...the other core workout.....

...downward dog...into plank...hold...keep holding...lift your right leg...then alternate lifting with your left leg...don't touch down...right leg and left arm extended off the ground....hold.....don't touch down...and move to your side...i said, don't touch down...now dip and up, dip and up....sound familiar? If you attended Women's Fitness Camp you experienced one of Tracy Gannaway's Core workouts...and I trust your muscles have remembered it too! Tracy spoke of the importance of keeping our core strong. (in rough terms...think shoulder to hip area) To quote Tracy, "A strong tight core provides a solid foundation through which power is generated in one region of the body and transferred to another."  Hmmm...this definition has me thinking. Thinking that is, about our other core. Our spiritual core. To be balanced in our approach to fitness we have to work out all three components of self. The physical, the emotional and the spiritual. I quickly get out of balance when my focus becomes all about the physical. If you panic just a little when you miss a workout or when you stress about eating the lovely dessert someone just offered you, chances are, you are too focused on physical. When we become out of balance we can become legalistic in our approach to fitness.  Legalism breeds pride and pride breeds judgement towards others and self. Jesus addressed this when talking to the religious leaders of his day, the Pharisees.  Jesus spoke in Matthew 23:25-26..."You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."  So...think about this. What is the condition of your other core? Has it been redeemed....made clean? Jesus, Son of God, the Sacrificial Lamb, our Lord and Savior...through His death and resurrection completed the spiritual core work for us. It is just up to us to accept it as our foundation  and exercise the power He provides in and through us.

Fitness Camp...the rest of the story!

18 women gathered together all in one room....sizing each other up...you know...it's true.  It's "fitness camp" and you hope that you are not the least fit one in the room...or at least, your mind whispers, please don't let me be the biggest one here...Our goal is to chase those fears away...to help you see yourself where you are in your own journey towards fitness and give you tools to help you accomplish your goals. And we mean healthy goals...not unrealistic expectations that lead to shame and imprisonment of thinking....but, that's going to be talked about in the next blog. Most of the women arrive with a friend...or a few friends. That is wise. For what you experience and learn will want to follow you home in the package of a good friend. Fitness camp is a time to learn and try new techniques...it's a time to realize that as women we all more alike than we are different....it's a time to encourage and cheer each other on as we face and let go of what we may fear...it's a time to challenge ourselves to be brave, to realize our strength, and to be inspired. I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story....

What to Expect at Fitness Camp!

Women’s Fitness Camp was created out of a desire to give women the opportunity to learn, consider, examine, engage, challenge, and be inspired to live a healthy and balanced life.  Fitness Camp begins at 4:00 pm on MARCH 9TH at Camp Tapawingo.  For the following 26 hours you will be presented with  opportunities to challenge yourself physically, spiritually and emotionally. Here is what you can expect:

An Opportunity to Consider & Learn:

Workshops led by a Professional Fitness Trainer, Tracy Gannaway from En-Core Fitness, will address the importance of Core Development and Nutrition 101. 

An Opportunity to Engage & Be Challenged:

A Fitness Hike, An Amazing Race, A Movement Class, A Challenge Course Experience

An Opportunity to Examine and Be Inspired:

“What’s on Your Plate”:  3 Meals and Snacks carefully prepared for you to enjoy and to teach you what balanced eating can look like. A discussion on “Overcoming Barriers” and practical tips to help you move forward.

 To Register:

Call Jane at 503-787-3828....Leave your Name and Phone Number and you will be contacted personally to complete the registration...OR....E-mail Jane at janekschmidt1@aol.com to get the registration process started.

Fitness Camp fee of $75 will be collected on March 9th.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 1ST!

Tapawingo Women's Fitness Camp....

....it's ON!!  women's fitness camp set is for March 9th and 10th!!  Once again i can feel my heart swelling with anticipation of the idea of women gathering together to encourage each other in this crazy fitness journey we are all on. it really doesn't matter where you are physically, emotionally, or spiritually what matters is that you care where you are. the tapawingo fitness camp is designed for all levels of fitness and different levels of participation. if you need a gentle hike through the woods...that can happen...or maybe you want to challenge yourself to the amazing race.....or fly on the giant swing....or sit and enjoy healthy meals and snacks prepared for you....whatever your personal fitness goals may be...we want to encourage you to keep it going!

So...here is what you need to do if you want to attend. call me (Jane) at 503-787-3828  BEFORE March 1st....leave your name & phone number....or send an e-mail to janekschmidt1@aol.com....with your address & phone number.....or facebook me a message.  once you tell me you are interested in attending ...i will mail you the registration form and details.

it all begins Friday....March 9th at 5:00 pm.....with registration & settling in....and dinner at 6:00pm....camp continues through 5:00pm on Saturday, March 10th......or if you like there is an option for extended stay.....

fee is $75....that's only 21 lattes to give up!

.... soul amnesia

...perhaps you remember what Jesus answered when he was asked this question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"...Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." ...it sounds simple, yet, often my heart is divided, my mind is distracted, and i  suffer from what i call soul amnesia. you know.  finding yourself back in the place where you thought you had  victory...and here you are again, learning the same lesson. again. and again.  fresh starts. first steps. new beginnings. resolutions. it's that time of year and it's what most people are talking about. normally, i would be jumping head first into the long list of resolutions and goals i have created for myself...but...this year....i am resisting the urge. i am waiting.....waiting for my soul to remember.  instead of self-striving...i will wait for my soul to remind me to let go of that try-hard life.  instead of mentally wiping the trials and struggles of last year out of my mind with the promise of a fresh start... i will wait for my soul to remember the peace that comes in the midst of a storm. instead of creating and manufacturing a happy life....i will wait for hope and joy to rise in their own time and place. i am reminded of a special gift i received this year....notecards that say, "I Pray, therefore I Hope." instead of resolutions i will pray....and i want to pray differently. not for outcomes..but for a soul that is awake... a heart that is quick to love and a mind eager to praise and to remember the Goodness of our God.