Posted by terrepruitt on October 2, 2020
I thought I had posted all of the pictures of watercolors that I had. All of the watercolors I have posted were from the San Jose Community Centers where I used to teach yoga, Nia, and stretch. Most of them were from Willow Glen, a couple (I think it was two) were the Camden Community Center. The Willow Glen Community Center always had such great art. This is the last one. He is bright and beautiful and I share him with you for today’s Friday Photo.
Posted in Friday Photo | Tagged: Camden Community Center, colorful bird, Friday Photo, Nia, San Jose Community Centers, watercolors, Willow Glen Community Center, Yoga | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on February 14, 2020
This water color is from the Camden Community Center where I teach stretch on Thursdays. It is in a cabinet behind glass so there is the reflection of the lobby in the picture. But . . . I still thought it was sweet and a perfect share to a Friday Photo that happens to be Valentine’s Day!
Posted in Friday Photo | Tagged: Camden Community Center, conversation hearts, Friday Photo, stretch class, Valentine's Day, water color, watercolor | 9 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on July 22, 2019
Last Thursday while I was teaching the Thursday evening yoga class I realized that I had been teaching at the Willow Glen Community for six years. Then I looked at my How Long Have You Been Teaching Here? post and realized it was six years to the day! I started teaching gentle yoga at that community center on July 18 in 2013. It was supposed to be a temporary gig.
I am happy to say that they kept asking me back. Hopefully we can keep the class going for many more years to come. It has grown in attendance, which is nice. It started out with maybe five people and now we are cutting off the sign up at 22 (I think). Usually, not all the people that sign up show up at the same time so we end up with 12 to 15 people.
I’ll also have been teaching Nia on Thursdays for six years this year, but in September. The original time we started back in 2013 was 8:45. I understand the necessity for classes starting on the quarter hour, but sometimes that is not as standard as on the hour or half hour so we were able to change it to a 9:00 am start time in 2015.
Then we even changed locations in January of 2019. The program under which Nia was offered with the City of San Jose was cancelled. The feedback I received from the participants was that they wanted a class that they could drop into – which was not going to be allowed under the new program. So I found a new place to have Nia on Thursdays. We were so lucky that it happens to be right down the street from the community center AND it is on the same day AND it is at the same time. I am so happy that I was able to keep it so close to the same as to make it very convenient for the students. So, as I said, come September 2019, I will have been teaching Nia on Thursday for six years!
In February it had been five years that I have been teaching gentle yoga at the Cypress Community Center. At the time I was teaching Nia before the yoga class so I wasn’t able to step into the original class time when they called to ask me to teach it, but the students that had been signed up for that session agreed to move the class to 10:30. So the class has been at 10:30 on Tuesdays since February 2014.
Our stretch class has been going on for three years. This one is the one that have changed the most. First of all before I started teaching the class it was held at noon. But when I took over we moved it to 10:15 (that weird start time) because I was teaching Nia from 9:00 to 10:00 and when I took over teaching stretch we had to relocate from one room to the next so we needed time to do that. Plus it is always nice to have at least 10 minutes in between classes so that students can exit and enter and those wanting to take both classes can take care of any needs they might have (the instructor too!). Stretch was at the community center, but again, when the city changed programs the students wanted to have class passes and drop-ins so we moved stretch to the same place we moved Nia. Not enough people attended the stretch class though, so the studio could not support it.
So, we moved stretch to the park. The park is great. It is a very nice park. It suits our needs just in fine. There is a huge tree under which we can put our mats. Most of the time the students start off with their mats in the sun and after about 15 minutes they move into the shade. But even though we have great weather in California, we will not be able to stay outside through the winter so we are moving back to the community center. If you want to join us for stretch at the community center, please register. Here is a link to my site that will have the links to register. I don’t want to put the links here as they will die eventually and I rather not have dead links on my blog. (I try not to.)
When we moved stretch to the park we adjusted the start time so that we would have time to get from the studio to the park. It starts at 10:30. When it moves to the community center it will start at 10:30 because I will still need the time to get from the studio to the community center. It actually only takes about 5 minutes to get to either place from the studio, but I can’t guarantee that I can leave right after class. Sometimes I have to talk to students and/or attend to other things so it is safest to start class when I can guarantee for the most part that I can be there.
Well, this post just start out because I was excited that I had been teaching gentle yoga at the Willow Glen Community center for six years to the day and wanted to share . . . the other info just seemed a logical follow.
Do you take any group exercise classes?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Cambrian Yoga and Cardio Dance, Camden Community Center, City of San Jose, community center, Cypress Community Center, gentle yoga, Nia, park stretch, stretch class, teaching anniversary, Willow Glen Community Center, Yoga, yoga students | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on March 8, 2019
Ooooo! I found this kitty at the community center where I teach Nia. I love it. It was behind glass though so there is a lot of reflection. But she is still beautiful.
This is the latest watercolor animal for my Friday Photo.
Posted in Friday Photo | Tagged: Camden Community Center, cat, Colorful Kitty, community center, Friday Photo, kitty, Nia, Nia class, watercolor painting | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on June 15, 2018
This is almost turning into Friday Flowers or Flowers on Friday. I know, I know. But I love flowers. And these are sitting on the front desk counter at the Camden Community Center where I teach Nia and stretch. I was talking to the people at the front desk and these were right in my face and I couldn’t help but notice them. They are so beautiful. They smell good, too!
I hope you don’t mind all these flowers for the Friday Photo.
Posted in Friday Photo | Tagged: beautiful roses, Camden Community Center, City of San Jose exercise classes, Friday Photo, Nia class, stretch class | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on July 24, 2017
I am going to address this again because so many people are not aware of the programs in San Jose that are available through the Parks and Recreation Department. Back in 2015 I wrote a post explaining the main difference of two of their programs. To summarize, there is the program that many of you are familiar with because many of us grew up with it, that is the program the city calls the Leisure Class Program. These are classes in the booklets the Parks and Recs Department prints and sends out. There are ALL types of classes – don’t let the name “Leisure” fool you. There are language classes, art and craft classes, music lessons, cooking lessons, dance classes, exercise classes . . . .and a lot more. They are set up in sessions where you register and pay for the entire session before the first class. The session consists of a set number of meetings and when you register you pay for all of them. You may be familiar with those types of classes . . you may have even signed up for one of those sessions and had it cancelled because not enough people signed up. That is always disappointing . . . that is why it is important to sign up early. Anyway . . . there is also another program called SJCITY Fit . . . it is a version of Group Ex which was discontinued in 2015. But it is somewhat the same in that it is like a gym membership. You pay monthly and you have access to all the classes that are in the SJCITY Fit program, PLUS the gyms at three locations. The SJCITY Fit Program classes are exercise classes.
There are a lot of people who are not aware of this program that the city offers. I talk to people all the time that think the exercise classes through the city of San Jose are just the leisure type of class. I teach both. I teach some SJCITY Fit classes and I teach some Leisure Classes. There are benefits to both, so it really depends on what works for you. But it is nice to know that you have options.
There are some people who like to go to a class everyday. For the people who just want to have a class to go to every day, the SJCITY Fit program is great. The SJCITY Fit classes are offered at three of the community centers in San Jose; Camden, Almaden, and Bascom. Some people like the convince of going to the community center that is closest to their house, so they might join the Leisure Classes. There are a lot more community centers that offer the Leisure Classes. It all depends on what works for you.
The SJCITY Fit classes are on-going . . . meaning there is no end. Yeah, sometimes there might be a cancelled class if the teacher has an emergency and can’t get a sub in time, but the class is scheduled to just go on and on.
I have all of my classes on my website, but since I teach for BOTH programs it might be confusing sometimes. I think it is important for you to know the difference so you can decide what class you want to take.
At the time of this post, under the Leisure Program, I teach two yoga classes. One class is at the Cypress Community Center and the other one is at the Willow Glen Community Center. You register for the session. Although Cypress is unique and will allow you to drop in. But typically, with Leisure classes, you need to register for the entire session.
At the time of this post I teach THREE NIA classes under the SJCITY Fit program and one stretch class under the SJCITY Fit program. So for one monthly fee you can take all four classes a week. PLUS attend all the other classes that are offered through the SJCITY Fit program PLUS go to the gyms. If you don’t want to join the monthly membership you can drop in for $6.00 per class.
Usually . . . although I can’t say for sure . . . but usually . . the city has a special at the end of the year. They offer an annual membership for a great deal and you just buy that and you are set for the year. But they do not offer the annual membership all year. It is usually for a limited time. After that time is up any membership purchased is only monthly. We will see what they do at the end of this year. I will keep you updated.
I just wanted to share – trying to get the word out there – and try to clarify that there are two ways you can exercise with the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of San Jose: SJCITY Fit and Leisure Classes. These are GREAT programs – hopefully you will take part in what the city has to offer!
Did you know that the City of San Jose has something akin to a gym membership? Did you know that “Leisure Classes” include EXERCISE classes, too?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Almaden Community Center, annual membership, Bascom Community Center, Camden Community Center, City of San Jose Group Ex, City of San Jose Leisure Classes, City of San Jose Parks and Recreation Department, Cypress Community Center, drop in classes, exercise classes, monthly membership, Nia, parks and rec, San Jose, San Jose Community Centers, San Jose Gym, SJCity Fit, Willow Glen Community Center, Yoga | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on October 24, 2015
Many of you are familiar with Parks and Recreation Departments and classes they run through the Community Centers. These are classes that are in the booklets. There are ALL types of classes. There are music lessons, arts and crafts, exercise classes, cooking classes, language classes . . . . just all types of classes. They are set up in what many community centers call sessions. There might be a flower arranging class that is an eight week session, just meaning that there are eight times that class will meet. People must register and pay for all eight meetings prior to the first day of the class. Some of us have experienced the disappointment when we register for a class only to find out a few days before it is supposed to start, that not enough people have registered so the class is cancelled. That is always a bummer. In the City of San Jose Parks and Recreation Department they call these classes leisure classes. Presently there is also something in the San Jose Parks and Recreation Department called Group Ex. Group Ex is exercise classes. The Group Ex is more like a gym, in the sense that you pay a membership fee and then can attend any of the classes that are in the Group Ex program – plus the gym/exercise room – for that one fee. The Group Ex structure also allows for “drop-ins”, where people can participate in a class for a fee without having pre-registered or to be a member. These classes are on-going so they don’t have the same type of structure as a leisure/session class.
There arewere two ways you cancould become a member, one is monthly or you cancould purchase an annual membership. Both ways allow the member to attend any exercise class that is part of the Group Ex program. This program really got people out of the house and exercising. The cost of membership was unbeatable.
Most of the people who come to my Nia classes go to multiple classes per week, sometimes multiple classes per day. I hear them plan their weeks and their days with each other. They have it all worked out . . . their workouts.
I have been wanting to post something about the differences between Group Ex and Leisure classes for a long time. Because I teach both. The differences confuse some people. Some people are familiar with the leisure class way and they don’t even know there is something like Group Ex through the city. Some people who have never taken a leisure class (before there was even such a thing as Group Ex) are not familiar with that. So when I go to explain the different classes I teach it can be confusing. So I have been meaning to post something about it to help clarify.
Well, I guess the time is now. It is now because the city of San Jose is discontinuing the Group Ex program as of January 31, 2016. They are only going to have leisure classes. So that means that any class they have that you might want to take will be offered in “sessions”. So you will have to sign up for the entire session in order to take the class.
I want to let people know that just because the Parks and Recreation Department calls it a leisure class doesn’t mean it is just about “leisure”. They still might be offering some of the same exercise classes that are presently a part of the Group Ex program that allow you to get your workout on. It will just not be the type of format that you can just take anytime you want. You will have to sign up in advance for the entire the entire session.
I don’t know what classes they plan on offering, but I wanted to finally get a post up about the difference between leisure classes and Group Ex so when the time comes people will know the difference.
We still have three months of Group Ex before the change occurs. Next month on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, we are going to have a Nia class at 10:15 am at the Camden Community Center. So there will be four Nia classes a week at the Camden Community Center until January 31, 2016.
Click here to see a copy of the notification sent out from the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services.
I hope you will come dance with us at the Camden Community Center before the end of January!
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Camden Community Center, City of San Jose, community centers, exercise classes, Group Ex. leisure classes, Nia Classes, Parks, Parks and Recreation Departments, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, workout classes | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 25, 2015
Today we had a workshop to talk about and discover the Nia Five Sensations. Just like a lot of things we do and use in Nia, the five sensations are not unique to Nia, but they are tools we use to enhance our dance exercise. In a Nia class we strive to be in sensation. Being aware of the sensations allows us to choose and dance what we need at the time of the class. We had a small turn out, but the number of attendants is never the measure of success. One of my Nia Students and fellow Nia Blue Belt’s helped me present the workshop. This workshop was held at the request of the Camden Community Center. Our participants shared that they felt they had a better understanding of the sensations and would be able to apply awareness to them either in a Nia class or just in everyday life.
First we started off moving right away. The participants walked in, we said hello then started dancing. We danced to two songs. Then we did a brief introduction of Nia then we shared the five sensations and how we experience them everyday. We shared how they could be helpful to know and be aware of in a Nia class. The 5 sensations are: Flexibility, Agility, Mobility, Strength, and Stability (FAMSS).
Then we moved to each sensation. As we talked we guided the students into the sensations. We shared that flexibility is sensed as energy moving outward. It is the opening your body, the lengthening and yawning. So we stretched and yawned our bodies open. We reached out to lengthen our limbs. We imagined our bones moving away from our center. We practiced sensing the sensation even as our bodies showed no outward movement.
We talked about how agility can be sensed in the quick start and stop of a movement. It is the physical feeling of pulling and pushing. We hopped and jumped. We chopped and slapped. We “played” soccer and tennis. We danced in a “strobe like” fashion. We even stood still and let our gaze bounce around as our eyes moved with agility.
When talking about mobility we said it is sensed as energy in constant motion. It is youthful freedom. (A description from the Nia Technique that I really like.) It is flowing movement, graceful, and easy. We twirled and whirled around the room. We let our bodies ebb and flow. We rolled like the ocean. We moved our arms. We moved our legs. We mobilized our spine. We allowed the energy of constant motion to energize us.
We used the ballet bar and wall to start us off understanding that strength is sensed as energy moving inward. With that first example it gives way to us sensing strength as a resisting, or a quality of weighted energy being moved in ways that allow you to sustain a movement or posture. It is the contraction of muscle. It is the muscle squeezing bone. We contracted and pushed. We squeezed and resisted. Allowing the effort to tire us a bit.
Then we experienced the calm of stability. Stability is sensed as balance and comfort. It is the physical feeling of harmony and peace combined with readiness for action.
After having practiced the sensations we then added them to the stances that are part of the 52 Moves of Nia. We moved through the stances in the 5 sensations. Then we put on the music and danced the stances in sensation. After two songs we reviewed the kicks that are part of the 52 Moves of Nia. We moved through the sensations doing the kicks. Then onto dancing again. We danced doing our kicks in sensation.
We finished off the workshop with two songs focusing on the sensations, but primarily using the Nia choreography and not so much sticking with the kicks and stances. This allowed us to practice dancing in the sensations to whatever moves that come as part of a Nia routine.
It was a great little taste of the Nia 5 Sensations. I can say that because no matter what I am teaching it is ALWAYS the students that make the class GREAT!
Are you aware of any of these sensations in your everyday life?
Posted in Nia | Tagged: 52 Moves of Nia, aware of sensation, Camden Community Center, dance exercise, energy moving out, FAMSS, Group Ex, Group X, Nia Blue Belt, Nia choreography, Nia class, Nia five sensations, Nia Playshop, Nia routines, Nia students, Nia Technique, Nia workshop, San Jose City exercise Classes, San Jose Parks and Rec | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 22, 2015
What is going on with you? Here? Me? Well, I mentioned that Nia released four new routines at the end of the year. I mentioned I ordered three. Well, I received them and I listened to the music for the one I had planned to learn first and just as I expected. The music for the entire routine is from ONE artist. When I originally noticed that, I thought that might be an issue for me. I thought that it would all sound the same and I wasn’t too excited about that prospect. But the music from the routine I didn’t order was even less appealing. Now, let me explain that we are able to listen to snippets of the songs. Like on iTunes. It only plays for a moment. As you may have found out from listening to snippets on iTunes some times what you hear is not exactly what you get. I mean sometimes a song can change dramatically. The Nia website used to allow us to listen to the entire song, but now we only get a short preview. So . . . having listened to the previews of all the songs for all the routines, I “didn’t like” the music of one routine. That is why I didn’t order it. But I was leery of the “One artist” routine. But the snippets sounded different enough, I thought it would be ok. Turns out . . . not so much. But . . . often times the first “listen through” of a routine’s music reveals an instant “I don’t like”, but that fades or disappears entirely sometimes. So, I have faith it will be fine, but . . . it caused me to decide to work on learning a different routine. So I am in the process of learning a new routine.
I always look at them for the first time and think, “Oh cool. That’s not too hard. I can learn it quick.” But then . . . for me that is not the case. It is one thing to be able to dance to a routine, but it is another to be able to lead it. I could just take it to class and we could play with it, but I like to have a really good handle on it first.
But . . . . somewhat exciting news . . . as is always happening at places that have exercise classes, it seems as if there is going to be a change in the schedule at one of the facilities where I teach. So they are looking to fill a spot, but they don’t really think they want another cardio class, but . . . . I know that it takes time to find the right class and a teacher that can do it, so I offered to do Nia in the meantime. Well, much to my surprise the supervisor took me up on that deal. As in starting next week. The odd thing is – I was already set to sub the class one day, so it is basically like I am taking it over tomorrow.
Another exciting thing is the response I have received from the Nia students that currently attend the other classes I teach. They are excited to have an additional Nia class. Many of them said they would take the class. So . . . we will see. I am secretly –ok, so it is not a secret (!!) hoping that the class will do well and the center will let me keep it. With Group Ex classes we know that nothing is permanent because things sometimes need to change, but there is the “permanent” and we like that. So it could be that I end up taking routines into the classroom sooner than normal if I get to teach four classes a week, regularly!
I am going to go be a student on Saturday. One of the Nia students that used to attend my classes moved to a different area. I am going to visit her. We are going to go to a Nia class she now regularly attends. I think being a student will be a great energizer. I don’t take the time out to be a student as much as I would like. Seems like I am always trying to learn a routine so I don’t take time out from that. But this was planned in advance and it will be perfect.
My hubby and I are still adding to our Goodie Jar. It is looking quite festive with all of the Christmas wrapping paper scraps we are using.
Did I mentioned the Nia Events I have on the calendar for March? There is going to be a Friday evening class and a Saturday playshop? The evening class will be a routine done to 80’s music and the playshop is all about Free Dance. The Nia Teacher that is going to do both is Jason Alan Griffin. I wrote a post about him, First Degree Nia Black Belt Guest Teacher because he brought his Goldfinger routine to the East Bay Area last year.
Whew! So that is what is up with me. Do tell, what is up with you?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Camden Community Center, cardio class, cardio workout, City of San Jose, East Bay Area Nia, Goldfinger, Goodie Jar, group exercise, iTunes, Jason Alan Griffin, New Nia Routines, Nia, Nia Class with the City, Nia Classes, Nia events, Nia Music, Nia students, playshop, previews of songs, San Jose Group Ex classes, snippets of songs | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 1, 2015
This year we were lucky to have a visitor for our Goodie Jar reading. My niece was visiting and she helped us relive the moments that made us smile. I am a smart enough aunt to know that I have an amazing niece so she was mentioned often in my notes of “Good Things”. Here are some of the highlights from the jar:
~My niece treated us to the Nutcracker Ballet in San Francisco
~Nightingales
~May 29, (2014) was the first “coffee” visit with they Camden Community Center Nia Class
~Wicked
~Colleen came to say goodbye to Spot (06.24.14)
As you can see from the pictures there were a lot more. I’ve had some people ask me what to put in the Good Things Jar. It really is up to you. I am seeing a lot of different versions of “jars” this year so I really think it all depends on you. What do you want your jar to do? The point of my jar is to keep me focused on the GOOD THINGS IN LIFE. There are so many things that can be considered “not good”. It is very easy to get distracted and end up with a negative attitude and to forget all of the blessings that are around us. So, for me, it is a way to keep the blessings in my life at the forefront. That does not mean I can’t be sad or get mad or pout . . . .or whatever . . . it just is a reminder to not stay sad, mad, or pouty. Because that — to me is an insult to the good stuff.
There is another benefit to my Goodie Jar. In addition to making a note and helping me stay focused it really is fun for me to read the good things at the end of the year and to remember. While my family might not enjoy it as much as I do . . . they tolerate it. I even tell stories regarding some of the GOOD THINGS, if they will let me.
I have mentioned before in posts that I like to use different types of paper. I like to fold them in different shapes and ways. It makes the jar look festive. I noticed last night that the ones my niece grabbed to read were the spiral ones, the ones folded in shapes, or the really festive looking. Yeah, it is fun.
Also pictured here is this post are the pieces of paper we are going to use to fill up the jar in 2015. Yeah, it started off as a one-time thing, but this will be our third year of doing it. I am really loving this tradition. I love the practice throughout the year. I love the decorative jar that sits out all year round reminding me that there has been good things. I love the “ceremony” (to me it is) of reading the good things.
I wish I could remember the origin of this aside from Facebook. I mean, I know WHO I got it from, but I don’t remember where/who SHE got it from. But the Good Things jar was not my idea. Using a beautiful pitcher is my idea and filling it with different types of paper is my idea. Re-using wrapping paper . . . my idea. But the original idea . . . . don’t know. But THANK YOU!
So, what good things have happened to you in 2014? Do you have a Goodie Jar? Are you going to have one for 2015?
Posted in Good Things in the Goodie Jar | Tagged: blessings, Camden Community Center, dance exercise, Facebook, good things jar, Goodie Jar, great idea, New Year's Eve, New Year's Visitor, Nia, Nia class, Nia Dance, niece, Nutcracker Ballet San Francisco, San Jose Community Centers, Spot the cat, Wicked, yoga classes | 2 Comments »
Terre Pruitt's Blog 