I had quite the adventure this past weekend at the ECA/OBOW convention in New York City (aka, 40 blocks from my home.) This was my first time attending this massive educational convention, with classes and lectures in everything from yoga, pilates, step and boot camp to fetal development and postural clinics. I had an absolute blast here, and I'd love to share some of the highlights with you.
TRX: Basic and Core Performance classes
This was by far the most enjoyable class I took - so much so that I ended up investing in a TRX for myself and my clients! The TRX is a double-strap suspension training aparatus that looks something like this:
It is a fantastic tool used for all ages, levels and abilities that is portable, low impact and incredibly fun. The focus is on motion rather than musculature, so it's an excellent tool to perfect form in push-ups, rows, lunges and planks. It can be used for balance, stability, cardio, strength and core training, as well as a tool for countless other sports and injury rehabilitation. The teacher, Fraser Quelch, was wonderful and highly informative. While I had used the TRX before, Fraser really showed me how incredibly versatile this tool can be.
Paul Chek: Through the Looking Glass
This was my first class with Paul Chek, the infamous and controversial founder of the CHEK institute for holistic training. This was basically an introduction to his diagnostic practices, which involve looking at all areas of the person's life, from their nutrition and exercise to their chakral balance and meditation practices. While he is certainly out there, he just as certainly has genius qualities. I deeply enjoyed hearing about his usage of Shamanism, drumming and art therapy as tools to heal this woman. It is really refreshing to hear about people who use all the tools at their disposal to connect to clients as whole beings rather than simply bodies with minds attached.
Stand Up Straight! Posture Clinic with Mark Stone
By far the most useful and informative class I have ever taken. I learned so much in two hours about postural assessments, and learned a bunch of new tools to work with clients on their posture and assessing their needs and challenges. If you ever have the opportunity to take a class with him, do it. His wealth of information is extraordinary.
These are just a few of the incredible classes I took this weekend. I now have information overload, but had so much fun, and did far too many workouts! (Boy, is my core sore!)
Till next time, be well and live vibrantly!
