Empower Celebrates 5 Years in Business

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

• News,
• Special Offers,
• Upcoming events
• No Comments

This September Empower will be celebrating 5 years in business. Jessica and I are so excited that we have achieved this milestone, and we are so thankful for our wonderful staff and clients that have made it possible. We are planning to celebrate the entire month of September with specials and promotions, but we will take a little time out on September 20 and 21 to honor you, our loyal and trusted clients for your support. More details will be made available in the coming days, but you can take a sneak peek and learn more about the 5 year celebration by clicking here.

Before we look forward to the future of Empower, I wanted to take just a few minutes to look back at the last 5 years. For those of you who were around in 2005 you may remember how it all started, but for those of you that have joined the Empower team in the last few years you may not know much about our history. So here it goes

The concept of Empower Personal Training is the long time vision of Jessica Bottesch and Ronda (Michaels) Williams. We started way back in 1993 as freshmen year suitemates at UNC (Go Heels) and we became fast friends and study partners. We used to spend late nights studying together and our study sessions would often drift to conversations about opening a sports medicine facility once we were out of school. Fast forward a few years ñ Jessica received her Masterís degree in Sports Medicine, and I went on to get my Masterís degree in Sports Management. In 2003 our vision really started to come together and we started to brainstorm having our own facility. By this time our experiences had taken us both in the direction of personal training and overall wellness so our concept shifted a little from an outpatient rehab facility to a studio environment that focuses on total health and wellness.

The next year or so we brainstormed names for our company and worked with a close friend to design our logo. Finally in early 2005 we got really serious about realizing our dream. We cranked out a business plan and began searching for an ideal location. We found our current location, and it immediately felt like the right fit for our business. We went through the process of lease negotiations and studio up fit and by Sept. 2005 we opened our 3000 sq. ft. studio with two employees ñ Jessica and me.

If you were around in 2005, youíll remember that Jessica and I did everything ourselves ñ we trained, we marketed, we answered phones and we even served as the cleaning crew (albeit for only one week). You might remember that we used to schedule appointments the old fashioned way ñ with good ole paper and pencil and date book at the front desk. My how things have changed and we are now able to leverage technology and provide online scheduling and billing services through our state of the art, industry leading software MindBody.

Slowly things started to pick up and we were in need of additional staff to handle the increased business. Let me just throw in a side note here, but Jessica and I personally think we have the best staff in the area. If it were not for our dedicated team of professionals we would have never made it this far, and we are eternally grateful for the loyal staff members weíve had over the years. At this point we have 12 personal trainers, 2 registered dietitians, 1 massage therapist and 2 group fitness instructors on our staff for a total of 17 employees.

At our two year mark in 2007 it started to become apparent that we were running out of space in our current digs so we expanded into the contiguous 1000 square feet. We added a few more pieces of equipment, but mostly what we needed was more space for our expanding client base. If you currently train at Empower you know that the long runway in front of the cardio equipment can seem endless if you are pushing the sled or doing inchworms or walking lunges the entire way. Again we owe it all to our wonderful clients for making the first expansion a reality.

Jessica and I are excited as we pause and reflect on Empowerís growth and success over the past 5 years. We thank you – clients, staff, family and friends for supporting us as we realize our vision to ìEmpower people and communities to lead stronger, healthier, happier lives.î

Stay tuned for more details about the 5 year Red Carpet Celebration and for more information about Empowerís plans for growth as we pass this milestone anniversary.

Why Yoga’s Great for Men

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

• Yoga
• No Comments

Well men, weíve got news for you. Yoga isnít a ladies-only thing like going to the bathroom in packs or opening store credit cards only to get 5 percent off the purchase. In fact, taking one yoga class per week or doing a couple of pre-workout poses can increase endurance, build strength, prevent injuries, and may even stave off heart disease. Men suffer from tightness, often in the hips, hamstrings and shoulders that can lead to injury and weakness. Over-training in one area can cause repetitive stress and other serious injuries. Men need both strength and flexibility. Yoga is a full body workout that provides both. Yoga can open and release menís tightest spots while strengthening the places that donít get a lot of attention (ie. low back and knees). Forward folds are an excellent place to start. We often have a hard time knowing when we are holding excess tension in our head, neck and shoulders, and that buildup of tension can create headaches, insomnia, poor circulation and decreased lung capacity. If you practice slow, steady breathing along with this pose, it can lower your blood pressure over time. Forward folds are a great warm up for any workout. If there is only one pose you can do, downward facing dog is the way to go. We often experience back pain due to chronic tightness in the hamstrings and hips. Itís also common for us to have very tight shoulders. Down Dog releases those areas, while building upper body strength. If you can do only one pose a day, start with Downward Dog. (See instructions below) Donít be discouraged if you think you arenít flexible enough. Yoga will improve your flexibility, but you do not need to be flexible to get started. Since yoga has been practiced by men for so long, many of the poses actually make more sense for a man’s body and some require a lot of upper body strength, which women often lack at first. So men, we know you love yogafor your girlfriend.but you might be surprised at how well it compliments your regular workout as well. Yoga brings the body back into balance, into its natural alignment. Yoga, with its full spectrum of poses – prone, supine, backward bending, and forward bending – can teach someone where imbalances and physical weaknesses are and can help strengthen the body. Yoga can help enhance an athlete’s performance in his sport by teaching how to breathe properly, how to relax and how to gain flexibility! So come and join me at Empower on Tuesdays and Thursdays and discover the secrets of yoga through your own experience.

Sign-up for a yoga class on-line

HOW TO DO: Downward-Facing Dog

Stretches feet, shoulders, hamstrings, and calves; strengthens arms, legs, and core

Start on your hands and knees with your feet and knees hip-width apart. Position your hands about shoulder-width apart, and spread your fingers wide. Pressing firmly through your hands, lift your knees off the floor and straighten your legs. (If you have tight hamstrings, a gentle bend in the knees is fine). Walk your hands forward a few inches, and walk your feet back a few inches to lengthen the pose. Squeeze your thighs as you press them toward the back wall. Press your heels back and down toward the floor (though they might not reach the floor). Relax your head and neck and let your shoulder blades slide down your back toward your feet. Set your gaze between your feet. Suck your stomach in and engage your core muscles. Breathe deeply. Hold for three minutes, rest, and repeat one more time.

Restoration for Women with Gentle Yoga

Friday, May 14, 2010

• Uncategorized,
• Yoga
• No Comments

For thousands of years, it has been known that yoga can help women connect and work with their internal cycles. This includes such cycles and milestones as menstruation, menopause and pregnancy, and even the act of aging gracefully. Part of this process is restorative yoga, meaning a class where the body, mind and spirit learn the art of relaxation.

For instance, a womenís desire to conceive can often be overwhelming and stressful, driving her to the point of obsession and collapse. A woman must begin to cultivate the most favorable conditions for conception. To alleviate stress about trying to conceive, start mapping your cycle of fertility. When entering a fertile time, start practicing restorative poses to calm the mind and the body. As you practice, soften the abdominal area with breath and begin to consciously remove tension from around the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Some of my favorite restorative poses are forward bends, reclining poses and Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose). Try Viparita Karani after coitus (which will theoretically keep the sperm inside the body and close to the opening of the uterus) to encourage the opportunity for sperm penetration.

Prenatal Yoga offers expecting mothers the opportunity to reconnect with their innate wisdom. Linking yoga postures with breath will lead practitioners to new discoveries, bringing awareness to the mind, body and spirit, and also to the spirit of their babies. Gentle yoga postures help strengthen the uterus and pelvic muscles, improve circulation, improve digestion, provide relief for the spine, and increase overall comfort. Yoga helps expecting mothers develop greater vitality and awareness of their ever-changing bodies, while deepening their relationship with their babies. Breath work, vocal toning and meditation will help cultivate flexibility, calm and confidence in preparation for labor and childbirth. Yoga is a wonderful way to ease the birthing process, by reducing pain and increasing the joy of giving birth!

Many women have begun seeking more natural solutions for menopausal symptoms and have found that yoga can ameliorate the undesirable side effects of menopause. Those who have turned to yoga for relief have found that while asanas may not directly influence estrogen production, specific postures can help control unpleasant symptoms. Restorative postures in particular can relax the nervous system and may improve the functioning of the endocrine system (especially the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the thyroid, and the parathyroid gland), which helps the body adapt to hormonal fluctuations. I believe that having a solid practice prior to menopause and continuing yoga during menopause will provide maximum benefits for women and truly ease their transition. For women stuck in ìoverdriveî also know as the ìfight or flightî response, Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) and Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend)–in both cases with the head resting on a bolster or blankets–can help reduce irritability and mental tension, because bending forward and shutting out external distractions and stimuli can soothe the mind and reduce the effects of stress. The nervous system then receives the signal that all is well, and the adrenals and sympathetic nervous system stop working so hard.

Restorative yoga helps us learn to relax and rest deeply and completely. Itís about letting go of the body and breath so that we might disidentify ourselves from our thoughts. Most yoga classes donít allow enough time for Shivasana. It takes a minimum of 12-15 minutes before one can withdraw from external sensations and allow the body to reset. I encourage you to try one of my yoga classes to experience the innate balance Yoga can bring you and help you to connect and adapt more deeply to the natural changes of being a woman.

Click here to register for one of Anisha’s yoga classes and experience the many benefits of restorative yoga.

Yoga is a Way of Life

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

• Events,
• News,
• Special Offers,
• Upcoming events
• No Comments

To most people yoga is a way to exercise, stretch, and relax the body. The true practice of yoga goes far deeper. Yoga is a way of life. The practice of yoga includes everything from our body, mind, how we interact with others, food choices, and even our responsibility to taking care of our planet. Yoga is a holistic approach to living.

Please join Satya Tara and Empower Personal Training for Yoga on the Lawn at Fosterís Market in Durham. Experience theholistic lifestyle through outdoor yoga practice and stay for a healthy dinner at Foster’s Market.Melt away stress, tone your body, increaseyour flexibility, enjoy locally grown fresh food, and support local Durham businesses.

Yoga on the Lawn at Fosterís Market will meet on the front lawn on four Sunday’s at 5:00 throughout the summer – July 12, July26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23. And the best part is that all of the yoga classes are FREE!

Please RSVP to the Empower Personal Training Fan Page on Facebook or contact the studio at (919) 401-8024.

“Being outdoors gives you access to a whole other world of sensations. It helps you feel part of a boundless existence. The pure freedom of being exposed to the elements can strengthen an existing practice or inspire a new one.”

Empower Defines Its Mission, Vision and Culture

Thursday, April 30, 2009

• News
• No Comments

OUR VISION

To EMPOWER people and communities to lead longer, healthier, happier lives.

OUR MISSION

Empower Personal Training is a private health and fitness company that provides integrated wellness services through a professional and scientific approach utilizing our nationally certified and highly educated staff.

Empower Personal Training strives to positively influence the lifestyle behaviors of each client. Our clients are people that are ready to embrace change and actively participate in taking the necessary steps towards their goals. Our clients become part of the Empower Personal Training team and are provided access to experts in each specific physical health discipline.

Empower Personal Training will work cooperatively with strategic allied health partners to enhance our clientsí success.

We guarantee: individually designed wellness plans created by the members of our expert staff, an upscale, pristine studio environment with added amenities, unparalleled personal attention to our clientsí needs and a positive company culture that provides the staff with a work environment that allows them to enhance their own lifestyle.

OUR CULTURE

Integrity- We always speak honestly and stay true to what we promise. Trust is an integral part of our team dynamic and we strive to earn and develop long-lasting mutually beneficial relationships. We will admit to making mistakes and continually learn from them.

Commitment ñ We will give 100 percent to ourselves and stay committed to our commitments in our accent towards success. We believe in and are committed to the Vision, Mission, Culture and success of Empower Personal Training, the Empower team and all Empower clients.

Accountability- We are responsible for our actions and outcomes and will take ownership of the decisions we make.

Excellence- We strive to deliver services of exceptional quality that exceed customer expectations. We will continually work to improve ourselves, our facility, our products and our services to best serve the entire Empower Team.

Education- We will constantly better our knowledge and understanding in an ever-changing industry so as to provide our clients with the most relevant and healthful knowledge at all times.

Positive attitude and FUN-We view life as a journey to be enjoyed and appreciated, and we create an atmosphere of fun and happiness so all around us enjoy it as well.

Adaptability and Creativityñ The only thing constant is change. Given this truth, we accept change and view it as opportunity for growth. Innovation is the key to forward progress. We encourage independent thinking and embrace new ideas.

Respect and Tolerance- We respect all parts of the Empower Personal Training business model but most importantly its PEOPLE. We will treat our clients, colleagues, vendors, and partners with compassion and kindness. In difficult circumstances we do our best to empathize with the other side and view the situation from their perspective.

Teamwork- We work collaboratively as a TEAM with each other , our clients and the community. Each member of the team brings special talents and areas of expertise to Empower Personal Training. We are flexible in our work and able to make changes to reach resolutions.

Balance- Self care is NOT selfish. As a healthcare company we know we must take good care of ourselves in order to effectively help others. Therefore, we strive to lead balanced lives remembering that spiritual, social, physical and family aspects are as important as financial and professional goals.

Communication- We work diligently to make effective and open communication a high priority. We understand that every person we encounter has something to teach us and strive to be attentive listeners. We speak positively of our fellow team members, our clients and Empower Personal Training at all times. We greet and say good-bye to people using their names.

Success & Profitability- We appreciate that profit is the lifeblood of every business and that a profitable business benefits everyone in our organization as well as in the communities we serve.