Fitness tips from Fitness 2J2: Train your mind and body as one
- Joel Pedersen | October 26, 2017
I am often asked what inspires me to focus on healthy and active lifestyle. There are many people, places, and things where I draw inspiration. One is the openness to learn from others, not only from physical accomplishments but also emotionally, spiritually and mentally. Over the past year I along with a number of Eagle Feather readers have had the opportunity to learn from Mr. Simon Bird. Simon shares the gift of learning and building our knowledge of the Cree Language on social media, and for those at the Montreal Lake Cree Nation School.
I try to use the same training concepts to learning as I do with fitness. How does that work? In sets and repetitions, so it goes a little something like this: Spending 60 minutes of learning is broken down with a warm up, it can be a review of something you just learned; a skill, can be some new words; the workout, can be like a AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) where a new concept or using the new words or phrases; and the cool down, can be a short review of pronouncing words.
Check out more tips from Fitness 2J2.
Saskaciwan is the Cree word for Saskatchewan, which translates into the action of water moving swiftly/fast, with a strong current and the great capacity to move objects. (This is very similar to what functional fitness is, with the ability to move large loads, over distance, quickly).
As Indigenous people we were always active in the past, we had to for survival, and we still need that in our lives. Takwākin means Fall, in Sept and Oct the hunting and preparing of fish for winter, preparing hides for mitts, moccasins. Gathering berries including low bush blueberries, cranberries, Saskatoon berries. Mikiskāw means freeze up or winter Nov-Dec, movement wasrestricted due to river travel. Most movement was from river to a camp the hunting continued and trapping, building snowshoes, preparing of hides, and learning through teachings, we were always active.
As we begin the time of Takwākin and Mikiskāw, there are many opportunities for us to stay physically active, and continue to learn. In Saskatoon area: at St.Mary's school in Pleasant Hill we are offering no cost drop in Functional Fitness; Learn to run; and women’s and youth self defence programing. Also some programming at the new NeechieGear HQ on Circle Dr; and the Aboriginal Student Centre at the UofS. Looking forward to traveling to Beauval in November, and first time to Sandy Bay First Nation in December both for full week Fitness programming, check with community co-ordinators no cost community sessions.
Fitness 2J2 is a socially responsible community based health and wellness company. Contributing to the success and vitality of our communities, promoting healthy and positive lifestyles for Indigenous people of all ages and abilities. STRONG HEALTHY PROUD