Out & About #793 | A Trip Through Thornhill

On a strangely temperate morning in early March, I began my journey east. It was warm, almost unreasonably at 15 degrees Celsius, but also exceptionally windy. Minimal volume on the 401 has made for a speedy excursion lasting even less than the typical thirty-minute commute to Studio Bon.
​
I strode into the studio, a relatively quiet space with only half the normal count of participants occupying the previous class slot. Prior to the arrival of other class attendees (the tardy duo observed two weeks ago), I was asked about overall status of body and if any discomfort was present. I relayed concerns over pains in the mid- to lower back area on the left side of the body, along with persisting wrist pains and general weakness in both wrists. The instructor declared a rotation of the body and height difference of shoulders, neither of which was news to me, though I had hoped that engagement in pilates would have assisted to rectify these biomechanical issues to some degree. Tension was noted in the right shoulder as well as the left mid-back - a potential result of this rotation. Stretches for these two areas were advised to relieve tension in the body.

When the balayage-bearing beginners reared their heads, we commenced on with Cardio-Tramp warmup series:

• Knee extensions: one would attach the feet and press out from the Cardio Tramp, maintain long legs in mid-air, and return to the tabletop position, feet positioned at the centre of the Cardio-Tramp
• Tabletop position: The tabletop position would be maintained throughout the reps, from pushing out to mid-air to return.
• Thigh openers: Legs opening to form a V-shape in mid-air and returning to a turnout position on the Cardio-Tramp
• Straight Legs in the air: Legs would be sent up towards the ceiling after pushoff; this was not a variation of the reverse crunch, for the lower back was to adhere to the Carriage at all times
• Knee extensions in pilates stance: With the upper body flexed forward, ribs tucked and spine in neutral, the gaze was cast upwards at 45 degrees while jumping from the trampoline attachment.
• Scissors in pilates stance: Maintaining the flexed stance from the previous position, the legs were lifted alternately and stabilized back onto the Cardio-Tramp. This was particularly intriguing given my acquaintance with scissors in mat pilates, for the tension springs in the Reformer and returning position on the Cardio-Tramp added a dose of whimsy to the move.

​We remained lying face up on the Carriage for the next series of exercises. A slightly deflated ball was handed to my neighbour, while cloth resistance bands to myself and another participant of the class. Her was pink, while mine black - apparently harnessing slightly heavier tension than the rest. Articulation of the spine was revisited for glute bridges. From there, the soles of the feet would be placed atop the footbar, slightly wider than hip distance. My left thigh was commanded slightly further from the centreline than the right; the intention was to engage the left gluteus medius, the weaker side, more. Pressing out against the band to the best of my ability, we proceeded with glute bridges, quick pulses, single leg bridges with upward and downward sweeps, and a knee extension exercise I had yet to ever execute prior to this day. With the heels pressed against the footbar, the knees would be extended such that the body would resist the selected tension spring on the Carriage. The body was not to touch the Carriage, and instead return to the starting position using hamstring power. My legs had been tired out to start, with total annihilation achieved through this portion of the routine.

​Navigating to a seated position perpendicular to the Carriage atop the Reformer Box in Short Box position, the hand closer to the footbar was woven through one hand strap and placed before the belly, elbow bent. The other arm was placed in a relaxed position. We were then instructed to rotate slightly to the left, for all three class participants (including myself) were observed to have tendencies towards right rotation. The looped hand would be brought towards the corresponding side of the body for work on the chest and deltoid. A variation of this exercise involved extending the bent arm upwards at a 45 degree angle, with mild assistance from the other hand for the initial tension demand.
Then, in the same position with the arm strap dropped, a handful of oblque crunches were completed. On the left side was a forward fold to engage the core and back; this folding movement was not repeated on the other side given existing rotation issues.

Finally came a hip flexor stretch turned lunge and hamstring burn in a standing position inside the Reformer. With no springs attached to the Carriage, core strength was demanded to keep movement of the Carriage calm and fluid. A standing rolldown concluded the class.

​Pilates is an activity that never seems to grow easier in spite of dedication level. With greater awareness comes conscious, isolated activation. This was only proven truer with each successive exercise.

Throughout the class, I was reminded of a few form aspects for fixing:

• Anterior vs. Posterior tilt of the pelvis: In instances of muscle fatigue and weakness, my neutral spine required a slight posterior tilt (no imprint!), while keeping the ribs and tailbone tucked.
• Extension and flexion of the wrist: Wrists were to be maintained in a neutral position with "hyperextending".
• Strength imbalance in gluteus medius and hips: To combat weakness on the left side of the lower body, additional resistance could be incorporated with the left knee constantly pushing out against it.

Blue skies, the rapid formation of puddles, and horrendously gusty winds eased us into the afternoon hours.

With the easing of COVID restrictions, maintaining overall the wellbeing of society has shifted to an honour policy system. Hub has since reverted back to washable utensils from their disposable array used last December, removed the vaccine passport requirement, and increased the number of tables for dine-in customers.

I advocated for the Unagi Kimchi Donburi once again, seeing as Sushi Omigoto's slick stone pot medley had left much to be desired. Consistently aromatic and sizzing with flavour, the dish did not disappoint. It was admittedly still damper than preferred, leading to a light scorching on the underside of the rice, but compensated with depth and texture.
"The kimchi adds a nice kick." I was informed. Technically, we observed neither kimchi nor too grand a portion of unagi within, leading me to wonder whether the portion size had indeed diminished over the years.

As opposed to my go-to of Salmon Aburi Pressed Sushi, we opted for Negitoro. The resulting selection adopted alarming grey tinge, a distinct deviation from the vibrant rose or saturated fuchsia observed at JaBistro. Chopped in their entirety was the toro not; thankfully minimal in proportion was the outer circumference of rice. Scallion bits were few, yet they did retain the fresh, watery essence associated with negitoro. But, alas, the tuna itself was quite dismal-looking and bland in spite of its price point. At nine dollars for a platter of six, one-bite maki rolls, it'd be more cost-efficient (and enjoyable!) to surrender one's sweat-filled earnings at the stylish spot hidden on Richmond, should the item menu in question make a comeback.

With a request to "walk around", I resolved to  ̶k̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶ stretch our legs at World on Yonge. Nearly all retail stalls were closed during our visit, with only the upper level food court and basement level Seasons in operation. While there hadn't been too tremendous of a desire to lay eyes on food so soon, trays of kkwabaegi adorning the counter of Goobok promptly caught my gaze.

​Matcha, Cream Cheese, and Red Bean editions were observed on the menu, though the lady behind the cashier responded with the unavailability of such flavours. She gestured to the Plain and Sugar before us. Without a moment's hesitation, I pointed towards the dough stick dusted generously with coarse specks of solid sweetener. A shower of the stickiness fell upon my hoodie and bag, to which I reacted with an irritated yelp and hurried flick of the fingers.

​It was plush, gratifying, and, frankly, not as greasy as I had been anticipating. For stomach space was to be reserved for further sustenance, only a few bites were taken before the braided specimen was allowed to drop back into the paper bag.
We then proceeded to travel the inner perimeter of the mall. Spotting no items of interest, we ventured outside, only to be graced with an atrocious amount of wind. Barely escaping the whipping of an eco bag, our retreat indoors was made with haste.

Surrendering to the ruthlessness of Mother Nature, we took our business to, arguably, the GTA's most compact P.A.T. Supermarket. There was the sighting of a green tea-flavoured mix recommended by a fellow hoddeok lover. I reached for the box, noticed the $5.75 price tag, then returned it to the shelf. At a second glance though, the original price had been upwards of seven dollars; it was currently on sale.
I had nothing to lose.

Across the asphalt lot was The Cups.

​Fate sided with us once again, and we secured the last vacant table in the house. An Oreo Shaved Ice with cheesecake bites and mini Oreos arrived some ten minutes later.​

​The sleepy polar bear requested another destination for walking - browsing, to be specific. North York is a strip primarily comprising of eateries, thus Yorkdale was our closest resort.

​I was dreading the scene that would confront me: Would we find parking? Would it be ridiculously busy? It was 3:30 PM after all.
To my relief, the parking garage saw countless departing vehicles at our time of arrival. Traffic volumes were on the steep side, though perhaps not nearly as intense as that of Square One. A lofty ceiling gave the impression of spaciousness within.

​In the early evening hours, we began the westbound stretch home - fully fatigued and in dire need of rest.

A cozy dinner of pan-fried chicken, braised pork and eggs, romaine tossed with garlic, and sweet corn soup welcomed us back.

Assembly of my future desktop and a can of Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc led us into Sunday evening - the final hours of freedom before yet another work week.