Posts Tagged ‘Nia class’
Posted by terrepruitt on June 1, 2011
Ok, so I did my ten minute workout. I did it in the afternoon instead of the morning because I had Nia class to teach today and afternoon is the time my schedule allowed me to do it.
I ALMOST did all ten exercises twice in 10 minutes. I was going very fast. I am not able to do the length of lunges I want because of my right toe/foot, so that makes it faster–I think. But I had my list propped up (the list pictured in the Ten Minute Workout post) and I jumped from my triceps kick backs to sit-ups. When I looked up to see what was next I realized that I skipped hamstring curls so I did those. Then I did my sit-ups again. So I got messed up . . . it wasn’t really the sit-ups that messed me up. 🙂 Then as I was doing the last set of stability ball passes, I realized I was counting only on the top touch down.
So, I think that because I was going so fast I was basically able to do the list twice going over by 33 seconds. But YOU do it your way. Slow, fast, heavy, light, whatever you need to do to get moving for 10 minutes.
Ok, so? Did YOU do it today?
Posted in Ten Minute Workout check-in | Tagged: 10 minute exercise, 10 minute workout, afternoon workout, hamstring curls, morning workout, Nia, Nia class, Nia Teacher, sit ups, Sit-up, teach Nia, ten exercises in 10 minutes, ten minute workout, ten/ten/ten, tricep, Triceps kick backs, twenty exercises in twenty minutes, workout for 10 minutes | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 19, 2011
Today I taught Nia. It was not a Nia class, but a one-on-one session. No matter what I am teaching, a class, a playshop, a move, a song, an individual, I always learn things myself. It is amazing. Sometimes I am reminded of something. Today I was reminded of how fun it is to teach someone something new. To explain something in a way that allows them to understand. In some instances it might be the information is received and then there is still learning or “mastering” to be done, but they have the tool you gave them. In some instances they just have it. It just depends on what it is. But it is amazing.
When I am learning a new routine I would love to be able to take a perfect “product” into my class. But there is often a point where I know it is not perfect, but I can’t learn anymore by myself. So I take it into class and usually that first time in that one hour I learn more than (or just as much as) I had learned in the time it I spent getting to the point I where I took it into the class. Amazing. I might have actually said this very thing before in a previous post, so it might sound familiar to you. Or it could sound familiar because you have experienced something similar. Learning as you are teaching. I love that!
Well, it is May and for the past week, maybe two it has been cold and raining here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I don’t mind it so much. Especially since, as you may know, I have a new found love . . . making soups with my immersion blender! The last one I made I made it too spicy and I couldn’t eat it. I was very sad. But my husband loved it which was great because he was stuck eating the whole pot. I was thinking it would be the last batch before the warm weather comes in and I might have been right. The past two days have been pretty warm and very beautiful.
It seems like spring might actually finally be here.
During the cold one of my friends posted a picture of some of her flowers. She had cut them and brought them in the house and posted “At least it’s springtime inside the house.” She inspired me. It took me a few days, but I cut these from a tiny rose bush we have in our yard. These are VERY small roses. The bush is probably not even two feet high.
I just wanted to share. I wanted to share the beautiful flowers, the beauty in a sign of spring, the excitement of learning as you teach, the wonder and beauty of the world. I wanted to share and I wanted to say I am looking forward to living in the beauty that is, and learning as I go.
Posted in Flowers, Misc | Tagged: Bay Area Nia, beautiful flowers, beauty, emulsion blender use, Flowers, immersion blender, learning as you teach, May 2011, Nia, Nia Bay Area, Nia class, Nia Playshop, Nia routine, Nia Song, rain in May, rose bush, Roses, San Francisco Bay Area, San Francisco Bay Area Nia, soups, spring, teaching Nia | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 14, 2011
After my Los Gatos Nia Class yesterday I went to the store. I wanted to get some food to take to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life today. I grabbed a bunch of celery for a snack. I think people like celery. I don’t. But I didn’t realize how much I didn’t like it until I started cutting it and washing it. I do not like celery. As I was dealing with it I kept thinking, “What a useless vegetable.” Well, I don’t really think that is true. I mean it has to be good for something besides as a filler in casseroles, salads, and soups. So . . . . to the cloud. Ok not really because I don’t even know what that is, but I definitely decided to look it up. Since I am going to be gone all day today at the walk, I thought I would jot down my celery education as my Saturday blog post. Yay!
As I think back on so many things (soups, salads, and casseroles) that I didn’t like as a child I realize it is because they had celery in them. I realize when I cook these things myself, I love them because I don’t put celery in them. But, as I truly believed, celery is not useless. The stalk, root, leaves, and seeds can all be used.
Celery (the stalk) is a great source of vitamin K and vitamin C. A cup can provide you with 2.04 grams fiber. Do people normally eat a cup of celery when they eat celery?
Celery contains nutrients that have been linked with lowering blood pressure, reducing high cholesterol, and helpful in preventing cancer. The phthalides are the compounds that help with lowering blood pressure. The vitamin C helps with the immune system. I’ve posted before about how chronic inflammation is associated with many diseases, vitamin C help reduce inflammation by helping contain free radicals, so does the coumarins also found in celery.
According to Wiki celery is like peanuts in that people who are allergic to it can have a very bad reaction as people with peanuts do. As with peanuts people who are allergic to celery can get a reaction from something that has been used to process it. Stalks, seeds, and roots all have varying degrees of potency.
As I was cutting the celery, just the smell was bothering me. And it is like an onion, not as strong, but once it gets your hands you can’t wash it off. I probably washed my hands at least 10 times in the course of my preparation of snacks for the walk and it never came off. As I was cutting it I kept thinking, “Peppery.” Not sure why. Since I was getting so disgusted while dealing with it, I thought, “Is it REALLY that bad?” So I cut a small piece off to taste it. I put it in my mouth and bit down. Yup, it IS that bad. I spit it out. I just do not like celery.
I did have celery soup a couple of times and I did like that so I don’t know what that means. Except that I WILL be trying my hand at making the soup but I will not be adding celery to anything I make. Any fans out there? Do you eat it raw? Do you disguise the taste by filling it with cream cheese? Or peanut butter? Do you cook with it?
Thanks, as always, for letting me share. And thanks, in advance, for sharing back. 🙂
Posted in Food, Vegetables | Tagged: American Canser Society, casseroles with celery, celery salad, celery seed, celery soup, celery stalk, chronic inflammation, cream cheese, free radicals, Los Gatos Nia, lowering blood pressure, Nia, Nia class, Nia Los Gatos, peanut allergy, preventing cancer, Relay For Life, vitamin C, walk snacks | 18 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 10, 2011
I heard about Nia about three years ago. I have been a Nia Teacher for almost two and a half years. Nia has been around since the early 80s, so about 28 years. Jazzercise has been around even longer than that, since 1969—if you can believe that. And Zumba, it has only been around 10 years. All of these dance workouts could have, at one point been considered exercise fads. But they have proven to be here to stay. This is a good thing. They will adjust and change over the years and probably be around for another 28, 42, and 10 years or more. But what about some of the fads?
A lot of exercise fads have been equipment. Do you remember the Thighmaster? The Gazelle sold by that huge guy with long hair (Tony Little)? The Ab -blaster, -rocker, -roller, you name it there was/is an “AB”-something or rather? What about the shake weight? What is up with that?
What about Tae Bo? Still around? Rollerblading? Yes, a lot of these things, these “fads” are still around. But at one point they were HUGELY popular—-seemed like EVERYONE was doing them (whatever the “IN” thing is at the time)–well that is what a fad is. But you know what is kinda cool? Some people continue to do them. So while not everyone you know is out rollerblading there are people who still do it. It is something they enjoy doing. It is how they get their exercise or just relax. There are people who still do Tae Bo. And if not Tae Bo one of the hundreds of other classes like it. Tae Bo might have started it. It was a fad, but it is still going on. Someone somewhere is still doing it.
What I am getting at is unless the fad is actually dangerous or unhealthy they are good. They get people moving. Most of the “machines” or equipment won’t actually do what they promise, but some of it can get people moving. If they are really worth anything they will be proven to be worth it. If they stay around for any length of time they will also adjust because in order to last they need to change as things change. We learn new things about exercise and the body all the time so a long-lasting workout or exercise machine/equipment will have to adapt. But in the mean time a lot of the fads just get people up and moving and that really is a good thing.
Have you bought anything you are brave enough to admit? Is there a fad that you joined in on, but then really love it so you still do it?
Posted in Exercise and Working Out | Tagged: Abblaster, abrocker, abroller, aerobic classes, aerobic workouts, Cardio classes, cardio workouts, dance workouts, exercise equiment, exercise fads, exercise machines, Gazelle, Jazzercise, Jazzercise class, Nia, Nia class, Nia Teacher, Roller blading, rollerblading, shake weight, Tae Bo, Thighmaster, Zumba, Zumba class | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 28, 2011
I have written before about how we set a focus and intent for every Nia class. With each Nia routine there is a set focus and intent, one that was used at the recording of the training DVD, but with Nia we are invited to use different focuses and different intents. Using different focuses and intents allows for different sensations to be experienced with the Nia routines. This week I am teaching the original focus and intent with the routine. The focus is yin and yang.
I like this information I found regarding Yin and Yang, it states: “Yin yang are complementary opposites that interact within a greater whole, as part of a dynamic system. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, but either of these aspects may manifest more strongly in particular objects, and may ebb or flow over time. ”
With yin yang as a focus when we move our upper extremities in a manner akin to yin and our base in a yang manner we have complementary opposites moving the body which is the greater whole. Additional yin yang sensations are hard and soft, rough and smooth, straight and curved, up and down, stable and wobbly, loud and quiet, silly and serious . . . . .ooooooh the list goes on and on.
Yin Yang is amazing. It allows for many different movements, ideas, sensations, and feelings. We move our bodies slow, then we move hips fast as our arms float slowly in the air, then its our whole body fast. We hop reminding our legs of the sensation of agility, then we spend time with hands in a flutter so they can experience the fast start and stop of agility. We invite our neurons to stretch and grow having one hand flutter and the other one move slowly through the air. There are moments when the whole body is moving in unison in a yin way then it moves in unison in a yang way. There are points where upper body is move in either yin or yang while the body is moving in yang or yin then there is a switch. Yin yang is an exercise in coordination. Also great balance practice. As an example stand on one leg, then still standing on one leg move your arms around you in a quiet manner, then make them loud. That yin yang really trains the intrinsic muscles for greater stability.
What made me think about sharing this was today while I was doing something at home I thought, “Do in yin and yang!” So I did it fast then I did it slow, then I did it on two legs and then I did it on one leg. Whatever I was doing I realized that I could bring the focus from my Nia class this week into my everyday household chores. Yes, I know I have actually put this in a post before . . . in Nia we do “Dance Through Life“. This is dancing through life. I just love when I am dancing through life and I can share it in a post easily.
I invite you to move through your day experiencing yin and yang. So things fast then slow, move one arm fast and the other slow, move big, move little, move big and little at the same time . . . you understand. Go. Dance through life . . . be yin . . . be yang . . . be yin and yang!
Posted in Nia | Tagged: balance exercies, balance workout, Dancing Through Life, dynamic system, ebb and flow, focus and intent, intrinsic muscles, Nia class, Nia exercise, Nia focus, Nia intent, Nia routine, Nia workout, upper extremities, Yin and Yang, Yin Yang | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 16, 2011
All week long I have been thinking about the Nia Class I am having to Benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. I have been thinking and planning, but I waited until the last minute to DO. It is late the night before and I am printing, practicing, creating, thinking, writing, but at least I am not worrying. All week long I felt like the person who plans a party and then worries that no one will show up. Have you ever had that worry? I was worried but then I talked to a few people who said they are going to come. I would like a full house, but I am just glad that I won’t be by myself.
As I was thinking about having a party and having no one show up I remembered something about a party when I was young. I remembered being invited to a party. It was a birthday party. I don’t think I knew the girl well, she was one of those quiet children that hadn’t been around for long. Sadly I don’t remember her name, nor do I remember when she left. But I do remember her party. Well, that isn’t even true. I remember at one point I didn’t want to go. I remember hemming and hawing and talking to my mom about not going. But then I decided to go.
My mom drove me to the place where the party was. I remember it was a trailer park. I think it was not far from my house. I remember the birthday girl in a dress. I remember us waiting together for more people to show up. No one else came. I remember feeling so bad for my friend. I remembering feeling bad that I almost didn’t even show up myself. This all came to me in a rush this past week as I was thinking, “What if no one shows up?” I remember how hurt my friend was. It made me sad remembering.
As I mentioned, I can’t remember much more of the party. I don’t remember a lot of the details obviously, but I do remember I was the only one that went. I don’t think I have ever been to another party where that had happened. I don’t think I have ever had that happen. I usually pester a couple of friends into telling me whether they are coming or not because I DON’T want to have a party and have no one show up. Hosting a party and hosting a class are two different things. I don’t feel it is as bad pestering people about whether they are attending your party, but I don’t feel right doing that when it comes to having a class. I am just happy that a few people are coming and so I won’t be dancing by myself and I will at least have a few donations to add to the relay.
It is odd the things you remember. While I was remembering about my friend from grade school I sent out a little positive thought. I hope that she is doing well. Maybe you can send out a positive thought for me too . . . help the benefit for cancer Nia class be a success. Thanks!
http://bit.ly/terreacsrelay
Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, benefit, Benefit class, birthday party, donations, Nia class, party guests, Relay For Life | 10 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 14, 2011
One Monday after my Nia Class, I went to a store down the street from the studio in San Jose. I went to a shoe store in Willow Glen. I had decided that I was going to buy myself some MBTs. MBTs have been around since 1996. I would say since 1997 I have wanted them. But they were huge, clunky, and EXTREMELY expensive. I had never even tried any on because I could never bring myself to spend over $200 on tennis shoes.
I am very excited to have FINALLY purchased a pair of MBTs. I spent almost two hours in the store trying on different styles. I was fortunate that I liked the ones that were on sale. Yay! Even though the price of tennis shoes has probably caught up to the price of MBTs. I still couldn’t bring myself to spend $200 on tennis shoes. I figured if they help me walk properly they really are worth it, but I am still glad I saved my Christmas gifts so I could splurge on these “shoes”.
What are MBTs you ask?
MBTs are the “antishoe”. Their websites states: “MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology) was born in 1996 when we discovered that natural instability can have positive effects on the human body. We made this discovery by observing the wonderfully agile Masai people walking barefoot on natural, uneven ground.” Because the shoes were designed to allow us to experience walking on uneven ground even as we walk on flat ground the idea is that one needs to give the body time to adjust. I looked on the site to see if they have a guide as to how to acclimate the body, but I didn’t see anything.
Kind people keep telling me to go slow, but unfortunately I don’t think I will have the opportunity to get to that point where I need to take a break because my legs need a rest. Ya see, as you might know, I injured my toe about five months ago. I want it to be completely better and function as it used to, but it is not. It is MUCH better, but nowhere near where it used to be. It gets tired. I still have to rest it. I still have to pay way too much attention to it. But that is what I have to do. My toes are the reason I finally decided to treat myself to my long lusted after MBTs.
The sole of an MBT is curved so the idea is to encourage the wearer to walk heel toe. Those of you familiar with Nia know that is one of the “body’s way” movements we practice doing. The ankle was designed to flex and extend and walking heel first, rolling through the foot to the ball/toe is good for the ankle and lower leg. With my toes as they are, I can’t roll through my foot so I thought the MBTs would be perfect to help me/allow me to do that.
Well, the shoes are great. They do allow me to walk whole foot and through my whole foot. It is easier to do that in these shoes than in regular shoes, but my toe still gets tired. I think my toe gets tired and makes me take my shoes off long before my legs get to the point of being tired. I think that my toe will be the guide I need to acclimate myself into using these shoes–or shoe I say these “anit-shoes”. 😉
Posted in Just stuff, Misc | Tagged: anti shoes, Barefoot technology, body's way, Masai, Masai Barefoot Technology, MTBs, Nia, Nia class, Nia Class for the City of San Jose, Nia movements, rocker shoes, rocking shoes, rolling shoes, San Jose Nia, tennis shoes, Willow Glen Nia | 8 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 9, 2011
On the way to teach my Los Gatos Nia Class on Friday I thought that I would be making soup on a warm day. By the time Nia class was over it was getting cloudy. I was thinking it might turn into a good day for soup. I was going to attempt the Green Garlic Spinach Soup. On the way to class I decided to shop at the store somewhat on the way home from the fitness place. I had never been there and was hopeful they would have green garlic. Since it looks like a scallion I was thinking that I had seen it in stores before and I just didn’t know what it was. Well, some of the produce at the store was less than desirable. I passed on the collard greens and I couldn’t find the green garlic. I had my mind made up that I was going to make soup using my emulsion blender. I decided that I would make baby bok choy and spinach soup. I am going to share about the soup making process and issues in this post. My next post (Tuesday) will be the “recipe”.
I bought the basic ingredients I would use. By the time I left the store it was cold and cloudy. Perfect day for soup. When I got home I decided to get out the blender to figure out what blade to use and to wash the blade. I neglected to look at the blade my friend used. In looking at the instructions I was thinking “blade C” would be the right blade.
Since I’ve never cooked bok choy before and I didn’t really know if it would work, I decided to sauté the bottom portion of the stalk and save the leafy part to add to the soup at the same time as the spinach. I sautéed the veggies. When I finally added the broth I was thinking this soup was going to be pretty flavorless so I added some of a beer that was open in the fridge. It was a Hefeweizen. So it was going to add some heartiness. I also put in a dash or two of teryiaki. I let it boil then added the leafy part of the bok choy and the spinach. I thought my friend had just let it cook long enough to wilt it.
Oh, I didn’t yet mention that I don’t have a stock pot. Maybe some of you know where this is going. 🙂
The instructions for the blender said that when you use blade C use it in a chopping motion. Ok. So I stuck the blender in the pot with one little pulse I thought, “Hmmm . . . . I should cover this.” With the next “whrrrrr”, I thanked God because I was going to heat some bread in the oven on foil but decided not to and I think that having the piece of foil out already is what kind of made me think to use it. Even with the foil it made a mess. I used blade C but it wasn’t getting creamy. So I added some cream cheese. Not part of the original soup plan. I tried blending again. Still not creamy, I added the rest of the spinach. Still not as creamy as my friend’s soup.
I decided to use a different blade. Blade B. I put it on and put the blender in the pot and it did absolutely nothing. So I decided to go back to blade C. Now mind you, I was very careful to unplug the blender, and detach the stick from the motor. So I walk over to the place where I have to blade removal tool and there is no blade. Well, no wonder it wasn’t doing anything! So I fished the blade out of the soup. I put it back on and it still didn’t do anything. So I was going to change back to blade C and guess what? Blade B was back in the soup.
I tried blade C again. By now, I am using a portion of a lid and foil (I have this half metal half plastic lid and the plastic always falls out leaving the metal “rim” — so I was using that to help keep the mess down). There was still green soup dripped all over the sides of the pot and all over the burner. So I decided to use yet a different blade, the Raw Meat blade.
I never really got ALL the secondary spinach chopped up clean and the soup never got creamy. But my hubby said over and over again it was good. He said it was a keeper. The next day (today) he was still talking about it and said I had to post the recipe on my blog. I thought that those of you that make soup and those of you that use an immersion blender would enjoy hearing about how I made soup a mess by not using a stock pot or the correct blade.
Do you know which blade I should be using to blend the veggies and have it come out creamy? Also, tell me how to use the blender. Do I move it around like a hand mixer or set it at the bottom of the pot, then blend, then pick it up and set it back down, etc.?
Posted in Just stuff, Misc | Tagged: baby bok choy, Baby Bok Choy and Spinach Soup, Collard Greens, creamy soup, emulsion blender, emulsion blender use, Experimental Soup, fitness, green garlic, Green Garlic Spinach Soup, immersion blender, Los Gatos Nia Class, Nia, Nia class, scallion, soup lesson, stock pot | 8 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on March 31, 2011
The doctor in my Nia Class had given me the homeopathic medicine, Trauma. I really liked it so I asked for more. She said that she likes Traumeel, so I agreed to try it. Both of them say they relieve the same things (muscular pain, sprains, pulls, and bruises). The first ingredient in the Traumeel is Calendula officinalis, which is the fourth ingredient in Trauma and it shows “Garden Marigold” in parenthesis. This ointment has a lot of the same ingredients as Trauma but they are in a different order. So this ointment is very similar to the Trauma.
It is a bit greasy and has a slight odor. I just put some of it on along with some Trauma for comparison. After I put the Traumeel on I had to wash my hand. It is not extremely greasy but just greasy enough that I can’t just rub it into my hand. I am actually not convinced it works as well as the Truama. It actually smells like medicine, somewhat like a band-aid, it is not a strong odor, but compared to the Trauma it is strong because Trauma has absolutely NO odor at all.
When I was talking to my Nia student about Traumeel she mentioned that they have an oral medicine that can be taken. My Nia friend mentioned it too, in the comments of the post regarding Trauma. I was able to find informatnoi on the internet, Trauma has an oral medicine too. I have not taken either medicine orally.
Posting about these products is my way of getting information to people. I am sharing my opinion on the products so that you can learn something about them and then decide for yourself which one you might be interested in using yourself if you are interested in homeopathic medicine. I also welcome my readers sharing what they know. Having readers comment and share is the best part.
I have concluded that I like the Trauma better. I feel it works, whereas I don’t get the same sense from the Traumeel. As stated in this post, I put them both on. I put the Traumeel on my knee (which gets tired from my odd gait) and I put the Trauma on my toe (foot and a few other toes). My toes and foot feel nice, but my knee feels the same. The Traumeel is a bit greasy, whereas I think the Trauma is more of a soft cream that actually moisturized the area I have used it on. I smell a slight odor with the Traumeel but nothing with the Trauma.
Have any of you tried them both? Any of you tried either? What are your thoughts?
Posted in Helpful Hints, Misc | Tagged: bruises, Calendula officinalis, Garden Marigold, homeopathic medicine, homeopathic ointment, muscular pain, Nia class, Nia student, pulls, sprains, Trauma, Traumeel | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on March 29, 2011
There seems to be so many reasons one can get hiccups they don’t really know what EXACTLY causes them. What happens when you have the hiccups is the diaphragm contracts repeatedly. Sometimes when we suck air in really fast we make the “hic” sound. I know sometimes I have very loud hiccups. Sometimes they are so strong they hurt. I don’t really like the hiccups, they are disruptive. There are many remedies to get rid of the hiccups. I have one that I use and it works EVERY SINGLE TIME.
One remedy is to eat a package of sugar . . . . at least that is one that I know of. A package of sugar is less than a teaspoon. I have never tried it, but my husband, the person that told me about it, has used this method. He said it works.
My sure-fire cure for the hiccups is drinking water. The trick is to drink the water with your ears plugged. So you either need someone to help you or you need a straw. Plug your ears and drink through the straw or have someone plug your ears for you. I drink as much water as I can before I have to take a breath of air. They go way . . . . every time. I have never had this method fail me.
What is your method? Or what have you heard of? What have you tried that didn’t work?
On an unrelated note — please remember my Nia Class in Los Gatos where I will be collecting donations for the American Cancer Society – Relay for Life is April 17th. If you are local, I hope to see you there.
Posted in Helpful Hints, Misc | Tagged: contracting diaphragm, diaphragm contractions, disruptive hiccups, donations for American Cancer Society, hiccup, hiccup cure, hiccup remedy, hiccups, Los Gatos Nia, loud hiccups, Nia class, Nia Los Gatos, painful hiccups, Relay For Life, sugar hiccup remedy, workout in Los Gatos | 6 Comments »
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