learning styles

I am always amazed at how important learning styles are. Yet we still tend to teach to only one or two. I applaud the teachers who intentionally work to engage kids with the other two learning styles. I am very interested in learning all I can so I can help in the cause. Just as we all beat to different drums we learn and grow in different ways yielding different paths creating incredible futures that can only be successfully maneuvered by truly believing in ourselves which brings us back to we need to be taught and engaged by our teachers.

when should we stop learning?

 High School? Bachelors Degree, Masters, Doctorate. For me its never over because the the more I learn the more I realize I don't know. This may sound very Buddhist and although it is, it is also very true. I am reading a book that says understanding history isn't knowing facts and dates its truly about, uncovering issues, arguments, and theory's so the more we learn the more we realize how connected our world is. The history I learned in school was so compartmentalized and one sided its like teaching that when you run a marathon the only muscle being worked is your hamstring?

How to combine fitness and family time.

We have gotten so used to going to the gym either alone or with a friend, but what about our kids? We may send them to participate in a team sport but we don't actually have them workout with us. why not? I think creating a new game night, one with buckets of exercises would be a good idea. One way to play will be to list
100 push-ups
90 sit-ups
5 minutes in plank
150 jumping jacks
100 leg kicks
if your family has 4 or more than separate into 2 teams and see who finishes first.
The reason I bring this up is because this creates such a win/win the kids get to see you model fitness, they get to participate and your creating memories.

six ways to work on balance

1. Seated knee lift -on a balance ball or edge of a chair, pelvis and spine neutral, knees flexed, feet on the floor hip distance apart, arms reaching to sides, lift one foot and hold for 30 seconds then switch feet.
2. balance on one foot -the other to the side with both arms reaching out to sides.
3. lay on stomach and reach back to grab ankles holding knees together as much as possible.
4. push up, start in plank position place feet on a stability cushion or pillow, bosu, or balance ball
5. use a broom or mop handle, start with feet shoulder width apart use broom or mop handle to stretch up and to the side 10 on each side.
6. standing knee lift- standing legs hip-distance apart, holding the ends of a flex-band(or strap) arms reaching toward the ceiling, arch of one foot on flex-band. keeping arms straight, lift one knee with control ex: press down extending knee.

creating cultural capital

I had never heard the term cultural capital until a friend explained this to me the other day, capital is defined as stuff such as real estate capital or financial capital so cultural capital is knowing the rules or etiquette's each culture has. I believe this will be quite useful for the youth I work with.
  I am definitely going to incorporate it at my next youth empowerment which is Friday's at the DASH center for the arts on 1504 MLK Jr. Way from 9-11:30pm

how to fit in at least the smallest dose of exercise in everyday

* Stand up and stretch every 30 minutes
* find an excuse to take a short walk around the home or workplace once an hour.
* walk to the farthest bathroom when going to the restroom.
* Stand and/or walk around the room when talking on the telephone.
* Get up and move (or at least stand up!) during every commercial break while watching TV. or between chapters/articles while reading.

time on our hands

So many have no time because of work and family, and so we at
A Better U  have put together a program for whole families to work out together. As they say families that play together stay together. When we combine as a team it brings alot more to the table and alot of laughter to the group. Let me not forget to mention the sweet sweat that takes place. We like to challenge  both the beginner through to the advanced and everywhere in between.