Motion--a path to Wellness

I will employ any of these methods with my clients in individualized programs. Ask me which is best for you. Don't worry if you don't see your favorite sport represented-- this is only a sample of what I use to train. 
This is in no way a complete list as there are many sub categories to each of these activities.  This is meant as general examples of some popular modes of fitness. They fall into what I consider 4 categories that are actually inter-connected and all necessary for fitness. They are:
  • resistance training-forcing skeletal muscles to work against antagonists
  • ​stretching-lengthening skeletal muscles
  • cardiovascular-heart muscle work
  • fun-"exercise" you enjoy
Weight lifting: exactly what the name says, lifting a weight against gravity.  It is associated with resistance training but resistance training can also be done with specialized rubber bands and does not require gravity to provide resistance. 
Cardio: any form of exercise that takes your heart rate into what is known as the cardio working range is a cardio work out.  Cardio—short for cardiovascular, meaning of the heart, usually refers to activities such as running, swimming, bicycling, step aerobics, hi-low aerobics, and dance.  This is in no way an inclusive list but meant to categorize some of the most well known forms of exercise.
Fun: Want to work out with a friend or two? Ask me about shared rates. 
 Picture
Pole fitness: there are many debates in the pole community about whether the genre should be called pole dance, pole fitness or pole sport.  All three use a vertical pole.  Poles available today vary in materials, finishes and diameters.  There are permanent, free standing and tension mounted poles on the market.  Styles vary and there is a hierarchy of difficulty of moves—some require brute strength, some extreme flexibility and some require both qualities. This falls under all the categories-- resistance, stretching, cardio and FUN.
Yoga: while yoga is often associated with stretching it is actually much more involved than just body movement and is its own discipline of Hindu philosophy and can involve some deep meditation.
One definition of yoga from dictionary.reference.com: 
3. union of the self with the Supreme Being or ultimate principle.
The difference between yoga and stretching: stretching should be done after a warm up and as part of a work out either in the beginning or to  end a workout.  Extreme stretching is what I did to achieve my splits in my 30s. Yoga is what I did to calm my mind while in unhappy circumstances.