Read in this issue:
:: How strong is your inner unit?
:: Grand Canyon adventure '07
:: Next adventures:
    Snowshoe Elfin Lakes and           Hike Bowen Island
:: Next Body Ball Workshops
:: Join Gaia Club

"... some incredibly strong bonds were made with the
other women who experienced the same hardships and challenges and that we all contributed our own strengths
in various ways to help
each other out..."
-K.T.

"... and the Canyon was
such an awesome place! "
-Mary (2002)

"Thank you, thank you
for an event of a life time.
When do we go again??
The question is are you
or is the Canyon ready
for us again".
-Joy (2005)


"My greatest adventure ever.
Thank you!"
-Toni (2004)

How Strong Is Your Inner Unit?

Do you suffer from back pain? - Get on the Ball.  The Swiss Ball or Body Ball is a familiar and inexpensive piece of equipment found in many physical therapy clinics and gyms. Using the body ball can add variety, challenge and fun to any exercise program. In healthy individuals, the ball may also serve as a useful prevention tool, promoting good health and healthy spine. With people suffering from back pain or injury, the ball can be invaluable in restoring strength and stability. What is the "inner unit"? In the fitness world today, we refer to the “inner unit” as the core stabilizers or critical torso muscles that help stabilize and move our bodies. These muscles attach directly to the spine or the pelvis. They are therefore better able to stabilize than, for example, the erector spinae or rectus abdominus.

As Diane Lee, a local physiotherapist specializing in core stability says, “collectively, the inner unit forms a corset around the lumbar spine and pelvis, forming a flexible cylinder of support”. The ball offers an easy and effective way of training our inner unit, building up our core strength and improving posture with easy to learn exercises.

The benefits of body ball training are rewarding:

• Improvement of your core stability and strength
• Improvement of range of motion
• Improvement of your balance
• Development of your fitness

Body Ball Workshops
Learn more about Core Activation (Body Ball One) and Upper Body Functional Training (Body Ball Two), two new and exciting BCRPA and RMT approved workshops offered by Catherine D’Aoust of Gaia Adventures. Or call us and book your personal training session to build up your core.

About the instructor
Catherine D’Aoust, Peng, BSc, Kinesiology, MBA, BCRPA Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. A sought-after trainer for business executives and corporations, Catherine has over 20 years experience in fitness training. She consults for ICBC and Health Care Benefit Trust and conducts regular Body Ball and Osteofit classes.

Catherine knows what works best for different ages and fitness levels and will share her knowledge with you in this intensive course. GAIA Adventures programs include hiking, snowshoeing, backpacking, kayaking adventures for women.

It is happening!! We have all permits for this year's
Grand Canyon Adventure - May 28 to June 5

Coming up local adventures:

Snowshoe Elfin Lakes

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Moderate to Challenging, Winter Hiking with Snowshoes

12 km, 6 hours, 620 m (2030 ft)

Saturday, March 3

Full day, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

$85 plus GST [$75 + GST GAIA Club]; includes transportation, guide, healthy lunch. Snowshoe rentals extra.

$85 plus GST [$75 + GST GAIA Alumni]; includes transportation, guide, healthy lunch. Snowshoe rentals extra.

Discover one of winter’s greatest secrets, a fabulous ridge walk with Mount Garibaldi, a glacier spectacle, greeting you. You will fall under the spell - the volcanic landscape, the slow flapping of a bird, a perfectly rounded stone. The treasures to be found are patience and happiness.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Please call or email Gaia.

Hike Bowen Island: Hike Mount Gardener

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Details:

Moderate, Adventure Hiking

16 km, 6 hours, 719 m (8.5% grade)

Saturday, March 17

Full day, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

$89 + GST/person ($79.00 + GST GAIA Club)
Price includes: ground transportation, ferry, a trained guide,
a healthy lunch.

Hike the highest mountain on Bowen Island and reach unsurpassed views of Howe Sound and its encircling peaks. Take the Horseshoe Bay ferry to Snug Cove and head through Crippen Regional Park. Following the Killarney Lake trailhead up Mount Gardner Road and begin hiking up a winding steep treed trail. The views are spectacular and well worth your efforts.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Please call or email Gaia.