browsing and this is what I found

I was actually browsing the web looking for some new ideas for class and stumbled onto this blog"Fitness after Fifty." I liked her comments and research for the short articles she wrote.  Here is and excerpt from her page.  I find that I teach in this Hybrid style, trying to mix in different styles usually strength training with yoga/pilates for my dance students and my older students as well to keep their core strong, back healthy and balance as part of their weekly exercise routine.  So read this tidbit and open your mind and body to something new.  I've been taking some zumba and plan on being certified, so I'm hoping to get my students involved in it, even it its just a couple routines mixed with strength training. 

Hybrid Exercise Classes (From the Blog: Fitness after Fifty)

Combination classes (hybrid exercise classes) are among the latest trends at fitness centers everywhere. These classes give you a chance to spice up your routines and also give you a chance to sample several different disciplines.
People are often resistant to change but a hybrid class can put a new perspective on things. Hybrid classes borrow the better of two complementary workouts and fuse them together, but a good hybrid class is more than just slapping two exercise forms together with up-beat music. Ideally a class offers a cardiovascular workout as well as strength and flexibility training.
Camille Noe Pagan (Arthritis Today: May/June 2011) discusses the pros and cons of adding a hybrid workout to your routine. If you are seeing terms such as AI CHI, Gyrontonics, Piloxing, Yogalaties and Zumba in your fitness brochures, you aren’t seeing double and they aren’t typographical errors. Let’s look at some of the combinations: AI CHI (water aerobics + tai chi), Gyrontonics (multiple disciplines like gymnastics, yoga, ballet and tai chi), Piloxing (Pilates + boxing), Yogalaties (Yoga + Pilates) and Zumba (aerobics + Latin dance). People are loving fusion fitness because it is challenging and novel.
The hybrid workout can introduce you to more than one form of exercise and also introduce an element of fun. Fun is especially important if your current routine is getting boring. Monotony is a killer when it comes to maintaining a “fitness for life” program. In a hybrid program you will use more muscle groups and that should reduce the incidence of repetitive stress and injury while boosting over all fitness.
Before giving it a try, be sure that the instructor has experience working with people of all ages and physical capabilities. Look for a class that includes a gentle, flexibility-enhancing exercise such as Pilates or tai chi. Let the instructor know that you are a newbie and may need to modify some of the moves. A good instructor will ease you gently into the flow. and make helpful suggestions without making you feel like the odd man out. A good instructor will offer modifications for different physical and fitness needs. Go slowly. You don’t need to do all of the moves right from the beginning. Focus on learning your new workout rather than attempting to do it as the highest impact possible, and don’t try to keep up with more experienced exercisers. If you like to know the moves before taking a class, start with a beginner skill level DVD. The idea should be to get movement into your life and have fun.

My Iron is up and what a difference

After completing and extensive series of iron iv's, I'm feeling great!  I hope this last at least until I've returned from vacation in Kauai.  My steps have increased, I actually had a day that came over 1300 steps.  It was a productive day, that included my faster zumba class, a couple shopping trips searching for fabric and patterns- what else! but also window shopping as I waited for my daughter to finish work.
Since this wonderful energy is taking charge, I've noticed my steps have increased overall on a daily basis. Also returning is a trend to go back to exercise.  Instead of going to the movies as much, I do a drop in class of Zumba and hope to be adding yoga/pilates as well.  I need to stretch more, and feel these would be helpful  as well.
How are your summer challenges going? Have you been able to make any progress?  I know the heat is oppressive in many areas right now and can make it difficult to meet those challenges that involve outdoor activities.  We've had only about 4 days with temperatures reaching the 80's this month.  I like cool weather as long as its sunny, but its not always so and people have come to calling the various summer months things like junaury(June+January), juber (July+October) etc.  My husband just keeps saying its October.  Oh sad when you look forward to those few months of sun and warmth together. Of course if it gets very much into the 80's seattlites also complain its to Hot! Oh well schizophrenic weather is the norm here.