I invite you to take part in this unique class.  It’s design has a special purpose just for you so that in one workout you will service all of your fitness needs.  In order to be truly fit there are three areas that should be addressed.  They are, Strength, Flexibility and Endurance or Cardio Training.  Let not the latest fads or quick fixes be your guide.  Something’s will not change and fitness basics is one of them.  This Strength & Spirit™ class is designed to meet your needs in all these areas.

    The Strength portion of class is that part of class which implements light to medium weights in order to improve your strength and increase your lean body mass.  When performed two to three times each week, strength training makes you stronger, leaner and can even improve bone density and of course, overall appearance!  Strength training protects your joints and makes you stronger over all enabling you to endure and perform at greater levels!  

The flexibility portion of this class is my favorite because it is here that we integrate yoga at a beginner level (increasing to higher levels as your personal fitness improves) which also begins the connection of body to mind & spirit.  Core strength, balance and stability are the focus in this segment and many many health fitness gains are the result!

    Finally the endurance segment of this class (which I being a fitness trainer for 25 years cannot seem to overlook) is a cardio segment which is key to your good health;  Losing body fat, maintaining a healthy weight, strengthen your heart and entire cardiovascular system as well as lungs and entire respiratory system is what cardio fitness does. In this class we use light weights through most of it implementing easy to follow non to low- impact aerobic-type moves.  This is so you won’t feel like you have to take a walk when you get home!!  It’s all done for you in this class and guess what?  At the end of class which is the biggest bonus of all and the reason why so many people return week after week we go into a 10-15 minute full relaxation time. As the true yogi puts it savasana.  Wow!  That is so worth it!!

    I hope somehow you are inspired by what this class has to offer.  I urge you to check it out.  I and any instructor teaching for me caters to all levels and gives careful modifications for specific needs.  It is guided fitness and you will be guided well.  As always you pace yourself, listen to your body, be in tune with your own needs.  I will help you.  And as always too, please check with your physician prior to beginning any new exercise program to be sure you are in good health.  

May you be blessed with strength & good health.

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Team Bio's

Since 1995, Sounds of Afrika has performed nationally and internationally.  Kojo  Bey, Abishai Ben Reuben , and Deborah Calhoun founded the troupe as an Afrikan Drum and Dance troupe to promote Afrikan and Afrikan-American culture in the communities and schools.  All of the members have diverse backgrounds in the arts and extensive study of African dance and drumming techniques.  Sounds of Afrika has performed and facilitated after school programs in over 700 schools.  They have also been featured on television and in various publications.

Dana
Dana, as a full-time life insurance underwriter shares her enthusiasm and love of fitness with others as a certified indoor cycling and fitness instructor.  She is an avid road cyclist, has ridden in several long distance charity events, and most recently completed her first Century ride!   She pratices "Strength and Spirit" regulary and finds it an integral part of her fitness regime. "Anita's Strenght and Spirit is an excellent workout that provides everything you need to maintain cardiovascular health, strength, flexbility, as well as mental and spiritual awareness.  What more could you ask for?"
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  Hollie

My name is Hollie Hecht. I am 44 years old and what I would call a functional cripple. I teach art so I am constantly moving or standing sitting down on the job is not an option. A chronic knee injury impacts my mobility every day. At age 17 I had my first of 4 surgeries on my left knee and today I have bone on bone and osteoarthritis. This is where Strength and Spirit comes in. I started taking Strength & Spirit  about three years ago-as time and travel permitted. Within one month I started to see and feel a difference in my overall strength.  It was as if Anita's class hit all the areas that physical therapy needed to, but never did.  In all my years of trying to recuperate post surgery nothing had as much as an impact as Strength & Spirit.  I will say that at the time of making the video I was not in my own personal best shape due to work demands and out of town travel, however the results of the class work sticks.  My endurance for cycling and my absent back pain while gardening are proof. I love to garden and hike for relaxation. I use cycling (either mountain or road) to round out my need for exercise because it is low impact for me. Strength & Spirit is a full body workout that ties my other activities together. Strength & Spirit is specific enough that if I miss my other activities due to my work schedule, I at least know that I can maintain my strength and flexibility.  It targets all my problem areas.  For the last three years when I visit my orthopedist he has commented how amazed he is with my overall ability and keeps telling me to do what I do.  I believe that the yoga has helped me to gain and retain space in my joints through the lengthening and stretching and that the strengthening has helped to stabilize my suspect joints!  I can't say enough about how this class has positively impacted my overall well-being.  While I may not be a professional athlete I am very grateful to be able to do the things that I can with reduced pain and more confidence.
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  Jennifer

As a working mother of two, my daily challenge is balancing my family, my career and my own needs. My two beautiful children (Madeline, 8 and Benjamin, 4) are the light of my life, but as a marketing and advertising writer, I am also very committed to my career and volunteering for non-profit organizations.

Prior to becoming a mother, I had more time for exercise (and everything else). Exercise was one of my highest priorities and I used to work out 15-20 or more hours a week. It was a tremendous stress reliever. Having a family has significantly reduced my time for exercise (I am lucky to get 4 hours a week), but the need may be even greater – both for my physical and mental health. I get cranky a day or two without a workout and at 38, my metabolism isn’t what it used to be. It is most frustrating that I can't squeeze everything in during the day and I often I feel as though I am compromising something – being a good mom, my commitment to my career, or tending to my physical and spiritual health.  But, Anita’s Strength & Spirit class has helped in my quest for balance. It combines the aerobic workout I crave with the strength and stretching that I might otherwise skip due to time constraints – and it helps to ground me. When I get home from class, I am a better mom than when I left.
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  Don

As the manager and facilitator of a large climbing facility, I spend most of my time climbing and running around with kids and adults.   Anita’s class has enabled me to maintain this pace without being sore or exhausted at the end of a program.   The strength, flexibility and weight loss have been invaluable for my personal and professional needs.
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  Becce

        I have always been an active outdoor person (paddling, climbing, hiking, gardening) at work and at play.  A few years ago I started getting sore after I did these activities.  Four year’s with Anita’s Strength & Sprit changed all that. The young people I do these activities with at work have a hard time keeping up with me. Strength & Spirir is the most fun I ever had indoors. Thanks Anita!
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