Fitness From The Field: Fit To Go!

The Rural Intelligence region offers a plethora of fitness and healing modalities, but it can be hard to know which is the one that fits your needs, your body type and your schedule. Enter Paula Boyajian, a yoga instructor certified in Interdisciplinary Yoga and Yoga for the Special Child, who has taken on the role of RI’s fitness contributor to sleuth out the details of the many health and wellness options in our area.

Now and then, as a yoga teacher, I’ve met someone who’s hesitant to try yoga because they believe it to be a religion. I carefully allay their concerns, as I’d like to do about a class I took at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Pittsfield. Don’t let thoughts of a religious meeting thinly veiled as an exercise class in a dingy basement cloud your mind. “Fit to Go!" is taught in a former family mansion and is all about practical exercise. What It IsThis 75-minute class is one of the best exercise trends that grew last year and should be continued in 2015: Functional Fitness, which trains muscles that are used in everyday activities. Twenty minutes of low-impact aerobics warms us up; then hand and ankles weights come out and we run through lunges and squats while doing upper body work. In the next portion, instructor Kas Maroney and assistant Kim Rivers (also a fitness professional) pull from their huge collection of props (including balance balls, kettle weights and resistant straps) to create stations that we work at for one minute each. A five-minute a cool down completes the class and, on the first Wednesday of each month, there is also a guided meditation. Activity Level Beginner to Intermediate. For the beginner, or anyone who thinks she can’t stick to a workout plan, this is the class for you. You’ll meet an amputee, a woman struggling with arthritis and another recovering from a stroke. But don’t think you won’t sweat. Kas makes it clear, “I’m who you come to after physical therapy; this is for all levels."  The more experienced exerciser can use weights throughout the class and add a hop to the aerobics. After aerobics you’re guided to take your heart rate so you can think about increasing your weights and running through the circuits at their most intense level. Benefits “Fit to G!o" gives you a full-body workout risking injury but with the added benefit of building bone density by using the weights. Repeated reminders to keep your core tight help develop a toned tummy and a healthy back. Regular attendee Barbara Rubin of Lee remarked that her balance has improved since starting the class. Kas agreed and then congratulated other students who, not long ago, didn’t use weights but now do.

Kas Maroney and Kim Rivers

Instructor InfoCertified by The American Council on Exercise in both group and personal training, Kas has been teaching for 30 years. In the three years she’s been teaching at “UU," she’s developed a faithful following of students who talk while exercising as if chatting over coffee. Through all the witty repartee, Kas keeps everyone on track. “I raised four children," she said. “I know how to keep things moving without making anyone feel bad." Facility/AmbienceThe handsome “UU" building is the former England family’s home (they owned Pittsfield’s late, great department store), so when I say this is a family-like setting, I’m not kidding. Signs of the Victorian décor— high ceilings, detailed molding, a marble fireplace and tall windows — still remain in the living room where class is held. Everyone treats each other like family. As I walked in, people promptly introduced themselves and included me in their conversations; between class segments they offered me water and compliments. Perhaps, in the end, a spiritual connection does exist and, in a word, it’s “compassion" — for each other and yourself. CostAn introductory class is complimentary. Individual classes are $10 and class cards are available:  6 classes for $50 or 12 for $90. Fit To Go!Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. 175 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201 (413) 443-7903