Pretty Tough Guide to Yoga

Yoga is an activity that includes mental and physical exercises which develop breathing and preserve health. The word Yoga comes from Sanskrit “yuj” meaning unity, to join, to yoke. Ultimately the purpose of yoga is to connect you with your true self in the present moment, uniting body and spirit through the breath in preparation for meditation.

The practice of yoga  promotes greater awareness, flexibility, discipline, and ease of movement. Whether done to improve posture or prevent physical ailments, yoga poses, or asanas, are a great way to align body, mind, and spirit.

If you’re curious about yoga, try visiting a yoga studio to discover what a deep connection people have to the ancient tradition. Yoga studios are great because you’ll get an instant sense of community and discipline. While its roots may go back thousands of years, the yoga most people practice today is definitely modern.

Yoga is based on its three essential components:

• Exercise – a soft workout that increase flexibility, power, equilibrium.
• Breathing – enlarges blood circulation and lung potential.
• Meditation – brings emotional and physical relaxation.

Exercises and breathing procedures set up the body and mind for meditation. Regular practice of all these procedures has as results a strong and health body, a lucid and brilliant mind.

Classes can be taken two or three times in a week. A session usually lasts 45 minutes – 90 minutes. It begins with warm-up exercises and breathing training. Then people will try a sequence of yoga postures, each of them being practiced from one to three times. After four or five different postures you usually have permission to rest, then the procedures are followed by a period of physical relaxation joint with meditation.

Yoga has a lot of benefits which include:

Improved mental lucidity;

Reduced stress and anxiety;

Increased flexibility, range of motion;

Reduced heart rate;

Improved muscle relaxation;

Increased physical endurance;

Self-confidence;

Decreased respiratory rate.

Yoga is also used for many health problems such as:

Depression;

Headaches;

Insomnia;

Heart disease;

Chronic pains;

Thyroid illness, and several more.

What’s so cool about yoga is that the deeper you get into it, the more you can explore the more spiritual and mystical traditions–tracing all the way back to the stories of Krishna and Shiva in the Bhagavad Gita. For starters, focus on the physical practice and as you become stronger and more flexible, you’ll begin to enjoy the emotional and spiritual benefits as well.

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Q & A

Q: Is yoga good for lower back pain?
A: Research shows that yoga can be used to manage lower back pain. Yoga stretches out the spine and strengthens the muscles of your back, hips and legs. Doing two of the most basic yoga postures – the Downward-Facing and Upward-Facing Dog – every day can make a big difference in your back’s flexibility. Be sure to start out slowly and gently and seek out classes or yoga teachers tuned into your special needs.

Namaste. (The light in me bows down to the light in you.)

Softball: Throwing like a girl

Softball season is underway and girls everywhere are out there practicing their skills. So you probably know that if you’ve ever been told “You throw like a girl,” it means your throw kinda sucks.

The “girl throw” refers to a wimpy style a lot of girls seem to have. Girls often face the target with their forearm cocked back and the ball in their upturned palm. Then they throw with just the arm (rather than the whole body). The action is usually limited to a quick extension of the forearm. Essentially, girls tend to “push” the ball rather than hurl it.

Well, before we go any further – let’s get one thing straight. Girls can throw. In fact, many girls can throw harder and faster than a lot of guys. Softball players like Jennie Finch can pitch a ball close to 90 miles per hour.

Some people think the reason for the “girl throw” is based on physical differences between guys and girls. Not. If you ask an orthopedist, an anatomist, or a coach of a women’s softball team, they’ll tell you that there is no anatomical reason why boys and girls throw differently.

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Vancouver 101: Speaking Canadian

The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, will be held on February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the resort town of Whistler nearby.

The 2010 Winter Olympics will be the third Olympics hosted by Canada, and the first by the province of British Columbia. Previously, Canada was home to the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec and the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta.

If you’re headed to BC for the Games, you might want to have a sit-down on the chesterfield with your double-double and learn ya some Canadian.*

BACHELOR:  Studio apartment

CHESTERFIELD:  Generic term for couch. Refers elsewhere to a specific leather style.

CLICK:  Kilometer

DOUBLE-DOUBLE: A coffee with two creams and two sugars.

EH: a means of  ascertaining the comprehension, continued interest, agreement, etc., of the person or persons addressed.

HOMO MILK: Non-homogenized milk.

HYDRO: In some areas, refers generically to electrical power and power bills.

KETCHUP CHIPS:  Basically potato chips covered with ketchup powder. They are very red, very messy, and, surprisingly, smell like ketchup.

LOONIE: One-dollar coin bearing the image on one side of a diving bird known in North America as the Common Loon.

POP: Common terms for soda

RUNNERS: Running shoes

TOONIE or TWOONIE: Two-dollar coin bearing the image on one side of a polar bear. Named as a play on Loonie and for its double-dollar denomination.

TRIPLE-TRIPLE: You guessed it, same as above plus one each.

TIMMIES: Shorthand for Tim Hortons, Canada’s answer to Starbucks and making its first foray into the United States.

TIMBITS: Doughnut holes at Tim Hortons.

TWO-FOUR OR TWOFER: A case of beer that contains 24 bottles.

TOQUE or TUQUE: Pronounced TOOK, a knit cap called a ski cap in the United States.

THAT’LL LEARN YA: Meaning, “That will teach you,” said in response to a stupid or non-fatal avoidable bad outcome.

ZED: The letter Z

*Not all Canadians agree on the language, definitions and spellings, and not all may use all expressions listed here all the time in all contexts in an all-joking or an all-earnest manner.

Sport Speak: Football A-Z

Blitz – When defensive secondary players rush through the offensive line into the backfield to try to “sack” the quarterback.

Blocking – Offensive players use their bodies and arms as a means to impede defenders from making tackles, moving them away from the path of the ball carrier.

Bomb – A very long forward pass.

Buttonhook – Pass pattern in which the receiver runs straight ahead several yards, then quickly turns around to catch the pass.

Dead Ball – Declared by an official at the end of each down after a player has been tackled and the ball is no longer in play.

Down – The offensive sequence of plays starting from the line of scrimmage that begins with the center’s snap and ends when the ball is dead; One of a series of plays in which the offensive team must advance at least 10 yards or lose possession.

Drive – Describes a series of downs in the offensive team’s advance toward the goal.

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Figure Skating A-Z

Swizzles, axels and camels– what does it all mean? Keep reading to learn to speak like an ice skater.

Axel
A figure skating jump with a forward take-off. It is named after the Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen who first performed the jump in 1882.

Besti Squat
A spread eagle in a squating position with the torso held upright; named for Natalia Bestemianova.

Butterfly Jump
A flying spin with a two-foot takeoff. The body goes almost parallel to the ice in the air, with a scissoring leg motion.

Camel
Also known in Europe as a parallel spin; one of the three basic figure skating spins, along with the sit spin and upright spin. The basic camel spin position is defined as one in which the free leg is extended backwards with the knee held above hip level.

Charlotte Spiral
A spiral position in which the torso is bent down towards the skating leg, with the free leg held in a 180 degree vertical split position. Also known as a candlestick spiral.

Choctaw
A turn from forward to backward (or backward to forward) from one foot to the other in which the curve of the exit edge is in the opposite direction to the curve of the entry edge. The change of foot is from outside edge to inside edge or from inside edge to outside edge.

Element
An identifiable component of a program. Includes spins, spirals, jumps, footwork, lifts, etc.

Death Spiral
An element in pair skating in which the woman skates on a deep edge with her body close to the ice and skates in a circle around the man, who is in a low pivot position and holding her by the arm.

Flip Jump
A toe-pick-assisted jump taken off from the back inside edge of one foot and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.

Glide
A glide in figure skating is a one or two footed movement across the ice, either forward or backward.

Grand Prix
A series of six international invitational events that build to the Grand Prix Final.

Lobes
A lobe is a pattern made on the ice by an edge or steps, forming an arc of a circle that starts and finishes on an axis. In other words it is pattern that is a half circle.

Loop Jump
A jump in which the skater takes off from the back outside edge of the skating foot, turns one rotation in the air and lands on the back outside edge of the take-off foot. Variations: double loop, triple loop, 1/2 loop

Lunge
Move done with knee bent and free leg extended

Lutz
A figure skating jump, named after Alois Lutz, an Austrian skater who performed it in 1913. It is a toepick-assisted jump with an entrance from a back outside edge and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.

Mohawk
A turn performed from forward to backward with a change of foot.

Program
Skating elements set to music performed by a skater in a defined length of time. There are usually two programs for pairs and single skaters and three for ice dancers in ISU competitions.

Rocker
A turn made on one foot from a forward to backward (or backward to forward) edge maintaining the same character, i.e., outside to inside or inside to outside.

Quality
Quality as all about putting together the basics of power, edge control, extension, and speed.

Quadruple Jump
A jump with four full rotations (1440 degrees) in the air. The only quadruple jumps to have been completed in competition are the toe loop and salchow by men, and just the salchow for ladies. In a quadruple Axel, the skater would have done 4.5 revolutions (1620 degrees)

Salchow
A figure skating jump with a takeoff from a back inside edge and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot after one or more rotations in the air; invented by the Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow in 1909.

Scratch Spin
A spin done standing straight up with legs crossed

Spiral
An edge skated with the free leg extended at or above hip level. Spirals are a required element for ladies’ and pairs competitions.

Step-Out
When a skater either under- or over-rotates a jump so that he or she does not land cleanly and must put the free leg down prematurely.

Stroking
Using the edges of the skates to push off and gain speed.

Swizzle
A scissor-like skating move in which the skates don’t leave the ice.

Toe Loop
A toe-pick-assisted jump that takes off and lands on the same back outside edge.

Toe Pick
The teeth at the front of a skate blade that assists a skater in jumps and spins.

Twizzle
A quick multi-rotational turn on one foot while moving forwards or backwards

Freestyle Ski A – Z

180
A 180-degree rotation of the body and skis.

Air
When a skier performs a jump in the mogul run. Two airs are required in each moguls run.

Aerials
A freestyle skiing discipline where skiers perform airborne  maneuver after skiing down a slope and taking off from a kicker (ramp).

Back Full
A backflip with a full twist.

Back Layout
Single backflip in the layout position.

Back Somersault
One single backflip.

Back Tuck
Single backflip in the tuck position.

Backscratcher
The skier touches his or her back with the tails of both skis.

Blunt Air
A trick performed by the athlete where the skis are parallel, tips are facing down and the athlete grabs the top of the ski tail.

Control Gate
A series of 10 equally spaced gates set on the mogul course.

Critical Grab
An aerial  maneuver where the athlete’s skis are shoulder width apart and knees are bent. The skier grabs the inside edge towards the ski tip.

Cross
Crossing the skis, while airborne, into the shape of an “X”.

Daffy
A mogul maneuver in which the skier kicks one leg forward and the other backward to achieve the splits position in mid-air.

Double Full
Single layout flip with two twists.

Double Layout
Two flips in the layout position.

Double Somersault
Two flips.

Fall Line
The most direct route from the top to the bottom of a moguls course.

Flip
A somersault performed backwards, frontwards or sideways.

Four-Point Landing
When a skier plants both poles as she lands from a jump.

Four-Point Takeoff
When a skier plants both poles when they take off from a mogul.

Front Somersault
A maneuver in which the skier makes a full, 360-degree forward flip.

Front tuck
Single front flip in the tuck position.

Full
A flip with a full twist.

Full In
A full twist on the first flip followed by a double or triple somersault.

Full Out
A full twist on the last flip of a double or triple somersault.

Gates
Poles with colored flags used to mark the course.

Grab
While in a jump, the skier reaches and grabs one part of the ski.

Half
A flip with a half-twist.

Half In
A half-twist on the first flip of a double or triple somersault.

Half Out
A full twist on the first flip of a double or triple somersault.

Height and Distance
Height and distance are used to describe the skier’s flight in the air. They are also components of the jumping score.

Helicopter
360-degree spin with the skier in an upright position.

Iron Cross
Similar to a backscratcher, but the heels or tails of the skis are crossed rather than parallel.

JapanAir
An aerial maneuver in which the left leg is tucked up and the right leg is kept extended. The athlete grabs with the right hand, behind the right leg, and grabs the left ski either in front of the boot or under it.

Kicker
The takeoff ramp used in aerials.

Knoll
The flat area of an aerial course where the jumps are built.

Layout or Lay
Position of the skier’s body is extended as straight as possible.

Loop
A side flip where the skier rotates around the central axis.

Lui Kang
The athlete’s left leg is tucked up while the right leg is extended and she grabs under the left boot with the left hand.

Mogul
A bump or ridge of snow.

Moguls Skiing
A freestyle skiing discipline in which athletes are judged on the speed, skill and flair with which they complete the course and two jumps.

Mute Grab
An aerial move where, with crossed skis, the athlete grabs with either the right hand to left ski or vice versa just in front of the binding’s toe piece.

Off Axis
During takeoff, the skier tilts the axis of rotation.

Pike
A jack-knife position in which the athlete’s body bends at the waist and the legs are completely straight.

Pop
The athlete’s body extension at the start of the jump that sets the flip in motion.

Position
A movement which is held during jumping

Puck
Open-tuck position with legs pulled up to 45 degrees.

Reverse Trough
The technique of skiing on top of the moguls and turning in the opposite direction of the ruts.

Rudy
A flip with one-and-a-half twists.

Ruts
The area formed between moguls.

Rocket Air
An aerial move where the skis are parallel and legs are extended and out in front of the body. The athlete grabs with both hands towards the tips of both skis.

Ski Cross
A discipline of freestyle skiing that begins with a time trial or qualification round. Every competitor skis down the course, which features naturally occurring terrain and man-made features like jumps, rollers, banks. Starting simultaneously, the goal is to be one of the first two across the finish line and advance to the next round.

Slapback
A poor landing in which the skier hits the snow on his/her skis and back.

Sling
A bad takeoff when the athlete over rotates off the kicker or jump.

Spin
Going off a jump, the athlete rotates her body in the vertical axis. Measured in 180-degree increments.

Spread Eagle
The skier extends  her arms and legs wide while keeping the upper body straight and upright.

Tail Grab
Grab in which the skier reaches down and grabs the back of the ski or skis and pulls themselves backwards.

Toxic Grab
A move where the skis are crossed and tips are pointed down while the grab is done with the opposing hand on the inside edge toward the tail of the ski.

Trough
Deep path of ruts that run between moguls.

Takeoff
When a skier goes off (launches) the jump.

Tip Cross
The skier crosses the ski tips while remaining upright.

Tuck
Body position in which the knees are pulled into toward the chest.

Turns
The criteria of mogul judging referring to the execution of turning in moguls.

Twist
The rotation around the vertical axis.

Twister
A  maneuver where the skier rotates his or her body the opposite direction of the skis.

Zudnick
The skier leans  her upper body toward the tips of the skis, keeping the skis close together.

The history of volleyball

Surprisingly, one of the most well loved sports in the world is also relatively young. Despite the game’s youth, it has gone through a wide variety of changes and evolution as a part of its rich history.

To fully understand and appreciate how much the game has changed and how much work was put into to make it successful, you need to search back to the very origin of Volleyball, and study when and why changes were made.

Just over 100 years ago, in 1895, William G. Morgan developed the first game of Volleyball. At the time, Morgan dubbed the game “Mintonette”.

“Mintonette” was created for business men as a game that involved less physical contact at the chapter of the YMCA where he worked at in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Morgan borrowed aspects from several games to create his own game. The first aspect was from tennis, borrowing the net. Instead of the standard net, however, he raised it to be 6 foot 6 inches high, so it was just over the heads of average men.

Other sports he borrowed from include basketball, baseball and handball. During one of the demonstration games of the sport, one of the spectators commented the game was more about volleying, and the games name was changed to Volleyball.

That was only the beginning.

In 1896, the first official game of Volleyball was played at Springfield College. This game signified the first real take-off of the sport, and led into further games being played at a variety of different Colleges. In the year 1900, Volleyball had taken off enough where a special ball was designed just for the game. Another feat also accomplished in 1900 was that the YMCA took the sport from America to Canada, the Orient and the southern hemisphere. Five years later, Volleyball also spread to Cuba. This spreading was what signified the start of the Volleyball era. Unlike most sports, Volleyball moved International in its early days, allowing for the game to evolve to meet the players needs world wide.

In 1907, Volleyball received its first recognition of being one of the most popular sports at the Playground of America convention. This was the first recognition the sport received, and helped to further its popularity. In the following ten years, the YMCA continued to spread the sport to Brazil, Puerto Rico and Uruguay. In 1913, the first official Volleyball competition was held in the Far Eastern Games.

1916 saw Volleyball have its first true evolution. In the Philippines, the set and spike offensive pass was introduced, and game play was altered to involve this new form. The Filipinos developed the “bomba”, which is the kill, and the named the hitter the “bomberino”. In this same year, the NCAA was invited by the YMCA to alter the rules of the game, and it was initiated into Colleges and other schools as a part of the standard physical education courses and intramural programs. A year later, the scoring system was also adjusted so that a game ended after 15 points instead of 21. This allowed more games to be played within the same span of time, in an attempt to make the sessions a little shorter for the players.

Three short years later, in 1919, the American Expeditionary Forces donated 16,000 Volleyballs to the troops, which provided a stimulus for growth in foreign countries. With this rise in growth of the sport, new rules began being developed. A year later, the three hits per side rule and the back row attack rules were put into place.

By 1928, players and fans of the sport realized that “official” tournament rules and regulations were required. The United States Volleyball Association was formed, and the first U.S. Open Volleyball tournament was held. The U.S. Open allowed for squads that were not YMCA sanctioned to participate, which was a breakthrough at the time. This evolution permitted lovers of the sport to fully enjoy the game without having to be tied to the organization that created it.After 1928, the game of Volleyball was forever changed. With the “official” rules set down, and a tournament that wasn’t private to the YMCA, the popularity of the sport was allowed to sky rocket. The Men’s U.S. Open was held every year thereafter, with the exception of three years. 1943, 1944 and 1989 did not have the yearly tournaments, due to wars and other obstacles.In 1934, Volleyball saw another extensive change through the recognition of official referees to oversee the games. This change in particular drastically altered the calls and the fairness of the game.The 1940’s held several special events for Volleyball. Not only was the forearm pass introduced into the game, the first world championship Volleyball game was held. It was during this time that the volleyball movement saw fruition, and squads from all over the world could find out who was the best. This became a yearly event, allowing for more publicity of the sport, which aided in its growth. Around this time, over 50 million people were playing world wide, in over 60 different countries.

By 1964, Volleyball had spread enough to warrant introduction into the Olympic games. The first games took place in Tokyo, where a rubber carcass with leather panels was used for the ball. This ball became the one that would be used in most modern competitions. As a part of the Olympic games, Volleyball was allowed to grow even further, until it secured a place for itself as the second most played game in the world.

Despite this high level of popularity, it wasn’t until 1986 that the Women’s Professional Volleyball Association, or the WPVA, was formed. With the growing rate of professional interest by both sexes, Volleyball was finally allowed to reach its full potential for popularity. Elementary, middle and high schools, as well as colleges all invested into the game by providing courses in Volleyball in their physical education, so that the sport was known in most households around the world.While still trailing behind Soccer for popularity, Volleyball has done extremely well for a game with roots so young.

About The Author  Rebecca Blain is a professional and hobbyist writer who enjoys taking care of her fish and educating people about volleyball.

Winter Fun – wanna try something new?

From backcountry snow camping to snowshoeing, there’s more to winter than skiing and ice skating.

Cross Country Skiing With origins in Scandinavia 4000-4500 years ago, cross country skiing has come a long way from being the sole method of transportation for snow and ice-bound Northerners.

Today, cross country skiing (aka Nordic Skiing or XC Skiing) is, in the opinion of many, the world’s best aerobic fitness activity. The sport involves simultaneous use of arms and legs utilizing ski equipment including boots, poles, and skis. Because you can XC Ski just about anywhere with snow, you can match the terrain to suit your fitness level and interests.

Dog Sledding It’s that time of year, many distance mushers are focused on training for the Iditarod – the “Last Great Race”. Of the 71 mushers who have already signed up for this dog sled race, 56 are veterans, 15 are rookies, 15 are female and 56 are males. Mushers have until Dec 1st to sign up for the 2008 race.

Ice Sailing Ice sailing, or hard water sailing—is navigating a frozen surface in a sailboat outfitted with runners. The fundamentals of this exhilarating sport can be learned in just a day or two. The most proficient sailors can adapt to rapidly changing ice and wind conditions but novices often exceed their limits and get in trouble. For those who master the sport, ice sailing offers the best of summer and winter pleasures.

Skijoring Cross country skiing has gone to the dogs. A popular sport from Scandinavia called “skijoring” can be a great workout for you and your canine. Fido is outfitted with a special harness and leash so he can pull you, wearing your XC skis, along pristine trails. Once your and your pooch are proficient you can search out races and more.

Snow Kayaking Know of a pristinehillside covered with newfallen snow? If sledding or tobogganing seems old hat, grab the kayak from your garage and improvise. A kayak will work fine if the snow is really cold, so the kayak doesn’t stick. You can get some speed going and use the paddle to carve out snow and stick the paddle behind to use as a rudder. It’s not as accurate as a sled but about the same as a toboggan and a lot more fun.

Snow Kiting Fast growing and simple to learn, skiers and boarders across the world are discovering the fun of snow kiting. All you need is snow and a power kite and you can turn a cold winter’s day into a blistering, adrenaline-soaked experience. Speeds of over 60 mph have been recorded as snow kite riders blast themselves along with just the power of the wind.

Wind power is one of life’s few free rides and already snow kiting enthusiasts have achieved incredible things. From a ground breaking unsupported journey to the North Pole and back to huge kite-powered adventures through Alaska, the world of winter sports is embracing this fantastic new sport.

Snowshoeing
Try winter’s fastest growing adventure fitness craze – snowshoeing!

The sport has grown in popularity among female Americans since 1998. The participant  level has increased 163% to 2.1% of females 16 and older. Source: Outdoor Recreation Participation Study 2003

It’s easy to see why snowshoeing is the trendiest and friendliest on-snow winter activity considering anyone who can walk can snowshoe. Until the 1970’s, snowshoes were used primarily for survival rather than recreation. Today, enthusiasts who strap on a pair of snowshoes range from casual snowshoers who hike trails for pleasure, to those who trek through the backcountry, and competitors who race. One of the best things about snowshoeing is just about anywhere you hike or mountain bike in summer, you can snowshoe in winter.

In addition, snowshoeing can help enrich your health. Known to help maintain or improve cardiovascular fitness, the sport helps burn more than 600 calories per hour. Snowshoers can burn more than 45 percent more calories than walking or running at the same speed, according to Snowsports Industries America (SIA).

Telemark – Get off the groomed trails and experience backcountry skiing! For most, tele skiing is all about the stoke, the sensation, that feeling of excited exhilaration that comes from getting into the groove of the tele turn.

Norwegian Sondre Norheim, recognized today as the father of telemark skiing, popularized this new style of turn where one ski is advanced in front of the other and the heel is raised on the rear ski, with the skier in a very bent knee position . The telemark turn is ideally suited for the moderately steep mountains and the soft, deep snow found in the Telemark region of Norway.

Ringette – The fastest game on ice

My Fave Sport by Emily Irvine

“Ringette? What’s that? Isn’t that the sport just like hockey?” Sport like hockey? Don’t think so. A mistake some people make is to assume ringette is just another way of playing hockey, but with a straight stick and ring instead of a puck. In my opinion they couldn’t be more wrong. Except for the fact the game is played on ice and some of the equipment is similar, it’s completely different. Confused? Read on and I’m sure you’ll learn more…

In 1963 a Canadian man by the name of Sam Jacks (the same man who invented floor hockey!) started a female only sport for his daughter, since at the time hockey was just for boys. He called it Ringette. They played for fun using broken hockey sticks and figure skates.

Since then the sport of Ringette has come a LONG way. It’s quickly growing in popularity and each year more and more girls join. It’s still a “girls” sport though some boys do play. You can be as young as 4 or 5 to start. The divisions go “Bunnies” (ages 4-7), “Novice” (8 and 9), “Petite” (10 and 11), “Tween” (12 and 13), “Junior” (14 and 15), “Belle” (16-18), and “Open” (19+).

The game involves all your basic positions (goalie, defence, forward, centre) but there are some very interesting rules. For example, you MUST pass the ring to a teammate over the two blue lines, and you can’t enter in the “crease” around the goalie. The cages or face masks of the helmets are triangles instead of squares, and to get the ring from an opposing player you need to “check” underneath their stick (in other words whack their stick with yours!)

Different then hockey? You bet! Ringette has been named “The Fastest Game on Ice” which some people disagree with. But not me. In Ringette you need to be quick and precise with every pass and move you make.

I love Ringette because it’s fast, fun, and of course Girls Only! I have played for five years and I hope to continue and keep improving and learning more. I think it’s a great way to exercise, make friends, and learn to work as a team.

If you didn’t know much about ringette to begin with I hope you learned something and you now know the difference between hockey and “The Fastest Game on Ice”!

If you would like to learn more about my favorite sport, visit www.ringette.ca

PT Playbook: Parkour 101

The essence of Parkour can be stated simply: it is the art of overcoming obstacles as swiftly and efficiently as possible using only your body.

Parkour — l’art du déplacement, or translated, the art of moving — is of French origin. Running, climbing, jumping, and landing all play a role as traceurs, practitioners of Parkour, pass over, under, around and through obstacles with complex movements.

Frequently practiced in an urban environment, the goal is to get from Point A to Point B using only your body, creativity and the objects in your immediate environment. This fitness discipline is designed to build strength, agility, endurance and confidence.

Parkour has been featured in James Bond movies such as Casino Royale and parodied on The Office — watch Michael, Andy and Dwight in the video below.  There are also dozens of Parkour clips on YouTube that enjoyed millions of views from fans. Definitely worth checking those out.

Parkour Visions, based in Seattle, is a non-profit organization that is using the discipline to reach at-risk youth. By teaching them Parkour, the hope is that they’ll improve their self-esteem and fitness by “transforming their everyday world into an epic playscape.

So what do you think? Fitness, fun, or insanity?

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