Love Yourself ~ Move Your Body ~ Live Free
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does FLOW Training include diet/nutrition advice or support?
A: While FLOW Training's expertise lies in movement and exercise and does not have any registered dietitians on staff, FLOW can give gentle guidance on eating/diet/nutritional support, especially in the realm of intuitive eating when appropriate. There's actually a book called Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch that explains this eating lifestyle thoroughly. However, in order to practice intuitive eating, one needs to be in touch with her body. That can be extremely challenging when there are too many old "voices" in her head. That's where FLOW comes in -- to help one tune into her breath properly, to practice body awareness exercises, to learn what sensations and feelings in the body need in terms of movement, nourishment and rest.
FLOW also subscribes to Geneen Roth's theory that our plates are windows to our world, therefore, if one struggles with food/dieting/body image, she would greatly benefit from a gentle therapist and/or R.D. who's skilled to treat people with disordered eating, especially for cases where physical and mental health is a concern. FLOW has a wide network of reputable dietitians and therapists and will be happy to confidentially make a referral. Beyond the calorie/carb/point war is a beautiful world of discovery and truth.
Q: Does a new client need to have fancy equipment and large space? And, does FLOW have it's own studio space?
A: To answer the first question, FLOW can bring all the dumbbells, bands, BOSU, benches, balls, music and mats -- and, FLOW can work in teeny-tiny space, no problem. However, FLOW's never had a client who didn't eventually buy her/his own dumbbells and other light equipment because they tend to want to use the tools on their own too.
To answer the second question, FLOW does have studio space in Marietta. If you'd like information, just write FLOW or call (404) 210-6752.
Q: I want to get in shape for a wedding [or other event], can FLOW help me quickly?
A: FLOW advocates a healthy lifestyle through sustainable fitness and staying true to yourself -- "Show up as you already are." If you are looking for a quick fix or a focus on "sculpting a body perfect", you will need to look elsewhere for a trainer. FLOW Training is about connecting with your body and finding a way to move that brings you delight, freedom, strength, energy and peace. Sure, you might feel better when your body might shift, but the deeper work happens in feeling grounded and connected and finding a way to stay in your body through good times and in bad rather than trying to escape through a war of dieting, food, exercise abuse and other forms of escapism and suffering.
Q: What "variety" of people has FLOW trained?
A: Caroline, FLOW's owner and trainer, has worked with individual clients from age 20 - 70 and with groups ranging in age from 14 - 78. For example:
* An 8-weeks-pregnant woman sought FLOW because her pregnancy was a wake-up call to her health - She'd never exercised in her life and started exercising -- very, very gently -- with FLOW throughout her pregnancy.
* A 69-year-old man with Parkinson's sought FLOW in order to help him work on balance, coordination, strength -- and simply to add more physical activity to his life while trying to keep his disease at bay.
* A couple in their 30s who's busy lifestyle prompted them to reach out to FLOW for consistency in their physical activity and to maintain a sense of grounding through life changes.
* Several women ranging in age from 20 - 64 who suffer from disordered eating -- exercise abuse, compulsive overeating, bulimia, anorexia, orthorexia, and EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified).
* Groups/classes/workshops of women, girls, men and boys combining gentle movement and usually some form of writing or art.
Q: I tend to have a black/white approach to exercise and diet. I'm either ON the wagon or OFF the wagon. I wish I could find a happy medium, but it's so hard to find a balance!
FLOW believes there's a difference between force and commitment. If we force ourselves to move (aka: exercise), we race through the routine of choice counting down the minutes, trying to see how hard we can go, how intense we can make it for the sake of getting it done or burning the calories. It becomes black and white. All or nothing. It's OLD STUFF.
If we commit ourselves to move, we allow wiggle room to choose what to do -- but we do it, even if it's for 5 or 10 or 15 minutes instead of the standard hour. If we commit, we can tune into our bodies and say, "hmm, what am I feeling like today?" Perhaps an exhilarating walk followed by stretching, a ballet or kickbox class, a swim or few minutes of gentle yoga, or an afternoon at the park with the kids and dog. Eventually, you will see that regular exercise makes you feel good.
It takes commitment and practice -- coming back to the breath, coming back to the body. Since personally finding how tuning into the breath takes me to my body, it's created a ripple effect into my life. I eat when I'm hungry, I stop when I've had enough. I work appropriate hours but create plenty of sacred time in my personal life. I let my body move how it wants to feel strong, peaceful and alive.
FLOW can help you tune into your breath, your body, your life. It takes gentle practice and loving commitment. While FLOW never advocates strict diets and exercise regimes, FLOW does encourage the client to take responsibility and make a commitment to herself -- Practice a few minutes everyday to get in your body. See where it takes you. See how moving the body makes you feel. Explore, tune in, be, and connect.
