"Moving with Intention...the Birth of NOW and ZEN" by Stephanie Greco

Since I’ve been a ‘moving’ human being, the concept of movement with intention or deliberateness has been at the forefront of how I ‘move’ through the world. Now, obviously, when I was very little and began crawling, walking, and ultimately running, there was not the consciousness in my body that comes with adolescence and adulthood. But from the moment I entered the world of athleticism - first gymnastics - then tennis - then track and field - I have been acutely aware of the value of HOW we move our bodies. It is with this in mind that NOW and ZEN developed.

This fusion class was created when I met Traci Bartee. Traci is a certified trainer and holds a variety of special certifications from some of the most well-respected facilities in the country. Her work in the Fitness Industry continues to express her passion for people, fitness, entertaining, creating and helping others to live their best lives. Need I say more?! When I first met Traci she was providing a personal training session with one of my dear friends at an office that we shared. (PS...Traci will go anywhere to provide the one on one training she so deeply believes in!) While they were ‘working’ I overheard her cues, her language and her overall sensibility to encourage the correct usage of muscles and motivation. It was at that moment, along with Traci’s desire to incorporate the mind body connection of yoga, that the concept of NOW and ZEN was born.

It is our belief, that a smarter understanding of how to use the body, whether it be in strength training or yoga asana practice, allows you to translate this integrity to all physical aspects of your life. For instance...a few years ago I hiked up to base camp at Mt. Rainier. On the descent, which was almost completely covered in snow, it was paramount that I used the distribution of my own body weight properly in order to not simply “fall” all the way down the mountain! It was the intelligence of using my knowledge of udiyana bandha along with intentional weight shifting that allowed for the process to be enjoyable as well as smart and safe. This is the very basic principle that we bring to the class when we teach NOW and ZEN. With intervals of strength training - where muscles are usually contracted - and yoga asanas - where muscles can be lengthened and released - that create the dynamic play of this very duality. The awareness that is created through this carefully choreographed class is designed to allow a greater understanding of ‘moving with purpose’ and therefore creating deeper results both physically and mentally. The class is designed to build on each previous movement, and as the class progresses a greater understanding of how to use the body occurs. Every interval - whether it’s strength training or yoga asana - is guided by the intention of breath and the articulation of movement. We ultimately believe this to be the key to creating deeper results both physically and mentally.

Quality of movement vs. quantity of movement... Powerful, mindful stuff!