Weekly Schedule 10/24/2022 — Starting Seasonal Celebrations

Written By Harriet McMeekin

Week 137 - Celebrating the end of summer, harvest time, and the beginning of winter holidays. So many of our celebrations either build on one another, or relate to a common theme.

Diwali starts tomorrow, Monday, 10/24/2022, and "[p]eople welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, who is believed to bless people with luck and prosperity" (via LiveMint.com). It also "stands for the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil" (emphasis mine, via Indian Express). There is also a solar eclipse on Tuesday, 10/25/2022, so most acts of worship are the day before (10/24) and the day after (10/26), with observances on the solar eclipse perceived to be inauspicious.

Although Halloween isn't until next week (and therefore shouldn't be in this email IMO), there are overlapping themes of light over darkness and good over evil. Halloween traditions are based on the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), when "Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth." (via History.com)
According to Mental Floss:

Celtic people believed that during the festival Samhain, which marked the transition to the new year at the end of the harvest and beginning of the winter, spirits walked the Earth. Later, the introduction of All Souls Day on November 2 by Christian missionaries perpetuated the idea of a mingling between the living and the dead around the same time of year... With all these ghosts wandering around the Earth during Samhain, the Celts had to get creative to avoid being terrorized by evil spirits. To fake out the ghosts, people would don disguises so they would be mistaken for spirits themselves and left alone.

Both celebrations mark the seasonal transition from Fall (or harvest time) to Winter, observing the waining light that doesn't return until Spring. In modern, Western lives, it's sometimes difficult to keep your spirits up when you leave and return to your home in darkness. Embracing these seasonal celebrations helps us come together as a community and find entertaining brightness in the dark.

Here’s what’s on the schedule this week:


Monday, 10/24/2022

  • 10:30am PST - IN-PERSON Prenatal and Postnatal GYROTONIC® Pulley Tower Class (Harriet)

A 50-minute group equipment class open to new parents and birthing people using Gyrotonic exercise on the Pulley Tower as well as additional props to help support the body. Pre-crawling infants welcome. Space for four (4) individuals.

Focusing on the ability of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® to increase circulation, mobilize and strengthen joints, and increase proprioceptive awareness, this in-person class focuses on connecting participants to their bodies as the demands upon it evolve and change. 

Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=34790781


Tuesday, 10/25/2022

  • 9:30am PST - ONLINE Mixed Level Pilates Mat (Harriet)

We are using the fitness ball (55-75cm) and long resistance band (6-ft plus) this month, working cardio intervals weather-permitting, and functional core connections. Video available if you can't attend live.

Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=13574506

  • 1:00pm PST - IN-PERSON Posture Focused GYROTONIC® Pulley Tower Class (Harriet subbing for Sophia)

A 50-minute group equipment class exploring Gyrotonic exercise on the Pulley Tower. No previous experience required. The class is ideal for those who are working on improving posture with the goal of maintaining a healthy and active life. Space for four (4) individuals. 

The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is a form of deep abdominal strengthening, focusing on the body’s natural movement in three dimensions, breathing, as well as continuous motion that is smooth and uninterrupted.
Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=35517966

 

Wednesday, 10/26/2022

  • 5:00pm PST - IN-PERSON DTC/SF Level 5/6 Conditioning GYROTONIC® Pulley Tower Class (Sophia)

A 50-minute group ballet conditioning class for DTC/SF dancers using the Gyrotonic Pulley Tower. This class is included in DTC/SF semester tuition. Sign up still required as space is limited to four (4) individuals. 

The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is a form of deep abdominal strengthening, focusing on the body’s natural movement in three dimensions, breathing, as well as continuous motion that is smooth and uninterrupted.

Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=37158530


Thursday, 10/27/2022

  • 9:30am PST - ONLINE Balance and Flow GYROKINESIS® (Harriet)

We are focusing on breathing to support our necks and shoulders, and continuing our hip mobility work to support moving to the floor. Please have a long foam roller (36-inch), and bath towel ready for class. Video available if you can't attend live.

Focusing on the ability of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® to increase circulation, mobilize and strengthen joints, and increase proprioceptive awareness, this Zoom class prepares the body for more confidence in standing balance work. 

Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=13778332

  • 6:05pm PST - IN-PERSON GYROTONIC® Pulley Tower Class (Sophia)

A 50-minute group equipment class exploring Gyrotonic exercise on the Pulley Tower. Space for four (4) individuals. 

The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is a form of deep abdominal strengthening, focusing on the body’s natural movement in three dimensions, breathing, as well as continuous motion that is smooth and uninterrupted.

Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=11540424

Remember to spread the word about this amazing educational opportunity for Gyrotonic instructors:

2-Day Workshop for Gyrotonic Instructors at ABOW

Assessment techniques for GYROTONIC® Trainers
with ITT Pilates Master Trainer and Certified Gyrotonic instructor Jean Sullivan

10:00am-5:00pm Saturday, 12/10/2022 
10:00am-5:00pm Sunday, 12/11/2022

Cost: $425

Location: A Body of Work

569 Ruger Street
SF, CA 94129

This 2-day workshop is designed specifically for Gyrotonic instructors. Learn techniques that give you clarity on how your client is adapting to the Gyrotonic movement system. We’ll look at the spine, pelvis, hip joints, feet, and shoulder girdle. Jean hopes to make this an experiential lab where we learn from each other.

Space is limited to 8 students 

Looking forward to seeing you online and in-person this week! Until then, GET YOUR BOOSTER, breathe deeply, stay socially distant, healthy and sane.

Warmly,

Harriet

2022 FOCUS: Firmly deciding, after reducing an abstract problem into its components, to proceed on a journey toward harmony.

Read the first email of 2022 here to understand how this became our resolution for 2022.

Harriet McMeekin http://www.movementforeveryone.com
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Weekly Schedule 10/31/2022 — Happy Halloween!
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Weekly Schedule 9/26/2022 — “We Have To Reach Out…”