This pandemic has certainly changed a lot of things in our lives. So many businesses and parks closed and the uncertainty of reopening dates still lingering.
The health and wellness industry had several businesses respond to closure with moving to an online platform and offering live, online workouts. For those of us that are new to an online platform, it is basically using software that allows a large or small group of people to log on through a shared link to a common meeting.
These meetings are being used for all kinds of businesses and government branches, including the Ministry of Education. Zoom is one of, if not, the most used software. This type of software allows us all to see and hear each other as well as opt out of being seen or heard but still in the meeting.
It has many features like changing your own background. For example, you can make it look like you are on a tropical film set if you do not want people viewing the room you are in. Locally, Misfits Fitness Studio and Health Bar has been using Zoom to continue its fitness and yoga classes.
My business partner Samantha Fincham and myself teach live, online fitness classes as well as offer small group, partner and private health and wellness coaching.
It is not the same experience as being in the same room as others or your trainer, however, it has taught me to change the way I teach and use a lot more cuing as well as change the kind of classes I can teach given peoples’ limited access to equipment.
Misfits Fitness Studio lent out a lot of its fitness equipment to members and offered six weeks of free online classes, running over 10 classes per week. This week, we’re offering two months of unlimited classes and a 10-class pass for a fee. You can send an email to info@misfitstudio.ca for information including a current schedule and pricing.
Fitness and yoga classes not for you? That’s OK. The most important thing you can do for your health and wellness is to continue to move and spend time outdoors. Your mental well-being is dependent on how much time you spend in nature and keep your body moving.
Daily walks outside, even for 15 minutes, positively impacts your health. Nature is therapeutic. Humans need contact with nature in order to feel connected to their environment.
It is through a daily routine of choosing to spend time outdoors that grounds and nourishes your mind and body. During stressful times it is paramount that we continue to immerse ourselves in nature and stay active.
(Nicole Cournoyer is a Chemainus resident and Misfits Fitness Studio and Health Bar owner/operator).