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Still “Pushing” for 100

Published on May 2, 2012 by in Fitness, Health & Fitness

About this time last year I embarked on my first attempt to reach 100 pushups through the “7 Weeks to 100 Pushups“  program.  After completing the program I managed to squeak out 54 (with a few breaks along the way) with what I am certain was marginal form.  I went on to complete the program again a few months later and made it to 60, again with  few breaks, but 100 was still elusive.

So on my third attempt, which start a little over 7 weeks ago, I was once again on the quest to 100.  During this latest attempt I added assisted dips and pull ups regularly to my twice a week workout which I believe may have also helped because….. I made it to 101!  Well, sort of. “Sort of” because it wasn’t non-stop but what I did look like this:

  • 60 non-stop push-ups
  • 20 second rest
  • 17 more push-ups
  • 20 Second rest
  • 13 more push-ups
  • 20 second rest
  • 11 more to make it 10

So all in all it took me 3 minutes 40 seconds to complete 101 push ups.  Really a huge improvement over the last two attempts-plus it wasn’t as much of a struggle as the first two trys and I felt so much stronger leading up to exhaustion.   The first 60 push-ups that I did not only put me in the “Excellent” range for my age group(Women 40-49), but also in the “Excellent” range for men under 30.  Not too shabby!

This week I started attempt #4 so hopefully I can get to 100 in one go this time, or at least if I have to rest, cut down the time it takes to make it there.   Meanwhile, I have been inspired by the pull-ups and dips I have been doing at the gym that recently picked up the book “7 Weeks to 50 Pull-ups”   and will give that program a go starting tomorrow.  Considering I cannot even do one unassisted pull up, I think that 50 is going to be a stretch in 7 weeks.  The good thing is that we already have a portable pull-up bar which is a step in the right direction.

So off to another 7 weeks of pushing…now pulling.  Kind of like life.  Will keep you posted…

 

 

 

 
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Singapore-My Home Away from Home

Published on March 21, 2012 by in Skating, Travel

Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Hotel & Casino

Two weeks ago while sitting in Changi Airport waiting for a friend to pick me up and take me to my hotel,  I “checked in” on Facebook.  Within 1 minute a  a friend of mine who lives in Singapore posted “Welcome home!’  What a wonderful welcome and sentiment as this would mark the start of my eighth visit.

My first trip to Singapore in 2000 was for the Inline Certification Program, and as director, I was invited  to conduct a Level 1 program to certify potential inline skating instructors.   Never having traveled to Asia, the 24 hours in transit and the 12 hour time difference really knocked me out.  But what knocked me out even more was hospitality that was non-stop throughout my first visit and has continued in each subsequent visit over the past 12 years.

So the Singaporeans are welcoming AND they love skating-what a perfect combination!

Considering that Singapore is only 268 square miles and is the second smallest country in Asia (the Maldives are smaller…and getting smaller by the day–Note to self: Get to the Maldives soon before they disappear!) there sure seems to be a lot of skaters.  The parks are full of them and there are so many skating instructors making a living out of selling skates and skating that the competition is fierce.  Friends of mine in the US and Europe who are in the skating business would give their third wheel for that kind of 1990′s competition again!

The purpose of my visit this time was to meet with my friends and colleagues  who support the Inline Certification Program (ICP).  We conducted various meetings to see how best to move the program forward in Singapore and throughout the region and made plans for our upcoming skating conference in July.

Since our first program in Singapore in 1999, over 250 instructors have been certified in that country.  Thanks to the efforts of the first program advocates and ICP Examiers, the ICP is even recognized by the national governing body of roller sports- Rollersports Singapore. This kind of success is a testimony to the program itself and the team in Singapore.

While I didn’t conduct any certifications during this visit, I did have the opportunity to meet with the new batch of Apprentice Examiners (AE’s) and assist in their training.  We reviewed ICP teaching methodology as well as skill progressions and bench marking.  As a group, the AE’s  have a strong understanding of skating and teaching as well as a desire to see ICP continue to prosper and succeed.  A perfect combination for future examiners and leaders of the program in Singapore!

On one evening, a few of my friends organized an urban night skate on my behalf.  Having already skated many of the beautiful parks that are scattered across the island I really looked forward to the opportunity  to explore  downtown Singapore.

We rolled by the seafront with gorgeous views of the Singapore skyline, up and down the MRT (subway), passed WWII Monuments and the “World’s Biggest Fountain”, and underneath the “Ship in the Sky” Marina Bay Sands Hotel & Casino and Singapore Flyer Ferris Wheel!  We covered it all in less then 2 hours-what an amazing skate!

In addition to seeing my skating friends, I also had the pleasure of spending some time with a yoga friend, whom I met several years ago on one of my visits.  Like me, she is a life long student of yoga and when we meet we enjoy sharing our latest yoga endeavors with each other.  She has recently embarked on learning the ancient yogic language of Sanskrit which is quite an undertaking.  Since my word recognition in Sanskrit doesn’t go beyond the ubiquitous character “OM” I too hope to begin my studies as I believe this will strengthen my understanding and connection to yoga.

It was a delight to be able to spend time nurturing both my love for skating and yoga in one visit! 

Thanks to all the friends who took time out of their busy schedules to meet with me and for the Singaporean hospitality that always seems to catch me by surprise.   Their friendship and support is what keeps me working toward a better ICP and I look forward to seeing them all next time I am “home.”

 
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Fall in Love with Meditation

Published on February 14, 2012 by in Yoga

It’s Valentines Day and everyone talking about love.

How about falling in love with meditation?

When it comes to meditating, many people will tell you that they would like to try it, or do more of it, but they “just don’t have the time.” And while the benefits of regular mediation or sitting silently are enumerable and well-documented even the most dedicated practitioners go through periods of time where meditation takes a back burner to all the distractions of life.

My personal meditation practice ebbs and flows depending on what is going on with me in any given week.  You would think that after living the ashram life and sitting at the feet of the guru for a week straight this past December in Munger, India I would have enough energy, fortitude, and inspiration to never miss a day of meditation again. Sadly that has not been the case.

So for the umpteenth time as I once again rededicate myself to cultivating more meditation time in my life I am reminded of an episode of “Oprah” that I saw last year.  The episode was about being happy and what to do to “be happy.”

In addition to being inspired by listening to Goldie Hawn speak about her own experiences of meditation, happiness, and love I remember resonating with Oprah’s challenge to her audience to sit in silence for 1-minute a day.  Just 1-minute.   And it got me thinking that perhaps I need to apply this concept in my life to get my practice back on track.

From past experience I know that once I’ve made time for that 1-minute, it most often turns to 2 minutes and in many cases 10-15 minutes have passed and I have managed what would be considered a legitimate meditative effort.  And it all started by making time for just 1-minute!

Even the busiest person can find a minute.  Yes, even you!  No?  Sure you can.  Before getting out of bed, while standing in line, before lunch, before going to sleep, etc. are all great opportunities to take 1- minute to stop ‘doing” and just “be.”

So stop reading and give it a try.  Yes, right now.  Adjust your current posture for comfort, take a deep breath in, let it out and close……………your…………eyes.

There you go, you did it!  One minute of slowing down and just being.  One minute well spent doing absolutely nothing.

If you liked that one minute and want more of where that came from consider  Oprah’s Challenge or give this simple Breath Meditation a try.

Since you have to start somewhere, why not start with 1-minute?

“It only takes a minute… to fall in love, to fall in love….”

So this Valentine’s Day find out the love of your life is YOU and fall in love with meditation!

 

 

 

 

 
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