We met up with Andrea Gilks, a Registered Yoga Teacher in the Vinyasa style at forwardmotionyoga.com and kindyogabyheart.ca in Markham. But she’s so much more than that. She is also a registered member of the Canadian Yoga Alliance and an entrepreneur running her own Yoga business www.warriorspirityoga.com.
She’s a mother, wife, forever learner, an educator, well travelled, and..well, needless to say, we wanted to get her opinion on fitness, health, the industry, and her views on all of it. We’re glad we did, and sure you will be, too. Enjoy the read.
Why is fitness important?
Motion is lotion for the body. If you don’t move, it becomes harder as you age. As humans become more and more sedentary, more and more ailments and pains are surfacing. Whether it be pain in joints and/or muscles, mental health issues, or organ malfunction, being sedentary is a key contributor. Exercise releases endorphins, ie. Happy hormones. We could all use a little more happiness.
If you could make one statement, or change one thing about the fitness industry, what would it be?
I would make getting a “fitness instructor” certificate more involved. People should have to pass an anatomy test. We are working with people’s bodies, and there should be an understanding of how the body works. I’m not talking about a science degree here, either.
Using an analogy, if you are going to fix the engine in your car, you need to understand how it works to make sure you don’t break it, right? Why don’t we take the same approach with humans? Many people have good intentions with becoming instructors, which is excellent. But, there are some weekend warriors just out for the piece of paper and have no interest in human movement and safety.
How many people have come across a training/teacher/instructor who forces a movement on them? Not every movement is right for every different body.
There is also a responsibility on behalf of the certificate providers as well. They should want the people they educate to be the best. Putting their name behind a sound product.
Why do you feel this change is needed?
In my opinion, anyone who works in the fitness industry should have a foundational understanding of human mobility. Trainers should be able to recognize a limited range of motion to ensure they can:
● help bring mobility back
● develop strength and movement through a full range of motion in a safe manner
● help prevent injury
Maybe it’s just me, but I would be so upset if I hurt someone. If someone can’t move “that way,” I don’t force a movement, I start asking questions, and offer an alternative.
Our body parts typically hurt for 3 reasons:
- overuse
- underuse
- mis-use.
Finding out what is going on, to prevent further harm, is very important to me. It also helps gains credibility. You can’t expect to get more clients if you are the one who hurts them.
Why is physiotherapy important?
Physiotherapists are extremely educated. They understand movement. They are trained to help isolate issues (whether it’s pain or performance related) and help resolve those issues. Even if you know what’s going on in your own body, having a professional diagnosis to avoid continuing injury, is essential for success and fitness advancement. Ignoring pain should never be an option. Injuries generally don’t “just go away.” Physio helps eliminate pain, recover from injury, and prevent future damage.
Closing thoughts
Our healthcare system and access to doctors will become more challenging. As our population ages, and becomes more sedentary, people will look for alternatives to help stay healthy and to age gracefully. It would behoove trainers/instructors to help support the population with these endeavours. Help create a happy life. Make exercise fun.
It’s tough to get started with exercise. It’s scary, but if we can take some of those fears away, maybe more people would do it. The old cliché says, “If they build it, they will come.” Making people feel better after a class than when they first walked in, brings satisfaction to my soul. Hearing people tell me how much better they can move is why I do what I do.
For me, I put fun at the forefront of everything I do. I want people to enjoy fitness, in whatever form that means to them. Some people are stressed out about starting to exercise, and I want them to know it can be fun.
On a more serious note, I like to ask “Why? And what?” as often as possible. Why am I doing this movement and what will it help me do? What benefit will it bring to my daily life? If I can’t answer those questions, why do it?
I love my yoga, but there are some poses that I wonder what benefit they bring to everyday life and movement. So why do them? Don’t get forced into a box. I like to teach strength through a full range of motion – and be creative in how I do that.
I also like to challenge students in a fun, creative, and safe way. I get a kick out of students who tell me they can hear me in their head when they are at home doing something with terrible posture. When students take what I teach into their daily lives, it gives me a great sense of accomplishment. I want people to have a happy pain free life where they can do whatever they want to.
I am always curious and learning.
Thanks so much for the great interview, Andrea. We hope to see you in class, soon. If you ever need any physiotherapy in Markham, you know where we’ll be!
