in the last 15 minutes of my weights/strength class
a hybrid mix of
people in the gym
and
people at home
someone felt compelled
to become the new center of attention
by jumping on the equipment
right behind the trainer
who was teaching live
she did not appear to be thrilled
with his spontaneous performance
but i did workout my abs with such a good laugh.
—
“i don’t like to be center of attention, except for when I want to be the center of attention.”
-trisha paytas
olive, who is far from a gym rat
watches the instructor intently
she may be considering asking me to be her home training partner
i’m going to have to step up my game.
—
“friends that sweat together stay together.”
– wayze
yep, not me.
—
just wondering why my fitness app
is willing to measure
pole dancing but not pole vaulting
both involve strength and flying.
—
“i have tennis shoes with little rhinestones that I slip on if I exercise.
but I always wear heels, even around the house.
i’m such a short little thing,
i can’t reach my kitchen cabinets.”
-dolly parton
—
photo credit: naviant health
a family afternoon spent
practicing karate skills, self defense, getting a good workout
socially distant, outside, under a very hot sun
at beacon park, in detroit
lots of sweat, lots of water, lots of fun
“karate is a form of martial arts in which people who have had years and years of training can,
using only their hands and feet, make some of the worst movies in the history of the world.”
-dave barry
i began a yoga class this summer
and share a quiet space
with an friendly group:
rambo with the headband,
the affectionate couple,
the woman about to give birth on the mat,
the giggler,
stretch armstrong,
the woman with lots of extra stuff,
and a smattering of others
all kinds of interesting
of various skill levels
our instructor
a sweet hippie fairy
with a lyrical whisper voice
leaves me guessing
watching the others
trying my best to follow
open my eyes, close my eyes, bend, stretch, balance, breathe, hold, lift, tilt, reach
go further
stay in synch with the others
all while relaxing and clearing my mind.
i’m getting there, and as my generous teacher said,
“at least you’re going one inch further each time.”
well, there you go
according to this math
i will be doing a headstand by the time i’m 93
i’m on my way.
—
“blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.”
– author unknown
—
photo credit: 1935, vintage bondi beach, australia, catherine annis
when their quesadilla is too hot to eat
leave it to the little ones
to think out of the box.
one holds the quesadilla pieces,
while the other rides the rowing machine
to move the fan to cool the food.
problem solved.
—
for every two minutes on the rowing machine
riding fast to cool the food
you can eat one triangle and call it even.
#family math
—
‘creating problems is easy. we do it all the time. finding solutions, ones that last and produce good results, requires guts and care.’
-henry rollins
just wondered
not judging
why the guy
working out
next to me today
was wearing
a
buttoned-up
button-down
dress shirt
tucked into
belted dress pants?
maybe a sudden inspiration on his way home from work?
maybe in case he runs into the boss?
maybe told someone he was going somewhere else?
maybe dressing to impress?
maybe i have no idea
though
it is one of
life’s interesting little
unsolved mysteries.
—
image credit: google images
What is Nia?
Nia is a sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts. It empowers people of all shapes and sizes by connecting the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Classes are taken barefoot to soul-stirring music in more than 45 countries.
talked my daughter into taking this class with me. assured her it would be great, low-key, fun, we would just blend in, (i have a history of having stamina, enthusiasm and strength, though not a lick of coordination, and she detests being the center of attention), and i stressed that it would be a relaxing, bonding experience for us, all while getting in great shape.
the class started out slow, with a challenging set of movements and stretches and new-agey music, then i heard someone talking about the ‘good auras’ they were seeing and chakras all around, and it was on! there were all sorts of interpretive dance moves and exercises happening – people twirling, gliding, karate-chopping, leaping. my daughter glanced over at me, we both were smiling, though she had the look of ‘really, what next, are you kidding?’ on her face. i believe i may have seen an eye-roll as well.
at this point, i’m going to go out on a limb and guess that it all took a final bad turn for her when our trainer announced that we would ‘each act out our day with a dance,’ and she had chosen my daughter to go first and to solo. i felt the glare, a bit more intense than kryptonite, coming towards me, and i did my best to avoid any eye-contact. soon after, she blurted out, ‘how am i supposed to do this?! i have had a hell on earth day, i’m in the construction business – dealing with historical commissions, zoning boards, sub-contractors, neighborhood councils, city council, requests for bribes, and an incompetent supplier!?’
she did a little twirl, the trainer and the rest of the class clapped for her, and that was the last move of our nia experience together. i believe some people’s chakras may have been thrown off a bit.
I have my glasses on.... 