Tag: training

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Featured Fitness Health Wellness

Exercise Your Mind, Body, and Soul

Dre Marrero
Dre Marrero, a personal trainer at The DOGPOUND. Photo credit Matteo Matty Matt.

By Andreina “Dre” Marrero, a personal trainer at The DOGPOUND

Dre Marrero
Dre Marrero stands on top of a tire that DOGPOUND members use for exercise. Photo credit Alice Teeple.

“Mind-body connection” is something we hear about in the gym, but many clients interpret it differently. What makes the mind create changes in the body? What causes the body to withstand the pain of the movements the create growth? There are numerous scientific explanations to answer these, but what about the unknown factor: your soul?

Welcome to personal soul training. Yes. You read that right. Soul training.

Embedded deep within all of us is that magic, or what I like to call our “Wizard of Oz.” Someone behind that mind and body which instructs us to lift that arm, get that last rep, and “listen” to what our body tells us. While mind-body gets all the attention, what about our soul training? This encompasses past pain, anger, frustration, and numerous lower vibrating energy that keeps us from making permanent changes with our bodies. Running is energy; Training is energy; Lifting is energy. All in all- life itself is all about ENERGY!

This takes us to our energy centers, which play a vital role in our training and our personal health/wellness plan. Our 7 energy centers (chakras) give us significant clues towards what changes our soul needs to project progress outwardly. In simple terms: heal the soul, heal the mind, heal the body–IN THAT ORDER.

Soul Training
Photo credit Matteo Matty Matt

Our first energy center, for example, the root chakra, is responsible for stability, rigidity, security, and a sense of “I Am.” As life happens for us, this energy center can be thrown off and cause restlessness, insecurity, excessive anger, and impatience. Performing grounding movements such as deadlifts/squats can help release this energy as well as associated feelings that are occurring in our personal lives. Staying consistent will eventually get you dual results: an enhanced body but, most importantly, a healed part of the soul, which can be life-altering. Our decisions are based on our thoughts, which are based on our feelings and beliefs. Who houses those feelings? Our soul.

Changing the body from within is vital for growth. We ensure we have the brain to grow, the courage to persevere, but most importantly, the heart to make these changes permanent and truly live a healthy lifestyle….from the inside out.

Remember- there’s no place like home. That home is your body & training the inner self is just as crucial as the outer shell. (Clicks heels twice…)

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Events Featured Fitness Health Nutrition

The Perfect Workout Counterpart

Photos provided by PERFORMIX House

Monday night, in joining one of the two PERFORMIX House fitness classes, one could find themselves energized and inspired by their surroundings. Guests were led by trainer Devon Lévesque as he delivered a spectacular performance and instructed a vigorous workout. Participants were taken through a motivational, high-intensity exercise that focused on the toning of abs and legs. Once everyone had completed their workout, our gracious hosts led the way to something much needed by everyone: containers with DAHlicious Mango Lassi and Cashew milk. Not only were the beverages refreshing, but the organic yogurt drinks are a great source of protein, which is essential after any workout. Everyone, including the Downtown team, was thrilled with the night.

The leading India-styled yogurt company, DAHLicious, has presented clients with many exceptional organic products and was proud to claim an award for ‘Best Yogurt/Dairy Alternative Category’ in this year’s ceremony for the sofi™ Awards 2019. The “Alphonso Mango” Lassi, which was presented at the event, received the bronze sofi™ award and features high probiotics with low sugar quantity. It’s no wonder the creamy dairy beverage is a best-seller.

DAHlicious Organic strives to include nothing short of the best in their products and is focused on bringing only the finest ingredients in their lassi and plant-based products. “Our goal was to create the best tasting mango lassi on the planet with simplest possible ingredients,” says Co-Founder JD Sethi. 

From their selection, you can choose between their grass-fed whole milk products or indulging in their innovative plant-based yogurts. The dairy option entails Lassi, the Indian organic drinkable yogurt. There’s a reason why the “Alphonso Mango” Lassi was the takeaway winner of the ‘Best Yogurt/Dairy Alternative Category’. The alternative to their milk products includes Cashew Milk, an organic drinkable yogurt, and their almond milk spoonable yogurt products. The Downtown team strongly recommends trying the field strawberry Cashew Milk; it provides unmatched flavor and leaves the drinker fully satisfied.

In the appearance of DAHlicious Organic™ at the PERFORMIX House event, two beautiful cultures met and a wonderful partnership formed. The two passions (one for a fit lifestyle and the other being for organic cuisine) combine to produce a harmonic coalescence.

For more information on local providers of DAHLicious, visit their website here, and for more information on PERFORMIX House, visit their website here!

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Business Lifestyle

How to Find Study & Pass Linux LPIC

Photo by Pexels
Photo by energepic.com from Pexels

How to Find Study And Pass Linux LPIC 1 – 100-400 Certification Exam

The LPIC series of certification exams is aimed at assessing the knowledge and skills of Linux systems administrators. The exam objectives are updated after every 3 years and the certifications are valid for 5 years. A candidate who wishes to apply for the exam in this series must begin with the lower level tests and climb to the higher level exams. For you to be certified as an LPIC-1 Linux Administrator, you need to have passed the LPI 101 and 102 exams. You can do thesetests separately and you do not need to have passed the 101 exam to take the 102 test. The LPIC-1 Linux Administrator is the first certification in the Linux series and it validates the ability of an individual to perform maintenance tasks on the command line, set up, and configure basic networking and a computer running Linux. The examsare designed to assess a candidate’s proficiency in real-world system administration.

Exam Details and Objectives

The 101 and 102 exams have 60 questions each that are structured to contain multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank options. You are required to complete each certification tests in a period of 90 minutes.

The objectives of the exams are tied to scenarios that occur in a work setting so as to test your skills as per the standards in the job market. Here are the exam objectives:

  • Understanding the Architecture of a Linux System
  • Installing and Maintaining a Linux Workstation, including X11 and Setting it up as a Network Client
  • Working at the Linux Command Line, including Unix Commandsand Common GNU
  • Handling Files and Accessing Permissions as well as System Security
  • Performing Easy Maintenance Tasks: add users to a larger system, help users, restore shutdown,backup, and reboot

Photo by Lum3n.com from Pexels

Training Courses for the Exam

This certification requires you to pass both the 101 and 102 exams and each test offers its own training courses. Here are the training courses for the LPIC-1 Exam 101:

  • System Architecture
  • Unix and GNU Commands
  • Package Managementand Linux Installation
  • Devices, Filesystem Hierarchy Standard,Linux Filesystems

The certification also includes the training courses for the 102 exam. Here are the training courses for the LPIC-1 exam 102:

  • Security
  • Administrative Tasks
  • Desktopsand Interfaces
  • Essential System Services
  • Networking Fundamentals
  • Scripting, Shells, and Data Management

Tips for Passing the Exam

The two exams combined will earn you thecredential and you need to take a strategic approach when preparing for both of them. Here are tips for passing these certification tests:

 

  • Identify your style of learning

 

For you to pass the exam, you need to identify how best you understand concepts, whether it is through self-study or when someone explains a concept to you. When you know just how best you study, you will be able to come up with a good study plan. This is important for this exam because it does not just require you to master the academic concepts but needs you to be able to operate a command line. This means that you should be able to use your training to succeed in the real world. Understanding how best the concepts register in your mind will help you use your training to answer questions involving work scenarios.

 

  • Pick the best study method

 

After you have identified the best learning method you can choose how to study for the course. There are online training courses, personal boot camps, paid courses, and self-study materials. Most online courses are given through a specific period and it is advisable that you take the test soon after you complete the course so that you can have better retention level of the concepts. You also need to look through the course material to determine whether you have the right background to understand it. This is important if you are going to study by yourself because it helps if you know your weak areas and spend more energy working on them.

 

  • Review the exam objectives

 

The exam objectives will guide you on the topics to focus on and help you anticipate the types of questions that you will be dealing with. You will also be able to give priority to the areas that you do not fully understand. You need to review the objectives of the exam before taking it so that you do not walk into the test blind but equipped with the knowledge and skills to face anything that comes your way. This will also help you avoid trying to understand everything you read and allow you to focus on the concepts that are relevant to the exam.

 

  • Review all available study resources

 

There are many study resources available for this exam, ranging from books, videos, and practice exams to study forums to help you prepare effectively for these certification tests. You need to review all the available for you to get an in-depth understanding of the concepts taught in the course. It may be difficult for you to master the skills needed for the exam by just reading a book. Therefore, you need to expand your scope and check out other study resources that you can use. For example, labs are a great resource to help you polish your practical skills while books are a great resource in terms of helping you to understand the definition of important terms. Read More: https://www.aiotestking.com/101-400-exam-dumps.html

Conclusion

These exams weigh heavily on your ability to master the skill set taught to you and you need to ensure you practice the concepts taught to you every chance you get. A thorough preparation will enable you to pass both exams and get your certification, which goes a long way in boosting your career in the IT industry. All the best!

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Fitness Health

Fitness Friday: Barry’s Bootcamp

Barry’s Bootcamp isn’t like other gyms. Here, working out is a culture, expertly fitted around people with a contemporary lifestyle and with fun and fast as the centric elements. Fair warning, you may not feel that way as you’re pushed to your limit during a rigorous, full-body session, but you’re going to love Barry’s once the hour is up.

Yesterday, we had exactly such an experience during a 60-minute class called “Abs Spot” at the brand’s NoHo venue. The best part about Barry’s, apart from the fantastic, nightclub-esque, red lighting that makes you look amazing even as you’re struggling to breath, is the genius simplicity of its concept.You can easily register via the website without having to pay a sign-up fee, book a class and pop in at your leisure. There’s also no longer a need to hide out in tiny corners of big, scary gyms. Barry’s has a distinct community feeling and the classes are a mixture of experienced gym-goers and first-timers, with friendly instructors on hand to help.

Look out for the brand’s special events, too, such as this summer’s limited-time ‘Run. Lift. Rosé’, with samples of the brand’s own wine! Yes way, Barry’s Rosé!

After your workout, refuel with a Barry’s own recipe smoothie at the aptly named Fuel Bar. You’re going to love these nutritious drinks so much, you’ll do a workout just so you can reward yourself with one afterwards. With a wide range to choose from, you can stick to a classic, such as the Acai Berry or try one with the hottest foodie ingredient right now, Matcha.

Each location has the same look and feel; workout room with a row of treadmills and benches, the smoothie bar and a modern changing room, with added luxuries such as complimentary towels, body lotion, deodorant and even dry shampoo for a quick touch up (yay!). There’s also a retail section, where you can buy trendy statement t-shirts and fit fashion.

There’s a selection of strength and cardio interval classes and multiple locations to choose from. Barry’s Bootcamp is available in nine states, with five venues in New York City, as well as internationally in six countries with a recent expansion into Toronto, Stockholm and Milan.

“As we’ve carefully considered various cities and countries around the globe, our process included listening to our audience, prioritizing markets with high pent up demand, and assembling the right local teams to help grow our Barry’s family,” said the brand’s CEO Jose Gonzales.

“Understanding each market, and what makes it unique and special, is essential to fostering a Barry’s community. Our mission is to respect local nuance and culture and acclimatize the magic of Barry’s,” he added.

Tried and tested, we recommend you give Barry’s a go. Depending on your level of experience, you might be shocked at the intensity of the classes but keep pushing. Trust the Bootcamp, and the Bootcamp will deliver.

Photos courtesy of Barry’s Bootcamp

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Fitness Health

Fitness Friday: SMASHING it with the Dogpound

It’s no secret that we at Downtown Magazine love the Dogpound. Whether you’re looking for a tough workout, encouragement or accountability, Dogpound is the place to go.

The entire team of trainers have a contagious “you can do this” attitude and make you believe that, YES you actually can do it. When they say  20 pushups, you do 20 pushups. And getting a count down and a “good job!” cheer is just what you need, when your arms are already trembling trying to do your fifth pushup.

The trainers are top of the line and know what they’re doing. If you have any injuries they’ll adjust the exercise accordingly, and whether you’re focusing on building muscle, slimming down or strengthening your core, they’ll put together a program for you and guide you through it every session to make sure you meet your fitness goals!

More than that, it’s evident that the trainer team get along great and the sense of team spirit is noticeable right away. In supporting each other, and even more so their clients.

SMASH city

As a mainly personal fitness gym, you’ll get all the attention during your workout and guided through. If you’re more of a class person however, Dogpound also offer boxing classes but keep them small to ensure individual attention to each person. And soon, Dogpound’s introducing the Dogpound Running Club and will start smashing some miles in addition to the SMASH city of gloves and weights. 

The gym just recently hit its one year mark at 1 Renwick, and celebrated per tradition with an annual appreciation party to thank everyone who make them continue to do what they love every single day. Now that’s what we call good karma!

Check out rates, class schedules and more on their website — and for a little boost of motivation, read this post by Dogpound’s CEO & Founder Kirk Myers, where he gives 10 benefits to training other than weight loss.

Now, get going, SMASH it and get fit!

Photos courtesy of thedogpound.com

Categories
Sports

Abner Mares on boxing, commentating and what’s ahead for the star boxer

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In the ring, few are accomplished like boxer Abner Mares. As an amateur, he had 112 wins, 84 of which by knockout. As a professional, he has won 29 of his 32 fights, winning 15 by KO. Abner has earned plenty of gold as well, holding the IBF Bantamweight Title, the IBO Bantamweight Title, the WBC Super Bantamweight Title and the WBC Featherweight Title at different points; he was also a medalist at the World Junior Championships, Pan American Games, and the Central American & Caribbean Games. Abner’s next fight will be on Dec. 10 in Los Angeles against Jesus Cuellar.

Beyond the ring, Abner also manages to stay very active. He is a family man, which he explored further in our Q&A for Downtown. He does commentary and other television work, which he notably did for Telemundo as part of the Rio 2016 Olympics. The former three-division world champion boxer will be hosting his fourth annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway on Nov. 20, consistently giving back to the California community he grew up in, Hawaiian Gardens.

Abner’s Dec. 10 match will be live on Showtime, whereas his other activities can be followed on Twitter via @AbnerMares.

What is your favorite part of being a boxer?

Abner Mares: Boxing changed my life. It kept me out of gangs, gave me a career and I met my wife through it! What I love about boxing is the science and sport of it. From the strategy, to the fitness to the matchup of fighters, I’m proud to be part of the sport.

What do you wish more people knew about boxing?

AM: There is a science to it. It’s not just two men brawling. The training is very precise from the food to how much cardio and when, the importance of strength training and stretching. It’s a complete sport and once you start training in it you not only see the benefits of it, but the dedication you give it benefits your whole life.

Is boxing in New York different from boxing everywhere else?

AM: I think boxing fans are the same in every city — they are FANS. They love the sport, respect the sport and support the sport. I’m disappointed I couldn’t fight in New York and perform in front of my New York fans but appreciate them immensely.

What sort of training is needed in order to become an announcer?

AM: Well in boxing you need to first know the sport. I was honored to be part of the 2016 Olympic team for Telemundo/NBC Sports. It brought back a lot of memories for me from the Athens Olympics when I competed. Having that first-hand knowledge helps when you’re discussing it, and as a fighter, calling the fight is something that comes naturally. I also think that it helps to have a good team around you that can prepare you for being on-camera — it is about pacing, knowing your subject and working with your producers.

When will we see you box next?

AM: Dec. 10 at the Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles I’ll be fighting Jesus Cuellar for the WBA Featherweight title on Showtime.

Do you have any aspirations to be anything besides a boxer or an announcer? To act? To be an entrepreneur?

AM: I love the sport of boxing, so I want to manage fighters and help develop their careers. I have acted, it’s not my thing. I do want to do more TV work — commentating, helping explain the sport to viewers.

Would you ever see yourself doing MMA?

AM: No, I’m a boxer. I watch MMA and have a lot of respect for those fighters, but it’s not my sport.

When you’re not busy with boxing, how do you like to spend your free time?

AM: I spend a lot of time with my family, my wife and two girls as well as my parents, brothers and sisters. I’m a family man — part-time dance team dad for my girls, biggest cheerleader for my wife and her business. My daughters are very active; dance team, the beach, movie night and school, most importantly.

Finally, Abner, any last words for the kids?

AM: Stay in school, study hard, train smart.