Yesterday was our first day at the new venue and I want to thank all of you for making it such a successful day!
I'm feeling my muscles today and I'm guessing that those of you who were in my strength classes are as well. Remember to be active today and do some stretching.
Remember that you have homework to complete and bring it with you the next time that we are together please.
Many of you have asked to have the recipe for the cookies that I made as a little after class treat. It will be available (for free) on my new website that should launch next week.
My regular blog posts will begin again tomorrow morning. Today I will be prepping for the new classes that start tomorrow.
Have a wonderful day and thanks again for your support.
What fun!!
Beth
Wednesday, 17 August 2016
Friday, 12 August 2016
Note to Students
I want all of my students to know that I will have the same classes in the upcoming Fall schedule as had last Spring. I have no idea when the facility will be holding registration, but I am sure that this information will be on their website soon.
Our gym is now closed for four weeks but many of you have signed up for my private classes.
I'm happy to report that 5 out of the 6 classes being offered are full but one has few spots remaining so if you want to have more information please contact me via email: betholdfield01@gmail.com.
I'll spending the weekend and Monday, preparing for our mini summer session. So there will be no blog post on Monday or Tuesday.
Please note that although I would've loved to have everybody join me at our summer location, I only have so much equipment of my own. This is why I needed you to commit to the classes that you will attend ahead of time (essentially you are reserving your equipment not just your spot,) and this is why there is no drop in option.
Have a great weekend and I will see you on Tuesday or Thursday next week!
Beth
Thursday, 11 August 2016
Power Poses for Easing Anxiety
There are many events in our lives that require us to be confident and self assured. Job interviews and confrontations with co-workers, are just a few examples of situations that can cause us to feel anxious.
I've attended many conferences on health and well-being over the years, and on more than one occasion we've been taught about power poses. Holding a power pose for two minutes before we step into a scary situation, can ease our anxiety tremendously.
Raising our arms in victory is one pose that feels great to assume. Imagine how you feel when you win a race, game or contest.
Another power pose that is often suggested, is standing with our hands on our hips. I think back to my mother when I see this pose. If she was unhappy with us, we knew it from the way she held her body. We weren't going to argue with her when she appeared looking at us in this stance!
I'm smiling in these photos because my husband makes me giggle when he takes my picture but even with the smile, I look more confident that I would with my arms by my side.
Try each of these poses for one minute right now and see how you feel afterwards. I imagine that with shoulders back and chest raised, you are breathing better and feeling stronger.
So before the next big event in your life, find a private space (maybe a bathroom stall or an empty room) and assume one of these poses for two minutes. I hope it helps to ease your anxiety.
Have a great day!
Beth
I've attended many conferences on health and well-being over the years, and on more than one occasion we've been taught about power poses. Holding a power pose for two minutes before we step into a scary situation, can ease our anxiety tremendously.
Raising our arms in victory is one pose that feels great to assume. Imagine how you feel when you win a race, game or contest.
Another power pose that is often suggested, is standing with our hands on our hips. I think back to my mother when I see this pose. If she was unhappy with us, we knew it from the way she held her body. We weren't going to argue with her when she appeared looking at us in this stance!
I'm smiling in these photos because my husband makes me giggle when he takes my picture but even with the smile, I look more confident that I would with my arms by my side.
Try each of these poses for one minute right now and see how you feel afterwards. I imagine that with shoulders back and chest raised, you are breathing better and feeling stronger.
So before the next big event in your life, find a private space (maybe a bathroom stall or an empty room) and assume one of these poses for two minutes. I hope it helps to ease your anxiety.
Have a great day!
Beth
Wednesday, 10 August 2016
My Mother's Pearls
You just didn't mess with my mother.
She was one of the most brilliant women I've ever known. She knew the answers to all of my problems without needing to look it up on google. She commanded respect, in a loving sort of way and if you tried to give her anything but your best, she could smell that you were holding back!
As a teenager I can remember being embarrassed by my mother's confidence, especially when she was complaining about her food to a waitress. Both my dad and I would try to calm her down, but nothing could hold her back. She expected her food to be hot when it arrived and if it didn't taste good, it was going to be replaced! She demanded excellent service and you know what? She got it.
The butcher in the meat department of our local grocery store, used to hide when he saw my mom approaching. There was no way she was going to pay for spare ribs if they continued to hide the tough ones underneath the good cuts. She would make them undo the packages until she found one that she liked!
As a cashier, you hoped that you gave my mother the correct change or you were going to have a battle on your hands, and probably have to close the cash, count it and rectify the mistake right on the spot. And lord help the manager, if the item being purchased, scanned in at a higher price. Oh boy, it was hard to be with my mother at times. I would cringe during these experiences but I learned so much from observing her in action.
My mother served on various committees and this would take her away from us in the evenings sometimes. Watching her leave the house all dressed up, is one of my strongest memories. While she was gone, I would write notes and leave them on her pillow, telling her how much I loved her.
I used to love playing in her closet. I would put on her dresses, shoes and her pearls and parade around the house, pretending to be her.
The truth is I will never be as strong as my mom. She died in 2007, a day that was scratched into my mind forever with a rusty nail. Even in her dying she remained tough right up until the last breath.
I hear her whispering to me sometimes when I feel beaten down and ready to give up. She keeps me going.
Her pearls are now one of my most treasured possession. I don't wear them often but when I do, I swear I can feel her holding me in a warm hug.
Happy Birthday Mom.
Love, Beth.
She was one of the most brilliant women I've ever known. She knew the answers to all of my problems without needing to look it up on google. She commanded respect, in a loving sort of way and if you tried to give her anything but your best, she could smell that you were holding back!
As a teenager I can remember being embarrassed by my mother's confidence, especially when she was complaining about her food to a waitress. Both my dad and I would try to calm her down, but nothing could hold her back. She expected her food to be hot when it arrived and if it didn't taste good, it was going to be replaced! She demanded excellent service and you know what? She got it.
The butcher in the meat department of our local grocery store, used to hide when he saw my mom approaching. There was no way she was going to pay for spare ribs if they continued to hide the tough ones underneath the good cuts. She would make them undo the packages until she found one that she liked!
As a cashier, you hoped that you gave my mother the correct change or you were going to have a battle on your hands, and probably have to close the cash, count it and rectify the mistake right on the spot. And lord help the manager, if the item being purchased, scanned in at a higher price. Oh boy, it was hard to be with my mother at times. I would cringe during these experiences but I learned so much from observing her in action.
My mother served on various committees and this would take her away from us in the evenings sometimes. Watching her leave the house all dressed up, is one of my strongest memories. While she was gone, I would write notes and leave them on her pillow, telling her how much I loved her.
I used to love playing in her closet. I would put on her dresses, shoes and her pearls and parade around the house, pretending to be her.
The truth is I will never be as strong as my mom. She died in 2007, a day that was scratched into my mind forever with a rusty nail. Even in her dying she remained tough right up until the last breath.
I hear her whispering to me sometimes when I feel beaten down and ready to give up. She keeps me going.
Her pearls are now one of my most treasured possession. I don't wear them often but when I do, I swear I can feel her holding me in a warm hug.
Happy Birthday Mom.
Love, Beth.
Tuesday, 9 August 2016
Just Say "No!"
Balance can be hard to achieve if you are the kind of person who says 'yes,' to everyone and everything. Learning to express our sentiments clearly, is beneficial to our health. My son is living proof.
Josh, is a determined and wise young man.
When he visits, we have long chats and during these moments I learn quite a bit about him and myself in the process. Recently he was explaining to me how he handles it when people are demanding too much of his time.
"Mom, I have made a habit of saying 'no' instantly. If I really don't want to do something I tell the person right away."
He went on to explain that the first few times that he did this, it felt as if he was being a bit mean, but with practice it got easier and he's now happier and more carefree.
I have struggled with being a "people pleaser," myself. My desire to impress has often resulted in me being unhappy in jobs or relationships. Thankfully, I recognized this characteristic in myself about three years ago and I am actively working on being more like my son. Josh figured this out at 23, while it has taken me 47 years to piece it together! What a kid!
The key to speaking our minds is saying it with grace and kindness. At times we may offend people but I have discovered that it is better to be true to ourselves than to live with regret.
See you soon,
Beth
Josh, is a determined and wise young man.
When he visits, we have long chats and during these moments I learn quite a bit about him and myself in the process. Recently he was explaining to me how he handles it when people are demanding too much of his time.
"Mom, I have made a habit of saying 'no' instantly. If I really don't want to do something I tell the person right away."
He went on to explain that the first few times that he did this, it felt as if he was being a bit mean, but with practice it got easier and he's now happier and more carefree.
I have struggled with being a "people pleaser," myself. My desire to impress has often resulted in me being unhappy in jobs or relationships. Thankfully, I recognized this characteristic in myself about three years ago and I am actively working on being more like my son. Josh figured this out at 23, while it has taken me 47 years to piece it together! What a kid!
The key to speaking our minds is saying it with grace and kindness. At times we may offend people but I have discovered that it is better to be true to ourselves than to live with regret.
See you soon,
Beth
Monday, 8 August 2016
Family History Can Help You Heal.
I've ready many books this summer and one of the most interesting was written by Mark Wolynn, "It Didn't Start With You."
The premise behind Mark's book is that the roots of our anxiety, phobias and depression etc., may reside "in the lives of our parents, grandparents and even our great-grandparents" and that "traumatic experience can be inherited."
This book forced me to sit down and really examine my family tree and put myself in the shoes of my ancestors. It has been a fascinating journey so far and I have come to understand the importance of knowing our history.
My grandmother was sent to Canada in 1900 at the age of 12 years old, with her younger brother, to find a better life. These two children arrived in Montreal as Home Children. They were immediately separated and she never saw her brother again.
My grandmother went on to forge a wonderful life but I can certainly see how this experience shaped my own mother. Mark suggests that if we know what happened in our family tree, we can begin to see the ripple effects on subsequent generations. We can start to identify patterns and in so doing, bring about change.
I have spoken about the effects of stress on our bodies and minds many times on the pages of this blog. Perhaps this book can help you to dig a bit deeper and help to bring balance to your life.
Have a great day,
Beth
The premise behind Mark's book is that the roots of our anxiety, phobias and depression etc., may reside "in the lives of our parents, grandparents and even our great-grandparents" and that "traumatic experience can be inherited."
This book forced me to sit down and really examine my family tree and put myself in the shoes of my ancestors. It has been a fascinating journey so far and I have come to understand the importance of knowing our history.
My grandmother was sent to Canada in 1900 at the age of 12 years old, with her younger brother, to find a better life. These two children arrived in Montreal as Home Children. They were immediately separated and she never saw her brother again.
My grandmother went on to forge a wonderful life but I can certainly see how this experience shaped my own mother. Mark suggests that if we know what happened in our family tree, we can begin to see the ripple effects on subsequent generations. We can start to identify patterns and in so doing, bring about change.
I have spoken about the effects of stress on our bodies and minds many times on the pages of this blog. Perhaps this book can help you to dig a bit deeper and help to bring balance to your life.
Have a great day,
Beth
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