The Pro Beat • Vol 2: April 2023

THE PRO BEAT

a note from KP

Hey there Pros,

CAN YOU FEEL IT?! This year…things are flowing again, moving again, coming alive again, and for that I give you a huge YASSSSSSSS.

Spring is my favorite time of year–so many things awakening and coming ALIVE. We’re shaking off the dust, opening the windows and breathing in a new type of air and momentum.

I’m so proud of what we’ve already accomplished this year. The POUND team has been humming behind the scenes, making big moves and doing good. Did you see our partnership with Hit Like a Girl? Get ready to see even more from these rockstar ladies as we head into May–both International Drum Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Speaking of moves, get ready, the REBEL TRAIN is headed towards the station. Our entire team at HQ collaborated on this year’s Tour to Summer Challenge theme, and we’re so excited to choo choo our way through this one (hahaha). We’re gearing up with all the tools to help energize your communities this year, so keep an eye out for some exciting additions!

Plus, check out the rest of this edition for information on rock’n events, workshops, PRIDE and ROCKSTARS in our community!

Peace, Love + Ripstix,

P.S. For those of you attending our first annual PRO CAMP, see you on the boat!

A 28-DAY JOURNEY TO YOUR MOST AUTHENTIC, BADASS SELF

MAY 22 - JUNE 18

how we’re making noise

UPCOMING EVENTS

APRIL 28-30 // EMOTION ITALY

w/ICONS Magda + Daniela (@magda_f86 + @atmika76) in Scansano Lonico, Italy

APRIL 29 // AUSFITNESS EXPO

w/ICON Diane (@poundicondiane) in Sydney, Australia

MAY 3-7 // ROCK THE BOAT PRO CAMP

MAY 6 // FITFEST

w/ICON Cass (@movewithlacass) in Makati City, Philippines

MAY 6-7 // WELLFEST

w/ICON Carla (@movewithcarla) in Dublin, Ireland

MAY 27-28 // EU4YA POLAND

w/ICON Aneta (@aneta.kaszkowiak) in Łódź, Poland

JUNE 4 // STRENGTH IN THE CITY

w/ICON Caitlin (@caityguns) in Denver, CO

JUNE 19 // MOVE JUNETEENTH

w/ICONS Yolanda (@itsfittime_now) + KaToya (@katoya.fit), plus local Pros Mishanna (@mishannab) and Celeste (@ makingchangeswithlove) in Corona, CA

JUNE 21 // THE LONGEST DAY

The Longest Day is the day with the most light — the summer solstice. On June 21, people from across the world will fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through a fundraising activity of their choice.

Inclusivity FTW

What better way to do good than to support our LGBTQ+ community, creating inclusivity wherever we lead classes.

Here are a few tips from ICON, medical anthropologist and research scientist, Daniel Shattuck, as you prepare for POUND 4 Pride events:

1. Think global, act local by finding organizations that serve your specific community. This is where the biggest impact for your community will lie. Also consider how they tie into larger dynamics at play. For example, there are attacks against LGBTQ+ populations, specifically youth, across the US so maybe find youth-focused organizations to work with.

2. Focus on young people. Connected to this, focusing on the youth is critical --- ESPECIALLY trans youth. Anything we can do now to support trans youth - making sure their schools are safe, and they maintain access to gender affirming care - is critical.

3. Think about intersectionality. Who in your community is in the most need? LGBTQ+ people are at high risk for many things like substance use, homelessness, and being jailed disproportionately. These things impact people of color disproportionately as well, so imagine being both. Some members of our community are ignored and need just as much support (if not more) to make sure they are able to live full, free, healthy, and happy lives.

4. Ask for permission and invite your collaborators. If you’re hosting an event to benefit a local organization or charity, ask their permission and invite them to come. If they are a service provider, allow them to invite the population they serve to come for FREE to your event.

music on the brain

Shir Dyer is a Los Angeles based music therapist via northern New Jersey. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2012, Shir began her work with

those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease before landing at Able ARTS Work in 2016, where she is currently working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Shir has presented at three Western Region American Music Therapy Association conferences on the research that Able ARTS Work is doing with early childhood intervention.

Shir is passionate about using music to help people of all abilities reach their full potential and believes that music can be a powerful tool for communication, expression, and social interaction. Building an inclusive environment is part of not only Shir’s mission, but also of Able ARTS Work. Able ARTS Work provides creative arts vocational, educational, and therapeutic opportunities primarily for individuals in southern California but also reaches a global community. The organization has many partners which enables them to bring music and arts-based opportunities to a larger audience.

On Music and Memory...

When you listen to a song you can typically pin point a thought or memory that you have associated with it. Music has a special way of activating a core memory. One of the most impressive things about music is that it effects almost every part of the brain, including the areas involved in memory formation. This means that music can help us to remember new information more easily. It can also trigger a past experience, or it can set the tone for a future one. Most commonly though, music affects how we associate with our memories. When we hear a familiar song, it can trigger memories of events or people that we have associated with that song. This is because music, helps to create strong emotional associations.

Music can be used for much simpler purposes too: movement. The brain can determine the beat of a song faster than you can even begin to move your body. The brain associates music with motor skills which is why movement and music go together so well. Generally, when listening to upbeat music, it gives you energy. If you have energy, you might be inclined to exercise and the combination of music and exercise can improve quality of life, improve physical health and increase social skills.

On Making a Playlist that is right for you...

Listen to music in an environment where you are most comfortable. Choose music that you enjoy and that evokes the emotions you are looking to emote. Listen to music that is meaningful to you. Note the lyrics and the melody of the music and how it makes you feel.

Featuring guest contributor & music therapist, Shir Dyer

Five ways music can beneft you

1 2 3 4 5

REDUCE STRESS

Music has been shown to be an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety. Listening to music can lower heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. It can also help to improve sleep quality.

IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE

Music can help process emotions. Music can also evoke positive emotions and feelings such as happiness and joy. It can also help to reduce feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression.

IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Listening to music can improve memory, attention, problem-solving skills, and creativity.

INCREASE MOTIVATION AND SELF-ESTEEM

Music can help to increase motivation and self-esteem. It can also help to improve communication and social skills.

PROVIDE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Music can provide a sense of community and belonging. It can also help to connect people with others who share similar interests.

label learning

PRO SKILLS HIGHLIGHTS

With overall mental health and a holistic view to fitness leading the industry this year, here are some Pro Skills learning opportunities that shouldn’t be missed!

The Business of Fitness: Landing The Gig 1

JUN 07 • 4:00P-5:00P PDT

We know the power and inspiring energy that group fitness provides to our participants and the work and passion we, as individual instructors, put into creating and leading amazing experiences. But how do we get ourselves in the door, get POUND onto gym schedules and even make a full-time career in fitness? In this free workshop, Vice President of Group Fitness for Crunch Fitness, Marc Santa Maria, shares his thoughts on this topic, tapping into over 25 years of experience in the industry as an instructor, leader, and mentor.

POUND Education Hours: 1

Exercise Science: If you Aren’t Assessing, You’re Guessing!

JUN 13 • 11:00A-12:30P PDT

Join NASM master trainer Wendy Batts for this notto-miss course focused on corrective exercise. In this course, Pros will discover the most effective methods for enhancing group fitness participants’ movement patterns and performance. The assessment and Corrective Exercise Model pioneered by the National Academy of Sports Medicine has helped thousands of personal trainers and strength coaches program for goals ranging from post-rehabilitation to sport. This course will overview and discuss the importance of strategies that implement corrective exercise into your programming to enhance overall quality of movement while increasing performance.

POUND Education Hours: 1 + NASM/AFAA CECs: 2

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What do you want to hear/see in Pro Skills?

Let us know at prosuccess@poundfit.com with the subject line ‘Pro Skills.’

Exercise Science: Science of PLAY 3

JUN 22 • 10:00A-11:30A PDT

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Why is play fundamental to children’s development and what role does it have in adulthood? Play is a fun and positive tool for decreasing stress and aggression while also increasing creativity, imagination, self-awareness and self-acceptance, leadership and more. Join ICON Pia Thiemann, as we discuss ways and opportunities to create play in our everyday lives (for children and adults alike!) and the non-medicinal methods that guide behavior from an early age. Leave this course with tips and inspiration for introducing more PLAY into everything you do!

POUND Education Hours: 1

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back from the vault!

Creating Habits of a Rockstar Mind

Back from the Pro Skills vault! With next month being Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to bring back the session recording from ICON + certified mental health therapist, Jess McKee’s, workshop Creating Habits of a Rockstar Mind. If you missed it, now's your opportunity to view the session for a limited time (or view it again if you attended live).

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“I love these workshops and the continuing education I receive that helps me grow as a PRO and a human being.”

+ more chances to rock

May 16 • 12:00p - 12:45p PDT

Unplugged Master Class Experience FREE Workshop

May 17 • 4:00p - 5:30p PDT

“This was SO wonderful, I’m so so so glad you are offering free workshops on inclusivityhow thoughtful, how relevant, YES!!”

“These workshops cement what we do and why. I am so proud to be part of this fitness family.”

Learning May’s New POUNDtracks FREE Workshop (POUND Pros)

May 24 • 9:00a - 10:00a PDT

Creating LGBTQ+ Inclusive and Safe Spaces in Fitness FREE Workshop

June 16 • 9:00a - 10:30a PDT

Learning June’s New POUNDtracks FREE Workshop (POUND Pros)

PARENTS THAT ROCK SHOUT OUTS

Karon Boatwright, Walterboro, SC

When we think of mothers that do good and be good, we think of Karon Boatwright. Not only is she a mother, grandmother, part of our Tour Crew ambassador team (as well as a POUND Pro, Unplugged Pro, and Generation POUND Pro) and a total badass rockstar, but she is always giving back to her community and supporting fellow Pros’ fundraising efforts. Each year one of the ways Karon gives back is through her annual POUND Out Childhood Cancer with an organization called Courageous Kidz. Last September, she raised $8,200. Karon is constantly looking for how she can do better for her community and how she can do better for herself. Now at the young age of 72, she is at the top of her game showing that POUND is for any age and any stage. Reach out to Karon and save the date for her next POUND Out Childhood Cancer on September 16, 2023. Thanks, Karon, for being such an inspiration and leader in our industry!

Sophie Vaudrin & Mireille Plouffe Québec, Canada

We love when generations come together to POUND, and we love it even more when it’s a mother + daughter duo! What better way to do good and be good with your community than to show that wellness and fitness can be done together!? Sophie + Mireille became POUND Pros together in 2016 and have since earned licenses in both Generation POUND + POUND Unplugged! An advantage to this co-teaching duo is that Sophie thinks of herself as the ‘technician’ while her daughter Mireille is the ‘entertainer.’ They strive to promote health, security, and fun in all of their classes. And, most of all, they are proud to prove that POUND is for everybody, regardless of age or stage. Thanks, Sophie + Mireille, for being a part of our family!

Greg Todd, Carthage, IL

Greg is a DAD that ROCKS! Licensed in Generation POUND and POUND Rockout Workout, Greg has traveled to POUND + Pours, fundraisers, and trainings to show support, help build community, and grow, not only as a Pro, but also as a person, husband, dad, and (almost) granddad! Before POUND, Greg was never comfortable speaking in front of groups. Now leading classes and working with others to help improve their lives is one of his favorite things to do. He hopes that as a male in group fitness he can continue to inspire + encourage others to take the leap into teaching classes like he has. Thanks, Greg, for being a huge part of our POUND family!

Ali Cash, Norwell, MA

Ali is not only a parent who ROCKS but, as a registered nurse on the front lines, is also a first responder that rocks! Ali is licensed as a POUND Pro, Unplugged Pro, and Generation POUND Pro. Not only does she regularly travel to support fellow Pros’ charity events, but she also leads her own. She recently started to teach at Friendship Home where their mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by providing quality respite care and support services in a safe and caring environment. Through her work with Friendship Home she creates opportunities for their members to make noise and join our band of fitness rebels. Ali is looking forward to bringing POUND to their camps and interacting with even larger groups! ‘The joy teaching to this group is amazing and so dear to my heart to be able to share POUND with this community’ ~Ali. Thanks, Ali, for all that you do!

ROCK + ROLL

AT HOME OR ON THE GO!

GET 20% OFF POUND X MOBOT WATER BOTTLES W/CODE ROLLPRO

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pro perk!

GET 10% OFF A ROLLGA ROLLER W/CODE POUND10

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INTRODUCTION TO ROLLGA: GROOVES & PRESSURE POINTS

MAY 25 • 3:00P PDT FREE WORKSHOP!

Not sure how to use it? Join Rollga’s Education Development Director, Christine Conti, M.Ed., for this 1-hour FREE workshop where she will explore the use of Rollga Rolling and pressure point release techniques to increase blood flow and circulation, enhance memory and concentration, and improve muscle recovery while decreasing excess stress and anxiety.

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