S is for...

Well, the spring session of Essentrics is winding down. Many of you have expressed disappointment that I don’t teach summer classes. I appreciate your passion for Essentrics with Amanda classes! For those of you who are new to the classes, a little explanation of why we have a break between sessions. There are a few reasons, so please read on…

1. S is for Sabbatical - Refreshing the workouts. Prior to each session, I carefully select and/or create workouts based on the participants of each class. At the end of the session, I can reassess what worked, what didn’t work, and what goals I have for each group. It is difficult to do this during regularly scheduled classes. For every class I teach, there are 2-3 hours of behind the scenes work. I need solid blocks of time to work on updating 6+ workouts.
2. S is for Study - Preparing for fall workshops! As I begin the process of refreshing the workouts for next session, I also want to create a few specialized workshops. These sessions will focus on Essentrics techniques, proper positioning, and necessary modifications. I regularly explain these topics during class, but the workshops will be focused learning to improve your workout and get you closer to your goal of full body rebalancing.
3. S is for Sleep - Health effects of lack of sleep. As many of you know, my daughter has type 1 diabetes. Also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, type 1 is an autoimmune disorder in which the pancreas no longer produces insulin. She will never “grow out” of it; the best we can hope for is a cure. It’s a life-threatening, chronic illness. Not enough insulin and she could die; too much insulin and she could die. We have to function as her pancreas, constantly monitoring her blood sugar levels and adjusting her insulin levels as required. This involves many nights of interrupted sleep, as I have to get up to test her and subsequently treat her lows or highs.  Here’s a great quote from another type 1 mom: “We don't live in fear, but we do live with the realization that things can go wrong very quickly sometimes, and we have to be prepared. Everything is so much harder at night. It's important for people to realize how difficult being 100% aware all day and all night is. After almost 5 years of broken sleep filled with alarms and beeping…I am tired. I'm not perfect, being a pancreas is hard.” (1)

And lack of sleep is extremely detrimental to your body’s functioning. According to WebMD, sleep problems can lead to health problems such as irregular heart beat and depression, it can cause accidents and a reduction in cognitive abilities. (2) During my summer break, I will also catch up on much-needed sleep.
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4. S is for Shhhh - Listening to your body. You’ve heard me say it so many times - listen to your body. If an exercise hurts, don’t do it. Your body is speaking to you with that pain message. Well, I’ve been so busy lately, that I haven’t taken the time to practice what I preach. My brain is telling me it needs a break. Down time - in the form of sleep and vacation - is key to reenergizing your brain. (3)

So, when I’ve completed the sabbatical and study work, I think I’ll sleep in. Take a nap. Go to bed early. Take a trip. All of the above.

Finally, S is for: See you in September! Enjoy this beautiful weather.

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References:
1. Saving Luke: https://www.facebook.com/SavingLuke/?fref=nf
2. http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/10-results-sleep-loss
3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rosalie-puiman/the-importance-of-downtime_b_6301440.html

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