Episode 45: Heal Through Movement with The Class

The Class by Taryn Toomey is something I was intrigued by for so long, but didn’t quite understand what it entailed.

I decided to bite the bullet and attend The Class held at TurF‘s studio to see what it was all about – and boy was I nervous. I had zero clue what to expect and that is not a feeling I am often comfortable with – especially for a girl who likes to plan and be prepared for everything.

Let’s pivot for a second. Have you ever gone to a class alone and wanted to talk to any of the women there waiting but felt intimated? That was me, but surprisingly, the woman who intimidated me the most turned out to be the nicest person! So don’t be afraid to chat with anyone – they are probably nervous as well or are more than happy to connect!

Okay, back to the experience. Because it truly is an experience, unlike any I have ever had with a fitness class. How best to describe it…. well it is a mix of yoga, Pilates, strength training, and a dash of rave dance party! Yep – I said it, a rave dance party! lol

The room was naturally lit, a little dim but brightened as the morning went on. It was also slightly and comfortably warmed and the room had been smudged. The energy was clear, calm, and I felt comforted walking into the space.

Now, it was a bit tight in this studio and it was packed which just shows how loved this class is! So be careful when you bend over as you may have an up close interaction with someone’s butt.

The Class follows music – different songs for each set. It starts with everyone tapping their feels to the beat of the song and coming together as a group. It felt amazing.

Each set is a different exercise that targets a different area of the body and follows what Angela calls an arc. Between each set, you are given a moment to reconnect with your body and the present by placing a hand on your chest and stomach and breathing with intention. This was powerful and helped me stay present to get the most out of the experience. It helped me remain grounded and calm.

What I loved most is that the sets were the perfect length – I never felt like OMG I can’t do this anymore, when is this going to end. But what was fun is the free form dancing between some of the last sets – keeping the energy up but giving you a break to shake it all out.

Now, as a first timer, there was an aspect that I struggled with, but am so looking forward to being able to do myself. Many of the participants vocalized their feelings through the sets. The grunts, screams, and releases were a little jarring at first but I got used to it. It wasn’t something I felt comfortable doing myself at the first time but I could feel how good it must of felt for those releasing what was going on internally. It felt so liberating.

Now in this episode, we dive deeper into the why behind how The Class is structured but we also talk about how to best approach exercise to get the most out of it but also to be consistent. And lastly, we talk about TurF, one of my favorite places in Vancouver.

So grab yourself a cup of organic tea and get comfy! I loved my chat with Angela and hope you do also. I also hope this encourages you to give The Class a try yourself. Please do connect with me and share your own experience when you do!

45: Heal Through Movement with The Class

Today, we are introducing you to The Class, one of the best fitness classes I have ever experienced.  Angela Hartman, Senior Instructor dives deep into what we can expect from taking The Class, but also how best to approach exercise, especially following a burnout, so that it sticks!

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• What she wanted to do as a career growing up and how she found her way to health and fitness
• How she came across The Class
• A deep dive into every aspect of The Class experience
• What changes or results you should expect from The Class
• The best way to start a fitness routine so that we continue to practice it
• How to best approach exercise when recovering from a burnout
• What her self-care routine looks like
• How TurF began and her role in running it
• What you can expect to experience when visiting Turf
• Her experience opening TurF’s second location in Downtown Vancouver

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Want to know more about Angela Hartman, Turf and The Class by Taryn Toomey? Here is where you can connect with her:
TurF | The Class | Instagram

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