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Thanks for stopping by Merfitness! I am Maryellen Fowler and helping people discover fitness is my passion. I have always enjoyed exercise, but figuring out the precise role fitness should play in life has been a developmental process.
Like most women my age, my first exposure to organized exercise was in highly choreographed dance aerobics classes in the late 1970s. Dance ability was far more important than strength, endurance or flexibility, and we rarely broke a sweat. The objective seemed to be more about looking good in a leotard than becoming healthy. Many women, including me, became overly concerned about our weight than our health.
During the 1980s as exercise for women was evolving, I taught step aerobics and began developing fitness classes at the YMCA with my sister, Ann. Looking to raise heart rates, we eliminated dance steps and added knee lifts and jumping jacks. Class participants responded enthusiastically as we discovered together the "high" of cardiovascular fitness. Becoming lifeguard certified exposed me to the benefits of strength training, and weights were added to our classes and my personal fitness routines. I taught spinning classes and became a personal trainer in the 1990s.
Recovering from a back injury in 2003, I received advice from the husband of a friend. Dr. Todd Handel admonished me to wait, rest, and then incorporate stretching into my workouts. Yoga entered my fitness picture and I completed the 200 hours required for teaching certification. Shortly after that I began teaching yoga and fitness classes and providing personal training at the Center at Five Bridge Inn.
One of my first clients at the Center was Lisa. She was struggling with severe arthritis and was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Although beautiful, Lisa's objective for working out had nothing to do with her outward appearance. She was striving for improvement in her endurance and functionality. Lisa worked harder than I ever had, and watching the joy she shared while she exercised with her two sisters was transforming to me. I saw first-hand that fitness is about the inside of the body. After hard workouts, Lisa boasted how she felt stronger than her ailments. Fitness was empowering and liberating! I learned more from Lisa than in any training seminar, and my mindset about fitness was forever changed.
My fitness instruction is designed to address the specific fitness goals of the individuals in the class. While one client might be looking to improve her backswing, the person next to her could be working through an injury. Keeping classes small enables personalized attention and fosters a nurturing environment. If it's nice out, we will take the equipment outside for fresh air. My goal is to have each participant working hard, even if all are at different levels of fitness. I strive to keep prices reasonable so anyone can join us. We're all in it together - working to feel better from the inside out!
So, bring a friend, sister, or significant other and give Merfitness try! Let me how you feel afterwards!
All the best,
Maryellen
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