Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Out & About #738 | Studio Bon (Session #2) + What A Bagel York Mills

8/22/2021

0 Comments

 
For the second week in a row, I awoke to a Sunday with the promise of pilates. A follow-up group class slot had been secured for the 11 AM slot, this time in the absence of ochungg.

I woke to my regular work alarm, eased into a breakfast of coffee and freezer inventory items, and slowly began preparing for the drive. Departing approximately seven minutes later than the previous week - yes, I am aware of my underestimation in congestion levels - resulted in a delay of 5 minutes. Rapidly signing my name on the check-in sheet and sprinting to the bathroom, I escaped the temperature check. I had paused briefly at the entrance in wait of a staff member to conduct the screening, though observed a semi-private (2:1) lesson being held in one of the smaller rooms by none other than the owner who had guided me previously.
My own class had commenced on time. I dashed back out from the bathroom to find the instructor (my instructor!) in a sleeveless blouse, flowy black drawstring bottoms, and narrow Gore-Tex footwear. It was an interesting departure from the usual activewear and leggings. She urged me to lie down on one of the Reformers, as I had already missed a few of the warmup exercises.
Picture
​Beyond myself, there was one other student. She appeared in her mid-thirties, with a half-tied, medium-length bob and lilac top. The instructor had initially conversed with her in Korean, then switched channels with my appearance in the studio.

With the trampoline attachment inserted into the Reformer, we proceeded with several lying "jumps" to awaken the legs and core. I began having regrets in investment in blogilates' 20 Minute Inner Thigh Isolate the day before, for have the feet positioned in second position was a true travesty with tension-affixed rods. It was undeniable that maintaining control on the way added an element of difficulty; to execute each move with grace involved total control of the body, and any deviations would be visible in unsoundly slamming of platforms.
Picture
Shifting focus from the previous week's abdominal-intensive series, the day's session placed emphasis on the lower body and back, though the core was to be engaged throughout all exercises regardless.
With the Box attachment placed atop the carriage, we revisited several arm exercises with the tension-affixed arm bands. Again, some involved holding by the cloth-wrapped straps, while others by the metal hooks. A variation of the pull-backs entailed curling down to one's toes, then rolling back up slowly, allowing the spine to lengthen.

One of my favourite mat pilates exercises is the Parachuter (or bent-arm Superman for gym-goers). Lying face-down of the Box and positing its edge "underneath the bra line" (as directed by the instructor) entailed engagement of the entire core. The normal force providing support in mat pilates is removed, demanding stabilization from other muscle groups. It was generally easy to execute ten counts of this exercise. Swimmers did not prove too difficult either, though it's uncertain whether the improved strength and mobility should be owed to consistent practice or a comprehensive physio session.
Picture
​We looked to elongate the sides with a brief round of oblique moves. As with the previous class, the elbow was looped through the tension band, then the hand extended over the body. Rotating and bending down to meet the opposite knee was eliminated, however a more challenging alternative was incorporated into the routine. With the tension band loosely placed on one hand and the other hand outstretched to meet it, a circle was formed in front of the body. One would then translate this circle within the same plane by rotating against the tension band. The activity summoned strength from the shoulder, upper back, and lower back, exposing weakness based on range of motion.
Picture
​In order to execute the final set of moves, we adjusted the height of the footbar and added a platform extender to the end of the Reformer. Placing one foot on the platform extender and the other against the Reformer box, we proceeded to balance on the leg closer to the footbar while extending and retracting the other. This was repeated after a perpendicular turn to target the inner and outer thighs.
The class concluded with a stretch akin to Child's Pose, yet with the legs draped on either side of the carriage and hands extended out against the footbar. Following this was the sanitization process and payment via cash.
Picture
​Despite the reduced number of participants, I found it harder to maintain focus in the presence of the older lady. Her reps were rapid, executed in advance the instructor's direction, leading to an interrupted flow on my end. Attempts were made to match her speed, though it grew increasingly more difficult as the class progressed.

Subsequent sessions were not scheduled at my time of departure. Beyond Studio Bon's slated move for late August/early September, a total of four classes remain at Sum Pilates. It is with optimism that this period is sufficient in completing the transition, and that my next Bon experience shall entail upgraded equipment: "We have towers! It's nicer and has more components", or so I was informed.
Picture
​Braving the humidity, I ventured to the nearby What A Bagel to fuel the upcoming week's need for carbohydrates. The York Mills outpost had been spotted during last Sunday's visit to CoCo, and instantly deemed a POI for a future occasion.
Thankfully, the wait time was minimal. Once permitted inside, I perused the selection of day-old bakery offerings by the entrance. 
Picture
Picture
​Eventually, I settled on a discounted Whole Wheat Loaf. It revealed no signs of mistreatment nor exhibited dryness in texture. A Half Dozen of bagels was also selected at the reasonable price of $4.50. Pumpernickel, Whole Wheat, Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Raisin, Mixed (Poppy Seed and Sesame), and Poppy Seed were amongst the chosen assortment.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Following a stopover at McD's, I hopped back onto the 401, where I was graced with the pre-COVID congestion levels I had been acquainted with since acquistion of my full license.
Picture
Picture
Picture
A Maple BBQ & Bacon Quarter Pounder was secured, along with fries and a Tropical Coconut Pineapple Smoothie (in the absence of Blueberry Pomegranate).
Picture
​My purchases were sliced and promptly plastic-wrapped for cold preservation, while the rest were stored at room temperature for fuss-free feasting. Dense as bagels tend to be, the Chocolate Chip and Cinnamon Raisin were ideal for snacking, sans-condiments. They both offered adequate flavour and needed not any additives to maximize their potential. More conventional options such Pumpernickel and Mixed were elevated via dehydration and margarine/peanut butter. The toasting process managed to restore plumpness while maintaining crunchy edges.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​The Whole Wheat Loaf, which was sliced rather thinly, crisped up nicely in the toaster. A distinct cavity in its upper third hindered the thorough spreading of the preferred condiment, leaving the edges rather bland. Margarine was declared the ideal partner, with jam as the runner-up, and homemade pecan butter in last place (likely due to absence of stabilizers for spreadability).
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Calgary 2023
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.