I started 2019 with a “simple” goal: to focus on myself.
I was never that person that took the new year by storm and started out making a list full of goals and plans, I kind of just went with the flow and never really visualized or conceptualized what I wanted to accomplish during those “new” 365 days. This year was different, I still do not have a list per-se of goals and plans, but I have a vision of what I want to accomplish this year and I have started the process to get there!
This past week I enrolled in courses to become a certified personal trainer -yay! This has been a (quiet and hidden) dream of mine for many years and I’m so excited I took the plunge and enrolled to start my journey in this new venture. I always had the “perfect” excuse as to why I could not become a personal trainer; I was never fit enough, I’m too shy, I didn’t have the time, I didn’t have the money. All these excuses were holding me back from something I really wanted and am 100% capable and worthy of obtaining.
Now, enough with the catch up -for now- and on to the classes! I have been taking classes consistently since starting the blog (I have, however, been slacking on the writing – but I’m here, I’m back!) and my experiences have been amazing, I have finally seen my body physically change and I have felt my mindset and perspective change too -zen!
During the last three weekends I went to Soul Cycle in Uptown and had awesome time getting a taste of that community. Soul Cycle is a very well established national cycling studio. I decided to give it a try after I saw that they were offering a new rider special pack of three classes for $60!
My fist class was led by Valentina and I went on a Saturday, the class was packed! Valentina’s energy was through the roof, but I’m not gonna lie I was pretty overwhelmed with my first class experience… The class was super fast paced (which I’m used to – no problem), but my one critique and what made me so overwhelmed is that it felt like a choreography that only a handful of people in the room knew, needless to say I was very lost and probably looked like a worm trying to wiggle my way through class – lol.
I went two more times, both with different instructors and both on Sundays. I finally found an instructor I loved, her name is Ashley and she was awesome! She was motivating, inspiring and she led us through the ride but she let us ride to the beat of the music and at our own pace. The energy in the room felt amazing, it was definitely and finally the experience I was waiting for and expecting from Soul Cycle!
Moral of the story: it is all about finding the instructor that makes you the most comfortable, inspired, motivated and the one that makes you feel in the moment and part of the community that’s surrounding you! It is a magical experience that will leave you ready to conquer your day!
I will definitely be back to Soul Cycle -back to Ashley! – and I believe all the hype and recognition this studio gets. All the classes I took were 45-minute Soul Cycle (their original class), they do offer other classes based on your level and preference of class duration – they offer 60 and even 90-minute classes.
I recommend visiting Soul Cycle if you want to try cycling in an upbeat, close-knit environment; and I definitely recommend giving it multiple visits before you judge (find the instructor that gives the class you want to take! -this might take time). It’s a challenging but doable class that will have you feeling like badass – a badass drenched in sweat!