As much as I wish I was running again, my shin still isn’t happy with that idea. I’m still lifting weights, but that’s becoming old hat, so I’m always on the lookout for new low-impact activities to try. I’ve been hearing about willPower and Grace for the last year or so, but just tried it out recently, and last night I went to my third class at 24 Hour Fitness. Before I start rambling as usual, I want to say that I highly recommend the class, and encourage any Portland 24 Hour members to check it out at the Hollywood gym.
The class is taught by a girl named Meagan, and she definitely falls into my top two favorite 24 Hour GroupX trainers (I was going to add in Portland, but I don’t know trainers anywhere else, so I guess in the world). My other favorite is Marina, but she teaches yoga. Meagan is great because she’s really enthusiastic, is in great shape, and when she talks about being mindful and focused in life, during a workout class, I’m actually inspired by her instead of getting aggravated that my trainer is giving me life advice. That’s usually how I respond to that kind of thing, but not with Meagan. Or maybe I’m getting more open-minded and tolerant. That would be nice.
Other things I like about willPower and Grace:
- There are multiple levels for the exercises, but Meagan insists that you stick with Level 1 if you’ve been to 15 classes or less. Usually in yoga they tell you to do whatever level you want, and I always try to do the hardest one and get angry when I can’t do it. Specific parameters are good for me.
- It makes me feel more graceful. I won’t say I’m not graceful, but I also won’t say that it’s a waste of time for me to take a class that teaches me to be more graceful.
- It’s a very feet-centric class. You’re taught to use your toes as grippers instead of useless little foot decorations, and there’s a lot of fast squatting and getting up on the balls of your feet, which helps with range-of-motion in the ankles.
I also use this at work to try to help my ankle mobility, for when I’m not at willPower and Grace.
Things that confuse me about willPower and Grace:
- Meagan tells us to wear all black. I don’t think this is just a Meagan thing, because I looked at the willPower and Grace website and everyone there is wearing black too. She explained why at one of the classes, but I don’t remember, so I’m still confused about it. I never remember to plan my outfits for the class, so I always fail at this part, but so far I haven’t been kicked out.
- Why this class isn’t called Fun Yoga. Because that’s the name I gave it. It’s really not like yoga at all, but I feel like it has similar benefits and is more fun.
Pascal would fit in well at willPower and Grace. He’s always wearing black, and clearly needs to learn to be more graceful.
Thing that inspires me in willPower and Grace:
- Meagan always writes a big word at the front of the room before class. Today it was COMMITMENT, and she asked us to think of the top three things in our lives that we wanted to really commit to. We didn’t get to go around the room and share because we were in the middle of a workout, and also because we’re not in the 4th grade. So I’ll share with you instead – I decided to make my commitments fitness-oriented, because I always want to be committed to the UHB (Ultimate Hard Body) Lifestyle in general, but I need to be more specific so I can make it happen.
3 Most Important Commitments
- Healing my shin
- Entering another figure competition
- Improving/growing this running/fitness blog
I’d love to hear all about your commitments, or your comments/criticisms on my commitments. Especially if your top commitment is to criticizing other people’s commitments.
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