Lengthen and Feel Alive– a New Class at the Gym

So many fitness regimes, so many fads, how do you know if it will work, and more importantly, if you will like it? Just try it.

A combination of light cardio, body-bearing weight training and mostly stretching in sensual movements to spiritual, inspirational music can do a body wonders.

Fitness West in Pacific Beach, CA. offers a class, taught by personal trainer, Mary. She is buff, probably a competition weight lifter, but also a former dancer and it shows. She instructs with the style of ancient elder and gets into her movements as if she dancing with a ghost. To watch her is to watch liquid; to follow her is body bliss. Looking around the room at the all-women group mixed ages of 18 – 70, you can see the transitions everyone makes.

Each woman starts – a bit self-conscious but then as the movements take-hold, she morphs into a strong, sensual, lengthened body, confident and impassioned.

Uptight muscles dressed in trendy spandex give way to long, unfettered limbs. Faces lined with tension melt into, graceful beauties.

Back to reality as the music ends and the group puts away their mats. “Women, its great you are using weights, love to see it – but you need to lengthen the muscles to have lean, strong sexy bodies. It is good for you!!!!’ She echoes in her NYC accent as the class ends.

Mary combines yoga, Pilates, jazz and modern dance and plays new age, electronic music. Fresh, new, motivating. Every-one leaves breathing differently, better. The following week the class doubles in size.

If your gym does not offer it – ask for it – seek it out – this evolution of group fitness and a spiritual centering in the confines of a gym classroom is powerful.