NSCA Re-Certification

It's official! My personal training national certification through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) was up at year's end, 2008. To get re-certified without taking the grueling 4-hour exam, members must earn a certain number of CEUs (Continuing Education Credits) over a 2-3 year time period to maintain their status. Events and courses I've been involved in since my original certification in 2006 include:

* Attended the Perform Better 3-day Summit in Long Beach, CA

* Maintained my First Aid/CPR/AED certification

* Lectured/gave free trainings to Sport Conditioning Teams, Women's Groups, Youth Groups and Businesses and Sport Clubs

* Studied for and passed the quiz: "Neuromuscular Adaptations to Resistance Training" by Jay R. Hoffman, Ph.D, FACSM, CSCS*D

* Studied for and passed the quizes: "Concurrent Training - Part I" and "Concurrent Training - Part II" by Jay R. Hoffman, Ph.D, FACSM, CSCS*D

* Studied for and passed the quiz: "Designing Exercise Programs to Lower Fracture Risk in Mature Women" by Elaine M. Mansfield, NSCA-CPT

* Attended NSCA Webinar: "Youth Training" with Chat Williams

* Attended NSCA Webinar: "Breaking Through Plateaus" with JC Santana

It's been a lot of work, but the need to keep up on the latest in the Personal Training field, as well as my knowledge in Exercise Physiology necessitates I spend regular hours 'in the books' as well as at the gym. And it's been worth it! I received my new, official "Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist" certificate in the mail today...valid (with continuing education credits) until 2011! Yay! It's been a good day. :)

REMINDER: YOGA TONIGHT AT 7PM!

Just a reminder that I'm offering a FREE 1-hr Yoga class TONIGHT at 7pm. My friend, cyclist, and Yoga-extraordinaire, Heather Allegrina-Bowe, is hosting a Yoga class at the Satya Yoga Center in Saugatuck. I've taken her classes before and absolutely love them - I've walked away, even from just one session, with a renewed sense of strength, body awareness and breathing control. There is so much benefit to Yoga, especially as a complimentary workout to your normal routine.

This class is for current or past Valeo-ians only and is just a 1-time thing. All mats and other equipment are provided. I'd love to see you there!! (it's really easy to get to). This session will be great for those who've never tried yoga before!

Satya Yoga Center (a serene, beautiful building nestled in the woods)

3385 Blue Star Highway

Saugatuck, MI 49453

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE AND PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE - they are related!

Lack Of Discipline

By Ron Luce

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Col. 3:1-2).

Someone who has the edge is disciplined in both spiritual and physical matters. We think the only thing that matters is that we pray as much as we can and read our Bible every day. I'm not saying we should be robots in that we stick to a bunch of rules and regulations. But we're to be disciplined in seeking real life. Being disciplined is putting God first in your life - in everything you do and say. It means you're pushing yourself to get into the Holy of Holies and get the real life. Being disciplined is reading the Bible because you know it is your source of faith and strength. Being disciplined is praying because you know that daily communion with the living God is the highlight of your day. Being disciplined is spending time praising and worshipping the Lord because you know praise stills the enemy.

Being undisciplined is self-centeredness - you read the Bible and pray when you feel like it. Your world revolves around you and no one else. Every decision you make is based on how it will benefit you. You don't have a heart of love and compassion for others. You may love people, but it's a conditional love - you'll love them as long as you're getting something from them. Being undisciplined is not seeing others how God sees them. This may come as a deep revelation to some, but Jesus died on the cross for everyone!

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (Col. 3:12-14).

It's hard to believe that someone is really spiritually disciplined if they're not physically disciplined. Do you lead a disciplined lifestyle? That covers everything from the food you eat to what you do with your spare time. I believe Christians should be examples of excellence. If you are an athlete, are you working as hard as you can to be the best you can? If you have a job, do you give your employer the best of your abilities? Do you show up for work on time and stay until it's time to leave? In school, do you take your education seriously? Do you strive to make the best grades possible or are you satisfied with just sliding by? You may think, What does all this have to do with anything? How you answer these questions indicates whether or not you lead a disciplined lifestyle.