the word, means to come together AGAIN...implying that once , 2 things or people were together in some way and then for some reason they separated only to discover themselves or join forces once again.
The second word, "revisit" is similar in that it implies that a subject or location has had prior presence or relevance and for whatever reason has become relevant once again. We "revisit" topics as well as physical places. But it is the third word that has me baffled. We use it all of the time. But I am not sure we really actually "do it"
I am up at The Oaks Spa in Ojai California. It is a beautiful place. I am here to teach a bit of Beaming but I am also here to "relax" There are about 35 women here along with me. It is a mother, daughter weekend and there is joy in witnessing the interaction of the generations. In some instances there are 3 generations sharing some quality and FUN time away from their busy lives. In any case, these women are here for many reasons.......but the top 3 I could come up with ( aside from losing weight) are "reconnect" "revisit" and "relax".
Reconnect. In today’s society many of us have grown up and moved away from our home towns. As I sat and had lunch and dinner with these women I learned a great deal. So many of them only have a chance to reconnect for set periods of time throughout the year and this weekend here at The Oaks, for many is a “reconnecting" weekend. They sit around and tell stories of times gone by - update one another on what's been going on in their lives and genuinely seem to take great pleasure in the act of reconnecting. There are hugs......kisses...smiles and laughter. It warms my heart to see all of this as I am an only child, both of my parents are gone and I (on this level) will never have the chance to reconnect.....ever again. But for this moment in time, I can live it through what I am witnessing before me - the human condition "live".
Revisit. I also learned that the majority of these women are returning customers, revisiting The Oaks at least once a year. It is like a little home coming to them. They have their favorite rooms.....they know the class schedule...the staff.....their surroundings. There is a sense of joy and peace for them... knowing that they are "revisiting" an old friend - "The Oaks" and that while they are here they will also be "reconnecting" with loved ones and friends alike. Revisiting does the soul good - it conjures up memories in the deepest sense of the word. Not only do we recall but at the same time when we revisit we are creating new memories to be cherished the very next time we revisit.
Relax. Here I am ...back to "relax" and it is this word I am struggling with. I know that when we put "re" in front of a word it simply means acting like or doing something that we have done in the past. But as I look around me.....listen.....and then check in with my own experience I question the meaning of the word "relax". The root of the word is "lax" which means to loosen up - to let go......and the "re" in front of it implies that we have done it in the past. My question is simply this - do any of us really know what it means ... or have we ever really done it. Think in your own life. Think of what YOU do to relax. If it means to loosen up and let go.......have you ever really done it?
We live in a culture that frowns upon this in so many ways.......we look at letting go or loosening up in some cases as being lazy...or weak....... OH COME ON GET SERIOUS WIL YA?? For we must always be in control and adult-like. OH GROW UP - YOU’RE AN ADULT NOW........... As I looked around the classes I taught I saw some women actually trying to hide the fact that they were letting go and "whooping it up." But I continued to encourage them to express themselves......"the joy of movement can help release tension and even though you are working out...the letting go of the tension is a form of relaxing the mind and spirit", I saw amazement in their eyes as they came back from massages and facials -moments they were able to actually "relax and let go." There was a certain glow a shift of energy……they actually looked relaxed!
I think we need to learn the "lax" part of "relax" so that we can actually begin to "relax" more often. I know for myself - the work-a-holic that I am THIS is a lesson I need to study more closely.
I hope to reconnect with some of these women at another place and time - perhaps I have made some new lifetime friends this weekend. I hope to revisit The Oaks as it is a wonderful Spa and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay.......and I hope that my observations this weekend have shed some light on the fact that relaxation in many ways is not as easy as it is said to be.
The take away from this, for me, is that I will spend 30 minutes a day from now on “relaxing” I am going to close off the world – the phone – the computer – all interaction and simply just “BE”. I hope the next time I come to The Oaks I can take the experience of all of those 30 minute session………and actually “Relax” for an entire weekend.
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