Strive for Progress

Image Source:  Unknown

 

I think this is a saying that we could all live by.  It's good to have goals and to work towards something specific however sometimes we get lost along the way.  We push so hard to reach that one goal and forget to be proud of all of the work and progress we have made.  Over the last week and a half where I have started my more intense marathon training schedule I have learnt to focus more on that specific session than my overall goal.  Don't psych yourself out.  I haven't lost sight of my big goal but I have also learnt to take pride in every little step and to celebrate each day as progress. Don't be discouraged if you set a goal for yourself and you aren't seeing instant results.  Some days are going to be better than others - keep working towards that big goal but don't forget to take the time during your path to celebrate your progress along the way.   

 

And for a little motivation to keep going...

 

Image Source:  Unknown

Ah.. yes.. don't mind if I do!  Thanks Ryan... :)

I am curious what type of music keeps you guys motivated during your workouts?  Here are some tunes I am currently rocking on my playlist:

No Diggity - Fare Soldi Rmx
This Is How We Do It (Viceroy "Jet Life" Remix) - Montell Jordan
Treat Me Like Fire (Star Slinger Bootleg Mix) - Lion Babe
What Would You Do (City High Cover) - Bastille
and for some local flavor... Scarecrows - One Bad Son

Wishing you a weekend of goal butt-kicking (no matter what your goals are!)

 

The Positivity of Pride

(Photography by Holly Marquette)

The Positivity of Pride

'I have never met someone who is living a bold and successful life - and by successful I mean prosperous, kind and in touch with meaningfulness of what they're doing - who has apologized for being perfectionistic, mercurial, unrelenting, or whatever their slightly controversial hallmark characteristics are.

You will always be too much of something for someone:  too loud, too big, too soft, too edgy.  If you round your edges, you lose your edge.

Apologize for mistakes.  Apologize for unintentionally hurting someone - profusely.

But don't apologize for being who you are.'

- Danielle Laporte

Setting Fire to My Goals

Image Source:  http://www.zimbio.com/

 



I strongly believe that the best thing to do to get your body in shape for advance pole levels, or any aerial fitness class really is to keep up your cross training.  Whether that means you are at home doing push ups, curl ups with soup cans, hitting the gym, bootcamps, swimming, running, anything really to keep you working all of your muscles is going to help you push yourself to that next level.  What's the point in staying the same when you can always be better?

Well for me, my cross training passion is long distance running.  Ever since I was in Elementary school running has been my passion. I think it stemmed from the fact that it was the first ever activity I did and really excelled at. I ran long distance at track meets with school, city wide, and province wide. It quickly became something that I did when I wanted to celebrate or even to cope with something. Running has always been my escape.

This year I have decided to push myself to the next level.  I want to really challenge myself and for me there is no greater feeling then the rush of crossing a finish line.  That last little spurt to the end where you are running so fast you think your legs aren't even attached to you anymore is what I am going to push myself to do.  I have my eyes set on running the full Sask marathon at the end of May.  I have never trained for a full marathon and so as I get closer, I may find that my body wont allow me to run such a distance but I am not giving up without a fight. 

Whatever you choose to do as your cross training I hope you do something that challenges you and that you are passionate about.  Never stop trying new things that push you to be the best that you can. 

 

My First Aerial Hand Stand

I’m proud to say I was able to do my first ever hand stand yesterday at the Aerial Hammock Instructor training course! This isn’t a move we will likely include in our beginner level Aerial Fly Fitness classes at ClubMynx but it is something participants can work towards later in their training, and it’s so much fun! Believe me I do not have super human strength, so if I can do this, so can you! That’s one of the things I enjoy most about AFF…it makes it possible for even beginners to do some fun tricks in the air.

Today we learn all about using the hammock for pre and post baby clients. I’m excited about this because after just having Ella 10 months ago, this is totally the type of class my body craved post baby. I’ll keep you posted as the training progresses. Hope you’re all having a fabulous weekend back home!  

Amy Guion's Bendability Fitness!

When Amy Guion was at ClubMynx this past weekend, she ran a free Bendability Fitness workshop for the LadyMynx Pole Club.  At the workshop we worked on all three of our splits, and it was awesome!!

If you have seen Amy's pole videos or pictures, she is incredibly flexible.  Her lines are so beautiful to watch.  However, in the workshops she talked about how many years she had to work to becoming flexible, and that being flexible wasn't something that came naturally to her.  I think that's one of the best things about meeting Amy, she was so honest about the work that she put into her goals, and she gave us many tips and tricks to help with our own flexibility goals.

As a naturally inflexible person, you can't believe how excited I was to hear this!! It made me feel like there is hope for anyone and that with a lot of hard work, it's possible for anyone to get their splits and have a more flexible body. 

Flexibility is such an important part of pole dancing.  If this is an area that you want to work on, check out Amy's Bendability Fitness products to help you out: 

bendabilityfitness.com
Bendability Fitness on Facebook!
Bendability's Online Store!

Adventures in Aerial Fly Fitness Update

I continue my adventures in Aerial Fly Fitness today, as I travelled to Boulder CO, in prep for the Instructor Teacher Training course I am about participate in over the next 3 days. I’m staying at this amazingly quirky home at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where the air smells like campfire wood and freshness, the house is filled with Indy jazz music and I feel like Julia Roberts in the movie Eat. Pray. Love. The vibe here is so fantastic. Within walking distance is this awesome fresh marketplace where I picked up a bunch of market veggies, freshly ground coffee and other healthy snacks for the weekend, and I walked back carrying the groceries in the paper bag they gave me. Love it! This city of under 100,000 people is known for the hippies it attracts and the people here are very connected and artistic. I was told there are over 300 yoga studios in this city, and I can see why so many are drawn here. 

Tonight as a fun way to get prepared for the weekend training, I attended a drop in hammock class as a participant in the Aircat Aerial program and it was so much fun! There was a mix of absolutely brand new, and some experienced participants. My favorite parts were the deep stretch I was able to get (ahhh my back and neck thank me), and the fun standing on the hammock poses I learned tonight. I am amazed at how great I feel after taking a class. I can’t wait to offer our own version of this program at Mynx! I’ll keep you posted as I continue my journey. 

PS. For those of you checking in, I am proud to announce that I completed my challenge of 2,000 full body push-ups and am very proud of myself. I feel a lot stronger and can even notice a difference in my waste because you use so much core in push-ups as well. It’s a great thing! 

Amy Guion at ClubMynx!!

This past weekend Amy Guion made a stop at ClubMynx on her Canadian tour to teach 4 workshops:  Beginner/Intermediate Master Class, Fake It Til You Make It, Advanced Master Class, and Bendability.  This was such an amazing opportunity as Amy was our first pole star at ClubMynx!

With Amy's pole experience, we learned new flow combos, new tricks, and learned how to stretch for our splits!  Not only that, we got to ask countless questions about proper ways to train for specific pole moves, pole conditioning, competing, what life is like in L.A. and the Pole Sport Organization Competitions which she founded with her business partner Bayleigh Pettigrew.

Throughout the next few days, I'll post more pictures and experiences with Amy here.  In the meantime, make sure you like her personal Facebook page as well as the Pole Sport Organization Facebook page!