Personalized Instructors for EVERYbody
Spotlight on Health & Wellness
A YWCA collaboration with certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Dialectical Behavior Therapist and Board Member, Amparo Penny
Fitness is a unique journey for each of us; no two people are the same. The YWCA Health and Wellness team approached fitness, and our sometimes-difficult relationship with our bodies, in an integrated, intentional way. While YWCA has always had a distinct approach to fitness that includes psychological and emotional, as well as physical, well-being, The question was how to make that distinct approach more explicit and visible. It can be tricky; on the one hand, is the holistic and inclusive approach of YWCA, and on the other, a culture obsessed with narrow definitions of fitness and beauty. As our team looked for the language and context to put our longtime philosophy into words for the benefit of trainers and members, they turned to one of their own.
Board Member and therapist Amparo Penny was an excellent resource to help put our approach to fitness into a useful and actionable framework. Amparo has drawn on her 15 years of clinical experience to hone her philosophy of health and wellness; she shared her body positive/body neutral/accepting approach to fitness with the personal trainers at the YWCA. Our team learned from Amparo and other therapists working with body dysmorphia issues and body positivity that there is a strong theoretical foundation for the YW’s existing holistic approach. Our mission of empowering and supporting women is an integral part of the work and our team practices this body-neutral approach in every interaction with you. Everything we do is aimed at helping you define your own wellness journey in a welcoming, and inclusive environment.Too often, we live in a “grey zone” when it comes to fitness. We want to love our bodies as they are, and still seek to improve our health and well-being. We want to feel and look better and still love our beautiful, imperfect bodies. Amparo emphasized that it’s important to remember it doesn’t have to be one thing or the other. Both things can be held true at the same time.
“Body neutrality” is acceptance of everybody and every path to well-being and self-care. This concept informs an approach that filters through our YWCA team, from the personal trainers and wellness coaches to the friendly representative who greets you, with no judgment or expectations, when you walk into the building.
The Health and Wellness staff empowers you to realize that you are in charge of your body, and you are supported to determine your own measurables. You decide. With our individualized instruction with a Wellness Coach or Personal Trainer, you can:
forget about the scale and focus on mobility or flexibility,
practice mindfulness and meditation to bring calm into your life through exercise,
learn how to make peace with your own body, no matter what your size or shape,
just work out or attend a great fitness class in a safe and supportive gym,
or, lose weight to meet personal or health goals
Our certified trainers offer plans that promote acceptance of all bodies, inclusive of size, race, ethnicity, gender, and ability. Certified coaches offer support, motivation, and accountability to help you reach your full potential.
Learn more about individualized, personal instruction. Not a member yet? Click here for information on how to become a member.