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Lets take a look at fitness classes first. These are great to meet new people, being motivated by other member’s fitness levels, and some friendly competition to push you to that next level. There are a variety of these classes to choose from: spin class, aerobics, pilates, yoga, bosu ball, CrossFit, etc, etc… An endless variations and types of classes for almost all fitness levels and goals.

Which one is right for you? Start by write down a list of your fitness goals and then see which classes line up with them. Also, go take a look at one of the classes running. What do the members look like? What does the instructor look like? If you’re goal is to take a fitness class to lose weight, and the instructor (who teaches it three times a day every day) is overweight, do you think it is going to help you achieve that toned body? Are the members that have been at it for a while seeing the results you hope to achieve by taking the class? Ask them.

Instead of blindly believing that a certain type of class will get you the results you want, check the data and come up with an actual conclusion as to whether or not it is effective.

Now lets think about what to look for when finding a coach or personal trainer. Does your coach have a background in sports and fitness? Is it a background in something you are interested in? Is his experience valid? Does your trainer have the fitness you want to achieve? Does he himself train in the same manner that he is training you?

I believe a coach should be just that… a coach. He should be on you about proper form, and making sure you’re driving the proper intensity. He should be looking out for your best interest; namely, you achieve your goals and get the results you’re after. No compromising.

Does he spend more time on his cell phone then he does checking your form? Maybe this trainer likes working out side by side with you, rather than standing by demonstrating, spotting and critiqueing. If that’s the case, you’ve just hired yourself an expensive workout buddy.

Ultimately it comes down to a couple of things. Are you comfortable with your coach? Do you trust his abilities, knowledge and advice? And lastly, are you happy with the results? Because you can’t argue with those…
Chris Walls is a Personal Trainer at the Crossfit Kelowna training centre.  For more information on Crossfit, please visit http://www.crossfitkelowna.com

Sunburn can be a frustrating problem in the summer. Despite regular use of sunscreen (hopefully, the healthy, non-toxic types), many of us often find ourselves so enjoying ourselves, we do not notice until it is too late that we’ve had too much of a good thing. Ah, those fitful sleeps, unable to get comfortable or relax – every move a painful one. Surprisingly, sitting in a far-infrared sauna will heal sunburn faster than any other known method. Because far infrared rays penetrate a full 35mm. deep, there is a significant and accelerated circulatory response that occurs beneath the surface of your skin. According to the Clayton’s Electrotherapy, 9th Edition, far infrared heat is the only antidote to excessive ultraviolet radiation. This increased circulation brings healing oxygen to damaged skin cells and speeds sunburn recovery up to eight times faster. Now, who would have thought that heat can heal a sunburn?

Everyone wants to look better in bathing suit weather. While sitting down does not seem like exercise, a 30-minute session in a far-infrared sauna could well be the most invigorating exercise you’ll have all day. While you relax comfortably, the infrared produces an artificial fever in your body which not only fights viruses but produces a passive cardio-vascular affect similar to jogging 2-3 miles and can burn between 200 and 600 calories. While drinking water will replace the fluid lost, it will not replace the calories it took to produce the sweat. We like to call it ‘the couch potato working’.

Ah summer, the time for day-long boat trips, beach parties and late night dinners with friends visiting from out of town. Who among us hasn’t woken up the next morning (or afternoon) deeply regretting the last shot of whatever or glass of fine Okanagan wine? The good news is that one 30-minute session in an infrared sauna will make it like last night is a thing of the past – not an uninvited guest today. While we certainly don’t recommend over-indulgence, it’s nice to know that from time to time, the sauna can help you overcome a little error in judgement.

So the answer the question asked so many times of us… sauna in the summer? We answer with another question “Do you exercise in the summer? Eat healthy? Exercise?” Of course you do because good health is a year-round endeavour and regular use of a far-infrared sauna will help you reach your health goals for life.

Call 1.888.352.2936 now to reserve your appointment.

Readings are 60 or 90 minutes and the cost is $90 or $125.

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Tip of the Week
The peak month of summer coincides with the fixed sign of Leo. Over the next 4-6 weeks we will experience summer in its fullest intensity. This seasonal reality of weather cycles is what Astrology is founded upon, above and beyond constellational influences. The reasons for this are obvious; the impact of our seasons and immediate environment is our collective experience and reality. It has been argued that the signs transcend the influence of the constellations which are more arbitrary arrangements of stars divided into 12 groupings. So 6 am is always Aries time, Noon is Capricorn, 6 pm is Libra and 12 midnight is Cancer. These are the cardinal points in the day and correspond directly with the Cardinal Signs of Astrology. This formulation is archetypal and whether we know it, believe it, like it, or not our character and destiny is woven into this very natural cyclic round. The seasonal rhythms aligned with the quarter of the day and the actual sunlight it offers is fundamental feature of our inherent nature. Regardless of what scientists, psychologists and sceptics may say, nature comes before nurture. Nature does not exclude nurture it is simply more essential. Leo is the Sign that rules the Sun and not surprisingly, it is at its hottest at this time of year. Stay cool in the heat and embrace the warm sunshine while you can.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Home and family amidst the shine of a full blossom Moon is reason to give thanks. Yet you also feel the urge to get things done. Manage your time efficiently to balance work with play, especially with those you love most. Make home your top priority. Mercury in Cancer implies that your thought patterns are strongly influenced by the Moon these days. This will lend to a more subjective perspective with quickly changing moods. You will tend to see things more as you would like than as they are. Venus in Leo will bring out the lover in you. Generally, take your time to enter into long term commitments, yet embrace the moment.

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 21)
With a fully array of things to do and duties to attend to you have to be extra disciplined to get it all done. As ever, a slow and sure momentum continuously each day allows you to get everything done and smell the roses along the way. Such is the wisdom of the Bull. Creative projects can proceed steadily yet these will gain more attention as the Sun enters Leo (July 22). Your contribution to the needs of our times is to remind yourself and others that life is about the living much more than the getting and having. This is contrary to how you might normally feel and can be confusing. Yet, consider the balance in an ever faster paced world.

Gemini (May 21 – Jun 21)
Taking inventory of what you have, need and want is keeping you busy. There is a major housecleaning underway. Fortunately, you are the mood to work and play hard. Let the spirit of fairness, free of fears of security attachment, fill your heart and mind. Life is a game and we are meant to play yet when the ego overshadows the heart, fear and attachment take over our perceptions. We may call these perspectives ‘real’ to the extent that we assume that others see things as we do. Awaken to the many modes of perception so that yours is not taken too seriously; if you are not already, once you do the playing will begin again. Sing and laugh a lot

Cancer (Jun 22 – Jul 22)
Taking new steps and measures is your focus now. As old perspectives and priorities change, you are happy to step forward slowly and carefully now. Good idea! Listen to your feelings above and beyond the rational of your mind. There are ever many more options and opportunities than we tend to see. Though it is a core life lesson, trust the wisdom of your feelings especially now. Prior patterns of expression are meant to change somehow. Maybe you want to explore a new role at an exiting place or take on a new job altogether. The key is to do only what you love. Convince yourself it is possible. Life is too short to waste time doing things we would rather not. Trust, aim, launch!

Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 23)
You will come around an exciting corner this week. Many thoughts and ideas will continue to germinate in the back of your mind. You want to get a lot done but you still may not feel like you have your full energy. Pace yourself now, your momentum will increase in a couple of weeks. Do the behind the scenes work as much as you can. Continue to build upon your foundation somehow. This could directly imply your health and/or the health of your connections, personal and professional. Again, patience will likely be needed. See the bigger picture and begin with seed actions if that is all that is available. Call to connect.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sep 22)
Is life a dream? Yes and no. In the ultimate reality God, Brahma dreams and so great is the dream that, for us mortals incarnate within it, it is reality. Yet as the spark of divinity is our true life, we can weave dreams and thereby co-create with almighty source. This makes life a game. To play well go with a definite plan as God does. Too many people get caught up in living to work and consume and rather than the other way around. Yours is the sign of healthy life style habits, purity, humility and pro-active reason above reactive impulse and obsession. Live up to your solar destiny.

Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
You have been in an administrative mood. You have business to attend to. Half of it is outer reality and the other half is inner work. The latter includes practicing the ability to think with your heart and feel with your mind. Good times with friends, makes life a joy. Balance inner and outer, work and play, thus is the way of the wise. Of course, the balance point is ever moving so we might end up working more and playing less. If this sounds too familiar you may owe it to yourself to re-assess your priorities for the sake of a better balance. Your mood will shift in this direction this week leading you to make some timely lifestyle changes.

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
A deep soul search is guiding your way. Beyond all personality traits and personal memories, you are an eternal spirit. As such your most basic duty for the sake of your evolution is to be creative, an artist of life. Rise above the ‘con’ artistic approach to where virtue and sincerity are your pillars of integrity. What goes around returns so it is good to put out positive energy and actions, right? On the other hand, it is time to make some extra efforts to break through fears conjured by the over imaginative tendency of the mind. Your focus will become decidedly more sober this week and this is a good time to approach authority figures for favours and earned rewards.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
A new power exists within you. You may feel braver and stronger than you did before. Ideally you are ready to use this upward spiral to learn new lessons and gather new skills. Teaching is the key to learning. We learn, we teach and then learn more to teach more. Of course to learn we must also unlearn. Move beyond the illusion of who you think you are. Expand your vision and self-concept. Desired outer changes begin with changes within our own mind. These include new angles of perspective born out of exercising a wider vision of possibility. The danger is that you will get too scattered. Concentrate to focus upon a few priorities beyond too many possibilities.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
As life goes we fall in love and in time we experience changes of heart. It is all part of the process of consumption, assimilation and elimination of life experiences. As we climb the mountain we are wise to remember that life is a game and we are meant to play roles, but we are not these roles. We can re-invent ourselves old ones differently or new roles altogether. To this end we must clear the old to make way for the new. This will become more apparent over the next several weeks. Others want to know your direction and await news of your decisions. Pushing too hard to get what you want could cause negative reaction and cause you to enter dramas you might otherwise avoid. Let empathetic action guide your way.

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 19)
Discerning and deciphering what is really important, what you need and want is simmering in your mind. Despite inner change, you are on a charge and love is in the air. New found freedom and the pursuit of more of it is part of the plot. Patience, trust and perseverance are your amulets of power. Creating a smoother, more precise and efficient flow for the sake of emotional and/or material security is a top priority now. Starting this week you will experience more excitement, fun, romance and/or possibly some drama on relationships fronts. Make extra efforts to listen extra well and rise above assumptive communication.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
You are playing with a variety of options and possibilities. Outer people and circumstances are pushing and pressuring you somehow to clarify your priorities and makes your desires, plans and goals known. Weave sober practicality into your dream visions and strategize. The weave is important because the right brain works with images, sounds and more direct experience while the left analyzes and computes the information into component part. Together the two imply whole brain functioning which is both more creative and will bring about desired results more fully and quickly. Refine and streamline your co-creative abilities.