Wikipedia defines cross-training (also known as circuit training) as training in sports and fitness other than the one an individual trains in with a goal of improving overall performance.
It takes advantage of the particular effectiveness of each training method, while at the same time, attempting to overlook the shortcomings of that method by combining it with other methods to address its weaknesses.
Cross-training in sports and fitness refers to the combining of exercises to work various parts of the body.
Yoga was my only form of exercise when I started teaching it in 2004. I primarily studied the gentle style of Sivananda Yoga, a year after I shifted to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, which suited me well for its power and dynamism, and which continues as my primary yoga practice to this day.
In the few months of searching for a yoga teacher who could train me, I was fortunate to meet Bela Lipat, a powerfully-inspirational woman who was responsible for introducing me to Sivananda and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
Bela changed all my misconceptions about yoga. The form she showed me was dynamic, and its aerobic qualities drew on a unique form of breathing technique linked to movement to achieve a graceful and flowing sequence.
My body changed when I kept on with yoga. Slowly developing upper body strength, and understanding the distinctive connection to the core made all the difference in my practice, and technically, is an essential aspect to develop when training in sports and fitness.
Although I practice yoga daily, it is never too easy for me, as is always the case when the muscles become very efficient after doing repetitive movements over a long period of time.
Each day is different; there are days when the body is light and limber, there are days when the practice is a complete struggle.
I was not losing interest or getting bored in my yoga practice, the thought of another exercise program to indulge in was a welcome respite to my dynamic yoga practice.
Early 2009, I was introduced to Leslie Sansone’s Walk Away the Pounds by my good friend and dedicated yogi Delia Chua. She gave me one of Leslie’s numerous workout DVDs to try, and yet again, loved it; the rest is history.
I was looking for an exercise program that could help deliver a more aerobic and fat burning workout to complement my yoga practice.
Essentially combining both, I was cross training or circuit training. The intermix of Leslie Sansone’s Walk Away the Pounds for an aerobic and fat-burning workout, and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga for upper body strength, toning, flexibility, and longevity were amazing, and yielded fast results, which led me to pursue and complete my Walk Leader certification from the Leslie Sansone Walk Leader Program.
So what really is the Walk at Home and Walk Live classes? This wonderfully fulfilling program has been over 25 years in the making. Leslie Sansone originated the idea of walking at home while watching people weather the cold and rain to get their daily exercise by walking outdoors. She wondered how she could take an outdoor walk, and move it indoors, and that was the birth of the phenomenal Walk at Home program that we know today.
Walking itself is not new; it has been around forever, and is a timeless activity that will never go out of style. When Leslie had the idea for Walk Aerobics classes, she never realized back then that she was taking the most simple, natural form of exercise to greater heights and making it better, seriously better, health-enhancing, calorie-torching, posture-perfecting — that kind of better.
What started as a few classes in church halls in the USA was born from a request by one of Leslie’s students in her Walk Aerobic classes. The student was going on vacation, and didn’t want to miss her daily group walk so she requested Leslie if she could film the class. The class was filmed, and everyone in class ended up asking for a copy. Shortly after, a major home video distribution company released it nationally in the USA.
With the Walk at Home gaining popularity, Leslie thought of going back to her roots when she first started with “live” group workouts thus, the Leslie Sansone Walk Leader Program was born to lead Walk Live classes.
The goal of Walk Live is to encourage participation in live groups that always reflects “the real person”. All ages, shapes, and sizes participating in healthy walking workouts, no elite athletes, just real people with a common goal of a better life when we move more.
Walking alone can be peaceful and refreshing, just the time you need to relax and clear you mind. But walking with a group can be very invigorating and rewarding as you gain the support of your peers.
The Walk Live program is a fun and unique way to walk with groups, and because it is fun, people who once thought of exercise as something grueling and painful begin to enjoy it.
Walk Live is more than exercise for your heart; it’s something that has always been here for us — we just need to use it to our advantage.
We all learned to walk at an early age, but technology has made us sedentary. Walk Live brings walking to a whole new level as the steps are simple, yet effective. It is an easy-to-follow program and the pace of the music is the speed you need to get the many health benefits of aerobics.
So what are you waiting for? Come on, let’s Walk Live!
Cathy conducts Walk Live classes in her home along Daro Highway across the Negros Oriental High School. 7-8am every MWF, and 6-7pm on TTh.
