Not my words but those of the very wise Winnie The Pooh!
As I was updating and preparing the class registers for the coming month, I had a ‘moment’!
Where have these past 4 months gone?
As we enter Week 16 of online classes and personal training I have mixed emotions. I’m proud to have created our ‘DYBO Online’ health, fitness and dance classes and personal training services (which are now also available face to face or in our wonderful outdoor gym) and I’m utterly thrilled that not only have so many of you joined these classes but also blown away by the amazing and complimentary feedback regarding the quality of our service and standard of the classes/training, content and delivery. Then as I go through my registers I see the names of those who haven’t joined us, I hope they are okay, I wonder why they are not reaching out or logging on? It really is so much easier and better than I had ever dreamed it could be and I wish I could get that message across, but mostly I’m wondering if they are ok.
I unplugged from my social media Fitness feed this weekend, there was so much in-fighting and tension amongst instructors it was getting me down.
There are instructors/fitness businesses out there that are ignoring the government and governing body guidelines regarding only 5 people plus the instructor exercising together outdoors with a minimum of 2 metres apart. Some have never stopped indoor/outdoor training and others are saying that no matter what the government says they are opening back up on the 4 July. The compliant instructors are furious with them because of course they are desperate to get back to training their clients, earning an income and saving their business but have followed the guidelines for the good of community! (NB. instructing outside of governing body guidelines will invalidate instructor insurance, at the very least, and put people’s health and lives at risk!). They feel that they are missing out/losing business whilst the less scrupulous are picking up on clients who either don’t know or don’t care about the guidelines (are they the same folks pitching up to illegal raves, street parties and packed beaches?). If these practices result in the Covid-19 cases going up, not only will lives be lost (the most important thing) but we in the fitness and dance industry will have to wait even longer before returning to full service, plus all those other workers and industries that are unable to get back to work until Phase 5.
I think that non-compliant instructors and companies will damage the hard earned reputation of our industry as those in government and general public might well ask..”Can these fitness people be trusted to adhere to safety guidelines? Moving forward, are they taking people’s health and welfare seriously?”
After reading some of the arguments and justifications from some I decide to step away knowing that I am doing what I believe to be the best thing for my health and that of my clients, family and population as a whole.
So God bless Winnie The Pooh, his message lifted my spirits. I will remember that the sun is shining in front of and behind those clouds (metaphorically and actually) and for that I’m thankful. Thank you to all of you who have put your faith in me to keep you fit, healthy, and happy. Thank you for keeping me employed and with a purpose, focus and goals. There is light at the end of the tunnel for us being together again, it’s a little light in the distance but it’s there and if we are sensible, take care of ourselves and each other then we will get through this together and of course as the late Dame Vera Lynn said ‘we’ll meet again……”.
So remember….”the sun is still there even when it’s behind those clouds”.
A shaft of sunlight poked out of the clouds when I joined in a Pineapple Dance Class with Antonio on Saturday – those rays of light reminded me that I didn’t have to get the train to and tube across London or share a stinky studio or changing room! My class was all there for me, safe in my home studio – all I had to do was log in to Zoom, dance like no one was watching, then when I was done I was already home and in my private shower in minutes! Another ray of sunlight came as I walked the dogs in the woods, and smelled the post rain fresh air (Petrichor), lush, then watched Glastonbury highlights from the comfort of my home, another when my niece visited for the first time since March, another when I went to the garden centre and used my vouchers, and came home to create my veggie patio garden and Zen garden space for training and mindfulness.
Then to completely top up my ‘happy bubble’ I received a small posy of sweet peas from someone who knows what those flowers mean to me and I got a double blast of sun in my heart.
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” Winnie the Pooh.
Here’s to another week of DYBO wonderfulness online via Zoom and face to face (for PT only). As always I offer you new music, choreography and content to keep you inspired and consistent with your health, fitness and your dance ‘skilz’!
Lovely Feedback
May I share this lovely message from a fellow dance and fitness pro who is joining our classes all the way from the USA, she says:
“I am loving Helen’s online Zoom classes which enable me to participate from California! I know that whatever class I choose whether it’s a dance class, contemporary stretch, dance aerobics, HITT or yoga class that I will always get a well thought out, informative, unique class with creative choreography! It doesn’t matter what your age, size or ability is Helen will always give you a great class and cater for your needs. She has years worth of training, qualifications and experience behind her and is at the top of her industry and has been for many years. Her wealth of knowledge in her field is second to none. Give it a go! You’ll love it!”
Tech Support
Steve and I are here to help you with any tech issues you might be having and suggestions to make your online classes and training tip top.
July 2020
It’s almost the start of a new month, have you considered taking out a monthly membership? This month you will have the choice of 49 classes (you can attend all if you wish!) for £50 – a fraction over a £1 per class!!!! There is no ongoing contract and it lasts from the first to the last day of the month!
I’m thrilled to note that those who have taken out the memberships are attending more classes more regularly and getting noticeably fitter (and I’m told happier and coping better with this current situation)!! This kind of feedback is a teachers dream!
This week’s Classes…
Here are the links for this week’s classes and payment details and support as to how you can have the best online experience with us, if you are having trouble connecting then contact Steve on his mobile (Call, SMS or WhatsApp on 07968 759826) and he will help.
DYBO Live & Online – 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.
Strawberry and Mint Salad (found on Our Salty Kitchen)
How good does this look!
Ingredients
- 8 strawberries, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup. fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup. fresh mint, thinly sliced for larger leaves, small leaves left whole
- 2 tbsp unfiltered olive oil, to taste
- 2 tbsp balsamic reduction, to taste
- organic sea salt, to taste
- cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Slice the strawberries, cucumber, red onion, basil, and mint. Gently toss all ingredients in a large bowl.
Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction, season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately. This salad keeps undressed in the fridge in a tightly sealed container for up to two days.
I’m going to try this with Grilled Halloumi!
Have a fab week.
Stay safe wash your hands and hum a happy tune whilst you do so for 20 seconds.
(Humming stimulates Nitric oxide production in the sinuses which is an anti-viral and humming will boost our mood too!)
Love ya,
Helen x
