I am happy to report that while COVID-19 cases are spiking around the valley (over 1,400 active cases), the social distancing has been working in the studio. Over the past few months, we have had a few cases of clients coming in with COVID (unknowingly at the time), but it was not transmitted to anyone else in the studio because of our strict adherence to social distancing. Thank you for your help with this, you guys rock!
Unfortunately, I still managed to come into contact with the virus outside of the studio. I want to thank our community for pulling together while I quarantine. It has taken a village (or in this case, a circus family) to figure out what to do with our classes while I quarantine. Thank you to our instructors (and even a few students – shout out to Dawn and Catherine) who subbed classes while I am gone, and thank you to our clients for your understanding if we had to cancel, reschedule, or refund your classes during this time. Thank you to friends who have left chicken noodle soup, tea, apples, beer, and candy on our doorsteps. My husband and I are well fed and happy!
Now, I know y’all are dying to hear about the ‘rona. For me, I had two days of headaches, fatigue, and night sweats; nothing crazy. No body aches, no lost sense of taste or smell, no lingering cough or congestion. I know everyone is different but my experience has been very mellow! I am still working 8-5 for my job at WGM Group in addition to managing the studio (both from the safety of my home). Following the first four days, I have been riding my exercise bike or dancing my old Dance Nation routines. I believe in movement medicine; and I also believe the fact I participate in regular exercise is a large part of the reason I didn’t get very sick in the first place. That leads me into my take-aways after surviving the 'rona:
Take-away #1: I am a huge follower of Dr. Mercola (author of the KetoFast) who says studies are showing that your metabolic health has a significant impact on the severity of COVID-19.
He says the real pandemic is poor metabolic health. Metabolic disease is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
I mean, if there was ever a time to get active and get healthy, the time is now; and I here to remind you that our crew is here to help lift you up as you rise toward your wellness goals (click here to book a spot in our classes).
Take-away #2: With COVID-19 numbers on the rise, it’s a good time to stock up your pantry and freezer. Thank goodness for my husband who has been on top of this because once you get a positive diagnosis, you are looking at a ten-day quarantine. No grocery shopping, no nothing without risk of spreading the virus. Good things to keep on hand in addition to nutritious food: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, Tea, and Cough Drops.
Take-away #3: If you do get the COVID, try some gentle movement each day to stave of complications from the virus. This might be a great time to make some gains in your flexibility, for example. Just use common sense and don't over-do it.
Take-away #4: Check in on your friends who are quarantined to see if they need anything. It would have been a long ten days without apples for me (thank you Ty) and beer for my hubby (thank you James). If you are quarantined and need help, don’t hesitate to let me know, because Levitation Nation's contribution to the Flathead Valley is more than just amazing performances. It's creating a community of movers and a culture of healthy living; a community that will be there for each other in a time of need. Thank you for being there for me this week, and in two more days I will be out of quarantine and ready to pay it forward.
XOXO, Mindy
Article by Mindy Cochran. Mindy is the founder of Kalispell’s Levitation Nation Aerial Studio, where the catch phrase “fitness is fun” is embodied alongside a culture of movement & women empowerment. Mindy is also a columnist for "Montana Woman Magazine." Her column "The Real Levitation Experience" shares expertise for elevating health & wellness that she has acquired through her certifications as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach. For more about Mindy, please visit: https://www.levitationnation.org/mindy.