Some people are prone to addiction. Me? I am prone to bursts of obsessions. Maybe it is the same thing? I don’t know, but when I fall for something I fall hard and then for a few months feel the need to share it with everyone in my path.
Like 10 years ago when I read Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken. Was handing that book out as presents like I was peddling pamphlets on the street. This landed me a spot in my book club that I am eternally grateful to be a part of. Same thing happened with Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstratch (still recommend both books HIGHLY). So obsessed was I that I reached out to the author and got her to join our book club by phone.
The theater group that many of you are a part of is thanks to my obsession with theater. And in the absence of theater, I am now deep diving into learning and exploring every inch I can about the beloved park in the center of this city: Central Park. And don’t get me started on canines. :).
I am also a lifelong worker outer. I have tried it ALL – starting with Jane Fonda in the 80’s and a million different regimes that followed with loads of endurance athletic endeavors in between. But I think this obsession with The Class is going to stick. Even now in recovery mode from a car accident it is supporting my need to exercise with what my body can handle. Each class offers opportunities for level 1 (low impact) to level 3 (high impact) movements. My former level 3 is now more level 1 to 2 but I will work my way back to level 3 with time and patience. So true my jumping jacks at the moment are a little less jumpy, it will be awhile until I get my burpee back on and my dance party looks more like a shuffle. BUT I am moving and being moved and that is gift enough.
Going to trot out the words I used to describe The Class last summer and then again in the fall:
New exercise obsession alert! Have you heard of The Class by Taryn Toomey? Well me neither until Naomi Watts recommended it on the insta a couple of weeks ago. And now? Color me “The Class” obsessed. Hard to describe the experience, but let me give it a go. Old school exercises – think burpees, jumping jacks (loads of jumping jacks), and sustained physical exertion – wrapped in a new age type forum – deep breathing, hands on body, moving meditation, and free form hopping which could also turn into your own personal dance party on your mat. All this with philosophical musings and thought provoking pep talks.
After the first one I went upstairs – red faced and hair akimbo and the husband observed – whoa looks like you did some serious exercise. And yes while it is serious and yes you do get an excellent workout it is also playful, a little bit spiritual, almost tribal. They offer all kinds of modifications so don’t worry about your fitness level.
Bonus: they encourage you to make noise. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don’t (but I think it works best when you do). Making noise is an excellent stress reliever and we all need that right now perhaps more than we even know. Afterwards you kind of vibrate from within and this energy stays with you for the better part of your day. They have a FREE two week trial and then it is $40 a month after that. Classes are live streamed or available on demand. Give it a GO. Click here to do so. Let me know what you think.
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