Hey folks, Lucia here! Monday, January 30th from 4:30 to 6:30 PM Body Knowledge will be here at Solcana Fitness with InBody body composition testing. We'll be hosting InBody every 6 months to provide this service in the hopes that those who enjoy seeking out body composition testing will be able to obtain: Consistent testing methods Enough time between sessions to track changes In my opinion, there are...
THE COLD WAR By: Lauren Anderson It's last Tuesday. I wake up at my normal, sensible time for a person who works nights, and I remember I left a case of LaCroix in the car from the night before. Never wanting to be without LaCroix for too long, I throw on some sweat pants, boots and my coat, and run out into the parking lot. I am exactly...
My journey to Solcana was the result of a series of meant-to-be’s. After my dad died, I went in search of something to give me a sense of community with my fellow humans. I took Everyday Improv at Brave New Workshop and fellow athlete Taj Ruler was my instructor. Taj’s advice for those learning about improv was to see improv, lots and lots of it....
Happy New Year wonderful community! 2017 is going to be quite the year. A year where sitting by idle will not suffice as there will be many changes ahead. We have to do our part to speak up and act out for the causes and people we love and believe in. That's why we're going to keep the Pay it Forward opportunity going into the new...
Laurel is one of the most dedicated, committed, and heart felt athletes and all around humans I've ever met. If you have had the pleasure of working out with and/or mobilizing with Laurel, you know she is deserving of both Athlete AND Mobili-buddy of the Month simultaneously. It is an honor to highlight her this month and share her story with you. What first drew you to...
THE HOLE IN THE MARBLE By: Lauren Anderson Last summer one of my very dear friends Heather went to Florence. On her epic adventure she got to see one of the most famous pieces of art in the history of our world. The statue of David, by Michelangelo. The statue is renowned for being this symbol of strength, defiance, and pride. His body is beautiful. His face, divine....
THE MOSAIC By: Lauren Anderson The more I talk with people about working out and stuff the more I discover this: most people come to fitness broken. I know I sure did. Somewhere in our timelines our perfect relationship with our bodies broke. Maybe it was an illness you were born with. Maybe it was the first time you discovered you weren't as fit/fast/flexible as someone else, and that...
Sometimes I feel like a broken record when it comes to health tips and tricks, but hey, if the tip still helps, then... why not? Incorporating lactofermented vegetables into our diets on the regular is a great way to get in those micronutrients, fiber, and very importantly, probiotics. For general health and wellness, probiotic foods are a heavy hitter. About 70% of our immune system is...
THE ONE-EYED MAN IS KING By: Lauren Anderson When I was just out of college, I scratched my cornea. Really bad. It wasn't the first time I had done this to my eye either. But this scratch was extra awful, and a total freak accident. My good friend had made a good joke, and when I threw my head back to laugh at it properly, a piece...
For those embarking on the Winter Destress Quest, or anyone that's holding off on refined sugars, you may be noticing by now... cravings. Specifically, sugar cravings. If you're in this boat, guess what! You are the captain, and you have the chance to steer this experience in any direction. Aw, yeah! Here are my top tips for leaving sugar cravings in the dust: Keep Blood Sugar...
Wonderful community, As a means to share the many gifts mobility has to offer to our community, we will be highlighting a Mobili-Buddy each month! Becky Kane graciously accepted the opportunity to be highlighted as our first. Here is what she has to say about her experience with mobility, athleticism, and how incorporating gentleness and patience with her body has benefited her in the gym: What first drew you...
LIPS, HIPS, DOWN TO MY TIPS By: Lauren Anderson Winter craziness is in full swing, even if we don't really have much snow to prove it. Each morning I've been waking up stiffer and stiffer, pouring a cup of coffee and executing my day. It's been a lot of the same, and I haven't been as social as I usually am, because I've been working so much. I've...
I was never one to get really jazzed about winter post-childhood. The first sign of fall began the internal struggle, oscillating between awe over the beauty of fall and the dread of the frigid winter months and things getting way too quiet. It wasn’t until I made myself take a running course in my junior year of college that I was ever intentionally active outdoors in...
IF THE STAIRS DON'T WORK, USE A LADDER By: Lauren Anderson My dad is a fireman. He has had every type of job you can have in the fire department, from inspector to chief, and it was always cool. When I was young, I always loved the fact that my dad was “one of the people in your neighborhood”. I still do. It's just cool. I grew up...
Dear strongAF, welcoming, inclusive and empowering comrades, At all times, especially in uncertain times, we want our community to feel supported, empowered, seen and valued. We also want to ensure a safe space for everyone to come exactly as you are. After reading Lauren’s blog post from earlier this week, I reflected on the value of Solcana in my own life and how it has become...
THE DEFEAT RETREAT By: Lauren Anderson I don't know how else to to say it, but last week was rough. I felt defeated. In every sense of the word. I felt lost, scared, numb, dejected, and I could feel certain oppression mounting in relation to my hope vanishing. Damn. Which if you've never experienced, is an absolutely terrible feeling. I do not recommend it. I know some of...
Growing up, I never thought my physical strength was special. Physical strength meant big, meant fat. Fat was a bad thing. My grandpa would call me “rolly-polly” and chubby when I was little. To this day, I can recall those moments and the emotion I felt. I was ashamed; I didn’t try to be fat. I didn’t realize I even was fat until people called...
The reason we host these gym-wide challenges is to embark on taking care of ourselves individually, together. Which I think in this day and age could almost be considered a radical act. I want to remind you: The Winter Destress Quest is completely doable! Sign up and give it a try. You won't be alone because everyone gets paired with a partner! There's no need...
MAKING ROOM By: Lauren Anderson It's bound to happen sooner or later when you become an adult. Whether you want it to or not. You reach that certain age, and you get the dreaded text message from your mom. “Hey, what are you up to on Sunday? Want to come over for brunch?” You respond, “Sure.” Cause frankly, it's been awhile. And you love your mom right? Of course....
The Winter Destress Quest is to here help everyone (yes, anyone can do this!) find a groovier balance in tuning into their bodies and taking the reins when it comes to managing stress. Especially during this time of the year when we find ourselves smack dab in between festivities, with the holiday music churning and parties running HOT. Add a little counter balance back in...
HALLOWEEN HUBRIS By: Lauren Anderson Hubris... What a word. It doesn't get used very often anymore outside of New Yorker articles and history lessons about the downfall of Rome. But after the week I've had, I thought it was only fitting. Also, 'hubris' made for a delicious alliteration with America's greatest holiday--Halloween. Full disclosure, I looked it up to make sure I was using it right. To refresh everyone's...
I thought I'd talk a bit about the migraine today. Shudder. As a person who has had a history of getting migraines in the past, let me just say: Migraines are NO joke! Not only can they bring your day and the plans you had for it to an abrupt halt, but they can last for more than one full day, and the after effects can lessen...
THE BIGGEST MUSCLE By: Lauren Anderson It feels like I'm at a tipping point. Seriously, it feels like the whole country is on the verge. The last couple of weeks, I feel like I'm just keeping my head down and trying to get through it all y'know? I don't think I'm alone either. I've gone into survival mode. Stress is mounting, especially on the internet with it's constant...
This year, the FDA announced that all packaged foods will, within the next 3 years depending on the size of the food company, need to comply with new rules and updates for labeling nutrition facts. Here's what to look for in the coming years: Nutrition label updates: the servings per container will be in a larger, bolder typeface and serving size will be updated to...
Homies, Mobili-buddies, Crew of all Crew, It is with great pleasure that I post this, my first official blog post as your Wellness Coordinator! I have an exciting announcement to share. For the rest of October, every mobility class you attend, you will have the opportunity to pay it forward! That’s right. Not only will you have the chance to mobilize your wonderful bodies and rest your...
I am so excited to announce a new addition to our staff: Emma Vasseur! I know you must be thinking, "but Emma has been here the whole time, right?" CORRECT. Emma has been an integral part of our community since the day we opened. She came on as a member, evolved into our meditation instructor, and now she is taking on a new role: Wellness Coordinator. Her...
This isn't a subject with phrasing I particularly enjoy--it's too sexy, too click-bait-y. The words sugar AND fat, pitted against each other?? The ability to be categorized into one OR the other? Seems too perfect for the health and wellness world I try to use nutritional therapy to help to push away from, away from the one that’s full of "either ors", "yes or nos",...
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY By: Lauren Anderson Two weeks ago, I did a series of successful box jumps for the first time in my CrossFit life. (see week 43 blog post.) I felt triumphant. Indomitable. It was ecstasy. You don't feel that way very often in this cruel world-- especially without designer drugs-- so you can bet I felt good. For the rest of that day...
In early 2014 I was settling into some major weight loss (75lbs!) and not sure where to head next health-wise. I had spent the previous year learning about nutrition and making lifestyle changes - intentionally excluding exercise for the time being. It was a big change for someone who’d spent the last 24 years eating her feelings 24/7. I didn’t want to add too much...
October is right around the corner and I'm so excited to announce enrollment is now open for the October sessions of the Essential You! There are two class offerings: IN PERSON (at Solcana Wellness) Sundays, 4 PM - 5:30 PM October 23rd through November 20th ONLINE (via Skype) Sundays, 1:30 - 3 PM October 23rd through November 20th Class cost is $189, and discounted to $179 for current Solcana...
