This past week I was so inspired by the energy in my Wednesday barre class that an unintentional theme come about.
Before we closed the hour long session together, I felt compelled to talk about the importance of moving boldly & creating positive energy, but to also balance it out by letting go from time to time.
One way we do this in class is we really go for it! When we lift our arms up, we make sure we are reaching through the very tips of our fingers, as if we're going to touch the ceiling. When we squat, we keep our hearts open, shoot our hips back and drop our butts as low as we can with every single rep.
The intensity and energy builds & builds to a point where you're uncertain whether you’ll get through the next rep or count, but I reassure you...
“You Can Do It!”
And you do.
Then...
We rest.
In an hour class, the rest periods are short & sweet because I don’t have much time with you and I know you're there to work. But I am relying on you to find the balance when you leave.
Nuture yourself with intervals of down time.
Let go.
You may find this message strange coming from me. I’ve often had people ask me “where do you get all of this energy?” I usually just smile and say I love what I do, it gets me excited and I’m happy to share it. But I wonder...do you think I'm like that all of the time?
When I look back over my nearly 25 years in the biz, all of the above has always been true. And the answer to your question would have been YES!
Early on, I was running full throttle 24/7.
But I soon learned, even in my 20's, it was unsustainable.
Most of my other friends in fitness, who were doing the same, started to get injuries. Beside an old dance injury, I was one of the lucky ones, who seemed to skate by without anything major. Ironically, I think the ankle sprain I had in my teens, may have saved me. My body didn’t want anything like that to happen again, so if I ever thought I was pushing beyond the limit, I pulled back. But not back enough.
I may not have had bodily injuries but I had major boats of insomnia. And I was forced to slow down. Make a change and find a more balanced lifestyle.
See, your body has the ability to send you signals when it’s time to rev the engines & also the times it needs to idle for a bit.
But it’s up to you, your mind that is, to listen.
I’m hoping you never even find it necessary to interpret the messages your body is telling you. Like I did.
But how? Where do you start?
You start by being mindful. Then, set a plan in motion. And work together as a community to keep each other in check.
Here are some tips to creating an energizing & balanced workout routine.
4 Ways to Create Positive Energy:
Jump start your day with a quick, invigorating mini workout session to get your heart pumpin' and ignite your energy.
Go for a brisk walk to a destination that inspires you.
Drop the weights & use your body weight as leverage. A reminder “the only thing you really need, to be strong, is yourself”.
Workout with a friend, trainer or instructor who challenges you.
4 Ways to Let Go:
Before you close out your workout session, sit or lie down somewhere you will be undisturbed. Start a timer for 5 minutes, close your eyes, listen to your heart beating & your breath, slow them both down gradually and only open your eyes when the timer goes off.
Go for a stroll, wander, and let the road lead the way.
Sporadically forgo your regularly schedule intense workout & do a 15 minute stretch session instead.
Workout with a friend, trainer or instructor who makes you laugh.
There are days when life feels complicated. But when you look at small, little changes you can make in a day, it becomes much more manageable and way more FUN!
Find Your Inner Balance & You Will Discover Your Inner Smile.
With Love,
Janine
P.S. To help you get started, I'm sharing the Featured Workout of the Week HERE. It's emBody: Dynamic Stretch and designed to both invigorate you & help you let go, all in one mini stretch session.
So go ahead. Members & non-members of JBirdFitness.com take advantage of the summer vibes & smile from the inside out.
(click on the video below to get started)
What's Happening with JBird Fitness:
When I'm not teaching, working on JBirdFitness.com or being a mom, I am busy making connections & organizing events for the Athleta store in North Wales, PA.
And although the event below is not something I am personally running, I am excited about it and would LOVE it if you joined us for a movement & mentoring session for our Athleta Girls (6 years old & older) in the community.
The Back To School Event theme: Let Failure Fuel You is to open up & change the conversation about failure and learn how to take those lessons to help propel you to success in the future.
Sierra, Nora & I will be there. Hope to see you & the girls in your life there too!
Date: Sunday, August 25th
Time: 11:00am - 11:45am
Location: Athleta - The Shoppes At English Village (Trader Joe's shopping center in North Wales, PA)
(click on the image below for more info)
Class Schedule:
Monday 9:30am Barre Fusion
10:30am Stretch
Wednesday 11:00am Barre Fusion
Saturday 8:45am Barre Fusion
9:45am Barre Abs
YMCA of Bucks County - Doylestown