Just another day at the gym...

Only if all my clients had such big smiles while planking...
Just a thought but with the new year fast approaching lets all just try a little every day
to be more active with our children. Monkey See - Monkey Do
May everyone have a very happy, healthy - Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!
Shanon & Dawson

I love my job!

Hi everyone,

I just had to write as I had an offered my Core Kids Trial session at a local Montessori this week.
I usually see approximately 20 kids when I teach but to my surprise I had 32 fantastic little smiles watching, listening, singing and moving with me for almost 40 minutes.
To many considering the age range was from as young as 2 to 4 year olds you might think it would be difficult. But it was so much fun!
In the end it just reminds me that I can not give up on my business plan to bring fitness and fun to as many schools and day cares as I can.

Watching my own son learn new skills like "tree pose" or holding his "sticky bug handstand" against the wall by himself and how proud he is afterward is as rewarding as watching him learn to write his name.
I suppose my point is there is success to be had in all aspects of our children's  lives educational and PHYSICAL.

When I say "I love my job" the most important one I have is being able to give my son the opportunity to learn and experience as many things as I can. As parents we all have special gifts our children! No re gifting here LOL...

Enjoy the ride of parenthood!

CORESHOTSFITNESS CORE KIDS FIT TIPS Backyard Trampoline Safety FYI: Studies show the majority of injuries (70%) happen on the bed and (30%) as a result from falls off the bed. Injury Prevention: 1. Avoid KNEE DROPS, this skill has common injuries to the lower back and neck because children arch their back and don’t remember to engage their core. Suggest Doggie Drops on their hands and knees without allowing their backs to sway. 2. “Bum Drops” are very popular, be sure they use both hands one on either side of their hips and their fingers face their toes. Note: When their fingers turn away from their body there is a great risk to hyperextending their elbows. 3. TWO FOOT RULE, always have your children bounce with two feet, better for balance and less likely to roll an ankle or injure their knees. 4. Only allow one person on the trampoline at one time. BOUNCE SMART & HAVE FUN! FAMILY FITNESS Exercises for Mom & Dad Too! Plank - Begin on your stomach, hands under your shoulders push up until you are in a full straight body position. Pretend you are holding a marble in your belly button as to not sway your lower back. Use an egg timer or a watch and see who can hold the position the longest! Great for your core, lower back and shoulders. (may modify from forearms) Rock ‘n’ Roll - Begin sitting on the floor with your knees tucked into your chest, hands hold your shins and place a small stuffed animal under your chin so that you don’t hit your head as you roll back. Once your start position is ready lift your feet off the floor and roll onto your back then up again. The true test is if you can accomplish this without letting go of your shins. Try to rock ‘n’ roll 10 times. Great for your core and a good massage for your spine. *Always be sure to check with your care giver before beginning any new exercise program. Stretch Every Day! All children have trouble with muscle shortening, especially during rapid bone growth combined with activity during their day. Some children may have night cramps and leg aches caused by muscle fatigue and tightness, which is often incorrectly attributed to “growing pains”. Children should be taught at a young age how to stretch properly. This will ensure that they develop good training habits and maintain healthy muscles for the rest of their lives. Our anatomy is the same at any age and it is best to stretch all major muscle groups daily. As a family watching your favorite show sit on the floor and take the time, touch your toes, seal stretch, arm circles, butterfly and mountain stretch ... it doesn’t take long. FOR MORE INFO. CONTACT SHANON MCMILLAN 647 290 8685 CORESHOTS@GMAIL.COM CORESHOTS.COM MONKEY BAR SAFETY! For our little monkeys, when your children are swinging on the bars be sure they land or jump off from their back swing so that if they were to fall their hands are in front of them to properly break the fall with less chance of injury. Peek-A-BOO Pull Ups This is a great exercise when on the monkey bars. Be sure one adult is behind the child holding under their arms as you assist them to pull their chin above the bar and another adult in front to say “Peek-A- Boo!”, before you know they will be pulling up on their own.

Balance and Strength

Balance & Strength, yes this is something we all strive for and even our children need to work at this too. They are so much stronger than we give them credit for. The benefits to conditioning our children with proper balance and strength exercises really assists in prevention of pore postural issues as they grow and look how much fun it can be too!
These are are just some of the fun moves I challenge my CORE KIDS with in a regular fitness program at local schools and day cares.
Have fun, try timing you and your kids at how long you can stand on one foot and notice how one side is easier than the other...hmmm something to work on.

Kids Yoga

 Yoga is a form of exercise, meditation, and breathing practices. Designed to bring unity to the mind, body, and spirit. Adults have vouched for yoga for years, saying it makes them feel better physically, enhances their ability to concentrate, and brings tranquility to their lives. Now parents and yoga instructors are looking at the possible benefits of yoga for kids.

First, remember that old saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” well it is so true in my experience as a parent and a fitness professional I know when I have a BUSY week my son experiences my exhaustion as well. Children experience many of the same physical benefits adults do from practicing yoga and regular exercise.

Specifically to yoga it strengthens them and helps them become more flexible and coordinated, enhances self-awareness, body awareness and self confidence in learning new skills.  As part of the practice of yoga, kids need to slow down much like we all need to from time to time. Learning to hold certain postures, breathe and patience is key to more than just yoga.

I personally have a very strong belief that through practicing yoga, children can learn ways to relax and get control of stress in their lives. For instance I have made it my son’s and I’s bedtime routine to practice breathing techniques of yoga to help calm his mind and body before drifting off to sleep each night.
I also use this same deep breathing technique when he is frustrated, anxious or just having a typical “3 year old moment” when as a parent, in my opinion staying calm and understanding is the best treatment. 

Sincerely Shanon or as the kids call me "Miss Shanon" 

Current Flyer Special - Markham, Ontario Area

Kids Yoga

Kids - Personal Training

Something to think about.......

• Did you know 1 in 3 children are either overweight or obese in Canada today?
• Obesity during childhood increases the risk of adult obesity by over 70%.  
• From 1981-1996 the number of over weight children rose from 15%- 32.5%.  (This number has since tripled, leading to 46% of Canadians being overweight or obese today!)

Check out this Bootcamp for kids


Personal Training

This is a letter of appreciation and thanks to Shanon McMillan for letting our children from the Child Care Centre attend her Gymnastics’ Classes. The children thoroughly enjoyed the classes. The equipment and exercise were appropriate for our age group and everything was carried out in a safe and caring environment. The children learned body and spatial awareness, balance, and motor skills. The children would come back and be really excited to tell the staff and their parents the things they did while at the gym. 

This Physical Activity helps us with the development of the whole Child.
 
Pat Bencharski,
Ola Perkins
Co-Managers
Pemberton Children's Centre

 Shanon is available for consultations.
- Lululemon Fitness Ambassador 2006/2007 Whistler
- Every Women of the World Conference Pre/postnatal & bootcamp
presenter Spring 2009 Whistler
- Certified Personal trainer & Pre Postnatal Fitness Specialist

The Launch of the new Core Shots Fitness website.

Personal Trainer Shanon McMillan introduces the soon to be official launch of the new Core Shots Fitness website! With plenty of new features & programs is sure to be a hit in the Markham area!

Contact coreshots@gmail.com to book your session today!