ACE Trainers: POLES Seminar & Waterfall Hike, Rocky Mountain National Park

On June 11, 2011, I’ll be teaching a POLES for Hiking Field Seminar at Rocky Mountain National Park.  We’ll explore roaring waterfalls as we hike, learn and explore.  This is a magical trail and a wonderful place to learn skills that enable people to achieve the many benefits of hiking with poles.

This class is offered thru the Rocky Mountain Nature Association for anyone who loves to hike.  In addition, ACE-certified personal trainers can get .8 credits for this class by contacting me thru this blog for more info.

Endurance Tips for Hikers, Joggers & Outdoor Enthusiasts

Whether hiking, walking, jogging or biking, here are some tips to help endurance:

1. Slow down before you need to stop.  It takes more energy to stop and start than it does to slow down.
2. Anticipate the need to rest and rest before you need to.
3. When hiking, try taking shorter steps.  This helps endurance as well as performance on steeper terrain.
4. Focus on your breathing.
5. Get out of your feet.   This tip is especially helpful for runners and joggers.  Bring your attention up towards your sternum or your heart or your ribcage.
6. Create cues that help you focus on the incredible lightness of being.
7. What works to create lightness and space and joy is different for each of us.  Plus having different ways of saying relatively the same thing enables us to consistently focus on our form and performance.  Good teachers know this.
8. Roll your shoulders up around and back (see our post on scapular stabilization).
9. Stay cool and hydrated.
10. When hiking uphill, as you near the top, visualize the top of the hill.  This can help you get that last burst of energy to make it.  Once you get to the top, be sure to both:  clear the way for your buddies behind you AND “smooth it out.”  This means relax your breathing and your shoulders and walk it out.

What’s your favorite tip for improving/maintaining endurance?

Education for Fitness Professionals

I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be in Washington DC – my first visit to our nation’s capital.

On Wed, September 22, I’ll present 2 free clinics at REI Bailey’s Crossroads.  At 3:30 is POLES for Balance, Mobility & Functional Walking.  This will be limited to 30 people – all of whom have some kind of mobility challenge.  If you are a fitness professional (trainer, PT, OT), please contact me for special access to this clinic.

If you have taken the Mobility Course you can receive continuing education credits for “helping” with this clinic.  Plus you’ll meet lots of potential clients

At 7pm I’ll present my regular clinic: POLES for Hiking, Walking & Exercise.

The next day, I’ll be at REI Rockville, MD at 6:30 with the regular clinic.

Then I’m off to sight see.  Tour Guides welcome

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