Every week I write to you describing my observations thoughts and experiences, but I would love to hear from you? How are you getting on?
We had a little chat on Zoom prior to our Dance class on Thursday and one our darling Divas described her upset regarding what she had seen as a result of bubble policy at the reopening of schools.
Her upset was in turn upsetting, and we were all sorry that she felt that way and I hope she felt better for having had the chance to share with her fellow Divas.
Our personal experiences of this pandemic (whether you are someone who has experienced the virus personally or have a loved one who has had it, is still affected or died, worked on the front line, lost your job, been affected by the closing of your business, school, office etc.) will have a clear influence upon how your feel about how to proceed.
What is clear is that we have and are all affected by and have an equal right to our experience and point of view despite which one we take, so love and understanding is the only way we can give and receive support and as always I’m so impressed by our DYBO community who do exactly that!
So how are you? Have you made some life changes, either proactively or have they been forced upon you and thus more reactively, or a combination? Are you thriving, surviving or feel like you are sinking?
Have you started a new business, decided to get fit, trim up a bit, or has lockdown lead you to sit more and move less? I guess what I’m asking you is ‘when life handed us lemons did you make lemonade, get out the gin or sit and screw up your face as your chewed on those lemons’?
Can the DYBO community benefit from what you have to offer? Would you benefit from telling us about it, do you want our support, can you give support?
Daisy’s story
You probably know that our Daisy is the most incredible dancer with an amazing pedigree. She has that magical combination of natural gift, excellent training, plus hard work and commitment to optimal physical and mental preparation.
With the closure of theatres and restrictions across ‘showbiz’, Daisy has had to pivot 360 degrees in order to create an income – well Daisy is also a wonderful artist too and is creating bespoke cards for every occasion so if you are looking for hand made cards with a personal touch then contact Daisy on dk_west@hotmail.co.uk
Daisy is also taking one to one appointments for Barre Fitness and Dance for adults and children here at our private training studio – fully covid safe! to book, email info@dybo.co.uk
Helen’s Story
As you know in January this year (after being so poorly throughout December with what I now know are covid-19 symptoms) I was concerned about this mysterious virus in China and so added increased hygiene protocols to my PT work and classes and expressed my worry about a pandemic (I was laughed at and told not to be so paranoid). Then after the government announcement at the start of March I closed my face to face classes and the following day (2 hours after being informed that All Hallows had closed its doors to external bookings) I moved my full time table online via Zoom, followed by all my PT and Therapy work.
Looking back, I’m amazed by the speed at which we completely pivoted my entire business, and livelihood, motivated by supporting my DYBO family and not knowing for how long this would be for. This was a gargantuan achievement for a girl who doesn’t ‘get’ Twitter or Instagram and don’t get me started on TikTok !
Of course it wouldn’t have happened without the huge support given by Steve on the tech and by Declan cracking on with our new studio, providing me with somewhere to host our Zoom offerings -essentially I now have a TV studio!
My dream of having online offerings was accelerated and I’m now thankful that my hand was forced (I took those lemons and made lemonade).
All of this would have been wasted if you guys hadn’t had faith and followed me online too, giving me the opportunity to keep our DYBO community healthy, fit, safe and supported and together throughout lockdown and subsequent easing.
I know that many of you had lots of things to learn about technology too and many of you have told me that you actually love the convenience of working out and dancing at home, it makes taking over the sitting room/kitchen for an hour and moving around the furniture worthwhile!
In addition to local DYBO participants we have welcomed back old and new clients from all over the UK and world to our Zoom classes, (that’s the Gin for our lemons!).
Whilst many teachers are instructing via Facebook and Instagram I have chosen the Zoom platform because I can see you, I can see how you are getting on and if you need any tips, corrections or modifications. I also get to see pets, kids and partners (in all states of dress, ha ha) I can see when you are distracted and not giving your best, I can see when you are really loving it and going for it which always makes me smile. You have provided me with friendship, purpose and focus, plus kept a roof over my head, thank you.
I know I often say it but …….. I love ya!
I’m still waiting to hear from All Hallows about whether we can return and indeed if it is viable to do so. Can you please have a think about your plans to return to face to face classes please, my brain is melting with all the scenarios going round in my head and I need to know your plans. Every vote will count and make a difference to the future of my life as a teacher of group fitness and dance and your classes.
DYBO Live & Online – This week’s Classes are as follows:
Monday
6.30pm Boogie Fit (Beginners/Returners)
7.15pm The Middle Bit – Complimentary when attending BF or CD or £3.50
7.45pm Cardio Dance (Intermediate)
Tuesday
6.30pm HIIT (Simple & effective fitness training)
7.15pm Core Power – Complimentary when attending HIIT or DF or £3.50
7.45pm Dance Fit (Intermediate)
Wednesday
6.30pm Old Skool Step (All levels)
7.15pm Barre Fit (All levels)
Thursday
6.15pm Contemporary Stretch (All levels)
7.30pm Dance & Perspiration (Fitness with a Dance focus, more experienced)
Friday
6.30pm Freestyle Fitness Yoga (Relax, Restore and Reboot)
****** All the above classes change and vary weekly! *****
How to prepare your environment
- You need space to move 2 side steps, 4 walks forward, 4 backward. Move trip hazards and furniture as much as you can (get help, be careful!) to give you maximum space for upper and lower body movement. Roll up rugs or secure them so they don’t slip or cause you to trip.
- Plugging your device in to your TV with an HDMI cable is brilliant as it gives you a good picture of you (like a mirror) and me – as well as boosting the sound if you go through the TV/Hi-Fi sound system. If you can place your device under the TV, then even better.
- I know some of you are using your phones – try to plug in to a speaker system (even those little speakers we have when we go on holiday would help) so that you can hear better as you move back from the phone. Angie has tried Bluetooth earphones and it worked well.
- Ensure you have maximum access to your Wi-Fi in the house and as close to the router as is feasible. Take phones off the Wi-Fi system and pop them on to your 4/5G network or place on airplane mode, unless that’s what you are using to join us, obviously. Ask family to do the same for the duration of your class – keep them off the internet whilst you need the bandwidth. The more bandwidth you have, the better the picture and sound and the less likely you are to lose the feed. Your health is a priority at this time and I’m sure they can do something else for that short time!
- Ventilate your exercise space, have plenty of water and towels to hand, keep your exercise equipment close – if you need anything, let me know.
- Wear correct footwear for your activity – putting an old pair of socks over the toes and ball of your trainers will help reduce friction when exercising on carpet (if they are a really old pair, cutting the toes open and then just having them over the ball of the foot is even better). It’s up to you if you want to dance or train in bare feet but be careful if you don’t usually do this as it takes time for the muscles and connective tissue of the feet and rest of the body to adapt to barefoot training.
- Make your own gym equipment. Save laundry liquid or milk bottles – you can fill them with water or wet sand/rice etc. to add weight and make a dumbell/kettlebell. I recommend you make a few in differing weights and you have written on them so you know what they weigh and seal the caps with tape to prevent leakage. Get a heavy duty shopping bag and put weighty items in it, check they can’t fall out and you have a kettlebell alternative. Make your own hurdles, put cushions, pillows, boxes, books on the floor to jump over. Use household items as floor markers for circuit activities. The stairs and outdoor steps are great temporary steps/benches for cardio and upper body work. The garden is a great open space to make an assault course or if you can get a signal, take your class or PT session outside, but do make it safe.
Fees
£6.50 per class. Paid in advance please.
10 Class Voucher £55
Membership, unlimited classes, £50
(Valid first to last day of calendar month, paid on the first day of the month)
If things get so tight that you can’t afford it then please reach out to me, I want to keep you healthy and happy and help you through this tough time and trust that no-one will take advantage of me.
Bank details are UK Fitness Academy Ltd.
Sort Code 09-01-28, Acc No. 04284324
Please email me when you have made a payment and use your name and what it’s for as a reference.
eg. Jane Smith Class Voucher. As reference, I do have a Paypal account but it costs money to receive and move money.
Coconut and Peach Gut Healthy Smoothie
Picture from cook eat paleo.
This recipe is also Dairy-free and free from added sugar too.
For those who are struggling to get yourself or kids bakc to a routine of getting up and out the door and having breakfast then why no try this recipe? It’s also a great drink, snack or part of a meal.
Ingredients
1 cup coconut Milk
1 cup ice
2 peaches
Lemon zest
Blitz in a blender (Nutribullit or equivalent)
And serve, or decant in a chiller, bottle or flask.
A scoop of vanilla flavoured protein powder will increase protein levels and keep you fuller for longer, I use a protein powder with inulin in it which gives our gut bacteria plenty to digest and boost our gut health further (I use Biome shake by Synergy).
Have a wonderful week.
Please let me know your thoughts about face to face classes.
Also what you’ve been up to and your plans moving forward!
Love ya,
Helen x
