Martial Arts - Kick Boxing - Fitness - Santa Cruz

Minorsan

Self Defense and Fitness

(831) 458-0900
Menu
  • Home
  • Get Started
  • Reviews
  • Schedule
  • Classes
    • Fitness
      • BodyPump®
      • Fitness Kickboxing
      • HIIT-Kick
      • KickFit Challenge
      • Strong30®
      • Tabata HIIT Classes
      • Yoga
    • Self-Protection & Empowerment
      • Self-Defense Strategies & Skills + Weekend Workshop
      • FighterFit Santa Cruz
    • Youth Self-Defense Workshops
    • Close
  • Contact
  • About Us
    • About Clara E Minor
    • Instructors
    • Mission Statement
    • Philosophy
    • Close
  • News/Blog

Thank You 2017 ~ Hello 2018

December 29, 2017 by Clara E Minor Leave a Comment

happy new year 2018

Yes 2017 is now coming to a close

Setting up for 2018 and what exciting things it holds in store for Minorsan. If 2016 was full of drastic change (venue moving), and collaboration as a new way to build my business, 2017 was the year that we settled into our new partnerships. We have been one full year at The Tannery, and at Garfield, formerly a church, and (just recently) purchased. It will be a new community center for the Westside. This holds exciting possibilities for all of Santa Cruz.

Getting to know my new partners

While this method of doing business has its challenges, they are far outweighed by the benefits. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Christopher Drury, Pastor of Garfield Park Community Church. He is individual, unlike any other pastor I have ever known. I’ll be forever grateful that he welcomed Minorsan with open arms. Looking forward to working with the new owners of the much-needed community center.

I am also grateful and thankful that I’ve gotten to know Cat Willis, Director of Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center. The Tannery is a beautiful space, and Cat is a wonderful human being. She also welcomed Minorsan with open arms. It is a wonderful cultural space to be sharing.

This collaboration, helping these two non-profits, and they in turn, allowing Minorsan to have a space to hold our classes, has been extremely rewarding. If you read the email about my personal process in 2016, then you understand why and how this has been a most wonderful experience.

And how can I not thank the ladies of Optimal Health & Fitness, Leta Jusilla, and Michelle Bean? These two women have collaborated with me for the past 7 years. Minorsan has hosted their (formerly Santa Cruz Challenge, and now Start With Yourself) 12-week experiential program for one or two weeks each of those years. I have met so many people thru this program, have acquired new members, and have formed many lasting relationships and friendships. What else could anyone ask for in collaboration with similar business goals through social media?

Together we accomplish so much more and share in our support of each other. No one can stand alone and be truly happy. We all need some type of connection. For these connections, I am forever grateful.

Huge thank you’s to my Staff and all Minorsan Members

Without my Staff, I could not have accomplished all that I have thus far. They are the ones who allow me to even have a business, much less ‘run’ the business. There is simply no way that I could teach every single class, and still, run a business.

I am so grateful for my loyal staff of instructors and support staff for 2017: Bernadette Franzel, Connie Kreemer, Jenna Giuliani, Julie Graff, Kira Durant, Melissa Finsthwait, Patricia Matthews, Robin Ludington, Robin Holland, Samira Hartje, Sheri Moise, and our newest support staff, Odessa Cross. And thank you to Emiley Stake for all the work accomplished with our social media this past year.

However, I mostly have to thank all of the people who have come through our doors, and those who come weekly, to take classes. That is all of you. You are all the reason I have a business. I thank you for allowing me to service your health and fitness needs. I know everyone has different goals and some of you have achieved personal accomplishments in your health and fitness journey. I am forever grateful and thankful for all of you, and look forward to bringing you more value in 2018.

Providing a space for people to have fun, enjoy moving their bodies, forming friendships with each other, and at the same time finding ways to empower themselves in many different ways through our workouts, is a most rewarding experience for me.

And what will 2018 bring?

I look forward to 2018 bringing more exciting fun stuff to Minorsan, beginning with our FigherFit program, which is in conjunction with the Martial Arts program. FighterFit has already had a ‘soft’ launch. Be on the lookout for a ‘Formal’ Launch of this program. We are also collaborating with the Hyper Fight Club and Bully Defense folks to bring more value to our members and our community at large in 2018.

Also launching in 2018 is STRONG by Zumba.® For those of you not familiar with STRONG by Zumba®, read about it HERE (it is not Zumba dancing at all, but instead another HIIT-type of workout, more in line with the goals of my services). Exciting additions for 2018, for sure!

Our ‘Intro’ program, Get Fit Challenge, will continue. This has proven to be so valuable for women who have not worked out in a long time, are not comfortable in a gym, appreciate working out in a women-only environment, or who have had different challenges on their journeys to health and fitness (ultimately happiness with who they are, and how they feel in their bodies.). I thank Project Level Up for this collaboration. Once again, working together brings each of us so much more.

We all have a purpose, we all have a reason, we each have a season. And no one can do it alone. We need each other for every aspect of our lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for your connection to Minorsan and all that you have to offer with your special ‘you.’

On a personal note

I have thoroughly enjoyed being with my family more this past year, and look forward to more trips to be with them in 2018. I will continue to make it a priority to be with friends outside of my working environment, and attend more parties! I will also continue with activities that enrich my spirit, my soul, my mind and my body. It can be no other way. And I will always continue to cultivate my own #badasscourage.

Here’s to saying goodbye to 2017 and a huge hello to 2018! May we all benefit in huge ways this coming year.

With all my love and care (and cheers!)~

Happy New Year!

Clara E Minor

Filed Under: Fitness & Health, Martial Arts/Self-Defense, News Tagged With: confidence, fight for life, fighterfit, fitness, health, learn to fight, martial arts, martial arts classes, santa cruz, self -esteem, self worth, self-confidence, self-defense, weight loss, westside santa cruz

Why-What of Hemp Oil Extract

November 12, 2017 by Clara E Minor Leave a Comment

Prime My Body Hemp Oil Extract
Those of you who take my classes have heard me mention this after class: my ‘crazy’ energy is from PMB Hemp Oil Extract (and just a dose of Clara too).

What is PMB Help Oil Extract?
I’ll explain in a bit. First, I want to give you a bit of the history. I have been introduced to the next level in our quest for healthier bodies/minds/souls/spirits. It is one of a few ‘revolutionary’ discoveries. There has not been a greater discovery in the scientific/nutritional community in the past 30 years. This is huge!

Nanotechnology Opened Up Our World (and it is not scary…)
In 1992, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and his colleagues, using the newly developed technology (the ability to break particles down into infinitely tiny particles—under 0.1 micrometer), discovered the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Ever since scientists all over the world have been clamoring to find out more about it. They realized that we have ‘receptor sites’ all over our bodies, influencing our nervous system, hormone system, and immune system. Humans have been on the planet for how many years now? So this is a very recent discovery.

And Just What Are Receptors?
Receptors (on the edge of our cells), as in ‘receives,’ receive information from our blood; they respond to hormones, neurotransmitters, signalers throughout the body and they take cues from what is presented through the normal process of our bodies, and turn them into proteins and organize the biochemistry around the things that are hitting the receptors. (Yes, this is kinda scientific, but bear with me for a bit.)

The receptor ‘sites’ are everywhere in the human body (the biggest class of receptors in the human body are the cannabinoids), with a predominance in the brain and the central nervous system, and in the periphery on the immune cells; plus women have a large cluster of receptors in the lower abdominal region (uterus/ovaries, etc).

Cell to Cell Communication
This happens through the cell membranes. When the membranes are damaged, cell to cell communication, and communication within the cell, is compromised. Healthy cell to cell communication demands healthy cell membranes. All of this, and more is explained in the 45-minute video posted below.

(You’ll need to get past the whoops and hollers, as Dr Christopher Shade, a well-known award recipient in the world of advanced nutrition, and considered by his peers to be the ‘expert’ in the science of detoxing the body, is preaching to the choir here—filmed at the PMB launch conference in June 2017).

It is extremely insightful in learning about this newest scientific/nutritional discovery. Watch his hour-long video at the link below.

In short, we make cannabinoids inside our bodies, with our endocannabinoid system. They modulate our hormones, the way we run our immune system and the way we run neurotransmitters in the brain. The scientific evidence around the healing properties of the hemp plant is well-documented. Dr. Christopher Shade has been working on this formula for years. (Oh this is so scientific!) Watch the video below.

Why am I telling you all this?
Because to not tell you would be a disservice on my part. I educate people whenever I can. If I am wrong, I will stand corrected. I educate myself, so I can educate others. People then make their own choices. The discovery of vitamin C was huge. So is this. And, yes, I will tell you up front I am using the PMB product. I am also making it available to others. How could I not? I truly want everyone to know about this option. It is truly revolutionary.

How many people do you know:

• that feel sluggish most days
• feel ‘out of whack’
• have ‘brain fog’
• are depressed
• feel low
• think a lot of negative thoughts
• have no energy
• just can’t get anything done because they are lethargic
• have sleepless nights
• are dealing with chronic health issues
• hate exercising
• have immune disorders
• have constant infections
• get sick a lot
• have mental illness
• get exhausted easily,
• are exposed to environmental toxins (think car exhaust/diesel fumes)
• or lack the wherewithal to make positive changes, etc.?

This is not ‘normal,’ however, it is the ‘norm.’ Being ‘the norm’ does not make it ok. There are many people who don’t have any of these issues, and say they ‘feel ok.’ Being in a sickened state, or even feeling ‘ok,’ is not normal. It is imbalance.

What is Normal?
Feeling vibrant and energetic, in a content and happy state—that, is normal. Facing challenges with a positive and open attitude is normal. The human body was made in a perfect manner. It has the ability to heal itself, given the proper tools. Yes, it can get complicated to think of all the ‘proper tools’ for any imbalance, be it a cold, or cancer, or autism; however, it is possible.

Most of the time we need expert advice and/or expert help. Some expert advice/help can assist us in making our condition better. Some of the expert advice/help can even assist us to regain full health. Full and vibrant health is normal. Most of us know know that to ‘heal’ anything, we need to get to the root of the problem, not cover it constantly with bandaids. As long as there is no ‘cure’ or answer, we must use the bandaids. I’ve always (as long as I can remember) been about finding the root of the problem: what, when, where, why and how? Thus, I had to open my mind when people began to tell me about this hemp stuff.

Homeostasis: ‘Coming Home’ to Our Bodies
This revolutionary dietary supplement and it’s amazing properties allow our bodies to reach homeostasis, the process whereby our bodies work like they were meant to work. Most babies have perfect to near-perfect homeostasis at birth. As our bodies gather more and more toxins from our environment, with each added year, homeostasis becomes more challenging, thereby compromising what our bodies are meant to do to be optimally healthy. Toxins can make our receptor sites shut down (cell membranes become unhealthy). As adults, many of us live our lives in less than optimal health.

Why is this dietary supplement so revolutionary? There is no other growing thing on this Earth for which we have receptor sites, like we do for the hemp plant’s extracts.

Let’s Talk About Hemp
Just the very word brings up images in many people’s minds, mostly related to illegal substances. When I first heard about this product, I had no interest in taking any into my body, as I too had preconceptions about it’s relationship to other illegal substances. ‘Just don’t talk to me…I’m not interested,’ was what I was thinking. And then I decided to just listen, as I was closing off my mind (something I strive to overcome when I hear something I disagree with).

The hemp plant has been around for 5,000 years. There are a multitude of uses for this most amazing plant, from healing, to clothing, to industrial use. And, it is a legal plant in all 50 States.

Dr Christopher Shade’s formula is PrimeMyBody’s Hemp Extract (Oil)
This formula contains synergistic (the sum of all work better together) ingredients that have been specially formulated to make this product the absolute highest quality on the planet, and to make it the most ‘bio-available’ (more about in the video), of all hemp oils in existence. All ingredients are organic. Each ingredient has passed the EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) tests for purity and the least toxicity. Ongoing quality-assurance testing is conducted for each ingredient. All are tested to be GMO-free.

So What is ‘Bio-Availability’ and Why Does it Matter?
Bio refers to our biological system, the way our muscles, nerves, blood, bones, hormones, etc, all work together. ‘Available’ refers to how the body uses the foods and liquids that we put into it. How much of the ‘usable’ parts of any food or drink (nutrients) actually can be used by the body, as opposed to being excreted as they go through our small intestines into the large intestines and filtered out through the liver, kidneys, urine, stools, and skin, is the ‘bio-availability’ of the product.

The bio-availability of PrimeMyBody’s Hemp Extract is more than 90%. This means that your body uses 90% of the product. There are other hemp oils on the market. Their bio-availability is about 6%-10%. (Yes there is scientific research to back this us. Watch Dr Shade’s video.) So even though other brands cost less, you have to use/buy more to get the same result. And it takes longer to achieve results. This is a huge difference.

How Does the Bio-Availability Happen?
The PrimeMyBody Hemp Extract is administered with exact precision (small pump on the bottle), and is taken under the tongue. The ‘oil’ is nano-enhanced, which means that the particles are so small that they can absorb through the membranes in the mouth. Within 30-90 seconds it is absorbed into the system (placed under the tongue). The other oils are taken internally and go through the digestive process, therefore they are not absorbed quickly and directly. Much is destroyed in the stomach alone. This is where the bio-availability is compromised.

Homeostasis Discussions
You have heard me talk about homeostasis in classes, especially in Tabata Bootcamp, as it relates to the muscles needing to recover. The muscles can only recover when your body reaches homeostasis. The muscles need to relax in order to repair and rebuild. This process then boosts your metabolism, thereby making weight loss easier, by making your muscles leaner (which require more energy to sustain themselves in their new leanness), and your bones become more dense (which combats osteoporosis).

Your body needs to be functioning in the parasympathetic nervous system to repair and rebuild. This is where it goes when we sleep soundly. When we ‘can’t get to sleep’ our sympathetic nervous system is active. PMB’s Hemp Extract helps the body to reach homeostasis and easily go into the parasympathetic nervous system when it is time to rest and sleep. You can also get there through meditation and deep breathing. (However, this can’t fully heal the cells’ membranes.)

When our brains are ‘on fire’ (when our sympathetic, fight-or-flight nervous system is activated), we cannot truly rest. If there is inflammation in the brain, we cannot truly rest. And inflammation in the brain causes many mental ‘instabilities.’ When we are in normal waking hours (daytime) we need energy. This product then enables us to feel the pure energy of our bodies without adding stimulants.

If our bodies are in constant high-energy expenditure, and don’t have time to rest, then the body cannot recover to do what it is supposed to do best in homeostasis: repair and rebuild. Our bodies are wonderful works of perfect art. We are the ones who mess them up. And by ‘we’ I mean humans create the toxins in our air, food and water, and we are even subjected to toxic people.

Sometimes as individuals we have no control over what others choose to do. Their choices can affect us, an entire community, and even the entire world. We have the choice to do something about it. We can start with our own bodies/minds/souls/spirits. Fix that first, then we are set to begin helping others find their true fix, and dealing with larger problems in the world.

Our ‘Cultural Default’
Many conditions of sluggishness, inactivity, always feeling tired, brain fog, lackluster existence, and generally being in a state of unhappiness are common. We are toxic. It is the ‘norm’…however it is not normal. It is (as Robin Holland stated to me), our ‘cultural default.’ There are so many of us feeling so much less than optimal, that we take it as a normal thing. “Oh yeah, lots of people I know feel this way too.” Therefore, we make it ‘normal.’ It is not normal. It is the norm. Again, not really ok if you want to reach your highest levels of vibrancy, energy, nutritional balance, and health.

I am giving you this information because if you ever get to a point where you are just fed up with your health as is, the ‘cultural default,’ and you’ve tried ‘a million things,’ here is a great option that could very possibly help turn it around. You just have to give it a chance…Just give it a chance.

Text me, IM me, contact me however you can if you want more information, or if you are ready to make a purchase.

You can purchase this oil at minorsan.primemybody.com

If you’d like a small sample bottle for $35, let me know.

My Mission is to ‘Heal the World—One Person at a Time, and It Begins with You’

It took me all day to write this…(lol). I spent this time because I truly want as many people as possible to know about this discovery. And if it moves you too, spread the word.

Watch the video HERE.

Sincerely,
Clara E Minor

Filed Under: Fitness & Health, Martial Arts/Self-Defense, News Tagged With: energy, fighting, fit, fitness, health, healthy living, hemp oil, martial arts, nutrition, strength

How Addicted to Sugar are You?

July 14, 2016 by Clara E Minor Leave a Comment

My addiction goes back a long way…

At 2 months of age I was fed canned milk diluted with water. The milk was sweetened. That was the ‘formula’ at the time, if babies could not breastfeed, for whatever reason. I was so addicted as a kid, I would take the flower decorations on birthday cakes from others kids’ cake (who didn’t want it), and eat them all! They were made with food coloring and hardened sugar.

At the Santa Clara County Fair I would eat an entire cotton candy (ok, maybe not the whole thing, but most of it), a red candied apple, and a strawberry shortcake (yes, I was stuffed, wanted to hurl, and sometimes did when I got home…lol). I visited the dentist a lot.

And to this day, it is still easy for me to crave ‘sweet,’ so I do the best I can to avoid it. Mostly I can, and do, avoid it. I choose to find alternatives to refined white sugar. There are a lot of alternatives on the market these days.

 Most packed foods contain some form of sugar

If they are sweetened, then you are guaranteed there is some form of sweetener added to almost everything.In fact, sugar has been added to most packaged foods for decades. (See the link below to find the list of different names which are used in ingredient lists.) It is truly one of the hardest addictions to stop. Sugar is more pervasive than any drug or substance out there, as it is available literally everywhere.

You don’t see ads on television selling heroin, cocaine or cigarettes (anymore), or any other illicit drugs for that matter. Even though prescription drugs are a huge epidemic, again, they are not added to most of the packaged foods on grocery shelves.

And, yes, even ‘natural foods stores’ carry packaged goods that can easily contain some form of sugar. Most sweetened goods in these stores do contain sugar in one form or another.

In fact, it is hard to get any type of sweet packaged goods (cookies, pastries, pies, cakes, etc) that do not have any type of refined sugar. I often end up making my own. I’m very conscious of what I eat and avoid sugar most days. (I still eat it sometimes!) Very often fresh fruit will suffice.

And, no, it’s not easy to go from full out sugar addiction to eating just fruit to satisfy. It takes time, consistency, persistence, desire, and the willingness to check out different forms of sweet. And I know I am not alone in this.

We eat sugar because, mostly, we crave it. How can you change what your body craves? Keep in mind (if you didn’t already know), you crave what you eat the most…always. Check out what you buy when you grocery shop…every time. Most people buy the same things, almost the same brands, over and over and over.

If this is you, and you want to change your eating habits, but don’t know where to start or what alternatives you have, you can learn all about foods, and how to safely and most effectively make changes.

Members learn about this in Tabata Bootcamp. It really is the only program where we delve into nutritional guidelines, and educate people about their food choices. This is one of the essentials in our Tabata Bootcamp team meetings. These weekly team meetings are an integral part of each Bootcamp. You can find out much more about Tabata Bootcamp at the next Intro-Teaser Day. Click here to read more and sign up. For the list of sugars, here is the list:

Here is the list of the names of sugar

Contact me if you you want more info on Tabata Bootcamp.

Sincerely,

Clara E Minor
Master Trainer-Instructor
Minorsan Self-Defense & Fitness
831-458-0900

Filed Under: Fitness & Health, Martial Arts/Self-Defense, News Tagged With: #badasscourage, be kind, beliefs, confidence, courage, diabetes, exercise, fat loss, fight for life, fitness class, fitness classes, health, healthy living, heart disease physical exercise, HIIT, HIIT classes, HIIT training, lifestyle, nutrition, self -esteem, self worth, self-confidence, self-love, success, sugar, sugar addiction, Tabata, Tabata Bootcamp, weight loss, worthiness

Latest News

  • Fathers and Outdated Beliefs
  • Your Safety Quotient
  • SpartanRaceSprint—A Couple of Lessons for this Martial Artist
  • Thank You 2017 ~ Hello 2018
  • Why-What of Hemp Oil Extract

Categories

  • Fitness & Health
  • Martial Arts/Self-Defense
  • News
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • June 2019
  • May 2018
  • March 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • June 2017
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • August 2014
MINORSAN Self-Defense & Fitness © 2023. All Rights Reserved. · Sitemap · Privacy Policy · WordPress · Log out

  • Home
  • Get Started
  • Reviews
  • Schedule
  • Classes
    • Fitness
      • BodyPump®
      • Fitness Kickboxing
      • HIIT-Kick
      • KickFit Challenge
      • Strong30®
      • Tabata HIIT Classes
      • Yoga
      • Back
    • Self-Protection & Empowerment
      • Self-Defense Strategies & Skills + Weekend Workshop
      • FighterFit Santa Cruz
      • Back
    • Youth Self-Defense Workshops
    • Back
  • Contact
  • About Us
    • About Clara E Minor
    • Instructors
    • Mission Statement
    • Philosophy
    • Back
  • News/Blog