Fitness Tips from Fitness 2J2: Tis the season for hockey
- Joel Pedersen | December 09, 2015
So cool this month to be in LaRonge thanks to NSCRD and TransWest Air. Shout out to PE Teacher Mr.Eric Gardnier, and the students at Senator Myles Venne School for a great week of Functional Fitness. Awesome sessions with the La Ronge Boxing Club, La Ronge Cross Country Nordic Ski Club, La Ronge PeeWee and Bantam Hockey teams. 2J2 weekly fitness of RunClub; bootcamp; and self-defence still continuing in Saskatoon at St.Mary’s Health&Wellness. Looking forward to the 5km Resolution Run on New Years Eve in Saskatoon, we have the glow sticks.
The sound of the skate edges cutting over the ice, the puck as it hits tape to tape, the crack of the shot you have done a thousand times, the cool air of the rink as it fills your lungs, your toes that might be stinging from the temperature. Close your eyes for a couple seconds and you can remember what it’s like? For some of us we might be headed off to the rink right now, for others it is days in the past. What connects us, is what we put into the game and what we received from it.
For the last ten years every Friday all year round I have had the opportunity to put on my hockey equipment and skate for a solid hour. I am not the fastest, not the most talented (some of the skaters are former WHL, SJHL, college/university players), but I do still have love of the game, and the physical ability to play. The group has mostly stayed the same; sometimes we bring our kids and invite friends to join in, lots of memories and camaraderie.
Hockey has brought for me a sense of acceptance and appreciation for being involved in the sport, an immediate connection to others who have played. The type of connection I have experienced with other soldiers and police officers who have served. The game taught me many skills and lessons that I have been able to adapt into my life and careers. Examples of good solid leadership, teamwork; excellent mentors, clear instruction and coaching, caring management, and the flip side of that too. Like its been said before “use the force for good, not for evil”. The unfortunate aspects of the game are there too: politics; favoritism; racism; prejudices. But in the end the player who can perform or excel cannot be denied his or her time to shine.
My greatest memories for hockey was not just playing, coaching, training or evaluating. Not even watching the greatest professional players win the Stanley Cup or the Olympic medal. The greatest moments in hockey for me are: my Dad clearing off a rink on the river and learning to skate; passing on to my kids, my brother and sister how to tape their stick and socks; skate; pass& shoot; play fair & respect all. To feel the cut of the ice, the touch of the puck, the cold air on their face and in their lungs, the feeling in their legs after skating as hard as they could. To celebrate together when they score, and to support when they are not successful. I am thankful for all that hockey has offered me, and still does.
May joy and peace find you this Christmas Season, and your 2016 be successful and brilliant. Enjoy each day to its fullest and challenge yourself to live a healthy and positive lifestyle to the best of your abilities. My thoughts will be many this season, and I know to have balance it will include the physical aspect of fitness to be complete. I hope your journey also finds this balance.
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 Aboriginal people of all ages and abilities. STRONG HEALTHY PROUD.