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Kicking Off Summer

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We’re kicking off summer with our July community partner, SKY Soccer Club! Who also happen to be Ment members. 

SKY is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop great players and people and enhance the community they serve. They provide sports programs to roughly 2000 kids in southern Kentucky every year! Their services have been provided since 1976!

Talking to Keiliah

I talked with Keiliah Prater, the club administrator, about her time with the organization.  Four years ago she wasn’t even looking for a job when they offered her one. SKY was just what she needed with her background in sports.  She is driven by her lifetime of passion for sports and how they enhanced her childhood. Working at SKY has further developed her passion for sports and for this organization because of what it brings to the BG community.

 “Being able to provide the youth in our community a place to feel empowered, practice living a healthy and active lifestyle, encouragement to be good leaders and good people, and learn to work well with others, are just some of the reasons why I do what I do!” 

 

What’s happening right now

Youth sports play such an important role in physical, mental, and social development. Soccer, and all sports, are looking a little different right now. But SKY is working hard to make sure the youth of BG are still able to play! They have already kicked off the season and hosted a successful, socially distanced tryout for their Academy Select teams and are planning a full recreational season this fall.

Keiliah said that COVID-1 9 has really put their mission back into focus as they strive for players and families to have the best possible experience.  During Tim (director of operations) and Keiliah’s downtime over the last few months, they’ve really been basking in the kindness of their players and families, as well as, working on a new strategy for future success after taking a hit as a non-profit during COVID-19. 

Moving Your Body and Mind

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Do you realize that exercise and movement are in fact not always the same? Movement comes in many forms. There’s the physical type, of course, but then there’s the type that requires making personal progress in our lives; the kind that might not be visible to the eye but still requires much effort. This is why movement is also one of our favorite –ment words. 

The more simple definition of movement is described as a change or development. This could possibly be the best definition in my opinion. Why? Because the meanings are endless.  

 

Physical movement   

Yes, physical movement is important. Exercise is oftentimes based on the movements we already do in our daily lives. Things like walking, starting the lawnmower, squatting to reach your cooking pans, etc. It sounds pretty basic and to be honest – it is. But that’s the point!

It’s not always about burning calories, it’s about giving our bodies the attention they need. Weightlifting and running are great, but we forget about the smaller things that we can do as well. Things such as working on your posture by sitting on barstools or on the floor (I’ve been doing this a lot lately and it definitely draws focus on how your body is positioned). Stretching frequently and taking non-strenuous walks can also be a good option. 

Living a rather sedentary lifestyle isn’t uncommon these days and especially so when the word “quarantine” has become a casual thing. But research shows that the less active we are, the less active our minds are. This can lead to mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression. 

 

Movement in life

This one might be rather non-traditional, but it is definitely a thing. 

Be active. Not just physically, but in the things you do daily. Move towards the things you want. Be active in the journey towards accomplishing your goals. Set goals. Work towards them. Do little things. Whatever you do, don’t stop!

A part of what allows us to get to where we want to be in life is the people, places, and attitudes we surround ourselves with. We have the choice to actively seek out what we need in order to grow. As we said before, the opportunities are endless. 

We like to see everyone moving forward in life and how + where you work should not be what holds you back. That’s why we created a space with the freedom to move as you please, both in life and from one downtown Bowling Green hotspot to the next.

 

Bottomline

Progress comes from movement. You will never get anywhere if you don’t take that next step. We are here to take those steps with you, beside you, or carry you up to them if need be! You’re making big moves and so are we. Let’s do this. 

 

The Newbie Pack in Review: The Spot BG

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You guys have heard us talk about our friends at The Spot before, however today we are bringing you in on our entire experience with them. Hayley & I looked up their class schedule and decided we were going to attend an upcoming yoga class. Upon viewing their website, we decided to YOLO it and purchased the student introductory offer, giving us 14 days of unlimited access for $49. 

If you’re like me, once you sign up for something it is so much easier to commit. It was even easier to be able to just walk across the street and get our classes scheduled for the following two weeks, one nearly every day. This was intimidating at first, being two formerly active, but crazy schedules allowing no room to exercise, women. But let me tell you, it was so worth it. 

We’re going to share some of our favorite classes below:

Power Vinyasa Yoga

We started the week off with Monday morning yoga at noon. This power yoga class was fast paced yet relaxing, energizing, and enabled us to break a sweat during the day to break up our usual routines. Yoga provides a nice brain break for all ages, and you can move at whatever speed you feel comfortable with. 

Boxing & HIIT 

Shew, this one will leave you feeling sore, in all the right ways. If you have any frustration to work off, this is the class for you! I love a challenge and feel so good afterwards. 

Reformer All Levels 

Hayley & I had never experienced a pilates class before and it is unlike any other workout. The reformer class is great for all ages! Jump boards are entertaining while working your legs and abs at the same time, and you can adjust the resistance as needed. Think trampoline while you’re laying down. 

TRX

I was unable to make it to this class, however Hayley received a head to toe workout using just her body as the weights. Once you figure out how to use the equipment, it truly feels amazing to use your own body to do the work – similar to yoga. Like many classes we went to, TRX will leave you feeling sore but accomplished. 

Spin

A personal favorite, because I needed a good butt kickin. As the lights go down and the music gets loud, spin allows you to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Ment member Emily frequents Spin class and says her favorite part about the class is how Charolette the instructor pushes & motivates her. Emily tracks her scores through her Apple watch and is constantly working towards new goals. 

Aerial Yoga

This class was so much fun. Grab a group of your friends and head to aerial for a relaxing full body stretch and look cool doing it. Why just hangout when you can hang upside down? 

When you get stuck, it’s okay to laugh about it. 

And Lastly… Yin Yoga

The best way to end the two weeks was with Yin yoga. This class is peaceful, slow paced and allows you to relax your brain while getting a good stretch in. We call this adult nap time, and if we could do it every day we definitely would. 

 

Recap… Now unfortunately I found the Spot a little too late and move away from Bowling Green in two weeks *cue tears* however Hayley is looking into becoming a member! If you’re considering trying out the Spot, we say go for it! From the encouraging environment to the multiple different options for breaking a sweat, we can honestly say you owe it to yourself to give it a try!

 

3 Tips to Break a Sweat

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Don’t stay bundled up this season. 

It’s time to SWEAT

As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, it is easy to get trapped in a routine involving work, eat and sleep. Holidays are near and summer is long gone, so who needs to work out anyways, right? Wrong. 

I had the chance to sit down and talk with Loralee Stephens, owner of the Spot this past week to gain some tips and tricks when it comes to this thing called exercise and getting it done.

With over 18 years of of being involved through the industry from being a group aerobics instructor, personal trainer, fitness director, and club manager, Lauralee has experienced it all. She fell in love with the pilates method and has been a full time studio owner since 2006. 

To my surprise, Loralee said that just like everyone, she does not particularly always love or want to work out. However, when her alarm goes off at 3 a.m. she is excited to get up and start her day.

With these few tips, Lauralee has managed to have some of the same clients appear in her classes for 13 years. If you are stuck in a rut and can’t seem to get out of it, it’s time to make a change. Don’t just start 2020 on a good foot, end 2019 on a good one as well. 

And here’s how…

Have an accountability partner

 

Finding an accountability partner is so important. This is for the days that you just wake up and tell yourself, well maybe I’ll do it tomorrow instead and it slowly turns into a reptivite and vicious cycle. If you and your partner commit to holding one another accountable, you would be surprised what you can accomplish. Set goals together, workout routines, even dietary needs. 

 

Make a commitment 

 

Write out your workouts in your calendar and set specific time aside to accomplish them. Sign up for a class and pay for it ahead of time. Tell yourself you can do this. If you make exercising a part of your daily schedule, it will benefit your life in so many ways, both inside and outside of the office. 

 

Find a community

 

Lastly, and potentially the biggest one. Finding a community will take your experience to a whole new level. Join a gym or class that you are excited to attend, not only for the workout but for the people you get to see when you walk in the door. Find a community that will love you where you’re at but challenge you to grow. After all, we aren’t ment to walk through life alone.

 

Click here to purchase a 14 day unlimited class pass from the Spot for only $49. It’s time to get out and sweat!