Jan 28th - 34 Weeks and growing!

Being that this is my first pregnancy, it's a little weird as this is all becoming so close and real now. Now that we have completed our child birth classes, and the weeks seem to be flying by faster and faster now...I'm getting a bit of a nervous feeling.

There's no changing your mind at this point and you know that you plan to be in a pain for maybe a whole day. But this is a pain that I haven't experienced yet and can't imagine what it's going to be like either. With other types of pain we usually experience, we usually don't plan for it, it just happens.

My husband and partcipants who take my classes think I'll be popping this baby right out and jump back into shape quick. I only hope their preminitions are true...but again, you can't plan for everything. Being as active as I have been: Doing Turbo 5x a week, Doing PiYo 3x a week, and seeing a chiro now 1x a week...has kept me feeling fantastic. I often wonder if I'm "weird" as I've heard so many stories of being moody, in pain, waddling, tired, feeling super fat, can't lift anything, and that this is such a bear to be in. Yeah, I think I'm one of the lucky few then! Sure, I have those days of feeling more tired than others, since I get that pregnancy insomnia where I wake at about 3am or 4am, and start thinking about work, and then I'm up working. I get those days of more sciatic (or so I think it is) pain...but for the most part, this hasn't been terrible. I like being pregnant. No, don't get me wrong, I can't wait to be back to my shape again and be able to be as fit as I can be. It will come. Hopefully lil' Johnny will get the fitness vibe just by me doing it while he's on the inside.

We finished doing the baby's room. Just waiting on the furniture. Here's to all the hard work my hubby has done. Sadly I couldn't help paint, just taping. Blah.

Capoeira-what is it?

You've seen capoeira everywhere lately, even if you don't know what to call it. Last year, the dancelike Brazilian martial art was featured in Ocean's Twelve, Meet the Fockers and Catwoman. (In training for Catwoman, Halle Berry became the sport's unofficial celebrity ambassador.) And on warm days in public parks and plazas worldwide, you can often find capoeira players singing, clapping and showing off to a gathered crowd. Their energy is infectious.

Invented by slaves over 400 years ago, capoeira is far from your typical martial art. Two players face each other, surrounded by a circle (roda) of other players and musicians singing traditional call-and-response songs. The players kick, cartwheel, crouch on the floor and fly through the air to catch their opponent off-guard and show him his weakness without actually making contact. They swing to the rhythm, which varies from slow to fast, and there's rarely a winner or loser. Maybe they'll trip the other player or fake a heel to the gut, but those moments are followed by a laugh and a handshake.
After watching hard-bodied young men and women flip, spin and dodge one lightning kick after another, it's pretty hard for the average person to imagine joining in.

"People love watching capoeira, but they are very intimidated because it's very dynamic," says Edna Lima, a capoeira mestranda (master) who has been teaching and training for 30 years. The modified capoeira workout she teaches at New York Sports Club (and programs of its kind at Bally's and other gyms across the country) removes the scarier elements from the sport. This version gives you most of the cardio and strength-training but requires none of the combat.

After warming up with dancing and stretching, Edna teaches the same techniques she would in a regular training class. The first basic step is the ginga, a movement from lunge to squat to lunge. It feels silly but gives you a great burn in the calves, quads and butt. Ginga is the transition to kicks, most of which involve a circular motion. Meia lua de compasso begins with your hands on the floor, one leg bent, while you look back between your legs and swing the straight one in an arc behind you, drawing your body around to a lunge. Queixada is a circular kick from the side, and in armada, you whip your entire body around 360 degrees. All of this strengthens the entire lower body and torso while building flexibility and improving your sense of balance.

But if all you want are kicks, find a different sport. It's the other moves, like aú (cartwheel), that set capoeira apart. "By doing aú and other more difficult positions, you change your center of gravity and see everything in a different perspective," Edna says. These unusual positions require as much thought as they do muscle, especially when it comes time to connect them to kicks and ginga. The confidence you gain from that, Edna says, is just as valuable as burning all those calories. "In capoeira, you can't ever leave your body." Plus, these floor exercises are great for your core and upper-body muscles.

The results of this combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise are almost immediate. "You're going to start seeing the lines of the muscles, not [bigger muscles] but definition of the body," Edna says. "And you walk taller."

[ivillage.com]

32 Weeks-8 months down!

32 weeks!! wow, it's now moving fast! I'm taking all the pictures in the same shirt so that I can see the "expansion" easy. John started painting the baby's room and it's sucking up a lot of paint. We bought the house with all the bedrooms still white. BUT, it should look great. It's just taking forever as we always plan for a weekend to do it, but then always fill the weekend up with things or running around as well. Shower is set for February 4th. Best day considering the Superbowl is on the 5th and there would be no football to miss for our Sat night party.

Going into our 2nd week of child birth classes tomorrow night. They want us to bring in something that we plan to use during labor as a focal point. She gave examples of the ultrasound, a picture..etc.. So, we thought it would be funny if we bring a bottle of beer or wine. LOL..still don't really know what to bring. I'll just grab something I guess. I'm sure when that time comes, that focal point will be thrown across the room.

Tomorrow starts the day of the NEW teaching schedule for both Greece RAC locations (listed on the right side bar). I'm very excited to hit the newly built Co-ed gym tomorrow night. I'm waiting for my new round 26 to arrive and planned on teaching it tomorrow night BUT, forgot it's a holiday tomorrow, so Mr. Mailman will not be stopping by with my new round. =( PLEASE for Tues! So, I'll be hitting R18 tomorrow as I did it today for Turbo/Pump and it was a great one to re-visit. I'll have to re-work the kicking section though as it didn't flow easily off of people's feet in class today. On a training note, if you are always doing the same form of exercise, and do not change, you won't see a change. Compliment your cardio impact classes with some PiYo type classes (Pilates/Yoga). You'll notice huge "gains" in your training when you cross-train.

Vacation and 30 Week Update

So we decided to take a Mexican vacation before we are huddled in a corner filled with diapers and pacifiers. We headed down to the Mayan Riviera and stayed at a resort, Aventura Spa Palace http://www.palaceresorts.com/Resorts/AventuraSpaPalace/Index.asp
Great weather the entire time we were there. Since I'm taking pictures every 2 weeks from this point on, I had to take my 30 week pregnancy update picture, so here I am with my official first day of tanning start.

We couldn't do much other than try to suck in as much sun and sleeping as possible. Fortunately, I spotted the 2 ONLY floaty mats in the whole resort. John and I quickly snatched them as that was going to be the ONLY way I could tan my back side (other than cutting a whole in the middle of a lounge chair). The positive aspect about this location, was it was on the ocean, but they created an inlet of the ocean water. So we floated on those mats. PHEW!

We took one day to go on an excursion up through Cancun and over to Isla Mujeres. It was devesating to drive through the city of Cancun and see the damage caused to the properties and hotels. They are working hard to build that city back up. Hotels were see-through. Hoping they recover quickly.

While at Isla Mujeres, we took the time to relax, and then go on a shopping trip in which I finally found a necklace and bracelet that was unique enough for my hubby for our 1 year anniversary present. Sadly, i'm usually the procrastinator on gifts for things as I'm always looking for the perfect item. (anniversary was 10/2).

Overall it was great to get away, and I wanted more sun. Slathering on the lotion as much as I can now to preserve what I can.

TURBO JAM in OXYGEN

TURBOJAM has made the REVIEWS section as "Things they think are great!" in the latest edition of Oxygen Magazine (February 2006).

This magazine is AWESOME for women as it really brings you to a new level in fitness. Many of the other fitness minded magazines for women, in my opinion, are too soft. They basically give you the same ol', same ol' info taking you no where near the goals you might have for yourself; if you have been fitness minded and really want to up it to the next level.

Other weight training magazines are too hard as well. Centering on taking tons of supplements and routines that are just not effective for women.
Oxygen is the best mix! It really brings you to a new level in health and fitness.

Personally, I've been fitness minded ever since I can remember. Always into sports, and in high school, competing as a cheerleader nationally and running track. You had to be strong and fit.
I'm no stranger to the weight room, and have learned more by jumping into the free weight room with the guys rather than staying on the cardio machines for 2 hours. Not saying doing cardio is bad, but hey, we all know, weight training is huge and you can't just do cardio!

So with this magazine featuring one of my MOST favorite workouts, I feel like we are soaring! TurboJam, TurboKick, and PiYo really are taking off even more! People have come to find that this is not just another workout!

I taught my last TK class last night at one of the branches of our 5 locations of the RAC's here in Rochester. With the start of the new year, I will be teaching at both Greece locations. It was so great to talk with members after class and hear one say she will miss me...but I told her, at least you will still have TK in this time slot. She said it's the best workout and hits everything! She won't give it up. It was so great to hear this from her, as YEAH, she's right! It hits every part of your body inside and out! BUT, also that it was coming from her who is about 55-60 years old. Turbo has no limits and won't limit anyone!

I'm so thankful to have been introduced to the Turbo family back in 2001. It's really taken me and a TON others to a new level in fitness and happiness in their workouts.

Tips to add variety to your Mind/Body classes

1) Introduce an uncommon pose – Try something unusual. For less popular poses visit http://www.allspiritfitness.com/library/features/aa062802a.shtml

2) The Rule of Half: If your style of PiYo™ or yoga is to hold each pose between 4 and 5 breaths, try the rule of halves. This means that you take your average number of breaths per pose and add approximately one half your current total. Therefore, if you hold poses for 4 breaths, and half of that is 2, then add 2 to the 4 breaths you currently practice, totaling 6 breaths. This change in style will place greater emphasis on the meditative benefits and challenge the static strength of participants. A few weeks later try reducing the number of breaths you use by one half, using 2 breaths per pose. This will place emphasis on the dynamic movement style of your workout and create a more physical experience.

3) Change Your Perspective: It’s such a basic way to change the feel of your class by asking participants to rotate their mats one ¼ turn. Be sure to practice your choreography with this new orientation. It should spark some amazing creativity

4) The Sense of Smell: While many facilities disallow the use of candles due to their inherent fire risk, the benefits of aroma therapy can be safely experienced by using personally mixed aromas at Bath and Body Works found in most malls. My favorite is eucalyptus and spearmint combined.

5) The Personal Touch – There are many ways to make physical contact with your participants without crossing the line. The use of aromatic oils and lotions is a great way to make safe contact. Before class begins visit each participant. Apply a small dab of aromatic lotion on two fingers. Ask each participant to extend two of his or her fingers. Now transfer the lotion. Explain that the lotion can be soothed into pressure points at the wrist, temples and a small dab under the nose. Nothing is more powerful than the lightest of human touch. Combine that with a soothing scent and you’ve created a powerful experience

6) The Endless Circle: Vary from the traditional class formation with everyone facing the mirror. Instead, lay your mat, or a candle (where allowed) in the center of the room. Ask each person to form a circle around the center. This helps participants learn to self-correct and avoid using the mirror for alignment cues.

7) BEGIN with a Quote: Often instructors END their classes with a quote, something to think about as participants embark on their day. Why not give them something to ponder all hour. This week BEGIN your class with a quote. I use http://www.thinkexist.com/ for inspirational or topical quotes.
(Powder Blue Productions Newsletter July 2004)

Just under 7 Months

Happy Holidays!
Today marks the day of my 33rd birthday and hitting 27 weeks and 1 day pregnant.
Figured I should start taking some pictures of me during this changing time. I feel great! This is a fantastic pregnancy. I truly believe that if you are active before and during, your pregnancy is a lot easier and better. I still have a ton of energy, still teach 7 classes a week, and believe that little Johnny inside will come out and want to hear his lullaby of Turbo music when he wants to go to sleep.

He moves around a lot, except when I put daddy's hand to feel, then he stops. Must be joking with daddy.
Registery is done and so has the bedroom set been purchased. Now just forever waiting on delivery and for my hubby to attack painting the room. He has some great ideas and I can't wait to see it complete.
Will be hosting a Jack and Jill shower most likely on January 21st or 28th. I would rather us party with friends and play catch phrase or mad gab. That will be a fun night, loud, but fun (surely loud as John has a few Blue lights in him).

Tips for New and Veteran Instructors-IDEA newsletter

With his dynamic personality, innovative moves and ability to inspire, Len Kravitz, PhD, an IDEA member since 1983, exemplified the best qualities of a fitness instructor in 1987, when he won the first IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year award. Now he teaches future fitness professionals in his role as program coordinator of exercise science and researcher at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

What advice does he have for group exercise instructors? Here are the Top 10 ideas he shares with colleagues, which he discussed in “Being the Message” in the October 2005 issue of IDEA Fitness Journal.

1. On self-improvement: The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.
2. On professional development: Capitalize on how you differ from others. Promote these assets to the fullest.
3. On dealing with industry changes: Change is the law of life. Our mind is like a parachute; it functions only when open.
4. On business ventures: Business is like a wheelbarrow; it stands still unless you pick it up and push it.
5. On luck: The harder I work, the luckier I get. Remember, triumph is just “umph” added to “try.”
6. On goal setting: If your mind can conceive it and your heart can believe it, then you can achieve it.
7. On breaking out of “ruts”: The toughest form of mountain climbing is getting out of a rut.
8. On life: Life is like riding a bicycle; you don’t fall off unless you stop pedaling.
9. On your professional services: Don’t promise more than you can deliver; deliver more than you can promise.
10. On being a role model: It isn’t good enough to teach a message; be the message.
For more of Kravitz’s insights, see pages 94-95 of the October 2005 issue of IDEA Fitness Journal.

Copyright © 2005 IDEA, Inc. All rights reserved

TURBOKICK AND PIYO CERTIFICATION: Rochester, NY

TurboKick(tm) Certification
November 5, 2005
Rochester Athletic Club
Henrietta, NY

WOW-Wee!! What a FUN day! Man, we rocked the house!! This was my final TK certification before I have to take a break since I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant. I'll tell ya, this group was not short for energy or craziness at all!! We had such great interaction, dancing, and laughs! This group worked very hard and earned every bit of their certification.

PiYo(tm) Certification:
November 6, 2005
Rochester Althetic Club
Greece, NY
What a great day, especially after following TK. Much needed time for stretching!

What a great group who had such a desire to learn, help, and do more!! The day flew by! I love this certification as it really brings a great foundation to both Yoga and Pilates and the key aspects we should be focusing on for every movement we do. Thanks guys for such a GREAT day!

TURBOKICK CERTIFICATION: Lancaster, MA

October 22, 2005
Orchard Hills Athletic Club
Lancaster, MA


WOW!! Did we have a great time at this certification!! We all arrived to find the room FREEZING cold, but we quickly warmed it up working that form and technique. Soon after, it was time to party TK style. First taste at getting to learn TurboKick's Round 24 was at about 11am. Had a great time as some veteran TK'ers arrived to have some fun.

This grouped worked HARD! I had a blast and hope they did too!! This will be one of my favorite certifications!

Everything Turbo and PiYo!

Welcome to Christine's Blog Spot! This is a very exciting time where Powder Blue Productions, the creators of TurboKick, PiYo, and TurboJAM....is sweeping across the nation!

I welcome you to post any comments, share ideas, and ask as many questions as you have.
we are all here with the same common goal, to get healthy and have FUN while doing it!

This website will be updated frequently with my teaching schedule and locations, my dates and locations for certifications, master classes, TIPS, as well as an active location how how to jump into teaching TK or PiYo.
Again, I encourage you ask/post any request you might have to make this site better and more informative.

Thank you for visting, and Let's get this party started!!!