Coming this fall... WARRIOR Rhythm ROOTS
Embrace stability and a powerful sense of grounding with WARRIOR Rhythm ROOTS™, an evolution of our signature program. Combining yoga-inspired sequences, resistance training, and cardio, this class enhances balance, flexibility, and strength with the support of a chair. Experience the perfect blend of rhythmic yoga flows, mindful movements, and invigorating, low impact exercises tailored for active agers and adaptive athletes. Root yourself in an unforgettable practice that nurtures your body and soul.
I am thrilled to announce my partnership with the 2024 IDEA Emerging Trailblazer of the Year, Ruben Pereyra! Ru Per is the Senior Fitness Director at WESLEY Senior Homes in Des Moines. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and is a certified ACE personal trainer, Parkinson’s Fitness Specialist, Senior Fitness Specialist, WA Certified Coach, and speaker specializing in senior populations. For the past 16 years, Ruben has been a prominent figure in the fitness industry, promoting the importance of movement and its positive impact on people’s lives. Ruben is also an entrepreneur, offering fitness services for people of all ages, which include personal training, group exercise classes, brain cognitive function training, and fitness direction for renowned corporations.
Ruben is the Format Expert for WARRIOR Rhythm ROOTS, launching in November 2024.
The name of this program “ROOTS” is inspired by tree roots that provide nourishment, stability and life to its branches and limbs . And the verb “root” which means to establish deeply. We also root for ourselves and one another by celebrating successes and wins.
ROOTS follows the formatting and formulas of Warrior Rhythm by mirroring its yoga, strength, and cardio themes with low impact. This class can be done with or without shoes. And with the full or partial support of a chair.
More information about how YOU can get involved coming in September!​

Teaching indoor cycling is very new to me. When I used to compete in triathlon, we only took indoor cycling classes when the weather was awful or the winter days were too short to ride outside. It was necessary conditioning, and we went to class to hammer! WARRIOR Revolution is a different experience altogether - yes, it’s firmly rooted in traditional terrain-based indoor cycling class design (hammering can happen), but we also turn up the party vibe!

I’ve been practicing at my gym’s gorgeous bike studio, preparing to teach Revolution. The other day my best friend joined me. She came for the workout, to provide feedback, and to give me moral support. While I was getting my microphone and music going, a young guy came into the studio and asked if there was a class starting. I let him know that we were just practicing. I invited him in and told him he was perfectly welcome to do his own thing, as long as he was okay with my music and cueing “noise”. He was fine with it and got himself set up on a bike.

We were about two songs into my lesson when I realized he was actually doing the moves with us! He looked like he was working hard, and appeared to enjoy it right to the very end of the hour. Afterwards, we were all chatting and my friend mentioned that he was wearing her favorite brand of shoes. He said that he loved them, too! He admitted he was kind of bummed that this pair had a hole through the sole, which he showed us. “Must be a poor college student”, I thought to myself. But then things took a turn…

He continued on, saying, “The spikes of my mountain bike pedals finally wore through. I didn’t mind except when I had to walk through the cacti.” Wait, WHAT?? My friend and I must have had matching quizzical expressions on our faces. “Yeah, I finished a 1,040 mile, 42 day solo mountain bike ride, Baja to Bay, last month. It was mostly a dirt track and slow-going some days.” Our jaws dropped in awe.

“This is the first time I’ve been on a bike seat since I got back, actually. It was really fun! Thanks for easing me back in with something new and different!” Well, THAT was unexpected! We talked a bit longer about his incredible trip, and learned that he’s in the midst of planning another one in Mexico this spring with his partner and brother. 

How cool that I could offer this amazing person my WARRIOR Revolution class, and it happened to be his path back into his riding practice.. Yes, I think his commitment to these adventures is very similar to having a yoga practice. He had shared with us that his experience in Baja was just as much mental as physical. This is not surprising. I get it. That was my draw to long-distance triathlon in the past. It’s personal how you get into that meditative space. Revolution could absolutely help bring you there. AND it can be a simple, joyful, spicy sweat sesh, if that’s what you want. I invite YOU to find a class and Ride YOUR Race with us.

Bess



​

I’ve recently concluded a six-week journey teaching WARRIOR Rhythm Lesson 17, centered around the theme of “metamorphosis.” Teaching the final class of a lesson series is always a bittersweet experience. It’s a blend of pride in our collective mastery of the intricate choreography and the excitement for the upcoming new lessons. Observing and feeling everyone’s unique yet unified experiences as they delve into the synchronized movements, embracing their personal choices, is profoundly beautiful. The diversity in expression is truly striking.

The theme of metamorphosis, or transformation, presents a personal challenge to me. As someone approaching sixty, I find myself in a state of contentment and confidence, generally satisfied with my family, friends, home, career, and leisure activities. The drive for change that once propelled me seems to have mellowed. But, is this shift in attitude concerning? Should there be a continual pursuit for more, an unending desire for change?

As we step into the New Year, a period often marked by resolutions and renewed hopes, I am reminded of a classic yoga meditation: What are the things in life that no longer serve you, which you can let go of? What kind of transformation could this release initiate?

What is it about WARRIOR Combat that is so incredibly satisfying?

Have you ever stepped into the ring of a real physical fight? My closest encounter was during the semester of Tae Kwon Do I took in college. Bruises covered my body for months, but the thrill was undeniable.

WARRIOR Combat instructors aim to kick and punch with authentic style, even though no physical contact is involved. You don't need boxing experience to teach or take a class, but in my quest to become a Combat Master Trainer, I decided to supplement my training with 1-on-1 boxing sessions. Hitting the bag and my coach's strike pads while perfecting my techniques was an absolute blast.

One reason I'm drawn to Combat is that it lets me channel my inner badass, like an Amazon warrior ready to conquer. I even did a "badass" photoshoot when I turned 50, posing with a sword, reminiscent of iconic female action characters like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. Nine years later, those photos still bring a smile to my face.

So, what's the answer to my initial question? WARRIOR Combat is more than a workout; it's a chance to come together with friends, break a sweat, release stress, and conquer our inner demons to the beat of incredible music. It taps into our aggressive energy, allowing us to harness that power and use it to keep fighting, as Combat's motto suggests—pure magic.

I want to extend my gratitude to Diva and Ellen for bringing Combat into our lives, where we can transform into our own unbeatable superheroes.

Bess

​Sometimes all we need is a new perspective 

Things I remind myself often…

• ditch the ego while believing in yourself
• consider all potential outcomes your actions 
• stop talking and listen 
• go deep before going wide
• be highly selective about influences 
• ignore limiting beliefs

​Because as a rehabilitative provider, and an allied healthcare professional, I have come to recognize one simple truth:  AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION, IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.  And besides that, most medications don’t cure anything, they just cover up the symptoms.  And at what cost?    

Medicine is reactive.  Rehab is reactive.  

But making healthier choices, choosing a different lifestyle- that is proactive.

And the longer we wait to get started, the harder it is to turn this train around.  

Don’t do it because you want to look different.  Do it because you want to feel different.  Or maybe do it to look different- trust me, eventually you’ll start to feel different either way.   Just do it.  Whatever the reason.  

Our society is sick.  We’re chronically sick from the food we eat, from the potions that we drink, from our addiction to tv, and phone screens, and tablets, and computers.  We’re sick from distraction, and inactivity.  We’re sick from overworking and constant comparison.   We’re sick from lack of rest and poor hydration.  And the solution is not more medicine, more side effects, and more medicine to cover those up.  The solution is movement, and real food, and water, and sunlight and fresh air. 

Start now.  Start early.  Start where you are.  Just start.  

Trust me.  You’ll thank me later. 

We met about a year ago but were too busy and focused to pay the other much attention. That changed last fall when we discovered (thanks the the “WARRIOR girls” driving us together) that our passions and vision aligned. 
We started working ferociously on WARRIOR Combat. 
It’s been a whirlwind. We created the accredited self study course and launched in January. We have produced 2 lessons and film the 3rd next weekend. We’ve presented at 2 conferences already this year 
But tomorrow feels like the biggest deal yet. I’m not sure why. I guess it’s because my heart beats for training instructors and tomorrow is our FIRST live certification 
Thank you for cheering @warriorcombat_official on. We feel it  and are extremely motivated to change lives with its  unique “KEEP FIGHTING” essence. 

LVE, 
~ ellen 

We’ve been exploring the theme of “reflection” during our Friday evening WARRIOR Rhythm class lately. Last night I invited my people to consider how we mirror each other’s movements - they reflect me and I reflect them as we flow through the choreography. I asked each person to think about how we also reflect the qualities of the people with whom we spend our time, and perhaps to identify the people who help us reflect brighter and beautifully.

One of the class members excitedly shared with us that this is related to a scientific phenomenon called “mirror neurons”.

I looked it up. 

Here is the article link if you are curious: 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3510904/

In a nutshell, mirror neurons have been proven to exist through numerous studies in the past couple decades. Not only are they activated during mirrored movement, but even watching another being move! It’s postulated that mirror neurons allow us and other species to learn as infants to understand the intentions of others, even allowing us to predict their future actions.

That feeling you get when you sync up with the others in your WARRIOR Rhythm class?… Yeah, that’s your mirror neurons firing up! Cool, huh?!