Yesterday was the 2nd Nordic Walking Clinic that we’ve taught at Body Wisdom Massage School. 15 people participated in Nordic Walking Iowa’s, Nordic Walking Clinic including several Body Wisdom staff members, teachers, students and an intern from Wesley Acres retirement community where we will be doing some volunteer training in September. Two hours and a lot of fun and laughter later everyone had a very good beginning toward mastery of levels one and two of Nordic Walking.
At this point we have 50% of our Team Members at Body Wisdom (Staff and Teaching staff) and several of our students Nordic Walking. One of my goals as Co-owner and Director of Education at Body Wisdom Massage School is to educate our students in integrating positive, healthy, lifestyle changes that will support them in both their personal and professional lives. It is my belief (call me crazy if you will) that as teachers and practitioners we should be shining examples of what we preach and teach!!! I recently put out a Tweet on Twitter that was very well accepted that went like this “Teaching Tip for the Day: If you don’t live it and breathe it …. Don’t teach it” [Easier on everybody].
Some of the comments from only a 2 hour Nordic Walking experience were quite dramatic. Participants were already noticing the positive effects of improved body posture (neck and shoulder pain disappearing and improved posture while sitting and standing) and of course the ease of walking with the poles since many had knee, foot and hip conditions that they had acquired over the years.
During this training we also officially launched the Nordic Walking Iowa Club with 12 new members signed up and we have started planning our first Nordic Fun Walks together. Things are happening in Iowa with Nordic Walking!! We have 4 Free Nordic Walking Clinics coming up in the next few weeks. Check the calendar section of the Nordic Walking Iowa website.
Happy Nordic Walking Trails,
Rhett
Nordic Walking Iowa
Classes, Equipment, Nordic Walking Club
Rhett Hatfield, Owner, Director
515-554-5177
http://www.nordicwalkingiowa.com
What a great start you have with your group. Keep it up! Hope you can make it to the Birkie on Sept 26th in Hayward WI.
Hi Rhea .. thanks for the encouragement … how nice to hear words from a veteran pole walker such as yourself … appreciate that!! I want to get poles into the hands of as many Iowans as possible including our own students and staff.
The Birkie … I am half way training for it at the moment. Did 30 miles in 8 days, one day off yesterday and then 5 today …. all averaging about 15.25 minute mile. No hills though …. help!! I am 58 years old and the knees are not the best but pole walking creates zero stress .. how lucky we are to have those poles to effortlessly wisk us along the road … :) I am going to up my mileage and then do a flat land close to half marathon test to see where I’m at. Thanks for the Birkie nudge …. :)