Say goodbye to winter and welcome a change of season with a body and soul overhaul. Throughout the valley there are several spring-cleaning classes and programs to enjoy.
At the Hailey Yoga Center on Saturday, March 28, from 2:30-5 p.m. take part in a yoga class, Align with the Spirit of Spring. Join Cathie Caccia and Maggie Blair for a combination Hatha Yoga and Chinese medical theory class for $25. The class is geared toward clearing out the past and making space for inspiration. In addition, Ryan Redman will teach a four-week class, Introduction to Yoga: Part 2, beginning on Sunday, March 29, from 4:30-6 p.m. for $50. The class will focus on yoga postures, breathing, meditation and philosophy. All levels are welcome. For details, call 788-8773.
Sometimes the preferred approach to spring cleaning is clearing one's mind. Take part in a one-day silent meditation retreat on Saturday, April 18, at Feli's Private Pilates Studio (on Main Street across from Backwoods) in Ketchum.
Led by Buddhist dharma teacher Cally Hutta, the class will include meditation instructions and teachings on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Beginners are welcome and a donation of $30 is suggested but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. An additional $10 will include lunch from Glow. Meditation will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3-5:30 p.m.
Perhaps spring cleaning means getting the body fit and physically seeing results. Zenergy at Thunderspring is offering its 90-Day Challenge with Brenda Powell. Powell is an exercise physiologist and certified sports nutrionist at Zenergy. She has been a leader in the fitness industry for over 20 years, working in clinical and individual settings. In addition she has twice completed an Ironman triathlon.
"It's really rewarding to me to see people get results and change their lives," Powell said. "People do programs but eventually go back to their old ways. With this program, we take the full 90 days to completely revamp life skills, and people maintain a lot of effective tools to maintain their results."
The program consists of 20 group exercise workouts, which meet twice a week, in which participants learn different modalities of exercise. Powell begins the program with taking body measurements, which include composition and strength.
"We look at an individual's present exercise routine and diet and decide where to make changes," Powell said. "The program includes a cleansing diet, which is not a fast and is suggested not mandatory. We identify the weak points in a person's diet and give a customized food program and healthy options for eating."
Powell holds a nutrition class, which dissects labels and how to read them for bad ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup. In addition Powell asks all participants to journal eating and exercise.
"People don't want to write things down because they don't want to look at what they are eating," Powell said. "I make the program work for everyone no matter how strong or weak a person. People invigorate each other, and it's fun."
Powell's workouts include several types of gym apparatus and a combination of traditional exercises such as with medicine balls, jump ropes and exercise machines, which are done in a circuit for 90 seconds at a time.
The exercises are diverse and a group dynamic not only makes it less tedious, but great friendships evolve too. Powell also designs an alumni group for past 90-Day Challenge participants, which is very popular. She also gives participants 10 workouts to do beyond the challenge, which can be done at any gym in the valley.
The 90-Day Challenge is open to the public for $500 and for Zenergy members $450. An informational meeting will take place on Thursday, April 3, at 12 p.m. Meet at the Zenergy Lobby. For details, call 725-0595.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Photo by Kirsten Shultz
