Are You The Bamboo or The Tree?

Yes, I am a Bruce Lee fan! Not only because he was awesome, but he had some wonderful insights into life.

The picture above has one of my favorite quotes.  Think about it!  All the trees that are down after a storm sometimes even being pulled up by the roots.  Why? Because trees can only bend so far, and then will crack or pull up from the roots.  Yes, a tree is strong, but a piece of bamboo is even stronger and has more flexiblity.

Here is fun fact from Discovery Magazine:  "Ounce for ounce, bamboo is stronger than wood, brick, and concrete. Consider the aforementioned compression test. What that figure means is that, compared with, say, concrete, bamboo can withstand twice as much force bearing down on it. A short, straight column of bamboo with a top surface area of 10 square centimeters could support an 11,000-pound elephant." What if we thought of our lives in terms of being that piece of bamboo instead of that stiff tree?  

I picture a breeze blowing: the tree is swaying in the breeze, but you can tell it is not embracing the breeze--it is fighting to stay upright in the position it has been in for the last 20 years.  Fighting to reach the sky to seek out the most sun.  Strong, yet unmoving.  Now picture that bamboo swaying with breeze not fighting it, but embracing it.  Allowing it to blow over it, around it, through it.  All the while being flexible so it saves itself from breaking.  

I am trying to apply the bamboo thought process to my life.  This includes eating, exercise, relationships, my attitude, etc.  I am always fighting to change my body no matter what to save myself.  Instead of embracing and being more comfortable in my own skin.  Why do I fight trying new ways of eating?  I think:   "I do not want to give up my favorite treats!" Why can't I be flexible and bend towards a new way of thinking?  What is stopping me?  

I seem to be that tree, not willing to embrace the wind.  Not allowing that breeze to help mold me into a different individual, with a different way of looking at food and a different way of responding to my (sometimes) negative self.   So what if I have to bend one way to see if something works?   Why do I beat myself up when it doesn't work?  Why do I think failing at something is a reason to quit?   Because I am that tree--unwilling to be flexible in all directions. Permanently planted in my way of thinking, stubborn to the point of not succeeding.  

Part of my studies towards becoming a Health Coach includes exploring new ways of eating, exercising, taking time for myself, learning, and allowing myself to be the bamboo: embracing, breathing deeply, looking at my true self and accepting (with confidence!) who I am at this moment in the breeze of life.  

I am learning to feel the breeze of life and move with it--not against it, and to be willing to embrace it all. 

New things are happening at the studio for this Fall/Winter!  

NEW CLASSES WITH AMAZING INSTRUCTORS
Some truly awesome people will be renting studio space from me to offer new classes to the community.  These classes will be separate from my business, so clients will pay the instructor directly.  Stay tuned!  More info coming soon!

MORNING CLASSES WITH AMY
I am also going to be adding some new morning small-group personal training classes.  

KETTLEBELL TIME CHANGE
Times will be changing for Kettlebell for late September/early October.  Kettlebell will be held at 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM for the following dates:  9/23, 9/30, 10/7.  On those dates, I will be taking part in Dragon Boat training and there is a slight time conflict (thus the reason to temporarily change the class time).  Thank you for your understanding and support while I pursue my Dragon Boat love.  

SUPERMOMS
I have been training a group of Supermoms for the past 6 weeks.  This is a private group training class that I was asked to start for a small group of Moms with autistic children. I am excited to be offering this class because I have learned so much from these truly SUPER Moms. If you know any Moms with autistic children who may be interested in an exercise class with other Supermoms, have them contact me.

ASK AMY

I am often asked questions about the studio and my pricing, so please read on for more information. 

1.  What makes your place different than a gym?  My studio has no "open gym" time which means you are in a small group or private training.  You have more specialized training which allows me to focus on you or a group.  GroupX (group exercise) classes at typical gyms can have anywhere from 12-30 people in them at one time.  I keep my small group classes to no more than 10 (unless a special requesst is made for more than 10 people in a class).  

2.  Why do other training studios charge more than you?  My goal is to keep my prices affordable for everyone.  $45.oo per one hour individual training session is not the Michigan average-- $60.00-$120.00 per one hour session is the norm in this area.  I am not saying other places are wrong in their prices, this is just what sets me apart from those other places.  Also, my rates do not reflect a lack of qualification on my part.  I am proud and willing to review my certifications and experience with any client (current or prospective).  

3.  Why do you want to train everyone and not just a specialized group?  Simply put:  I do not want to limit myself or my clients.   My training is for people of all levels of fitness--whereas some large gyms do not offer training, for example, to people with physical limitations. I love training people that I can push beyond what they thought they were capable of doing!  That could mean a person who could do 30 burpees in under a minute to a person who thought they could never do one burpee!  I find an equal sense of accomplishment  in training someone who may be challenged with something as seemingly simple as balance.  How rewarding  for that client (and for me as a trainer) to be able to see their balance and confidence improve.  It might not be the equal physical exertion of doing a burpee, but the benefit is the same.




Ready for a Challenge?   

1.   Agree to walk/run/bike/treadmill for 1 mile everyday for 10 days-Starting Monday, September 22nd, 2014
2.  Like my Facebook Page if you haven't already.  Amyjo's Howe About Personal Training LLC
3.  Download the app Charity Miles app (free app)
4.  Use it to track your to Walk/Run/Bike/treadmill
5.  Post to my business Facebook page everyday your 1 mile or more 
6.  Complete the challenge and be entered in a drawing to win a prize.

http://www.charitymiles.org  Watch the video when visiting the website and remember a company donates to the charity that you choose.  It doesn't cost you anything and you are donating by walking/running/biking.  

Check out my Dragon Boat coach's Facebook page:  He has a great class starting next week to learn the paddling technique of Dragon Boating. 
The OleMan's Adventure