Gyrokinesis! Your body will thank you

Gyrokinesis!  

You may not know what that word means, but when you start taking Gyrokinesis classes your body will thank you.

For more than ten years I’ve had serious back problems, my pain was sufficiently substantial that I sought the advice of four different spine surgeons all of whom suggested that a spinal fusion might help.  These consultations did not increase my confidence that, for me, a spinal fusion would make me feel better and reduce my pain.

Around that time, my wife suggested I try UVAC.  I am not a swimmer, but began to run with a flotation belt in the lap pool. You may have seen me there.  For several years I came to the pool daily sometimes in the morning, sometimes after work. After a while Garrett gave me workouts in the gym. Though I felt better, I still was not as pain free as I wanted to be.

One day last fall as I was leaving the pool, I saw what turned out to be Monica Ha’s Gyrokinesis class taking place in the glass-enclosed room next to the Welcome Desk.  Eight or ten people on small stools were twisting and turning in ways that I was sure I could not do. Physical therapists told me I should not bend my spine in some of the directions these people were turning.

In spite of that advice, I spoke with Monica and decided to try Gyrokinesis. Gyrokinesis, I found out, uses principles found in swimming, dance, yoga, Tai Chi, and gymnastics and the classes emphasize continuous, flowing movements with corresponding breath patterns.

I decided to give it a try. In the beginning I simply did my best to copy whatever movements Monica made.  I found that with Monica’s direction I could make the movements without pain. Over time, I began to develop greater core strength and flexibility. During classes Monica worked with me, and others, explaining and showing me how to arch my back and curl my back.

Soon I noticed that my back was not bothering me whenever I turned over in bed at night. Before starting Gyrokinesis, I could walk for no more than ten minutes before my pain forced me to sit down.  Now, I can take our dog for long walks. I feel stronger, stand straighter, and sleep better.  Friends and family members who haven’t seen me for a while comment that I seem to have grown taller.  I have not felt this good in over ten years.  I’m thrilled.

GYROKINESIS:
Monday’s and Tuesday’s at 5:00PM 

I encourage you to try it.   Your body will thank you!

by Carl Yirka
UVAC Member and Gyrokinesis enthusiast

UVAC Goes Solar with Norwich Technologies!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT

June 2, 2015

Upper Valley Aquatic Center  (UVAC) and Norwich Technologies announced plans to build a 500 kilowatt (AC) solar electricity project in Hartford, Vermont for the benefit of UVAC and its members.

This significant project brings substantial economic development in the Town of Hartford, providing additional jobs and local economic benefits from the rapidly growing solar energy industry.

Feeding into Green Mountain Power Corporation’s electricity distribution network, this Project is projected to save UVAC a significant amount on their annual electricity bill over the 20 year contract period. “This is a terrific way for UVAC to save money on its electricity budget, while adding renewable electricity to the grid” said Richard Synnott, Executive Director of UVAC.

Norwich Technologies has become a leading developer of solar projects in the Upper Valley, with over 2 Megawatts of new capacity currently under development. “We are very excited to be associated with this project”, said Joel Stettenheim, Co-Founder and President of Norwich Technologies. He added that “this array will preserve local farmland for the next generation while providing clean energy for the current one.”

Questions regarding the project can be sent to Norwich Technologies at info@norwitech.com or by phone at (802) 281-3213 or Upper Valley Aquatic Center UVACSWIM.ORG, rsynnott@uvacswim.org or by phone 802-296-2850 ex 103.

Possible Questions and Answers on UVAC Solar Project

1.              Q:  How is the System being funded?

A:   The UVAC Project will be owned by a private party because UVAC, as a non-profit entity, cannot take advantage of the available tax credits. Once those benefits have been realized over the first six years of the Contract, UVAC will have an option to purchase the Project for its remaining life, which would allow us to save even more money.

2.              Q:  How are the Renewable Energy Credits being handled?

A:   Initially, the RECs will be shared equally between UVAC and the developer, Norwich Technologies. The RECs are expected to be sold initially as part of the financing for the project. As a community resource funded primarily by member dues and user fees, we have a duty to our constituents to manage our resources as efficiently as possible. Without selling the RECs, UVAC would not realize all of the savings it can achieve from the Project. At any time, however, UVAC can elect to take all of the RECs from the Project, and always has the right to sell them or retire them. 

3.              Q:  Who will you sell the RECs to?

A:  Most commonly, the RECs are sold to a broker on the public market. However, they can be purchased by anyone. If anyone would like to approach us to buy our RECs with the specific intention of then retiring them, we would be happy to facilitate that.

4.              Q:  Where will the project be built?

A:   Since we cannot generate this much electricity on our land at UVAC,  we will be leasing land just down the road on Route 5 for most of the array. We have consulted with the neighboring landowners and are in the process of public consultation for the project generally. A small array will be on UVAC property to display the technology to our members and guests and as a reminder that we are committed to green technology.

5.              Q:  What is the environmental benefit of the array?

A:   The estimated clean solar electricity generated by the array is 13.9 gigawatt hours (13,890,000 kWh) over the first 20 years.  The estimated avoided C02 emissions over the 20 years is 12.7 million pounds.  This is equivalent to the burning of 1,650 tons of coal, 8,920 barrels of oil or 429,000 gallons of gasoline.

The Benefits of Water Exercise: A Testimonial

Last year I had surgical repair of a “full-tear” rotator cuff injury. But I kept running, three to four miles per day.

Then last December my left knee gave out. Doctor diagnosed “arthritis” and physical therapist diagnosed “Baker's cyst”. Running was over.

But what would I do for aerobic exercise??
My good spouse suggested trying UVAC for some of the low-impact water exercise activities. So even though I have always failed at swimming, I signed up for the 60-days-for-60-dollars trial and began water zumba – where you can stand on the bottom. Soon afterward I added water volleyball – you can wear a ski-belt for boyancy. And when my 60 days were up I took out a regular membership.

The water zumba was pain-free and a terrific work-out using rhythmic dance moves, led by an experienced instructor on the deck. You don't have to even do it “right” because you are up to your shoulders in water – can't be seen! “The main thing is to have fun!” our instructor says almost every session.

The water volleyball is nothing but fun with a terrific group of good-natured players who support each other while furiously whacking six beach balls simultaneously back and forth for a wild series of two-minute workout games. Aerobic exercise indeed!

Thanks to these low-impact aerobics in the water several times a week I feel healthy again with full range of motion. Another recent pay-off came during a visit to our lawyer-daughter in Philadelphia. When she invited old Dad to go indoor rock-climbing with her, I gulped and took a chance. Thanks to UVAC, I got up every beginning route – pain-free.

Thanks, UVAC!!
Robert Spottswood, M.A.
Norwich, Vermont
Upper Valley Aquatic Center Member