New Beginnings

For me, the introduction to a real "wellness lifestyle" started in 1999 when I was introduced to Yoga and Pilates by a good friend where I met my first teacher Irma Juneau, I was truly hooked from the start (LOVE YOU IRMA, BIG TIME).  Then, in 2001 I started teaching in my spare time privately and at a local gym in Arizona.  Gratefully soon after that, I studied with Jordan & Martin Kirk and Mary Bruce in Arizona from 2002 to 2008.  

After I fell in love with the Alignment and Heart affirming qualities of Anusara Yoga, I then went on to completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program with Jordan & Martin Kirkfrom At One Yoga in late 2003.  I proceeded to receive additional training with Mary Bruce and her amazing Restorative Yoga intensive yoga training in April 2006 (Mary is THE ABSOLUTE BEST).  Sequentially, I then finished my Level 2 Advanced Anusara training by the Kirks at Yoga Village in July 2006 to receive an official 200-hour Anusara Yoga Certificate (THIS WAS LIFE CHANGING, I sincerely miss you guys).

In addition, I received training as a Pilates Instructor through an ACE mentorship program with LA Fitness in 2007 and recurrent continuing educational training units from Pure Fitness in 2009.

Almost two years ago I relocated to Seattle, Washington while not forgetting my AZ wellness Kula (Community /Family). To date I have been practicing for over 12 years now and teaching around 4,500 classroom hours for over 8 years while connecting with more than 13,000 glorious souls.  Likewise, I have assisted in wellness development, business planning, studio openings, internal/external managing, employee enhancement, company revitalization and organizational consultation for many fitness and wellness ventures.  I AM SINCERELY BLESSED!

I incorporate a rich blend of training, talent and expertise to my class offerings whether at a traditional yoga studio, college classroom, community recreation, doctor's office, private client's home, corporate setting and/or wellness/healing center.  My versatility is represented by the variety of classes I teach; all levels yoga, chair yoga, restorative yoga, yin yoga, yoga flow, Pilates and meditation are just a few.  I also bring a strong core emphasis from my studies throughout my corporate gym guidance.  I combine my education in counseling and psychology with the knowledge I have gathered through years of practice and studies.  So, whether you are a beginner or more seasoned practitioner, my style of teaching will guide you towards a balance practice of optimal wellness for the mind, body and soul.

Now, being awakened in the diverse Yoga World I thought I was searching for my angelic and soul-bound teacher(s) and guru in Seattle via a Yoga Teacher.  Fortunately for me, I found that my search has allowed me to collide with 2 remarkable and successful business entrepreneurs: Alan and Bonnie Cashman as well as the team at LAB5 Fitness.  Now together, we all can continue creating success in the Washington, ranging from wellness to lifestyle, workshops to retreats, community to partnerships and so much more within fitness; please let us know how we can keep Capitol Hill the best neighborhood in Seattle...

Take Action my friends!  Create, Challenge, and Change your life through fitness with LAB5.  Why not tap into your mind, body, compliment your current workout schedule or begin an innovative foundation to your world with us?

I look forward to meeting all of you and seeing each of you our classes!

Yours in Light, 
Michael Warner

Our aerial conditioning class can help strengthen postural muscles.

Before I began my fitness and wellness journey, I would have had no idea what Alignment, Hyperextension and Posture was.  And now after my extensive teaching and training it is all I notice in all the classes that I take.  No matter if I am instructing and/or taking a class as a student, it is like I have an automatic sensor to see where additional guidance might be applied in those areas. 

Whether you are a seasoned exercise fanatic or someone starting for the first time, the importance of Alignment, Hyperextension and Posture are crucial to having a well-balanced and SAFE practice not matter what format of class you take.

Some simple steps to improve your alignment are to think of your body as a staking system and stack one area of the body over the other.  For example in class during a standing pose I always recommend:

·       Take a deep breath

·       Step your feet hips width apart, then

·       Slightly bend your knees, now

·       Allow your hips to hover above your heals of our feet and

·       Tuck your tailbone down and lift your belly button up, now see if you can

·       Stack your shoulders over your hips then

·       Allow your chin to be parallel with the floor, lastly

·       Imagine that you are puling your legs together but at the same time but maintain the space between your legs

·       Now try that again.

Also, tips regarding hyperextension can change your workout to avoid overextending and tearing tendons, ligaments and muscles with just a few easy guided directions:

·       Always keep a slight micro-bend in your elbows and knees

·       Think of hugging your elbows slightly toward one another

·       Look at your forearms and always allow your knuckles to be a straight line down from your wrists

·       Maybe consider standing more with your feet hips width distance apart

Posture itself is so important in everything we do especially, when we drive, when we type and work over a computer as well as when we simply stand in line at the grocery store.  Just think of this:

·       Start with the elements of alignment mentioned above, followed by

·       Shrugging/pulling your shoulders up toward your ears, then

·       Push your shoulders toward the wall behind you, now

·       Open your heart towards the wall in front of you while you let the shoulders drop back down toward the floor.  Now you are activating all your muscles of the upper body and back!

Therefore...

1.     When we have good alignment we can improve strength, grow muscle and avoid injury.

2.     Likewise when we pay attention to our range of motion and flexibility through the awareness of hyperextension we will be able to complete more repetitions hold poses longer and save our wrists, low backs and knees from damage.

3.     Lastly, when we develop good or better posture you can access all the muscles in your body correctly while progressing in every class you take.

Please ask all of our instructors to show you their tips for Alignment, Hyperextension and Posture.  And please, try to incorporate some of these tips into your current LAB5 classes and let us know if it makes a difference in your workout experience.

Do not forget to also ask your instructor for modifications as well.  They are available for anyone, in every format of any class, even the power classes. 

Safety first LAB5 Super Stars!

With a lil' LAB5 style and yours in health,

Michael Warner

PS

Food for Thought

I now also follow the

"Cashman tools for success"

Having:

·       Clarity

·       Competence

·       Confidence

·       Coaching &

·       Commitment

5 C's of your success