Welcome Letter

Dear New Member/Returning Member,

I was pleased as punch to see you this weekend.  Almost two weeks in and you are still dedicated to getting fit.  That’s great and I hope you continue to keep up the good work and if you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them per your request.  One thing that I wish to ask you, and please don’t be offended as I am curious. Why is that you get on the gym floor with your earbuds/headphones and SING, RAP AND TALK ON THE PHONE at the top of your lungs?

I see you over there working those abs, good job but I HEARD you before I entered.  Though you think you may sound like Luther, it comes across like scratching a chalkboard with fingernails. Though you think your flow is somewhat akin to that of Nas, you sound more like flock of geese wailing.  This time and only this time will I offer you this unsolicited word of truth:

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Ain’t nobody in this gym here for your loud a** non-singing, non-rhyming, telling everybody’s business on your phone conversation self.  We are here to workout.  You are too right?  Of course you are, so focus on your set, and not your song. Your body and the entire gym will thank you for that.

Signed,

An aspiring FIT Person and Fellow Member of the local gym

P.S. dancing however, is allowed

Photo: MsThorns

Skip The Gym – Ekhart Yoga

Even if you’ve been going to the gym for years (25 in my case) there are days when you want to get a workout in but don’t want to leave the house.  Back in the day you had to rely on your own ingenuity by making up a workout routine, or later on you could workout with VHS tapes, and later DVDs.  The 21st century has made it even easier for us not to leave the house but still maintain fitness thanks to the internet and this glorious invention called YouTube where you can find any type of workout you desire for the cost of your internet connection. I started using YouTube for home workouts earlier this year and have found some great and some not so great channels and videos.  One great channel that I go to again and again is Ekhart Yoga.

 Ekhart Yoga
Esther Ekhart’s appeal for me is demeanor. She instructs in the way that my mind says a Yoga instructor should, with clarity, calm and instruction for modifications.  Her style is not to make the student push as far as possible but to move as far as comfortable with proper form and continued emphasis on breathing (which one can forget when trying to get a pose right). Her channel features long and short classes, with the shorter ones being specialized for such things as the time of day, injuries, sports related needs and so on. I’ve done several different classes and have yet to repeat any which is good to keep things fresh.

Esther Ekhart/Ekhart Yoga is the best yoga instruction on YouTube I’ve tried thus far.  I will continue to check out more yoga videos and channels to see what else is offered, however if you want variety and excellent instruction Ekhart Yoga is great for all levels of practice.

Until next time, Namaste.