Get the Most Out of Your Training

• Refrain from eating a big meal immediately before class, however, do not come to class hungry.
• Once committed to a class, show up - even when you "don't feel like it".
• Work with your energy level, low, medium, or high. Energy levels vary.
  
• Allow distractions to slip away as you take time to work on your "tune-up."
• Dress comfortably. Clothes that bind include waist bands that are too tight, zippers, buttons, heavy seams. Wear clothes that allow freedom of movement.
• Be prepared to "under-do" to avoid injury or unnecessary pain. Most of us tend to over-do, especially when learning something new and when we are eager to "get good fast".
• There is a learning curve for everything new.
• A quick way to progress - Insert one or two stretches into your everyday activities.
• Keep it simple. Repetition helps.
  
• During class, tag 1-3 movements to practice during the time before your next class. You'll feel less overwhelmed when you go to remember, and will see results.
• Multi-task for health! Foot exercises while brushing your teeth, etc.
• Use a notebook: jot down questions, changes in your body, changes in goals.
• I’m a believer in group energy. There’s mutual inspiration in a classroom. Learn from classmates' work and corrections.
• Ask classmates to be an Exercise Buddy. Schedule regular meetings, or plan to meet on an as-can basis. If you don't work well together, find others to work with.
• During training you are not quite out of old habits, not quite in the new. Gaining flexibility, strengthening and relaxing your body, toning, and maintaining flexibility takes time, patience, gentleness, mental resiliency and playfulness.
• Enjoy your practice! Keep a sense of humor !
• The more you practice, the more you enjoy the benefits.
• Make games out of practice: reach for the top of doors, take mini-breaks when sitting at a desk, massage your feet while watching TV, elevate your legs while reading, work your toes and flex your calves while brushing your teeth, lunges while vacuuming.
• Use the mind to command relaxation: Shoulders, relax. Neck, let go. Eyes relax. Breathe.
• In hot weather drink additional water. After class, cool off from the heat with some water on the back of your neck and pulse areas, also, directly on top of your head.
• In cold weather, it is a good idea to layer clothing. When leaving class into the cold, cover your head with a hood, towel or scarf
• Remember to have fun!