If I ever write a book, that's what the title is going to be.
Today's example of why I'm a "special" kind of stupid:
Why did I agree to still put on a production of "The Rocky Horror Show" with my going to be ex-husband? This is going to be a disaster...Not the show. I'm sure that will be fine. We've already fought and we haven't even really started planning things yet. We were just going over the budget. Sigh...I'm dumb.
I'm sure I'll have more examples of my stupidity later this week! I think I may even be able to get a TV series out of this...Nah, there's enough dumb people on TV already. Look at "Jersey Shore."
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Exercising Mindfully
One of my favorite authors, Eric Franklin wrote "Exercise is an ongoing dialogue between mind and body." Ever since I read his book "Conditioning For Dance", I've used that line many, many times in dance classes and in my Pilates classes. Most of the time, people view these things separately (I used to, but now I know better) and they don't get the most out of their workout.
It's important to be mindful when exercising because if you're conditioning for a specific sport (or dance), and you strengthen muscles in misalignment, you're strengthening the misalignment. As a dance teacher, most of the frustration from my students comes from working on pirouettes. They're hard. I'm not even going to lie. It took me almost six years to be able to do a triple pirouette. It's the most frustrating thing ever. While watching my students perform their turns, I'll tell them to calm down and tell them that trying to get more momentum is useless because they're out of proper alignment and they're only making it harder on themselves because of the movement pattern they were using. Strengthening the muscles in the coordination that you need them is more important to proper dance technique than most dancers realize.
Where the mind truly is a powerful thing is the power of positive thinking and imagery. If you were going to be performing (let's keep up with the pirouette reference) a pirouette and you were thinking that it's going to be hard and you can't do it. Guess what? You won't. If you calm down, imagine yourself performing it, feel yourself performing it, and you will. Blindly doing dance steps isn't going to make anybody a good dancer. Feeling where the movement comes from and where it should be coming from makes you a better dancer.
It's important to be mindful when exercising because if you're conditioning for a specific sport (or dance), and you strengthen muscles in misalignment, you're strengthening the misalignment. As a dance teacher, most of the frustration from my students comes from working on pirouettes. They're hard. I'm not even going to lie. It took me almost six years to be able to do a triple pirouette. It's the most frustrating thing ever. While watching my students perform their turns, I'll tell them to calm down and tell them that trying to get more momentum is useless because they're out of proper alignment and they're only making it harder on themselves because of the movement pattern they were using. Strengthening the muscles in the coordination that you need them is more important to proper dance technique than most dancers realize.
Where the mind truly is a powerful thing is the power of positive thinking and imagery. If you were going to be performing (let's keep up with the pirouette reference) a pirouette and you were thinking that it's going to be hard and you can't do it. Guess what? You won't. If you calm down, imagine yourself performing it, feel yourself performing it, and you will. Blindly doing dance steps isn't going to make anybody a good dancer. Feeling where the movement comes from and where it should be coming from makes you a better dancer.
Monday, April 5, 2010
How To Behave At A Gym
by Laura Capaul
1. When you're done with a machine, clean off the equipment. Seriously, it's nasty if you don't. I'm not into running after you with an antibacterial wipe and cleaning up after you because you refuse to do it. I have other things I need to do. Oh, the same thing goes for the mats. I know they get cleaned at least twice a week because I clean them after my Pilates classes, but I know they're being used outside of that too. Just don't be gross.
2. Don't EVER try to debate with the fitness professionals. You're at the gym wanting their services for a reason. You're obviously not an expert, so shush.
3. Men, don't be a creeper. If you see an attractive woman, you can look, but you don't have to approach and talk. It makes me uncomfortable. If you're talking about something having to do with fitness, the weather, the gym, knitting, whatever, that's fine. Please stop coming up to me and trying to find out if I'm married and willing to cheat. It's gross. Also, please don't come out of the shadows and ask if I want to see a drawing. A million things go through my head first and that gets disturbing.
4. Women, don't wear tiny outfits and get mad when guys won't stop staring at you. If you don't want 'em lookin', don't put it out there. Just sayin'...There's also no reason to give me hateful looks. Don't hate because I'm sassy! ;)
5. If you see posted rules, they're there for a reason. If it states "No boom boxes" don't ask me if you can bring one in. What do you need a boom box for? You ain't Run DMC and this ain't Brooklyn...If you are Run DMC, then who am I to tell you no? That would be sweet...
That's a preview of my book that I want to write about gyms. Enjoy.
1. When you're done with a machine, clean off the equipment. Seriously, it's nasty if you don't. I'm not into running after you with an antibacterial wipe and cleaning up after you because you refuse to do it. I have other things I need to do. Oh, the same thing goes for the mats. I know they get cleaned at least twice a week because I clean them after my Pilates classes, but I know they're being used outside of that too. Just don't be gross.
2. Don't EVER try to debate with the fitness professionals. You're at the gym wanting their services for a reason. You're obviously not an expert, so shush.
3. Men, don't be a creeper. If you see an attractive woman, you can look, but you don't have to approach and talk. It makes me uncomfortable. If you're talking about something having to do with fitness, the weather, the gym, knitting, whatever, that's fine. Please stop coming up to me and trying to find out if I'm married and willing to cheat. It's gross. Also, please don't come out of the shadows and ask if I want to see a drawing. A million things go through my head first and that gets disturbing.
4. Women, don't wear tiny outfits and get mad when guys won't stop staring at you. If you don't want 'em lookin', don't put it out there. Just sayin'...There's also no reason to give me hateful looks. Don't hate because I'm sassy! ;)
5. If you see posted rules, they're there for a reason. If it states "No boom boxes" don't ask me if you can bring one in. What do you need a boom box for? You ain't Run DMC and this ain't Brooklyn...If you are Run DMC, then who am I to tell you no? That would be sweet...
That's a preview of my book that I want to write about gyms. Enjoy.
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