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This is a list of all the latest news and happenings at all six Touchstone Facilities. This blog also contains general information about Rock Climbing, Cycling and other items that Touchstone members may find interesting. Thursday, May 8, 2008Journey Through the Chakras Sacramento Pipeworks newest instructor Daljit Bains invites you to join her in an 8 week chakra workshop series. The workshops are free and are held during her regular Thursday 7:45 yoga class. “Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel” says Daljit, who teaches in the Kundalini style of yoga. She adds: “Your chakras are spinning vortexes (like a wheel) of energy which start from the root chakra, at the base of the spine, all the way up to the crown of the head”. Each chakra has a specific talent and characteristic associated with it, from creativity to willpower to compassion. She invites people of all abilities and yoga experience to come learn what each chakra represents, and how to more easily access the talents associated with each chakra. Beginning date is May 15th, with each Thursday focusing on a new chakra.Labels: event, fitness, pipeworks  Tuesday, April 29, 2008Worth 1,000 words
“It’s too sweet now. I can’t ride it.”
– Member, after putting top-end alloy wheels on his road bike. “The crux is being hungry all the time.” – Member trying to slim down for a redpoint attempt. “I think I finally found a sport I might be good at.” – 4th grader climbing at Sacramento Pipeworks. “Seats are for sissies.” -- Touchstone Bike Club member, asked how he managed to ride the last 30 miles of the high-altitude, 123-mile Sierra Century standing up after his seat post broke. Labels: climbing, fitness, members Thursday, April 24, 2008Taking Yoga to the Streets If for some reason you find yourself walking one day on the tough streets of San Francisco's Tenderloin district, you may just happen across the odd sight of a woman instructing yoga right on the dirty sidewalk. That woman is Sacramento Pipeworks yoga instructor Tamara Standard who, as her alter ego Yoga Girl, rolls out yoga mats and challenges denizens of the Tenderloin to literally practice yoga on the streets. Her mission is to share with others; bringing yoga to the underprivileged and those who haven't been exposed to the practice or may not have an opportunity to practice."Yoga should be accessible to all people" she said. Tamara was inspired to begin her service as Yoga Girl 2 years ago when she was in the same down and depressed frame of mind that she now sees in the people she teaches. She finds most people she approaches on the street are actually willing to practice with her, often noting the softening of peoples faces and improvement in their posture or attitude after a session. "Yoga is a very transformative experience". Tamara is looking for people to help sponsor a small studio in the Tenderloin where she hopes to incorporate training others to help spread the word. You can watch video of her street work: http://yogagirlsf.com/index.html or anyone who wants to participate can contact her at: yogagirlsf@mac.com Labels: community, fitness, pipeworks, staff Monday, April 14, 2008Does Airborne Work? Airborne, that vitamin supplement you’ve been seeing at the supermarket, has become a huge seller worldwide. The company reports sales in excess of $100 million. And you’ve heard lots of people touting its capacity to prevent or cure the common cold. The box makes claims about boosting the immune system, and asks the rhetorical question, “Sick of getting sick?”It turns out that companies are not permitted by the FDA to make a more substantial curative claim than “boosts the immune system,” like “cures colds,” unless they can provide substantial clinical evidence that such a claim is true. Watchdog groups, skeptics, and serious scientists are highly doubtful about curative claims that have seized the popular consciousness. As a result, Victoria Knight-McDowell, the school teacher who invented the supplement, is careful how she puts the point: "I would never sit here and tell you that it's a cure for the common cold . . . We don't know if Airborne is a … cure for the common cold. What Airborne does is it helps your body build a healthy immune system. When you have a healthy immune system, then it allows your body, on its own, to fight off germs." Recently, Airborne lost a $23.3 million class action suit filed by consumers for false advertising. According to CNN, one of the groups in the class action suit, The Center for Science in the Public Interest, said that the Airborne company will refund money to consumers, pay for ads to rectify the confusion and instruct consumers on how to get their money back. David Schardt, a senior nutritionist at the Center said, "There's no credible evidence that what's in Airborne can prevent colds or protect you from a germy environment . . Airborne is basically on overpriced, run-of-the-mill vitamin pill that's been cleverly, but deceptively, marketed." Labels: fitness Friday, April 11, 2008Does Chiropractic Work? A wide range of claims has been made about the therapeutic effects of chiropractic. Having the vertebrae in your back and neck manipulated, popped, and adjusted, it is argued, can cure childhood asthma, digestive problems, colic in babies, ear infections, and so on.There appears to be no substantial clinical evidence to support these medical claims. In fact, there is significant risk of spinal injury associated with the vigorous neck manipulations. There is some evidence, however, that suggests that chiropractic is roughly as effective as other conventional therapies such as massage for alleviating persistent back pain. In a meta-analysis of 26 other studies, chiropractic was found to be more effective than sham therapies. Evidence was found that massage, but not chiropractic or acupuncture, may reduce costs of care. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12779300?dopt=Citation Wednesday, April 9, 2008Does Acupuncture Work? Acupuncture is often recommended on the grounds that it is an ancient Chinese art that readjusts energy meridians in the body. Millions of people are using it, and millions are being spent on it every year. But real medical effects cannot be ascertained by word of mouth, centuries of tradition, or by popularity. What’s needed is substantial, objective evidence from carefully constructed, double-blind clinical trials.The preliminary indications from a recent study from the NIH are positive. In a study of several hundred patients with arthritic knees at the University of Maryland, it was found that the acupuncture study group had less pain and better knee function after 6 months. Most clinicians do not take the energy meridian claims seriously, but they have postulated that the effects that have been measured may be connected to the release of endorphins and hormones stimulated by the puncture of the skin by acupuncture needles. Experts warn, however, that patients should not adopt unproven alternative therapies and forego better treatments, and patients should inform their doctors about any alternative therapies they are pursuing to better insure their safety if they receive additional treatments. Thursday, April 3, 2008CrossFit Comes to DRG CrossFit has been wildly popular at Ironworks and the Great Western Power Co. and now has made its way through the tunnel to Diablo Rock Gym. Come check out a class if your looking for a great generalized full body workout that is adaptable to all levels and abilities. Class are offered Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-6:30pm and Saturday from 1:30-2:30pm. Don't forget that these classes are free to members like all of our yoga and cycling classes. Save a tree and check out DRG's Calendar online. Friday, March 28, 2008Yoga Comes to Oakland No, this isn't an April Fools joke, GWPC really IS starting yoga classes in April. With brand new hardwood flooring, high ceilings and full length windows, the Power Company's yoga studio is the perfect place to unwind. Sarah Jaeger Nidy, currently teaching Saturday mornings at Berkeley Ironworks, will be leading students in the lunch hour, noon to 1PM, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will also be classes offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6PM, the instructor is to be determined. We hope to see all of you folks who have been clamoring for yoga at the gym this month! As is true at all Touchstone gyms, yoga is FREE to members and $10/class for non-members. Friday, March 21, 2008Morning Yoga at Mission Cliffs Enjoy an early morning yoga class at Mission Cliffs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30am. Start your week right with an Intermediate level Vinyasa class with Kate on Tuesdays, or join our Beginner Vinyasa class with Eleni on Thursdays. As always, these program classes are FREE for members and only $15 for drop-ins. Labels: fitness, mission cliffs Thursday, March 20, 2008Rim in Action The Berkeley Ironwork basketball rim has been repaired and is ready to go for the summer season. Unfortunately, the towel guy ran into our old rim with his big truck a few weeks ago bending the rim into an ugly mess. Now that spring has sprung and it's staying light later, pick-up basketball will be getting back into full swing. Typically, Wednesday between 6-7pm is a good time to stop by and play some hoops. Once everyone has shaken off the rust, we will be having a 3 on 3 tournament later in the summer - so start practicing you moves now! Thursday, March 6, 2008Touchstone Represented At LA Marathon Despite a field of nearly 50 hand cycles and push-rim wheelchairs, Sacramento Pipeworks member Kent Gillis recently took an impressive 11th place finish in the hand bike division of the prestigious Los Angeles Marathon. The rewards, as well as the challenges, were many: because the field was especially large it made for a lot of flying elbows at the start, not to mention that the first mile-and-a-half were uphill, and he lost his only water bottle around mile 5. Despite the swerve and wobble it caused, one reward was a top speed personal record of 32mph on a two mile downhill stretch. Another reward were the many L.A. highlights that the course hit; Hollywood Blvd, swankalicious residential neighborhoods, Koreatown, the Coliseum and Staples Center among others. The audience was fantastic as well, with over a million spectators present. Kent was surprised that “Even in some run-down areas, they were out and cheering for every competitor”. Finishing downtown among the sky-scrapers was “kinda cool” Kent said, with spectators on both sides creating a tunnel of noise. “Unfortunately I wasn't in any condition to appreciate it. I barely remember crossing the finish line”. Kent completed the grueling 26.2 miles in a blazing 2:01:18. Congratulations to this fierce competitor! Click here to view a story and interview with Kent that recently aired on Good Day Sacramento: http://cbs13.com/video/?id=30961@kovr.dayport.com Labels: fitness, members, pipeworks Friday, February 29, 2008Yin Yang Yoga with Kate Schox at Mission Clif THIS Sunday, March 2nd from 1pm - 3pm $20 mem/$25 non-mem Join Kate Schox in a relaxing and energetic afternoon of Yin and Yang Yoga. Enjoy a practice of opening up dense connective tissue using long-held relaxed floor postures (Yin) followed by an active asana practice where pranic flow and circulation are directed into the muscles and superficial tissues (Yang). An important part of the overall health of our body is the flexibility we feel not just in our muscles but in our joints as well. Muscles and blood are considered Yang while connective tissues and joints are Yin. Yang tissue most effectively responds to active, muscular movement which emphasizes strength and flexibility. Conversely, Yin tissue most effectively responds to passive and relaxed stillness, emphasizing joint health and mobility. In order to achieve balance in a world of primarily Yang yoga styles it is highly beneficial to supplement one’s Yang practice with Yin Yoga. Labels: event, fitness, mission cliffs Monday, February 25, 2008Personal Training Special at BI Berkeley Ironworks is now offering a Personal Training special for the rest of winter. Why should you take advantage of Personal Training at Berkeley Ironworks? Because it will give you focus / encouragement / motivation combined with fun, new exercises!The best part is that you can sign up now and receive a full physical assessment plus two training sessions for only $129! Contact our trainers directly: Dawn Miller 510.367.1317 John Downey 510.333.5514 Kristin Rios 415.672.2812 Mike Andrews 510.693.3094 Max Lewin 510.910.2919 Look Good, Feel Better and Live a Healthier Life Tuesday, February 19, 2008More CrossFit at Ironworks
Starting in February, Berkeley Ironworks will be offering 3 MORE CROSSFIT CLASSES! Free for members/ $10 drop-in for non-members!
CrossFit Schedule - Starting February: WED: 5pm, 6pm SAT: 11am-12:30pm SUN: 11am, 12 noon This program delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. The specialty of this program is not specializing. Combat, survival, many sports, and life reward this kind of total body fitness. Questions? www.crossfit.com Thursday, February 14, 2008Kickboxing Studio Opens in Sacramento Pipeworks will now be offering cardio kickboxing classes on Tuesdays at 5:30 inside our newly remodeled studio. This beautiful new space, situated beneath the yoga room, features a specially designed shock absorbing hardwood floor, along with lots of glass and exposed brick. Starting Tuesday February 19th, local teaching dynamo Jenny Stark will lead you through her special form of tough aerobic kickboxing workout. Come prepared to sweat! Friday, February 1, 2008CrossFit also comes to GWPC Offered at the Great Western Power Co. Thursday and Friday evenings at 6pm, CrossFit classes promise an intense workout in a 60 minute session. Want to know more about CrossFit? Check out the website at CrossFit East Bay for a sample of past classes at Ironworks. People of all fitness levels are invited to try out this new class! The first class will meet in the fitness room. Subsequent classes may meet on the roof, weather permitting. Contact the front desk with questions. Tuesday, January 22, 2008Yoga Benefit for Peter
On Sunday January 27th, Sandra Safadirazieli will be leading a 2-hour Yoga Workshop to benefit the Peter Togakasaki Cancer Fund. The workshop will start at 12:30pm.
Sandra is a long time Yoga instructor here and Berkeley Ironworks and her brother had a similar condition - so she understands the difficulties that lie ahead for Peter. Peter, as you probably remember from last month’s newsletter, is a 26-year-old bike builder at  Berkeley-based Wrench Science and former Touchstone employee, who was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in late August. After two unsuccessful rounds of chemotherapy treatments at an Oakland hospital, he is now being transferred to Stanford for a bone-marrow transplant.Labels: event, fitness, ironworks Friday, January 18, 2008CrossFit comes to Ironworks CrossFit classes have started this January at Berkeley Ironworks! CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide. The classes will be on both Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 12 noon. The classes, as usual are free to members and only $10 for drop-ins. Classes will be taught by well-known CrossFit instructor Maximus Lewin. (http://crossfiteastbay.com/) Stay tuned as the CrossFit schedule at Ironworks might be expanding soon Tuesday, January 15, 2008New Paint, New Yoga New Paint, New Yoga... Come Check out Concords Fitness StudioIf you haven’t taken a yoga classes at Touchstone Concord you’ve been missing out. There are two new yoga classes being offered Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00pm. Monday’s class will be taught by Jennifer Tigue and Wednesday’s will be taught by Sarah Pascual. Not only do we have new classes but a fresh coat of paint. The dull white has been replaced with a vibrant sandy yellow with a nice burnt orange accent. Along with the warmer feeling paint is some reorganization to the fitness props making the room more open and inviting. Give a big thanks to the unsung hero’s who spent a long Friday slaving away with brushes in hand. Remember that all classes are FREE to members so why not check out a class. Stop by the front counter to pick up a schedule or better yet save a tree by viewing it online by clicking here. Monday, January 14, 2008Yoga Retreat Let Sacramento Pipeworks yoga instructor Robert Hallworth and adventure company Sadhanadventures guide you on a weekend of calming but intensive yoga practice in Bishop Ca. on January 25, 26 and 27th. All outdoors, days will begin at sunrise with hot tea and meditation followed by an intensive full yoga practice. A filling vegetarian breakfast caps off the morning. Afternoons are filled with independent activities, ranging from rock climbing to hiking, book reading to art gallery browsing. Evenings will bring a restorative and gentle asana practice as a gourmet vegetarian campground meal is prepared for you. Cost for this retreat is just $150.00 which does not include transportation, but assistance in arranging carpools is provided. Space is limited, so make your reservations early. For more information or to reserve a spot, go to: sadhanadventures.com Labels: climbing, fitness, pipeworks Thursday, January 10, 2008GWPC: Hot Water and Cardio Now you can treat your aching muscles to a nice hot shower after giving them a good workout climbing GWPC's new walls. And that's not all! There is now a smattering of cardio equipment for you to warm up on pre-climbing. So come on over - we are open weekdays 10AM to 10PM and weekends 10AM to 6PM. Monday, December 3, 2007Yoga WorkshopYoga Workshop with Eleni Gekas Mission Cliffs Behind the Yoga Poses: a workshop geared towards experiencing all aspects of yoga Saturday, December 8th from 1-3pm Free Member Event  Ever wonder what's behind all of the postures of yoga? Have you left a yoga class feeling like there was something else going on? Come learn about the 8 limbs of Yoga according to the Sutras of Patanjali, the father of yoga. We will explore the ancient texts, practice how they relate to the physical postures, and learn simple breathing and meditation techniques that will take away any edge that might develop during the holiday season. We will also explore some relaxing restorative poses. Sign up with at Eleni at yoganaki@gmail.com, Limited to the first 15 students to sign up with Eleni. Free to members ($25 for non-members)Labels: event, fitness, mission cliffs Monday, November 12, 2007The Art of Living Purna Yoga™The Art of Living Purna Yoga™ with Aadil Palkhivala at Touchstone Climbing & Fitness in Concord December 7-9, 2007  Touchstone Climbing is proud to present a workshop with world renowned yoga teacher, Aadil Palkhivala. For nearly thirty years, Aadil has had a reputation as a “teacher of teachers” and has been training yoga teachers in India, Europe and the United States since 1976. His approach to yoga is that it is to be lived and not just performed. Since the age of 7 Aadil has been practicing yoga and like a mentor sharing his knowledge with an apprentice, he teaches students to use their bodies, intellect and emotions to discover their real purpose in life. Through telling stories, giving insights and philosophical ponderings, Aadil teaches students how to discover what really matters within while strengthening, aligning and opening the body through the practice of asana. Friday December 7th 6-8p.m. Power and Humility Saturday December 8th 10-1 Purna Yoga Power Saturday December 8th 2:30-5:00 Restoratives and Pranayama Sunday December 9th 10-1 Detox & Recharge Twists and Backbends Full weekend $285 Individual Sessions $80 Please remit payment to: Living Yoga 881 Richard Lane Danville, CA 94526 Questions? Contact: Deb Stone e-mail:myfavoritethingz@comcast.net 925-683-3900 Labels: concord, event, fitness Friday, September 28, 2007Yoga Workshop at Mission Cliffs Deepen your breath...an introduction to Pranayama, yogic breathing this Sunday, September 30th from 5-6pm.Out of breath? Feeling like you really need to relax? Many of us run around during the day taking shallow breaths. Let the ancient techniques of yogic breathing (pranayama) inform your daily breath. Increase the oxygen in the body & relax the mind. Often focus on the breath naturally leads to concentration & meditation. Experience the life energy (prana) that keeps you alive in a whole new way. No experience with breathing necessary... ;) This is a free member event. $10 for non-members. This class will be available on a first-come/firs-serve basis. Labels: fitness, mission cliffs Change of Direction Sacramento Pipeworks member Harlan Reymont first started climbing at Utah's Little Cottonwood Canyon around 1976 while still in high school. After a time, by his own admission he "fell in with the wrong crowd", started drinking and smoking cigarettes, ultimately giving up on climbing. He didn't pursue a healthier lifestyle until 5 years ago while assisting his father after open heart surgery. Witnessing the effect an unhealthy lifestyle had on his father prompted Harlan to realize he had to give up smoking or eventually face the same consequences. Quitting cigarettes took a few tries, but after he finally shook the habit a friend told him about Pipeworks. One day 4 years ago he walked into the gym, ended up joining the same day - and has been coming regularly ever since. Initially he only came to Pipeworks for the climbing, but after a trip up Mt. Whitney someone challenged him to run a marathon. Harlan was ready for the test, so he bought a 'how to train for a marathon' book, ran for 4 months and recently finished The San Francisco Marathon in under 5 hours. Harlan is pictured above at the end of that race with his wife of 19 years, Kris. After a week long break from running he is already training for Sacramento's California International Marathon held in December. At the CIM he will be running to raise funds for Organs Are Us, an organization promoting awareness for organ donors, and this time he wants to finish the 26.2 miles in less than 4 hours. For donation information you can contact Harlan at turnedart@msn.com. We congratulate Harlan for his marathon success, but more importantly for showing the rest of us that it is possible to make huge changes in life via fitness! Labels: fitness, members, pipeworks Tuesday, September 11, 2007Muscles like a Bathtub Climbing better requires knowing what your muscles are capable of and what they need. It’s too easy to climb yourself into a situation on a route where the moves are too hard and you’re stressed and over gripping.The key is learning how to maneuver your climbing around your limits. Think of your fitness level, or your capacity to climb, as a bathtub that’s got water pouring in and an open drain emptying it out.Your fitness level is sort of like the depth and size of your tub, the rate at which you can pour water in, and the rate at which it can drain. If the rate at which the tub fills is faster than the rate it drains, then it overflows and you have a disaster. If you stress the muscles at a rate faster than they can recover, they shut down. Muscles have stored glycogen that they burn to contract. Then the byproducts of that energy exchange must be metabolized. Wastes need to be shuttled out of the muscle tissues, and fresh oxygenated blood with more energy needs to be brought in. If you do too many hard moves in a row, the load you’re putting on the muscles quickly overwhelms the system’s ability to keep up. Lactic acid saturates the muscle fibers and they quickly reach failure. Now there’s water flooding all over the bathroom floor and threatening the drown the downstairs neighbor. What can you do? Strategize your movement. Take advantage of any and all rest situations. Snatch a quick shake for either arm before the hard sequence if you can. Move through the hard part fast and get to the bigger holds. Then take the time for the system to catch up. Don’t hold your breath (if you put the stopper in the tub, a flood is inevitable). Breathe, relax, and don’t over grip. Develop a sensitivity for how hard your muscles are working at any given time by paying attention to them. When you’re training, figure out where your failure point is. Find the point at which you’ve pushed so hard you can’t adequately recover. Labels: climbing, fitness, tips Thursday, August 2, 2007ParkourWhat if you sped your climbing up to a flat out sprint, included parking garages among your climbing terrains, eliminated any ropes, and added a bunch of gymnastic moves like flips, somersaults, spins, and leaps? Sound completely nuts? Not at all. You’d simply be doing parkour, or free running, the latest craze out of France. Imagine doing skateboard half pipe stunts without the skateboard and without the half pipe. It’s part martial arts, part climbing, part gymnastics, with a hip hop urban sense of style. Remember that feeling of unbounded joy and energy you had when you were a kid swinging around on the monkey bars? You’ve tapped into that that when climbing is going well. The guys doing parkour have clearly found a way into the same zone. The goal of parkour is to carve a fluid, fast, gymnastic line through space using fences, railings, retaining walls, and rooftops. If you are a climber, you’ll recognize some of the moves like mantels, dynos, and smears. But what’s really refreshing about parkour is how enthusiasts revel in fast physical movement —just running and jumping with endless variations. These guys look like adults, but have the sheer joy of a 10 year old bursting out of them. Parkour practitioners worldwide take their inspiration from the sport’s founder, David Belle. Do a search on YouTube or Google video for “David Belle,” “parkour,” or “Sebastien Foucan.” (Foucan is the athlete who does the amazing parkour chase scene at the beginning of the recent James Bond movie Casino Royale). At the very least you’ll be entertained. And you just might have to have a go at one of the beginner moves – or even start climbing a little differently. Thursday, July 12, 2007Hardrock 100 This weekend, Touchstone's founder and CEO Mark Melvin will be running in the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run. The course will be run counter-clockwise - a big loop through the San Juan Mountains of beautiful southwest Colorado: Silverton - Ophir - Telluride - Ouray - Sherman (Lake City) - Silverton, 100 miles, 33,000' total elevation gain, 11,186' average elevation, low point 7,680' at Ouray, high point 14,048' at Handies Peak. Last year's winner finished the course in over 27 hours, while only a little more than half the field finished the run. Of those that did finish the course, most of them finished well into the second night of the race. Mark's goal is to finish the race before the second night. Mark has completed the Hardrock 100 before, as well as the Western States Ultra 100 in the Sierras. You can see a cool photo tour of last year's course here. Once the race starts, you will be able to follow Mark's progress on the Hardrock's webpage. Labels: fitness, staff, touchstone Monday, June 4, 2007Capoeira Clinic Berkeley Ironworks will be hosting a Capoeira workshop on Saturday, June 9th from 1-3pm. This workshop is FREE for members and only $10 for non-members.Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art that combines Dance, Fight, Music, Movements and Acrobatics. Come and join the classes to learn the basics of Capoeira while increasing Strength and Flexibility, improving Coordination and enjoy an exciting and intense workout. Everyone is welcome, just bring a water bottle and wear loose pants. Tuesday, May 15, 2007Coolest 24 Hours Class 5 staff member Jamie Phillips just rode The Coolest 24 Hour Race, a 24 hour mountain bike race in Cool, California. You heard it. 24 hours on fireroads and singletrack.Jamie did the race as a two person relay, logging about 143 miles in 12 hours and 45 minutes. He and his partner completed 273 miles between the two of them, placing third. During the race, he ate about 16,000 calories including 16 clif bars, 35 gels, and 50 bottles of cytomax plus whatever ‘real’ food he could get his hands on between laps. He is so excited he is doing another one in a month and is planning a solo 24 hour race for next year. Labels: class 5, fitness, staff Friday, May 4, 2007Yoga for Climbers in SJ Starting in May, Touchstone San Jose will be offering a Ilyengar Yoga class led by Alejandro Rivas, geared towards climbers to help address finger/tendon issues, elbow and/or shoulder problems, flexibility, static strength, and other issues climbers face during climbing. Classes are $10 for non-members, $5 for San Jose Bouldering-Only Gym Members, and Free for those with a Regular Membership. Thursday, April 26, 2007New Treadmills at Class 5 Now you can run in style at Class 5 on our new Precor treadmill. You can check your heart rate while you run, and this machine has a greater range in angle for running uphill. The Impact Control System is made to be easier on the knees, legs, and back. This machine has a newer suspension system to cushion impact and control lateral motions while remaining responsive (their words). Now you can adjust the speed and incline on buttons which are “confirming user input with a satisfying click”. No more pushing a flat spot and hoping for the best.Now you have no reason not to get running again Friday, April 20, 2007Check Your Mileage Runners and bikers! Always guessing how far a new route might be? Now you have a way to check out the mileage online while you are at work! This online system allows you to click through roads, turns – even short-cuts – to get the most accurate idea of the length of your route without being there. Planning alternate and new routes has never been easier.http://www.runningmap.com/ Tuesday, April 17, 2007AcroYoga at Ironworks Berkeley Ironworks will be hosting an AcroYoga Workshop on Sunday April 22nd from 10:30am-1:30pm. The workshop is $30 for members and $40 for non-members.In this AcroYoga workshop, you will learn to "Fly" and melt into the depths of supported Partner Yoga. We will explore what's possible with two and more bodies balancing with our friend Gravity. Come alone, or bring a partner... No Yoga experience necessary, only a desire to experience the unknown...! Wanna go up? Let's Fly! Taught by Veteran instructor Tyler Ryan Blank. Please go to the front desk and sign up early to reserve your spot! Labels: event, fitness, ironworks Tuesday, March 20, 2007Bike Clubbers Go For A Run As reported several months ago, 8 members of the Sacramento Pipeworks bike club formed two 4-person relay teams to complete the California International Marathon (CIM) held in Sacramento last December 2nd. Of those 8 people, 7 committed to training for the Chico Bidwell Classic Half Marathon that was held Saturday March 3rd. Injury and illness sidelined a couple runners, but 5 were left to stick it out. Rhonda Hurst ran the 5K and placed 10th in her age group, with the remaining 4 bike clubbers running the half marathon. Tina Johnston placed 5th in her age group and 97th overall; Scott Clark placed 6th in his age group, 40th overall; Kristen Venditelli placed 16th in her age group, 353rd overall and Pipeworks manager Vaughn Medford placed 23rd in his age group, 269th overall. “We plan to continue running as a group but I think we all agree that it’s time to get back on the bike – at least until this years CIM!” Medford said. Congratulations everyone!Labels: cycling, fitness, pipeworks Wednesday, March 7, 20074–Part Pilates Workshop 4–part Pilates workshop on Saturdays at Mission Cliffs - 2pm. Beginning Saturday, March 10th & continuing every Saturday thru March, Mission Cliffs is offering a 4-part workshop where you will learn the basic principles of pilates: Breathing, Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision and Efficiency of Movement. Students will learn and apply these principles to each Pilates exercise using the Beginner Mat System. These four workouts will provide you with a solid understanding of the Pilates methods and you’ll never want to go back to ’ab crunches’ again! Free Member event. It is recommended that students attend all 4 classes. Labels: fitness, mission cliffs Tuesday, March 6, 2007Training Tip: Stay aerobic for longer, stronger workouts Do you know your anaerobic threshold?Depending on your fitness level, your body's systems are able to process the waste byproducts of exercise and replenish your muscles for more work. You cross the anaerobic threshold when you exceed your body's capacity to keep up with the load and waste products like lactic acid accumulate and the muscles cannot be replenished. Aerobic activity is relatively low level activity that can be sustained for long periods because your body's systems can successfully resupply the muscles with oxygen. Anaerobic activity is high intensity activity that cannot be sustained for long periods because your body's systems cannot resupply the muscles with the necessary oxygen. Thursday, March 1, 2007The Great Western Power Co. Touchstone Climbing is thrilled to announce that we have signed a lease on a building in downtown Oakland. The Great Western Power Company is located in central Oakland, near BART and with quick access to the freeway. At over 45 feet tall, this building promises to provide some exciting new terrain to the Bay Area climbing community. We also plan to offer a large bouldering area with a variety of terrain. With over 10,000 square feet of space, there is still plenty of room for a great fitness area and rooms for yoga and other great programs. This gym will offer everything you have come to expect from a Touchstone facility.The current tenants are in the process of moving out and we will soon start construction. Keep an eye on the news blog for updates as this project progresses. We have also posted a few more pictures in the online gallery and will continue to add more as the building process begins. At this point we are hoping for an open date in late 2007. As soon as we start construction of the climbing structure, we will begin to host regular Friday night tours. Until then, we ask that you please respect the current tenant and the initial construction crews, and refrain from stopping by the building. Stay tuned... Labels: climbing, fitness, oakland, touchstone Tuesday, February 27, 2007Performance Testing Are you ready to run your first marathon? Are you wondering how to train for the upcoming mountain bike, cyclo-cross, or road race season? Or…do you just want to get in shape and do it the right way? Cyclists, Runners, and Triathletes, Touchstone is here to start your training right.One of the key components to optimizing your training time is to make sure you’re training at the right intensity. At Touchstone you can achieve your training and performance goals by finding and understanding your “training zones.” We offer scientifically based testing to determine your training zones and measure your specific response to exercise and training. Each test includes a body composition analysis (via skinfolds) and a coaching consultation to interpret your results and help guide you in applying your results to your workouts. If you are interested, download our price sheet and pre-test instructions or contact Mission Cliffs for more details. Labels: fitness, mission cliffs, touchstone Wednesday, February 7, 2007Ironworks has got Rhythm Berkeley Ironworks will be hosting two Total Rhythm workshops, one on Saturday February 17th and Saturday March 17th from 11am to 12:30pm. Both workshops are FREE to members and only $10 for non-members. The Total Rhythm Fitness Class uses tall, standing drums, combinations of dance and fitness moves, stretching, chanting and clapping all designed to deliver one thing: A dynamic body and soul workout which reconnects students with their natural rhythm. The 90-minute Total Rhythm Fitness class: 10 minutes - clapping rhythms and cardio warm-up 15 minutes - full-body stretching (no drums) 45 minutes - Total Rhythm workout sequences with drums 20 minutes - "Round Rhythm" with drums and cool down Friday, February 2, 2007Yoga for Climbers Mission Cliffs this Sunday. Release your Neck, Shoulders and Back. Sunday February 4th; 4:30 - 6:30 pm Indulge yourself with an afternoon of profoundly nourishing relaxation. Restorative Yoga practice uses long holds in supported postures to remind your body of its natural state of lightness and ease. We will focus on giving the neck, upper torso and hands special attention to catalyze the body’s natural healing functions; other bodily needs will be addressed further to your requests. We will include subtle practices to promote the deep release of stress our nervous systems crave. No prior Yoga experience is required; pre-registration is advised secure your spot...space is limited to 16. Members $12, non-members $16 Labels: climbing, fitness, mission cliffs Wednesday, January 31, 2007More Yoga at Pipeworks In response to the overwhelming popularity of the Yoga program at Pipeworks, we’ve added a new 7:45 pm class on Wednesday night taught by Setareh Mahdavi. Setareh was born into a yogi household in Tehran, Iran – her father is the founder of the first and most well-known Yoga center in Iran. At a young age Setareh decided to follow in her fathers footsteps, later taking the Sivananda teachers training course in South India and is now a certified international Sivananda teacher. Her style integrates the teachings of her father and the yoga school, resulting in an eclectic combination of Sivananda, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga and Iyengar Yoga. Come try this great new instructor! Tuesday, January 9, 2007Yoga Basics Workshop 4-week beginner series with Eleni Gekas Mission Cliffs Saturdays, January 13, 20, 27, & Feb 3rd from 11am – 12:30pm Feel intimidated by a fast-paced yoga class? Would you like to challenge yourself in the new year? Join our 4-week beginner series geared to those who are new to yoga, or would like a refresher on the details of the poses. Focus will be given to the "vinyasa" poses practiced in the other Mission Cliff's yoga classes, as well as balance postures and restorative poses. Join Eleni -recently returning from India.....! and a 10 year practitioner, 8 year teacher! This is a free member event. Sign-up at the front desk for the series. Space is limited. Labels: fitness, mission cliffs Wednesday, January 3, 2007Biggest Loser Who's the biggest loser at Touchstone Concord? That's the question Lupe Labourdett's indoor cycling and kickboxing students are trying to answer with their 2007 "Biggest Loser Competition." Anyone and everyone is invited to participate in this 6-week weight loss challenge.How the challenge works: participants contribute $10 each to the prize purse, with the money going to the person who loses the most weight in six weeks. The first weigh-in takes place at Touchstone Concord on Wednesday, January 3rd, at 6:30pm. Six weeks later, on February 14th, everyone gets weighed one more time to determine the winner! After the second weigh-in, all participants are invited to go out and celebrate. If you have a little extra you've been meaning to shed after the holidays and want to make losing weight in the New Year fun, give this a try! Have questions? Call Lupe at (925) 768-5127 or leave a message for her at the gym. Tuesday, January 2, 2007NO INITIATION FEE Do you have friends, relatives, co-workers or classmates who are looking to get in shape after the holiday season? Let them in on the secret: Touchstone gyms are an awesome place to get a great work-out, be it on the climbing walls, in the cardio/fitness area or by taking one of our excellent fitness classes. Touchstone gyms have everything a person needs to get healthy in 2007; plus a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with inviting, not intimidating, staff and members. And with no contracts ever and $0 initiation in January, there's no excuse not to try it out. So get yourself a new climbing or workout partner and invite someone to check out the gym today! Remember, membership has its privileges: 15% off your beginner climbing package, 10% off any retail purchase over $75, one free guest per month, reciprocal membership to all Touchstone gyms . . . and much more! Labels: climbing, fitness, touchstone Thursday, December 28, 2006Demented Thursdays Indoor Cycling Class For people who an hour and a half of spinning just isn't enough, Demented Thursdays are back! Starting in December, Berkeley Ironworks now offers two back to back spinning classes starting at 5:30pm, also known as Demented Thursdays. If you can't make the full hours, for what ever reason, there will be a change over mid-way through the class so you can take either the first hour or second hour of the duo. All-Star cycling instructor Wendy Georges will teach the first hour and Jen Worth will lead the second. A great idea for those who might be a bit intimidated by the idea of two hours of cycling: take the first class, and if you're feeling gassed, stop at the change over. Of course, if you're feeling good, and a little demented maybe, you can go for two. Labels: cycling, fitness, ironworks Wednesday, December 27, 2006The California International Marathon Sacramento Pipeworks Bike Club Members complete The California International Marathon!The California International Marathon (CIM), named “one of the world’s best small marathons” by Runners World Magazine, is an annual event boasting more than 5,000 runners and is both a Boston Marathon qualifier, and an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier. Starting at Folsom Dam, the event weaves through outlying Sacramento area communities, passing beautiful tree-lined downtown streets, and finally finishes over 26 miles later at the historic California State Capitol building in Sacramento. The CIM attracts top athletes from all over the world in addition to local first-time marathoners. Monday, December 11, 2006Injury Clinic Climbing & Yoga Injury Clinic at Mission Cliffs Hip and Knee Pain Sunday, December 17th, 2-4 pm FREE Event Learn to prevent, identify and treat common climbing and yoga-related injuries in this FREE clinic on Sunday, December 17th from 2-4 pm. The clinic is part of a series of clinics by David Borgeson. Each clinic will focus on one joint or body area and include: 1) a lecture on anatomy and common injuries/pathology; 2) exercises for prevention and rehabilitation; and 3) time for injury screening and consultation. The December clinic will focus on Hip and Knee Pain. A sign-up sheet will be available at the front desk. David Borgeson is an orthopedic physical therapist at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine - Corte Madera office. David integrates his background in physical therapy and epidemiology by emphasizing health promotion and injury prevention in his clinical practice. An avid climber of 30 years and yoga practitioner trained in the Anusara and Ashtanga traditions, David has developed expertise in evaluating and treating injuries commonly seen in rock climbers and yoga enthusiasts. He has taught classes on climbing technique and injury prevention for Touchstone for the past 10 years, and incorporates yoga into his physical therapy practice. Labels: climbing, fitness, mission cliffs Thursday, November 30, 2006Pipeworks: Yoga Workshop Come to practice and learn more about the Chakras (vital energy centers) with two of Pipeworks best Yoga teachers, Natasha Sedykh and Robert Hallworth. Both Robert and Natasha lived and trained in the Satyananda Ashram in Bihar, India and have been sharing their practice with others for many years. This Yoga workshop will explore the subtle energy body through the specific Asanas (poses), Pranayamas (breath control) and Mudras (gestures) that bring our awareness to and trigger the Chakras. Chakras are the main energy centers that reside along our spines and influence so much of our physical/mental well being The workshop is on Saturday December 9th, 2:00–5:00 pm, and cost is $30.00 (space is limited). This is part one of a continuing series of workshops to be held at Pipeworks throughout 2007. Thursday, November 9, 2006Concord Classes Three new classes, all focused on making a fitter, stronger, you are being offered at Touchstone Concord in November:Longtime climber and motivational speaker, Hans Florine, is psyched to make you a better, more powerful climber in his Training for Climbing class offered SOME Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8-9pm (please check the schedule to see when Hans is teaching). This class is open to anyone wanting to get better at climbing or just get stronger in general. No harness or climbing shoes are needed in November. Hans is also offering a morning fitness training class at 5:30 am on SOME Wednesday mornings. Be prepared to get in a great workout before work! Hans says: people are welcome to join the class even after the 5:30am start time. Join Kathy Schwartz on Friday mornings for a fitness "boot camp" that will kick your booty into high gear. Using a mix of cardio and weight training to up your heart rate and maximize the fat burn, this class will keep the pounds from accumulating during the holiday season. Also, please take note of the new Core time: T/TH 5:40 - 6:25pm. For more information about the new classes being offered this month, check out the Touchstone Concord November Newsletter. Tuesday, October 3, 2006Yoga with Raven Berkeley Ironworks is proud to offer morning yoga with Raven Nemeroff. Starting October 4th, Raven will be teaching yoga on Wednesday mornings from 7:30-9:00am. Get a good start on the day by attending her invigorating class.Raven Nemeroff has been a student of yoga since 1997, and received her teaching certification from Integral Yoga Institute in February of 2003. She teaches an accessible yet challenging form of Hatha yoga, appropriate for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. In her classes there is an emphasis on non-competition and working at your own pace. Each practice will include instruction on proper alignment techniques, pranayama, and brief meditation. Her students tell her they appreciate her clear instructions and ability to convey the teachings of Hatha yoga with humor and kindness. Monday, September 25, 2006FREE: Climbing & Yoga Injury Clinic Learn to prevent, identify and treat common climbing and yoga-related injuries in this FREE clinic on Saturday, September 30th from 2-4pm at Mission Cliffs. David Borgeson will be presenting a series of talks and classes. Each class will focus on one joint or body area and includes: 1. a lecture on anatomy and common injuries/pathology; 2. exercises for prevention and rehabilitation; 3. time for injury screening and consultation. This clinic will cover the neck and shoulder. Future clinics will focus on elbow, finger and wrist, back, hip, knee and foot/ankle injuries. A sign-up sheet will be available at the front desk.David Borgeson is an orthopedic physical therapist at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine. An avid climber of 30 years and yoga practitioner trained in the Anusara and Ashtanga traditions, David has developed expertise in evaluating and treating injuries commonly seen in rock climbers and yoga enthusiasts. He has taught classes on climbing technique and injury prevention for Touchstone for the past 10 years, and incorporates yoga into his physical therapy practice. Labels: climbing, fitness, mission cliffs Wednesday, September 13, 2006Free Yoga Workshop at Mission Cliffs Yoga Basics Workshopwith Kate Schox- Saturday, September 16th 12pm - 2pm. In this two hour Yoga Basics workshop, we will explore some of the fundamental yoga postures, breathing & meditation techniques. Students will leave with a basic understanding of yoga styles, proper alignment, & modifications, & will be prepared for most beginner and all level classes. Please wear comfortable stretchy clothing and refrain from eating two hours prior to the beginning of class. This is a free member event. Space is limited to the first 30 participants. Labels: fitness, mission cliffs Tuesday, September 12, 2006Warrior's Way Mission Cliffs & Berkeley Ironworks will be hosting Arno Ilgner to teach his unique Warrior's Way clinics on mental fitness. If you are at a plateau or feel that your mental approach to climbing might be holding you back, this is the clinic for you. The 4 hour clinic cost $60 for members and $75 for non-members.Arno Ilgner has helped hundreds of student sharpen their awareness, focus attention, and understand their athletic (and life) challenges within a coherent, learning-based philosophy of intelligent risk-taking. Ilgner considers the joy and satisfaction in the effort - the "journey" - intimately linked to successful attainment of goals, the "destination." Alumni of his courses now include some of the nation's most prominent climbers. Dates: Mission Cliffs - Sept 14th. 12-4 & 6-10 Berkeley Ironworks - Sept. 18th 12-4 & 6-10 Please call or visit the front desk to sign up and hurry cause space is limited. Labels: climbing, fitness, ironworks Monday, July 24, 2006New Personal Trainer in Concord It's amazing what an impact rock climbing can have on a person's life. Touchstone Concord member, Kathy Schwartz, started climbing at the gym three years ago and her immediate love of climbing inspired her to begin a fitness career to support others in health and wellness. "By taking control of our health and wellness we experience greater energy and self-confidence to realize our dreams." She now is at Touchstone Concord, not just as a member and avid climber, but as an enthusiastic Certified Personal Trainer, (her certification is with the American College of Sports Medicine.)Kathy offers specialized personal training for climbing at all levels, as well as personal training for overall health and fitness conditioning. Climbing training sessions focus on technique, strength conditioning, core conditioning, balance and stability, and injury prevention exercises. Kathy's positive, encouraging spirit will motivate you in achieving your goals! To sign up for some personal training sessions with Kathy, come by Touchstone Concord's front desk. Wednesday, July 5, 2006Yoga Page Touchstone.com has recently added a yoga page to our website. On this page we have descriptions for some of class types we offer at our different locations. You can also find a link to each gyms monthly calendar, to learn which classes are held at each location. If you are thinking of taking a yoga class and not sure where to start, this page will be your guide. You can also find a link to this page under the services menu at the top of any page.Labels: fitness, touchstone Wednesday, June 21, 2006Lauren Campbell - Class 5 Clinic For about the cost of a new pair of shoes, you can attend a four hour clinic with Lauren Campbell, a former national class triathlete and world class skydiver. Mental training is a huge part of success for athletes seeking to push their limits and hone their skills. Lauren has two decades of experience working with athletes, and he can help you to reach your athletic potential with ease and confidence.With over 20 years of professional experience, Lauren has helped innumerable people turn stress into energy and productivity. He has worked with skydivers, concert pianists, triathletes, writers, martial artists, executives and individuals from all walks of life. Class 5 June 24th from 4 – 8pm Price $95 Sunday, June 11, 2006Free Yoga Workshop Yoga Basics Workshopwith Kate Schox Saturday, June 17th 11:30am - 1:30pm Mission Cliffs In this two hour workshop, we will explore some of the fundamental yoga postures, breathing & meditation techniques. Students will leave with a basic understanding of yoga styles, proper alignment & modifications, & will be prepared for most beginner and all level classes. Please wear comfortable stretchy clothing and refrain from eating two hours prior to the beginning of class. This is a free to members. Space is limited to the first 30 participants. Labels: fitness, mission cliffs Monday, June 5, 2006Ironworks: Sports Conditioning Finally it's here: a second Sports Conditioning class. Listening to members' requests, Ironworks will now offer the popular sports conditioning class on a second day & time: Thursdays @ 1pm. Personal Trainer John Downey provides a new & different full-body workout for every class. He also customizes each exercise for every participant as well as assisting everyone with their form. No matter what your exercise level is, this class will push your limits. A great way to get in shape. Friday, June 2, 2006San Jose to Offer Free Pi-Yoga in June! Like Pilates and Yoga? Not sure which is best for you or just don't have time for both? Alejandro Rivas, a favorite amongst San Jose's Yoga students, is mixing things up. Alejandro is teaching a unique blend of Mat Pilates Monday evenings at 6:00pm, June 5th thought June 26th - FOR FREE!Pilates is a body conditioning excercise that builds flexibility, strength, endurance, and coordination without adding muscle bulk. In addition, Pilates increases circulation and helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the body's "core" or "powerhouse" (torso). People who do Pilates regularly feel they have better posture, are less prone to injury, and experience better overall health. Join Alejandro's class for a refreshing mix of Pilates and Yoga today! | ||