An Introduction to the Art of Living Course

An Introduction to the Art of Living Course
Offered at Mountain Fitness Center
Tuesday 12/16/08 5:45 PM
In the Classroom

The Art of Living Course gives participants the practical knowledge and techniques to unlock their deepest potential and bring fullness to life. Whether happy and successful or feeling the stress of poor health, disappointments, or fear, every participant is cared for and comes away lighter, with effective techniques for releasing mental and physical stress and increasing his or her health, energy, peace, self-knowledge, awareness, and joy.

The Introduction provides interested participants with an overview of the Art of Living Course, which is tentatively scheduled to be conducted in the Big Bear Valley in January 2009. The Introduction is free to all interested in attending. Please call 909-866-7020 to make a reservation.

About the Instructor: Nancie DiSilverio has been an international facilitator with the Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) for the last 15 years. She graduated with a BA in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Santa Fe. In 1992 she took an Art of Living Course with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and began her teacher training under him personally that year. She joined the organization fulltime in 1996.

Over the last decade, she has made presentations to various organizations including the United Nations, the World Bank, medical and psychological professional groups, small businesses, and church communities. She has taught in more than a dozen countries and all over the US. Nancie, when asked where she lives now, generally replies, "In my suitcase."

About the Art of Living Foundation:
The Art of Living Foundation offers programs to uncover the strength, peace, and joy that lie at the core of every human being. By nurturing the spirit and compassion of every individual, the Foundation seeks to help build a global society that is free of stress, violence, and misery - and full of service, wisdom, and celebration. It has been a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and humanitarian organization in the U.S. since 1989. Accredited as a United Nations Non-Governmental organization in 1996, it is now one of the UN's largest volunteer-based NGOs. www.artofliving.org

Dani McGee’s Mountain Fitness Center Offers New Membership Incentives in Support of the U.S Government’s First-ever Physical Activity Guidelines

In support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recent release of Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Dani McGee’s Mountain Fitness Center will offer 10% off monthly membership rates for new members joining before December 31, 2008.

On October 8, 2008, The Department of Health and Human Services launched the first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. We are in the midst of an obesity epidemic whose effects can be felt across America. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, adult obesity rates have doubled since 1980, from 15 percent to 30 percent. Childhood obesity rates have nearly tripled since 1980, from 6.5 percent to 16.3 percent. Obesity and physical inactivity in America are negatively impacting the economy and even worse; are putting people’s lives at risk. That is why, Mountain Fitness Center, together with other members of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), fully supports and aligns itself with the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

The new Physical Activity Guidelines are a comprehensive resource, based on scientific studies, that provides guidance on the importance of physical activity in preventing disease and improving overall health for Americans. "It's important for all Americans to be active, and the guidelines are a roadmap to include physical activity in their daily routine," HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. "The evidence is clear -- regular physical activity over months and years produces long-term health benefits and reduces the risk of many diseases. The more physically active you are, the more health benefits you gain." The Guidelines offer specific suggestions of types, and duration of physical activity for adults, children, adolescents, and people with disabilities and chronic diseases. They are applicable to people at any fitness level and can be personalized to achieve a variety of health and fitness goals.

The Physical Activity Guidelines align with the continuous effort by the health club industry to change the direction of obesity in the U.S. through exercise and healthy living. "Our Club is excited about the first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines and we believe they represent a positive step forward in the fight against obesity" said Dani McGee of Mountain Fitness Center. "The Guidelines provide an opportunity for the health and fitness industry to facilitate change in the epidemic of obesity and physical inactivity by providing the best environment to exercise. Working out in a health club can help jumpstart Americans’ healthy living and is critical in disease prevention, staying healthy, and living longer." Dani McGee added, "The end goal is for Americans to see the value in the Guidelines and be mindful of them while exercising at the club." For additional information about the program at Dani McGee’s Mountain Fitness Center, visit www.mtnfitness.com or call 909-866-7020. For information about the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, please visit http://www.health.gov/PAguidelines. For information on IHRSA Health Promotion programming contact, healthpromotions@ihrsa.org, or 800-228-4772 x164. For media inquiries, please contact pr@ihrsa.org or +1 617-951-0055.

Dani & Darrell Tie the Knot!

Hello Friends,

For those of you who don't already know this:

Dani McGee & Darrell Gardner were married October 4th, 2008 at the beautiful Inn of the Seventh Ray In Topanga Canyon.

For photos and other fun stuff please visit http://www.gardnercreativeventures.com/wedding

The Lischkes Take Top Male, Female Honors

Mountain Fitness Center wishes to recognize its members, Maria and Bob Lischke for their outstanding achievement in weight reduction!

The Lischkes Take Top Male, Female Honors

After 12 weeks of workouts, physical challenges and lifestyle changes, the winningest of the Big Bear's Biggest Losers were the husband-and-wife team of Bob and Maria Lischke, whose combined weight loss was just a smidge under 90 pounds. Bob dropped 19½% of his January body weight, while Maria, his wife of nearly 30 years, lost over 15%--their top figures. Bob dropped 52 pounds and Maria watched the scale slide down nearly 40 pounds.

Congratulations to Big Bear’s Biggest Winners!
Keep up the good work!

Want to be a winner too?
We will help you realize your goals with a
complimentary workout program.
It worked for Maria – it will work for you!

Welcome New Yoga Teacher - Alisha Crowell, RYT

Mountain Fitness & Wellness Center welcomes Alisha Crowell to its team of registered yoga teachers. Alisha specializes in Ashtanga Vinyasa (flow) yoga and will be teaching afternoon, morning and weekend classes starting March 31, 2008. Alisha's loving energy and contagious smile will keep you coming back for more!

Benefits of Exercise

Someone recently asked me what the the benefits are of regular exercise. I was somewhat taken aback by the question since as an industry professional I see the benefits spattered all over the news almost daily. That said, are we hearing it? I suspect not given the increasing rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

So in case you missed this information on the nightly news here are a few benefits of exercise:

Health Benefits of Exercise

• Reduce risk of heart disease
  Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. In fact, regular exercise helps your entire cardiovascular system — the circulation of blood through your heart and blood vessels — work more efficiently. Big deal? You bet! When your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you'll have more energy to do the things you enjoy.
  
• Reduce risk of Type 2 Diabetes
  Type II Diabetes is associated with obesity. When you exercise, you burn calories. The more intensely you exercise, the more calories you burn — and the easier it is to keep your weight under control.
  Lower cholesterol, LDLs; raise HDLs
  
• Regular exercise can help you prevent — or manage — high blood pressure. Your cholesterol will benefit, too. Regular exercise boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol while decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly by lowering the buildup of plaques in your arteries.
  
• Reduce risk of Osteoporosis – may reverse symptoms of Osteopenia
  Exercise – specifically weight training has been shown to increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis.
  
• Exercise can improve your mood
  Exercise stimulates various brain chemicals, which may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out. You'll also look better and feel better when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. Exercise even reduces feelings of depression and anxiety.
  
• Increased Self-Esteem
  Gaining control of your body size and weight through fitness is an amazing way to increase self-esteem. You look better and feel more confident, which empowers you in everything you do. You will find that the self-discipline required and learned through regular exercise spills over into other areas of your life and you will be better able to make other necessary and desireable changes.
  
• Increase Mental Focus
  Did you know that the latest research shows that exercise helps keep the brain sharp well into old age? Anything that involves mental acuity (focus and concentration) is improved. You also stand a much better chance of avoiding such diseases as Alzheimer's and senility.
  

Benefits of Strength Training

• Increased muscular strength
  
• Increased strength of tendons and ligaments
  
• Potentially improves flexibility (range of motion of joints)
  
• Reduced body fat and increased lean body mass (muscle mass)
  
• Potentially decreases resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure
  
• Positive changes in blood cholesterol
  
• Improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity
  
• Improved strength, balance, and functional ability in older adults
  

Benefits of Aerobic Exercise

• Increased maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max)
  
• Improvement in cardivascular/cardiorespiratory function (heart and lungs)
  
• Increased maximal cardiac output (amount of blood pumped every minute)
  
• Increased maximal stroke volume (amount of blood pumped with each beat)
  
• Increased blood volume and ability to carry oxygen
  
• Reduced workload on the heart (myocardial oxygen consumption) for any given submaximal exercise intensity
  
• Increased blood supply to muscles and ability to use oxygen
  
• Lower heart rate and blood pressure at any level of submaximal exercise
  
• Increased threshold for lactic acid accumulation
  
• Lower resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with high blood pressure
  
• Increased HDL Cholesterol (the good cholesterol)
  
• Decreased blood triglycerides
  
• Reduced body fat and improved weight control
  
• Improved glucose tolerance and reduced insulin resistance

Spinning your wheels?

If the cold weather has you spinning your wheels at home when you would rather be out riding come try a group cycling class at Mountain Fitness Center. We have 2 additional V-bikes on order - due any day now - so if you call ahead you have a better chance of getting in on the fun. We offer cycling classes 5-days a week and these classes fill up so sign-up early! Oh, and by the way, you don't need a membership to enjoy our classes! Everyone is welcome!!

New Classes

Mountain Fitness Center welcomes Step-Reebok Certified Instructor, Christina San Nicolas, to its growing team of group fitness instructors. Christina teaches Kick boxing, Step Aerobics, and Low-Impact Aerobics. She is passionate about fitness and her classes are a blast!

The Skinny on Coffee!

Coffee is bad for you...coffee is good for you...the tune changes almost weekly with new information and studies.

What's true?

The Good-

• Over 20 studies since 2002 have suggested that the consumption of coffee may ward off Type-2 Diabetes. Coffee contains the trace element Boron which may reduce insulin levels and stabilize glucose levels.
• Coffee may reduce your risk of heart disease but it can raise your blood pressure so those with high-blood pressure may be advised to avoid the bitter beverage.
• Consumption of 10 or more cups of coffee per day may protect against Parkinson's Disease
• Consumption of coffee may slow cognitive decline associated with aging.
• Coffee may reduce the risk of gout.

The Bad-

• Coffee gets mixed reviews for cause and prevention of cancers; it may reduce the likelihood of developing skin cancer - if combined with regular exercise; it may be beneficial to the liver, colon and rectum; but it it may increase the risk of stomach cancer and leukemia.
• Pregnant women are cautioned about consumption of coffee due to potential damage to the fetus.

The Ugly-

• We are not talking about a Venti Carmel Whatchamacallit, which is loaded with calories, fat & sugar!
• If you use a French Press Coffee pot you may be ingesting extra oils that may increase "bad cholesterol"

For more information read Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

Happy New Year Everyone!
We at Dani McGee's Mountain Fitness Center are moving forward with technology. Last month - December 2007 - we launched our web site www.mtnfitness.com.
And now - the first day of 2008 - we have our own Blog!

Stay tuned for lots of great health and wellness tips here and elsewhere on our website.