Posted by terrepruitt on June 3, 2011
I have a Nia Class to teach today. I decided to do my Ten Minute Workout before I teach. I was mellow on my left step forward in my long lunges because my right foot is still learning to be strong again and so I didn’t want to push it before I teach. I am saving my bow stance for Nia class. But I got my Ten Ten in Ten in (I made it through twice). I left the equipment out in case I want to do it again when I get back.
How about you?
Posted in Ten Minute Workout check-in | Tagged: Bow Stance, exercise, exercise equipment, lunges, Nia, Nia exercises, Nia Teacher, teach Nia, ten minute workout, Terre’s Ten Ten in Ten, workout, workout equipment | Leave a Comment »
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 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 2, 2011
You might have noticed that everything I do is on my way home from teaching Nia. It is true, I tend to run my errands after my Nia Classes. I am out, so it is easy to just stop to pick up what we need. Two issues with going to a store after I teach 1) I usually look akin to a drown rat with my sweaty limp flat hair and 2) I am usually hungry. 
I am one of those people who should not go shopping when they are hungry. I end up walking down the aisles where dinner ideas start popping in my head. With menus forming into my head as I am shopping sometimes I end up backtracking and going on all over the store. By the time I get all that I need I am really hungry. There are a lot of foods that I don’t even bother bringing in the house. I work hard not to eat the “junk food” but sometimes when I am hungry and it is there, I will eat it. Therefore some things are “banned” from being in the house like potato chips, ice cream, candy, cookies, and stuff like that.
There is no need for that stuff to be in the house. But there are other things that aren’t necessarily “junky” foods that become unhealthy when you eat the whole bag or box. Two such foods I should really just keep out of the house are sunflower seeds and cereal. You know I love sunflower seeds because I have posted about them. I love them. I can eat a whole lot of them. There is a lot of fat in sunflower seeds so eating a lot of them just adds a lot of extra fat. They have 17 grams of fat in 1/4 of a cup. Extra nutrients are not good. Not matter whether it is fat, protein, or carbohydrates.
The cereal is Kashi 7 Whole Grain Honey Puffs. I think these things are like Super Sugar Crisps. Remember that cereal. I love cereal but I know it is not really a healthful food. For one serving this cereal has 1 gram of fat, 80 grams of potassium, 25 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein. So it is really something that should be considered a treat. To me it is just like a desert. (Hanging my head) I eat it like I will not be allowed another meal. This is a confession here people.
I just need to NOT buy this cereal. Every time I buy it I do good for a day or two and then–whoosh, it’s gone. I know this, but when I go shopping after Nia I am really hungry and I think I can eat it as I believe it should be eaten, as a treat, maybe every other day and according to the serving size, but I never manage that. I need to just not buy it.
What about you? Is there a food you think you are better off just not having in the house at all? Is it a snack food? Is it something that might be considered somewhat healthy when eaten in the proper portion?
Posted in Food | Tagged: banned foods, confession, dinner menus, healthy food, junk food, Kashi cereal, Nia Classes, Nia Teacher, Sunflower seeds, SuperSugar Crisps, teaching Nia, Whole grain | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on March 15, 2011
Since I’ve been teaching Nia classes our roles or our “duties” have changed a bit. Since I don’t get up at the crack of dawn any longer and I have more time at home, I try to do more. Because of this change I have been thinking a lot of one of my favorite stories. When I was working at a 8 to 5 job I was talking to a friend and the subject of marriage came up. She said she didn’t want to get married. When I asked her why, she said she didn’t want to do all the cooking and cleaning, she didn’t want to be stuck at home and not be able to go out, she didn’t want to share the finances. She looked at me so confused when I said, “Granack-ack!” Ok, I really didn’t say, “Granack-ak!” But the look she gave me would have made you think I was speaking Martian.
I had actually said, “Don’t. Don’t do all of that.” I asked her why she thought she had to do all of that and she said that is what marriage is. That is how it is. I laughed, kindly, of course, and explained that I didn’t cook every night, do his laundry, and stay home all the time. She kept looking confused. I kept talking. I explained that marriage is really whatever the two people getting married agree upon. Apparently that had never occured to her. Maybe she just really hadn’t given it much thought. I don’t know.
When I first met my hubby I told him I wasn’t going to cook every night, do his laundry, or be responsible for everything. Since I was working too, it needed to be even. We did a lot of things that might be thought unconventional in a partnership, but it worked for us. Every marriage is as unique as the two people who are married so there really is no set “norm”.
I believe the two need to be in agreement with how the marriage is going to be. It would not work if one partner thought going out every night was ok and the other one didn’t. If one thinks that dinner is going to be made and put on the table every night then the other one must be in agreement. If there is not agreement on the expectations and duties then there is going to be a lot of problems. And since marriage is not easy, since no matter what there are challenges, it is important that there is agreement on how it is going to work.
When situations change and different things come up hopefully there can be a new agreement reached, if necessary. The point is that people can make their own marriage however if works for the two in the marriage. There is no cookie cutter recipe.
Posted in Nia | Tagged: 8 to 5 job, cookie cutter, Marriage, marriage agreement, marriage challenges, marriage duties, Marriage Ruminations, married people, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia Teacher, teaching Nia | 8 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 4, 2011
When I first started teaching my Nia classes I was doing it three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the studio in Willow Glen. Not every class had many students. I remember talking to different people about the low numbers. Some of them suggested not having that many classes in a week, not having that many dance lessons a week. Understandable. Most people didn’t know what Nia was. Since it is dance many people thought of it as a dance that you learn. But Nia is not like Salsa or Tango where you are shown steps, then asked to mimic them, then instructed to practice, then allowed to practice to music. Nia is not a dance lesson type of dance.
Even though Nia incorporates nine different movement forms, Nia is more comparable to Zumba or Jazzercise where the music is playing and the participants follow the lead of the teacher. No experience in or with any of the movement forms is required. Nia is a cardio dance workout, it is exercise so it is GREAT to do it three times a week. It is recommended to participate in a form of cardio exercise at least three times a week to maintain heart health. Depending upon your individual needs and goals cardio more often might even be in order. So Nia three times a week is great.
When I had the opportunity to hold a third class in a week that is exactly what many of my Monday and Wednesday students said, “Nia three times a week is great!” Now I have a third Nia class on Fridays in Los Gatos. (I know I have said that before, but I am excited. Plus I need to get the word out!)
Another point about Salsa and Tango is a partner is needed. Nia does not require a partner so it is often easier to actually do it three times a week since you are not trying to coordinate with another person to meet and dance three times a week.
Participating in Nia with any regularity participants will learn, but it might not be dance steps. There are many things to learn when participating in Nia, but it is not taught as steps and or patterns are taught in a dance lesson. Instead of Nia being a dance lesson, you will learn lessons as you dance Nia. 🙂
Posted in Nia | Tagged: cardio dance, cardio dance workout, cardio exercise, cardio workout, dance class, dance class Willow Glen, Exercise classes in Willow Glen, heart health, Jazzercise, Nia, Nia class, Nia Music, Nia participants, Nia Practice, Nia students, Nia studio, Nia Teacher, Nia three times a week, Nia Willow Glen, Salsa, Salsa partner, Tango, Tango partner, Willow Glen Jazzercise, Willow Glen Nia, Willow Glen Salsa, Willow Glen Tango, Willow Glen Zumba, Workout in Willow Glen, Zumba | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 30, 2010
Tomorrow morning is my last Nia class of 2010, it will be in Los Gatos at 9:30 am. I mention this because I am ending 2010 with three classes a week. I mention that because someone was reminding me that the end of the year Holidays (Christmas, Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice, Advent, Yule, Pancha Ganapati, Hanukkah, Yalda, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Hogmanay, and the New Year – just to name a few) are difficult for some because it is a time of reflection and sometimes dwelling on all that was not accomplished in the passing year and maybe even dwelling on 
some of one’s failures. Once when I was sharing with one of my Nia students all that I still had to learn just in regards to Nia, she reminded me of how far I had come. Instead of listing my goals and resolutions for the new year, I am going to share some of the things I did accomplish.
–completed my second year teaching Nia
–consistently taught Nia at least twice a week all year
–taught up to four classes in one week
–subbed several Nia classes
–taught classes at a Park and Recreation Center
–consistently posted to my blog
–penned at least 200 blog posts (I post on other blogs)
–witnessed an increase of number of participants in my Willow Glen Nia class
–paid studio rent with funds solely collected from teaching Nia
–taught at a few Nia Jams
–held a Nia workshop
–raised over $300 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society
–been married for 12 years
–went from two Nia classes a week to three classes a week
–started up a new Nia class in Los Gatos
While some of these may seem small or as if they didn’t require a lot of effort, that is not the point. The point of this post / exercise is to celebrate things no matter how big, how small, how easy, or how difficult. It is just a moment to do a Snoopy Dance because they are. It is a way to not dwell on all that has not been done or all that has yet to be done. It is just to say, “Aahhh.” and with that ahh turn my face towards the future and the excitement of what 2011 will hold.
So? What about you? What is on your list of things you did?
Happy New Year.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: 2010, 2011, Boxing Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Happy New Year, Kwanzaa, Los Gatos Nia, Multiple Sclerosis Society, New Year, Nia, Nia class, Nia Jam, Nia Los Gatos, Nia sub, Nia Teacher, Nia workshop, Park and Recreation Center, Snoopy Dance, teaching Nia, time of reflection, Willow Glen Nia class, Winter Solstice, Yule | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 11, 2010
Ok, so every year at Christmas my friends and I get together to celebrate. Today is our 24th year. I am explaining that because I am in a rush but I want to post something. I know if I don’t do it before I leave I won’t do it when I come back. Since I have my injured toe all I was able to do yesterday was teach my Nia class and decorate the tree. It takes me a long time to do anything so my posting is a little rushed. But . . . . I still think this is a great idea . . . .and that is why I am posting it. Its about the Honey Do List.
Are you lucky enough to have a partner that helps with things? Do you make a list? Well, I am lucky enough to have a hubby that does things. He always helps me a lot when I have company coming over and he is REALLY doing a lot because he wants me to rest my foot. I am going to share something with you that I think should be on EVERY Honey Do List all the time.
I think it is nice to let your honey know that s/he is appreciated. So I include that on the list of things to do. Yup. The list might look like this:
Silly, maybe, but I think this is part of wellness. My hubby works hard and I think it is important to let him know that he is appreciated. Everyone likes to know they are appreciated. I think it goes a long way. If your honey is looking at the list of things to do and sees that it could make his/her day. I think happy and positive go a long way. If your partner is running around doing things in a state of “grump” that just adds to the negativity out there. If s/he is running around in a state of “I’m appreciated”, it adds to the positivity out there.
Well, that is my take on it. What do you think?
Posted in Helpful Hints | Tagged: appreciated, chores, Christmas, Christmas celebration, happy vibes, Honey Do list, how to get your honey to do things, Nia, Nia class, Nia Teacher, positive vibes | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 9, 2010
I have to save up most of my “vertical” for my Nia classes right now. Even though I have injured/broke my toe I am still teaching my classes because Nia really is about the individual moving in his or her own way. But I still need to rest it as much as possible. Even though I am “letting go” of doing a few things this season, I am still trying to make it look “Christmasy” in the house. Since I was moving a lot today I was trying to come up with an easy dinner. Also, since I need to rest my foot my hubby has been cleaning the kitchen every night. So needing a quick easy dinner AND trying to use as few dishes that need hand washing as possible, AND trying not make a mess I was not thrilled with the thought of the mess that preparing broccoli makes.
I am going to admit that I have been making less broccoli than I think we should eat because I do not like to deal with the mess it makes. I usually just cut it in the sink so I can just rinse all the little particles down the drain, but I didn’t even want to stand that long. So I realized that I could just cut it while it was in the bag. YAY!!! No broccoli mess. No little particles all over the place.
Ok, I know this is a silly thing, but I thought it was a good idea. Saved me a lot of time. Since I am short on time that I can be ‘doing’, both this quick post and the quick tip are part of doing what I have to do in order to get to resting my foot in order to be ready for my Nia class in Los Gatos tomorrow.
Do you have any quick tips about dealing with broccoli?
Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: broccoli, broccoli mess, broccoli particles, broccoli tip, Los Gatos Nia, Los Gatos Nia Class, Nia class, Nia Classes, Nia Los Gatos, Nia Teacher | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on November 20, 2010
Aside from teaching my Nia classes on Wednesday and Friday I have done NOTHING this week. Let me explain. Tuesday I was sitting on the couch and my cat meowed my instructions and before I got up I thought, “The table is close.” And I jumped up and moved toward the sliding glass door to open it, and slammed my foot into the coffee table. I immediately went to the ground and felt my big toe, my toe next to the big toe, the middle toe, and the little toe. Somewhere in the depths of my brain I must have known, the second to the last toe was . . . broken? . . . because I didn’t touch it. Well, I am not sure but it WAS bent at an odd angle and already—within a matter of seconds—turning blue. Yeah, I did SOMETHING.
So I, actually by today, I can’t remember what I did right after that, but I know it was not too long after that I had put Zheng Gu Shui on it and lacking medical tape, I used two band aids to tape the bent toe to the middle toe. I stretched out on the couch with my foot up. I suffered with a throbbing foot. I kept looking at it willing it to be fine. I stared at it thinking, “Be ok! Be ok! Be ok!” Knowing I had done some damage. I suffered with it taped for a little while then I thought, “Really? Did it hurt this bad when it was NOT taped?” No, it didn’t, so I took the band aids off and was so relieved.
I laid around. I looked up info on the internet. One website said to seek medical attention because they could possible reset it. I worried. I debated. I decided to call the advice nurse. I talked to advice nurse who said NOT to tape them together and that they don’t really do anything for little toes.
So what I have been doing all week is thinking. I think every time before I move. The very first day I wore out my knees by crawling and my toe does not like facing the ground. So I have been thinking of other ways to get where I need to go. I have been calculating if I can roll to my destination. I consider the distance before I begin the hop. I dread the moment I have to carry something because I have to traverse the distance in a crawl. I scoot up and down the stairs. It is so odd to have to STOP before I move and THINK. Normally I just go without thinking, but now, I have to stop. Before I move from where I am I think, “What is here in my reach that I might need once I move? How can I carry it to where I am going? How am I going to get where I am going?” Granted, I am very blessed that I only have to think about moving around our house, but still, it is such an odd situation. Yet it is giving me the opportunity to be aware and to think of different ways to move. It is amazing to me the different ways the body can move. I understand now why some babies prefer to roll from place to place instead of crawl.
The comical thing is that I had thought before more about how to move before I moved when I hit my toe, I wouldn’t be in this situation. I knew that the table was too close, but I proceeded anyway. Presently, I evaluate my entire path before I even start towards my destination. It is so amazing what an injury can make you think about.
What about you? Ever been in a situation where you have to think before you move?
Posted in Nia | Tagged: broken toe, Friday Nia, Nia Classes, Nia Teacher, Wednesday Nia, Zheng Gu Shui | 2 Comments »
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