Accomplished - BodyFlow Training Module I & II

I'm so happy I actually went to - and completed - training, because it was absolutely amazing! I'm not sure yet that it was a "life changing" experience but it certainly gave me new love for the yoga/pilates/tai chi disciplines and has opened my life to many new paths.

Day 1: Friday, February 13, 2009, 12 pm - 8 pm
There were 20 of us, young and old, from all over Canada, including ladies from Halifax and Calgary. Typical to any training session, the day started with some introductions. We learned about the exclusive to GoodLife program, LesMills, a company that was founded in New Zealand and draws inspiration from the traditional Maori tribe. Instead of doing the standard handshake, "hi, how are you" pleasantries, we learned to Hongi each other, a greeting where we clasp our opposite hands at the elbow and press our noses together to signify an intermingling and exchange of the breath of life. You can also say "kia ora" (pronounced kee-ora), meaning an informal "hello, g'day!".

Side note, there is a movie called the Whale Rider the is centred around the life of a Maori girl; the film has won many awards and is now on my list of movies to watch.

The trainer explained a bunch of stuff about the program, choreography, principles, music, and took us through a masterclass of the current BodyFlow release (#43) to loosen us up. Later, she showed us proper technique by breaking down each move and having us stand there for minutes while holding the pose. Needless to say, I was extremely sore that night.

I'll add in here that I love the music of BodyFlow. It's a musically driven routine, whereby the choreographers start by selecting music and then putting moves to it. Here's the tracklist with the type of choreography that is set to the song:

1. Coldplay - Lost! / Tai Chi Warm up
2. Conjure One - Manic Star / Sun Salutation
3. Mary J. Blige - Come to Me (Peace) / Standing Strength
4. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Your Guardian Angel / Balance
5. Bliss - Kissing / Hip Openers
6. Moby - I Love to Move in Here / Core Abs
7. Chris Brown - Forever / Core Back
8. Sheryl Crow - Always on Your Side / Twists
9. Sarah McLachlin - Don't Let Go / Foward Bends
10. Hans Zimmer - A Way of Life / Meditation
11. Enya - Isobella / Meditation

Day 2: Saturday, February 14, 2009, 9 am - 6 pm
Before we left on Friday, were were assigned tracks that we had to teach today. Mine was Number 5 - for Hip Openers (we had course notes)

Having a mix of different age groups and teaching experience in the room was great because we could share information and the room was so positive and uplifting! Very encouraging especially for newbies like me who have zero instructing experience. To add to the nerves, our trainer filmed us so we could see firsthand our technique and get feedback.

During lunch, I went with a lady (who happens to teach BodyPump at my gym) to Tim Horton's for a tea/coffee run and lo and behold, what do I see across the street? A MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY! (Oh, this is in Milton, by the way, so I guess it's still further than going to Vaughan but I'm just happy to see Marble Slabs popping up everywhere!)

In the afternoon, we went through the entire release again, to practice our tracks, followed by a lesson on how to conduct a meditation session. When I tried yoga/BodyFlow classes awhile ago, sometime last year, I was a non-believer of the meditation portion. I would usually leave a little bit early so I could hit the showers or get some cardio in. But having a great BodyFlow instructor at my gym and working full-time, I began to appreciate the mediation more. At times, I could even feel myself slipping out of consciousness yet still beings aware of my body I've been converted!

Before we left, we were assigned a second track to teach on the final day of training (number 8 for me).

Day 3: Sunday, February 15, 2009, 8 am - 5 pm
I can't believe the weekend flew by so quickly. I was still sore but it was a nice feeling, sort of. This morning, the trainer took us through a 90- minute Fitness Challenge which was an advance yoga class where we could reinforce our technique, improve flexibility, and just get comfortable with the capabilities and limits of our bodies. I loved this part because getting the technique right makes the pose feel so much better. I always knew that I tend to hyper-extend my elbows and knees so I learned how to control that to not damage my joints. Rene also showed us some stretched that would challenge our flexibility, like the standing splits! That's one I'll have to practice!

Following this, we had a quick break and went right into a run of the release...again! We had to teach our new tracks and you could see the improvements & increasing confidence in everyone.

After lunch, we went through the release for the final time during the training. By this time, everyone was exhausted and just wanted to get it over with - which helped with our instructing and coaching because we appeared more natural.

Finally, the weekend was coming to a close and I was a little sad to see this experience end. It was physically demanding but extremely rewarding. To thank our bodies and each other for their energy, we formed a meditative circle with the inner circle facing out, and the outer circle facing in. I was on the inside and we were told to close our eyes to receive energy from those on the outside. They shifted positions and faced someone on the inside - I coudn't tell who was infront of me. That person took my hands into theirs and she gave me her thanks and energy. I could feel myself get warm and the pull between her and I. Then, instead of dropping me hand, she passed it along to the person next to her, and so on, so that the circle of energy was continuous. Soon, I could feel tears in my eyes and other girls sniffling, too. Then, the tears just started to flow down my cheeks, a reaction I was not expecting. When we all had the chance to pass energy with those on the outer side, we opened our eyes and couldn't believe that just happened and how powerful it was!

We switched positions. Now, I was the giver of energy and the others got to experience the energy flow. All I can say is WOW.

So, 3 days later, after 6 BodyFlow sessions, 1 intense Yoga class, sore muscles, bruised knees, coaching lessons, and a better appreciation for lots of energy exchange, it's safe to say I think I'll really enjoy being a BodyFlow instructor!

Now I just have to pass the video assessment!