The Power of Pilates

Pilates is more than a popular fitness trend with a hard-to-pronounce name (puh-LAH-tees). It will strengthen your core and leave you feeling centered from the inside out.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a unique system of exercises designed to strengthen and lengthen the muscles. The series consists of floor exercises (called matwork) and exercises on specialized Pilates equipment. The rhythmic movements of the Pilates method promote elongated and toned muscles of the core or "powerhouse", which include the deep abdominals and low back muscles, as well as muscles of the shoulder and pelvic girdles.

Pilates requires students to work “from the inside out”, using the deep muscles of the body’s core to initiate movement and stabilize the body.

The Pilates method evolved after Joseph Pilates, a nurse in World War I, developed a conditioning program he called “contrology.” The method consisted of 34 movements performed on the floor and designed to strengthen the body’s core. (These movements are now referred to as the Pilates matwork.) Later, he supplemented this work by rigging up the springs on hospital beds and assisting patients with rehabilitation. These spring-based exercises led to the development of his specialized Pilates equipment, which would supplement his original matwork.

Joseph Pilates regarded his method as a way of life and a path to total health rather than merely a series of exercises. He believed that the whole body must be exercised to achieve good health.

Principles of Pilates

Pilates is based on six principles: breath, concentration, control, centering, precision, and flow. While students learn to move from the body’s core, they also learn to quiet the mind and tune in to the specific needs of the body.

Pilates conditions the body as a whole, training several muscles at once so that no muscle group is over or under-trained. In Pilates, the emphasis is on proper breathing, correct body alignment, and purposeful movement patterns; the result is an increased awareness of how your body moves and feels in space.

Many students of Pilates report that they feel calmer and stand taller as a result of the practice.

READY TO TRY PILATES?

Sign up for one of our Wall Unit clinics:

Julie:

May 3-31, 4 sessions, one per week

Fridays, 9:00-10:00am

Emily:

May 1-30, 4 sessions, one per week

Mondays 9:00-10:00am or 10:00-11:00am (advanced)

Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00pm

Wednesdays, 9:00-10:00am

Thursdays, 10:00-11:00am (advanced)

  

Members $100 / Non-members $120

Core strengthening and stretching!

Sign up in advance to reserve your spots today.

Caring for the Caregiver

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter—the inspiration for the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving—once said, "There are four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers."

In fact, approximately 65 million (29 percent) American adults have served as unpaid family caregivers (for the ill, elderly, or disabled) in the past 12 months.* It’s a full-time job with no application process, no training, and plenty of responsibility. Yet it’s a job none of us would turn down—the opportunity to care for a loved one is the ultimate act of love and service.

What is a Caregiver?

By definition, a caregiver is anyone helping a loved one to navigate a significant illness, such as cancer, stroke, or Alzheimer’s—but the term doesn’t even come close to describing the endless list of roles associated with caregiving. Caregivers are charged with a multitude of tasks that may include physical and emotional support, managing medical appointments and paperwork, managing a household, overseeing finances, and much more. In other words, caregivers do it all—and then some.

Why Caregivers Need Support

Caregiving can be an overwhelming juggling act that requires a great deal of adjustment. It is both physically and emotionally exhausting. For caregivers, the need to stay on top of tasks tends to overshadow everything else and as a result, emotional health sometimes takes a backseat. On top of a long list of tasks and responsibilities, caregivers may grapple with helplessness, grief, anger, guilt, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

Caregiver burnout is common because caregivers are so focused on caring for their loved ones that they forget to care for themselves. But never has self-care been more important. We’ve all heard it before—we must “put on our own oxygen mask before we can assist others.”

Restorative Yoga for Caregivers

Restorative yoga is the antidote to stress and fatigue. The postures are fully supported and deeply nourishing to the physical body and mental state of wellbeing. Restorative yoga helps quiet the bind, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. It’s the perfect way for caregivers to relax and replenish so that they can maintain their own health and wellbeing while they continue to be effective caregivers.

Join Katherine Pleasants for

Restorative Yoga for Caregivers

Saturday May 4, 2:00-3:00 & Saturday June 1, 2:00-3:00

FREE to caregivers

Contact Tim Hanna, Health & Wellness Concierge to reserve your spot:  thanna@thunderspring.com or 208.725.0595 x106

*Caregiving in the U.S. 2009, National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with AARP. http://www.caregiving.org/caregiving2009_press_release.htm

Raising Fit Kids

A fit, healthy kid will inevitably grow into a fit, healthy adult—and let’s face it, with childhood and adult obesity rates on the rise, it couldn’t be more important to instill healthy habits in your kids from the start. But in an era where screen time seems to outrank playground time, raising a fit kid may be easier said than done.

Kids Need Movement

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that young people aged 6-17 years participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. The American Heart Association is a little more specific—recommending that all children over the age of 2 have at least 60 minutes of moderately strenuous physical activity every day and at least 30 minutes of strenuous activity at least twice a week. This doesn’t mean that kids need to spend an hour at the gym slogging it out on the treadmill. Instead, think recess, playground, soccer, basketball, bike riding, dance class, and a number of other fun activities.

The Benefits of Exercise for Kids

Everyone can benefit from regular exercise. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence:

·      Improves strength and endurance

·      Builds healthy bones and muscles

·      Helps control weight

·      Reduces anxiety and stress

·      Increases self-esteem

·      Reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

·      Improves blood pressure and cholesterol levels

What’s more, kids who are physically fit tend to sleep better, perform better academically, and handle physical and emotional challenges better. In short, a physically fit kid is better equipped for navigating life!

Get Moving

Want to raise a fit, healthy kid who grows into a fit, healthy adult? Get moving. You don’t need to run a boot camp for your kids, all you need to do is encourage them to run, jump, and play—all things that come naturally to kids anyway. What’s the best way to do that? Together. Parents who role model fitness are more likely to raise fit kids—and what’s more, you’ll have fun staying active together. There are countless ways to get moving, especially in a valley filled with so many outdoor options. It doesn’t matter whether you hit the slopes, the trails, or the playground—just get moving.

Family Fitness Week

Need a family fitness boost? Family Fitness Week at Zenergy is April 22-28. Bring your kids and grandkids ages 12 and up (free of charge) to our regularly scheduled classes throughout the week. Join us for one of our special weekend classes (open to ages 8 and up):

Body Attack Express: Saturday April 27. 11:15-12:00

Ballet Barre: Sunday April 28, 10:00-11:00

Family Yoga: Sunday April 28, 11:00-12:00

Spring Renewal

Spring is nature’s season of renewal and rebirth. In the five-element system, it corresponds to the wood element; the liver and gall bladder organs; and tendon, ligament, spine, and joint health. Wood creates our mental clarity and our ability to focus, plan, and make decisions.

Spring brings so much welcome change—longer days, warmer temperatures, and budding trees and flowers. It’s a time of new beginnings. Yet despite the beauty and excitement of the season, many people find themselves feeling irritable, stuck, impatient, and generally discombobulated.

It’s a season of growth and expectation—yet also one that requires patience. A seed is full of potential, but when planted in the soil it must feel its pressure build up before it can crack open and sprout. The same is true for us—spring holds potential, but first we must bring ourselves into balance.

What better way to embrace spring than with a Spring Renewal Yoga Workshop specifically designed to clear and nourish the mind and body so that we may experience the positivity and vitality that are hallmarks of this season? Cathie Caccia, our resident master yoga teacher and Shiatsu massage therapist has created a unique two-part workshop based on the five elements to clear blockages and promote balance.

With over 30 years of experience with yoga and Shiatsu massage, Cathie has developed a deep understanding of how the energy meridians in the body affect the organs, as well as the mind, emotions, and spirit. Blending her knowledge of yoga and Shiatsu, Cathie has created and refined a yoga sequence that accesses the energy channels in the body to create a more balanced flow. Now she and acupuncturist Annelies Ware have teamed up to offer a special yoga/acupuncture experience that is guaranteed to launch you into spring.

Join Cathie and Annelies:

Yoga and the Chinese Clock

Friday, April 26, 6:00-8:00pm

The Chinese Clock is a theory that tells us that chi or life force energy flows through each of the channels at specific times of the day in a specific order. If there is a blockage in one or more of the channels, energy cannot flow smoothly and certain systems will not receive the life force energy they need for optimal function. Cathie will lead a yoga sequence designed to move energy through the organs and channels in the exact order that this energy flows. After class, students will enjoy lemon ginger tea that will further support the process. Students have remarked that they feel both balanced, energized and centered as a result of this practice.

Yoga and Group Acupuncture

Saturday, April 27, 3:00-5:30pm

This class is based upon information from the Five Elements model of treatment. The spring corresponds to the wood element—and is associated with the liver and gallbladder. Cathie will lead a yoga sequence that focuses specifically on postures and practices that clear, nourish, and support eh liver and gallbladder organs and corresponding channels. During final savasana, Annelies will give each student an acupuncture treatment that supports the work of the classes.

Ready to Renew?

This class is filling quickly and students are encouraged to pre-register. Registration includes use of Zenergy’s facilities on each day of this two-day workshop.

Visit zenergyts.com to sign-up online or call 208.725.0595

Cost: Zenergy Members $50 / non-members $70

Find Your Threshold

A heart rate monitor is an excellent tool to help you maximize your fitness results—but only if you know how to use it. It’s one thing to strap the monitor on, but quite another to understand what the numbers mean and how to use them to improve your fitness.

Don’t worry—you don’t need to be an expert in exercise science to reap the benefits of heart rate training. All you need is a little information to put your heart rate monitor to optimal use—and Julie Siegel and Erin Finnegan, two of our passionate indoor cycling instructors, are offering a clinic to help you with this process. The clinic—which will be offered 3 times—is a threshold test and is designed to help you find your anaerobic threshold.

What is the Anaerobic Threshold?

The anaerobic threshold, sometimes called the lactate threshold, is a heart rate training zone where you pass from aerobic metabolism (with oxygen) to anaerobic metabolism (without oxygen). If that sounds too complicated, think of it this way: it’s the “shortness of breath” zone.

Here’s what’s interesting about the anaerobic threshold: it changes based on our fitness level. Our maximum heart rate (the highest number of times per minute your heart can contract) is a fixed (and likely genetic) number—but our threshold heart rate is a moving target. For most fit people, the threshold heart rate is somewhere between 80-90 percent of maximum heart rate; however, extremely fit people can have a threshold heart rate above 90 percent and extremely unfit people can have a threshold heart rate at around 60 percent of maximum heart rate.

Why Identify the Threshold Heart rate?

So, why do we want to know where our threshold is? Because that gives us the best information for improving fitness. If you want to improve your performance and your fitness, you can aim to raise your anaerobic threshold closer to your maximum heart rate. In other words, the goal is to improve your maximum sustainable heart rate—the highest heart rate that you can sustain over time without a drop in performance.

It’s good to know your current threshold heart rate because that helps you design the most effective workouts. To improve fitness, you want to spend time “at/about/around” your threshold. You’ll also want to spend some time below and a little time above the threshold—though too much time above threshold actually only serves to suppress it. (Above-threshold intervals are short and intense and should be used sparingly.)

The Threshold Clinic

Ready to find your threshold? Here’s what you need to know:

·      Prepare: Show up well fueled, well hydrated, and well rested. You should have done only very easy activity the day before the test and easy to moderate activity for 2-3 days prior.

·      Heart rate monitor: Bring a heart rate monitor if you have one. We’ll have extra monitors available for those who need them.

·      Challenging workout: Come ready to work hard. Whether or not you want the threshold information, this class is a challenging workout. You’ll spend 20 minutes in the saddle at your threshold. It’s a hard effort!

·      We’ll do the math: All you have to do is strap on the heart rate monitor and give it your best effort for 20 minutes. We’ll take the average heart rate over 20 minutes to identify your threshold.

JOIN US FOR THE THRESHOLD TEST

You’ll have three opportunities to find your threshold:

Tuesday April 16 at 8:30 a.m.

Thursday April 18 at 6:30 a.m.

Saturday April 20 at 12:00 p.m.

This is an excellent opportunity to assess where you are so that you can set solid goals for where you want to go!

Push-Ups Are the Ulitmate Barometer of Fitness

If you want to be strong and fit, make the push-up a part of your regular fitness regimen. It’s the ultimate barometer of fitness—and you can do it anywhere.

The Importance of Push-Ups

A push-up is a compound exercise, meaning it requires more than one muscle group to perform the movement. In fact, some people even insist that the push-up is a near-perfect exercise. Push-ups work the entire upper body, including the chest, shoulders, triceps, and abdominals—but nearly every muscle in the body has to participate in a proper push-up. During a push-up, you’ll use your latissimus dorsi (Lats), trapezius (traps), and abdominal muscles to stabilize your pushing muscles and your lower back, legs, and glutes to maintain a perfect plank position and keep your hips from sagging.

Push-ups are a functional exercise—they require us to use several different muscle groups and to lift our own body weight. What’s more—they teach your muscles to work in harmony with each other.

So, why is this effective and simple (but not easy!) exercise so overlooked? Because it’s challenging!

Practice Push-Ups

Push-ups are taxing. They test the whole body. It takes strength and endurance to do them. But the effort will pay off. If you struggle to do even one push-up, it’s time to start practicing. The best way to perfect the push-up is to practice, practice, practice—and make it a daily habit. Push-ups don’t require anything more than a floor, so you can do them anywhere. That means there is no excuse to skip them!

Ready to drop and give us 10? Here’s how:

Push-up: Lie on your belly with your hands beneath your shoulders. Press into your palms and straighten your arms. Keep your head, neck, back, and hips in line as you lift yourself to a plank position. Now slowly lower almost all the way to the floor—and push back up.

Make it Easier

If a full push-up is too challenging, work up to it with these modifications:

·      Countertop: Lean against a countertop at a 45-degree angle and press up and down.

·      Incline: Push-ups that are slanted uphill are easier. Find a staircase (or other incline surface) and plant your palms on a stair higher than your feet.

·      Knees: Drop your knees to the floor, with your lower legs lifted toward your rear end. Create a plank position from the knees to the head and push up.

Make it Harder

Looking for a challenge? There are a several push-up variations that can help you take things to the next level:

·      Diamond push-ups: The closer you move your hands together, the harder a push-up is. Make a diamond shape with your index fingers and thumbs and angle your elbows toward your torso. Then, lower all the way down until your chest touches your hands and your forearms graze your ribs. Make sure you can do at least 20 regular push-ups before you try diamond push-ups.

·      Rotational push-ups: Start in a classic push-up position. As you push up, rotate your body so that your right arm reaches toward the ceiling (and your arms and torso for a T). Return to the starting position, lower, then push up and rotate and extend your left arm towards the ceiling.

·      Staggered push-ups: Place one hand on the floor and one hand on a medicine ball to perform your push-ups. Be sure to practice on both sides.

Do You Need an Electrolyte Drink?

We all know it’s important to stay hydrated before, during, and after exercise—but do you really need a special electrolyte drink to do that or is water sufficient? It turns out, there is no one-size-fits-all formula—your exercise program and level of sweat will determine your needs.

What are Electrolytes?

We know we lose electrolytes when we sweat—but what exactly does that mean?

Electrolytes are substances in the human body that are essential to the normal function of our cells and organs. They help maintain proper fluid balance and nerve and muscle functioning. The most commonly measured electrolytes are sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. Maintaining a healthy balance of these electrolytes in the body is critical, which is why some experts recommend electrolyte replacement during and after exercise.

Understanding Fluid Replacement

We know that it’s important to drink fluids before, during, and after exercise in order to stay hydrated and replace fluids lost as a result of sweating. Most people hydrate with water, which is usually sufficient for hydration needs during moderate exercise.

Fluid replacement needs vary depending on several factors:

·      Duration of exercise

·      Intensity level of exercise

·      Size

·      Climate

·      Type and degree of sweating

Individuals who exercise at higher intensity levels, are heavier, and/or exercise in warmer climates may need more fluids than their counterparts who are smaller or live in cooler climates; however, it is unclear whether these individuals also need more electrolytes.

Know Your Individual Needs

Professional endurance athletes who exercise for hours on end may need electrolyte replacement drinks—but do you?

In general, electrolyte replacement drinks are recommended when exercise exceeds three hours. For exercise that lasts less than three hours, water is probably sufficient. That said, individual bodies react differently to exertion. There are several questions to consider when choosing a fluid replacement:

·      Are you well hydrated prior to exercise?

·      How much do you sweat?

·      What is the outdoor temperature?

·      How long and at what intensity level do you plan to exercise?

More often than not, the average exerciser really only needs water. However, if you’re training for an endurance event and your workouts start growing longer (3 hours or more) and/or you’re exercising in warm temperatures, you may want to consider adding an electrolyte replacement drink to the mix.

Choosing an Electrolyte Drink

Electrolyte drinks sound like a good idea on paper—they contain sodium, potassium, and other essential electrolytes that we lose when we sweat. However, most sports drinks or electrolyte drinks are also loaded with sugar and some even contain unhealthy additives and food colorings. If you decide you need an electrolyte drink, examine the ingredient label carefully—and look for a drink that is low in sugar.

Several companies are now bottling young coconut water, which is considered by many to be nature’s electrolyte replacement drink. Young coconut water contains a perfect blend of electrolytes and has a very mild taste.

Finally, you can make your own sports drink:

In the blender, combine:

·      32 ounces water

·      1 Tablespoon lemon juice

·      1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

·      ¼ teaspoon baking soda

·      1/8 teaspoon high quality sea salt

·      1-2 cups of fresh fruit

·      Sweetener of your choice (optional) (maple syrup, honey, agave)

Staying Motivated

It always helps to have a goal to work toward. Our fitness goals often center around our body: lose weight and look good—but sometimes that isn’t enough to keep us motivated.

If you’ve lost your motivation for fitness, maybe it’s time to try shifting your focus. Sometimes one of the best ways to stay on track is to create a personal challenge that you could achieve regardless of whether you lose that nagging five pounds. In fact, you might even end up losing that five pounds along the way—but you’ll have a lot more fun in the process.

If your fitness routine needs a little springtime boost, try one of these surefire motivators:

Learn a new skill. When we stick to the same old fitness routine, we can end up in a rut—which can lead to a never-ending fitness hiatus. If you’re in a fitness rut, it’s time to find the fun in fitness. Have you always wanted to learn to play tennis? Sign up for lessons. Does Zumba look fun? Join a class. Perhaps you’ve dreamed of learning Soo Bahk Do. Now is your chance.  Make a commitment to learn a new activity or skill. You’ll enjoy the thrill of discovery while putting the fun back into fitness.

Join a group. It’s hard to get excited about fitness when you’re always going solo. Wouldn’t that run be more fun with a group of friends? Doesn’t the weight room seem less intimidating when you’re participating in a group clinic? The benefits of a group are endless: accountability, motivation, camaraderie, laughter, support, and more. Sign up for a fitness clinic, join a running club, or participate on a sports team. You’ll get a fitness and social boost that’s good for your health.

Sign up for an event. If you need something to keep you moving in the right direction, there is no better motivation than the looming date of a big race. You don’t have to be a serious athlete to enjoy the excitement of participating in a race. Choose an event that sounds interesting and start training. It could be a 5-kilometer run/walk, a marathon, a relay, a triathlon, an adventure race, or any event that piques your interest.

The key is to sign up for something that feels like a stretch—and then mark the date on the calendar, map out your training plan, and get moving. The thrill and satisfaction of seeing a goal through to completion is all the motivation you’ll need.

Pass a fitness test. Instead of focusing on losing weight or losing body fat, set a concrete fitness goal for yourself. It could be anything—such as do five pull-ups in a row, run five miles without stopping, or run an eight-minute mile. Choose a goal that is a challenge for you, set a realistic date for achievement, and start working toward it.

Remember, fitness doesn’t have to be drudgery. Find something that motivates you and have fun!