What is energy and why does it matter?

by guest blogger Molly Coeling

I am beyond thrilled that my good friends here at Pumps Fitness embrace and embody a holistic approach to health. I support their goal of providing opportunities for you to learn about and experience yourself as an energetic being as part of a holistic approach to fitness and self-care. Currently Pumps offers Tai Chi, Yoga, a "Stretch & Meditate" class and private Reiki sessions. In February I'll be jumping on the bandwagon and offering a workshop that will give you a chance to experience and practice sensing energy and using energy techniques to boost your own health. Details about this exciting workshop will be coming soon, and in the meantime stay tuned for a new blog post every Monday that will focus on energy and self-care.

Last week I posted about how to protect yourself from "energy vampires" and described for you some self-care techniques to practice. Over the next few weeks I'll be posting every Monday with the goal of providing some basic education on this whole concept of "energy."

But first it's important to clarify what I mean when I talk about "energy." So today I'll try to break down this relatively broad concept in this relatively short blog post. 

Our energy extends beyond our physical body;
this is known as one's aura, biomagnetic energy field, or simply your personal space

The core and fundamental concept that is key to understanding energy is that everything is made of energy; in fact everything IS energy. The phone, tablet or computer that you are reading this on mis made of eneergy. The air you are breathing is also energy. The ground underneath you is energy. And most importantly, YOU are energy -- your physical body, your thoughts, your emotions, and everything that is a part of you is pure energy.

So let's get a bit more concrete. Energy vibrates over a wide range of frequencies. The higher the frequency, the faster the energy is vibrating; similarly, lower frequency means slower vibration. In order for objects such as a tree, bicycle, and your own body to be perceived as solid, they must vibrate at a very low frequency; in fact, the energy that makes up physical objects is moving so slowly that it appears to not be moving at all. Hence our perception that solid objects are static and not moving. 

It follows that energies that are vibrating at higher frequencies are not perceived as solid objects; however, this does not mean that those energies are not real and that they do not impact us and our world. For example, radio waves are very real, but we can't see or touch them; they are vibrating at a high enough frequency to be able to travel very quickly and, for all intensive purposes, invisibly.

An interesting example of energy we can't see but that we can still sense is the mechanism underlying "telepathic communication." This can be as simple as reading a good friend's mind or as trippy as feeling an unmistakable premonition that something tragic has happened to a loved one and finding out that they were having a heart attack at that exact moment. These occurrences are not inexplicable coincidences; they are the natural consequence of being energetically bonded to someone. We are tapped into these people energetically, and we are literally feeling the intense energy they are emitting.

So what is so exciting about all of this? Well basically, if we are all energetic beings we have a largely untapped avenue for healing, healthy living, and self-care. It turns out that we can all work with energy in very simple ways to produce powerful results. For some simple examples of how to begin to work with your own energy and protect yourself from "energy vampires," check out last week's blog post here.

About the Author: Molly Coeling, LMT, RMT, MPH is a Reiki* practitioner and teacher, as well as a clinical massage therapist. Her private practice is in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago. Check out her website here. 

*Reiki is an energetically based holistic healing practice that supports overall balance, reduces stress and supports the immune system. Reiki can help to relieve a variety of emotional, psychological and physical ailments including anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia and pain.

Too much hustle and bustle this holiday season?

Protect yourself from "Energy Vampires" with "Energetic Self-Care"

by guest blogger Molly Coeling

Do you feel like your energy is being drained lately? Do you ever wonder what you can do to protect yourself from the "energy vampires" in your life, i.e. those people, events, and tasks that seem to suck the life force right out of you?

As energetic beings, we are susceptible to all of the energy around us; in other words, we are "energy permeable." Despite this susceptibility, it is often difficult to notice in the moment when your energy is being needlessly drained. So step #1 is to simply NOTICE.

Noticing is easier when you are present in the moment and are able to tap into what you are feeling in your body. Some signs that your energy is being drained include:

- muscles tightening up
- holding your breath
- gritting your teeth
- a knot in your stomach
- feeling angry or impatient

If you are able to catch the "energy vampire" in the moment, congratulations! This is half the battle. If you can't make a quick exit to physically separate yourself from the "energy vampire," have no fear; there are other options.

First, simply breathe and try to relax your body and your mental state. Then, as a preventive measure, try one of these two simple techniques.

1) Draw your energy in: Imagine your energy field, which extends several feet around you; some people like to think of this as your "personal space." Using your intention and/or imagination, draw your field in so that it hovers just over your skin. Keep your energy in close to yourself rather than putting it out there for anyone or anything to draw from. 

2) Become a mirror: Again, imagine your energy field. But instead of drawing it in close to your skin, imagine it staying right where it is and becoming reflective, like a mirror. Use this mirror to deflect and reflect unwanted energy. 

Does all of this sound hokey? A bit far fetched? Perhaps. BUT if you have read this far, it is likely you are feeling the very real effects of needless energy drain, so why not try to feel the effects of conscious energetic protection? I challenge you to at least give it a try.

About the Author: Molly Coeling, LMT, RMT, MPH is a Reiki* practitioner and teacher, as well as a clinical massage therapist. Her private practice is in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago. Check out her website here. 

*Reiki is an energetically based holistic healing practice that supports overall balance, reduces stress and supports the immune system. Reiki can help to relieve a variety of emotional, psychological and physical ailments including anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia and pain.

Don't Believe These 5 Myths These myths sabotage results and keep people miles from their goal weight. The truth is that strength training is one of the best things you can do for your health, fitness and appearance. Don’t fall for one of these 5 myths and miss out on tremendous potential results. Strength Training Myth #1: Muscle Can Turn Into Fat  Why would anyone want to build muscle if they think it could morph into fat over time? Don’t worry; this myth is seriously false. Muscle tissue is muscle tissue. Fat tissue is fat tissue. One will never become the other. Strength Training Myth #2: Strength Training Makes Women Bulk Up  Sure, strength training increases the amount of muscle on your body, so many women take this to mean that their body will become body-builder-esque. Not quite the look you’re going for… The truth is that the female body simply doesn’t naturally contain large enough levels of testosterone to put on bulk muscle without a very focused and dedicated effort. Rest assured, ladies, the effort you spend on strength training will get you closer to that lean, toned look you want. Strength Training Myth #3: Strength Train Enough and You Can Eat Anything  To many people throw away their hard-earned fitness results by eating too much of the wrong stuff. Even if you strength train daily at an intense rate, your total calories still matter. To top it off, most people overestimate how many calories they burn as well as underestimate how many calories they eat. Talk about a fattening combo. For best results, maintain a calorie-controlled diet filled with fresh, wholesome ingredients in addition to a regular, challenging strength training routine. Strength Training Myth #4: Strength Training Does Not Burn Fat  This one couldn’t be more false. Muscle is actually your number one ally against fat gains. One pound of muscle burns 10-20 calories each day, just living and breathing. Regular strength training helps you increase your muscle mass as well as preserve existing muscle mass, turning you into a fat burning machine. Strength Training Myth #5: High Reps And Light Weights For Toning  This myth, made popular in the 90’s, says that very high repetitions of very light weights would result in a toned physique. Sorry, not true. These high repetitions will increase your muscular endurance but will not add strength or tone. In order to truly challenge your muscles, heavier weights with lower repetitions are a must. Start with an 8-10 repetition range and push your muscles with each set. Include strength training as a part of your fitness routine and finally achieve a fit and toned body. Our custom-made fitness programs remove all of the guesswork for you. We know what works, and we make it our mission to see you reach your goals. Call or email today and we’ll get you started on the program that’s best for you. For Best Results... Want to get the most from your workouts? Follow these 5 tips: Be Consistent: exercise at least 4 times each week. Be Challenged: change your routine often. Be Patient: don’t forget that true fitness results take time. Be Excited: find an exercise program that you love. Be Coached: call in a professional, like us, for real results. Call or email today! Call Today For Your Free Consultation! Email: pumpstrainingandpilates@gmail.com Phone: 219-548-3480 Website: Pumps Fitness

MONTHLY CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Vera Bobek!

DECEMBER 2014

My name is Vera Bobek. I have been coming to Pumps Fitness for more than 3 years.  I have 3 children, 5 grandchildren and live on a farm 25 miles from Valparaiso.  My daughter, Julie, saw my posture deteriorate including:  rounded shoulders and a noticeable forward lean.  She surfed the Internet for a fitness studio within 30 miles and found Pumps Fitness.  Then Julie called and interviewed the owner/pilates trainer inquiring about the pilates program, certifications, experience and environment.  She was pleased and purchased me a pilates private training package.

Now, it was up to me to make the move and try pilates.  I was reluctant and kept putting it off for this would be a new experience for a 68 year old.  A fitness studio for me?- I’m a farm wife who knows plenty about manual labor and farming but not much about fitness. Yet, I knew my body was in need of more exercise and mobility.  I wanted to be able to pick up that piece of paper that fell on the floor like I used to when I was 20 years younger not just look at it and try to figure out how to pick it up or ignore it.

 So, I finally took the big scary leap and tried a private pilates session.  What an experience!  The session was fun, hard and rewarding.  I left feeling confident and alive.   I was not intimated or scared for the second session.  Don’t get me wrong, pilates is difficult.  I had so much to learn and understand about my body and muscles.   But I was determined.  I was starting to wake up muscles that I didn’t even know I had.  This experience and process just amazed me.   Immediately, I began to feel better about myself, my body movement was becoming more natural, my coordination was improving, my flexibility was taking shape and pounds started to drop off.  Today, I feel more fit and healthy.  I don’t take any medications.  I can pick up that fallen piece of paper.   My grandkids and I can play softball or soccer when they come to visit.  I am grateful and happy that I decided to follow my daughters lead and try pilates at Pumps Fitness.

Staying fit and healthy takes commitment, time and hard work.  I enjoy going to Pumps Fitness twice a week participating in either a private or partner pilates session.  Mary, my pilates trainer, has helped me achieve my fitness goals.  She works with my limitations while still pushing me to new fitness levels.  She is always patient and encouraging which I greatly appreciate. 

I strongly recommend Pump Fitness to all my friends and family.   This studio has great trainers who look after your needs and goals.  The classes and facility is great for all ages and fitness levels. 

Monthly Member Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Liz Chael!

November 2014!!

My name is Elizabeth Chael.  I am the daughter of German immigrants and grew up in Chicago.  I came to Valparaiso to attend Valparaiso University and graduated with a BS in nursing.  While at VU, I met my amazing husband, Paul.  We have 4 awesome children (actually 8, if you include their spouses and significant others) and 3 beautiful grandchildren.  I have been privileged to work as a nurse, in multiple medical arenas, for 38 years.  My patients and co-workers are an extended part of my family.  Add my brother and his family as well as my husband's sister and her family, a multitude of friends and their families, and you can see that I am very blessed.

I have been coming to Pumps for over 4 years now.  Despite the fact that I studied the human body and health practices for so many years, I have learned so much and grown at Pumps.  I struggled my whole life with weight and health issues.  I have tried every diet and belonged to numerous gyms.  Pumps is so different. Not only does it offer Pilates (the class that brought me here), but it has helped me feel safe and focus on optimal health and well being for my body and mind.  My instructors are knowledgeable and supportive and I look forward to Pumps everyday.  I guess I better add Pumps to my long list of blessings.

SPOTLIGHT ON……  MARILYN STEVENS!

OCTOBER 2014!!

I grew up in East Chicago, Indiana with my five brothers.  I graduated from Roosevelt High School many years ago.  Back then girls weren’t encouraged to attend college.  They either got a job or got married.  I did both! 

My first job was for a small life insurance company making $1.00 per hour.  After a year, I applied at Inland Steel and worked in #3 cold mill shipping.  I also married my high school sweetheart that year.  After several years, we moved to Merrillville and bout a house.  It was then that I began my first Aerobics class taught once a week in a church hall. 

My marriage ended after 13 years and I lived with my best girl friend until I married again.  My husband had two children, Scott and Melissa, and I now have not only a son and daughter, but also three grandsons.  We moved to Valparaiso, and I started to attend group classes at Fitness Barn.  I continued there until they closed.  I then went to Valpo Fitness, which changed hands several times before totally closing.  Meanwhile, I retired from Inland Steel with 30 years and went to work for Midwest Steel as a contractor on a special shipping system.

I now looked for a new fitness club and found Pumps!  They have a variety of classes and times and all the instructors are great.  The facility is very pleasant and I enjoy coming here meeting both new and old friends.

I am totally retired now and have been a widow for 10 years, so I take 9 classes a week to help with strength, balance and also meditation.  I hope to have a long and healthy relationship with Pumps and everyone I meet here!

September Spotlight on Martha Sharp!

SPOTLIGHT ON.....MARTHA SHARP!!

For more than 12 years Pumps Fitness  has been a part of my life.  I have attended other facilities and programs but never found the right fit.  During this time of my life, my two boys had entered middle school and fifth grade.  I found myself with a little more time to re-focus some attention on myself and Pumps Fitness was a wonderful spot to land. 

I grew up on the edge of Valparaiso.  I lived in Center Township on one of the last remaining farms, a Dairy farm, in the township. I attended Purdue University and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education.  In 1985, the summer after graduation I began my Master’s Degree at Valpo University and was hired as a first grade teacher by Valpo schools.  I wound up teaching at Hayes Leonard Elementary where I attended Elementary school as a child.

David and I were married in June of 1985.  In 1987 we bought our first home in Morgan Township.  Together with my husband, we bought a small business, The Teacher Store, in 1989.  Our first son, Steven, was born in August of 1990.  Our business began to bloom and our second son Andrew was born in 1993.  That was plenty in a six year period, but life really gets even busier with kids, business and all the fun that comes with it!

Somewhere during PTO, Room Mom and athletic schedules I discovered Pumps Fitness. What began as exercise and a move to healthier lifestyle became fun and enjoyable, something I looked forward to each week.  Working out and exercise became a social gathering as well, due to the friendly and supportive atmosphere.  I’ve gained many friends and acquaintances.  We have shared joys and sorrows together.  These friendships and their support have been an added benefit to my membership.  In 2011, on Mother’s Day, I had unbearable pain in my right arm due to a bulging disc in my neck.  Again, the strength and stamina which Pumps Fitness had provided me made my recovery move along better than expected.  Again, support from my exercise friends and personal training allowed me to feel better quicker.

I am currently enjoying my experience at Pumps Fitness under the leadership of Ian and Michelle.  They have brought an added level of adrenaline to the business and still manage to keep the strong core values of their predecessor, Sandie Hendrix.   Workouts can be challenging and soothing.  There is enough variety of classes offered that I can always find one to fit my mood and energy level.  The programs are always rewarding.

My boys are now in their twenties and we are in the last year of paying college tuition.  David and I still must work hard in our business, but we are also enjoying our renewed time together.  Each week, as we make our plans, he knows that my visits to Pumps are always great for me! Thank you Pumps Fitness.