Vibe Room

Trinity my alma mater...it was great to be back and facilitate a great kickxing and dance class.  This workshop was different because it was small in number but it was large in what we were able to deliver.  A kickbixing class that allowed for one on one training and a dance class that allowed for people to dance as if no one was watching!  Even better than that, Carli and Sarah taught portions of the class with added ease which allowed me to pay particular attention to the participants.  Thank you to everyone that assisted, everyone that attended and the folks at the Women's Center who always do their very best to bring forth inspiring and motivating classes throughout Health and Wellness Week!  Until next time...Namaste, K

So many things change over time...from A to Z you can see things change gradually and one thing that has changed for the better is the group dynamic of my Hartford Detention Center adult group.  The very facilitators that have direct contact with the young men and women that are incarcerated due to their bad decisions - have taken their stress, the passion for what they do and their inner authenticity to build a relationship within themselves and with each other that works for them.  making them aware of all of this is my job but only if they allow me.  And, gradually they have allowed me to bring them innovative ways to think, interact and play together while learning key concepts that are fundamental to not only their work life but their entire lives.  We used group contact kickboxing, lecture and meditation to cause this fusion and everyone was engaged the entire time.  What a great thing for me to see and what a great accomplishment for each of them individually and as a team.  You all are so great and thank you for allowing me to show you how great you are!  Until next time...Namaste, K

Self Awareness is broken down in so many components that many people are oblivious to and it is something that it is rarely talked about.  As an alumni of Trinity College and police officer in the city of Hartford it doesn't surprise me just how oblivious but it does however, worry me.  It is why I take the time to talk to college students about the subject and do not teach the elements of defense but promote the elements of awareness.  These elements are built to make anyone successful- a person of any size or shape.  They build confidence and most of all dispels motion that all we can do is fight an assailant whic often discourages women for seeking classes such as these.  Being aware of your body and environment is the key to surviving an unexpected encounter.  Join us next time for a class that could save your life.  Karla

So Big Sky members know me from my hard hitting class so I am not quite sure they new just what to think of my free style tribal class.  It was something that opened the door for them to be free and lubricate their bodies in a different way.  Oh it was different alright.  Some were very skeptical and others were just happy I was teaching an extra class.   It was a class about life because we talk like we walk, we walk like dance, we dance like we live,,,so yes every movement was purposeful and full of connection, thought and real passion.  Not what they thought would happen on a Friday night.  It is my hope that what they experiences will have a profound effect on the days to come.  Namaste, Karla

This session was awesome with some familiar face and some new ones.  Watching the uncomfortable bodies and skeptic faces as I explained the concept of the workshop made me curious, how exactly can I reach them?  And, with the help of Ira, the music, the energy, the drawing of lines to leadership traits...and most of all the heart to heart...the talk with these young men and women.. on the real...  They accepted it all, they took it all in and by the workshop end, the lay still yet full of life.  As I believe I awakened so many different ideologies inside of them.  My job is not done in the word but today, I have planted the seed of great leaders and it is my hope that they blossom endlessly.  To Lynn thank you for believing in my ability to nurture your students.  And to all the participants, thank you for allowing me to touch your soul, even if it was just for a couple seconds!  It was delicious and I admire you dearly for trusting me with your energy and gifts!  Namaste, Karla

This workshop was intense because of the questions it posed but the young women left with an understanding of reality and the value that their body should have to them.  It seemed that moving forward they would be able to grasp the concept of real bodies, fake magazine, their outer appearance choices with a flicker of knowledge.  It is my hope that I have planted a seed that opens their eyes to reality, their hearts to themselves and their souls to the freedom of better choices.  My hardest yet fulfilling workshop yet!  This is a matter that touches females of all ages, nationalities, sizes and mentalities.  Namaste, K

This class was so intense and I believe for some newcomers the drumsticks brought a new element to the workout that they were not quite sure about.  It was a good warm up for tomorrow's demo at the NBC 30 Health and Wellness Festival.  I was excited to see so many new faces trying something so totally different.  It takes alot to do that!  Some thought it would be easy and to those I say, respect those sticks!  Fun was had by all and sweat was the result of the class.  Good times and a good workout, it is just how you wanna end the work day and start the night!  Thanks to all that attended.  Namaste, K Photos:

This session was different from all the other sessions That  I have done for Sudor Taino because it combined my police training and my physical fitness training at another level.  The day started with going into work and handling my 9 to 5 work day and towards the tail end was marked with me conducting a physical fitness training session with the police recruits.  Then it was off to Trinity, for another session.  This for me is a mesh of the basics to protect yourself and make you think about how to react quickly.  Of course, these basics have to be practiced in order for them to become part of your muscle memory but at least it gets everyone thinking.  It was a dynamic group which showed in the versatility of our "feeling safe" conversation. The group was a combination of different, shapes, sizes and genders which is the ideal Sudor Taino mix!  It is my hope that each of them picked up at least one defense concept.  While it is true that many of them will not face an unsafe situation, it is a fact that at least 2% of the group will.  May the basics of creating distance, using gravity and springing into fast action linger in their mind.  I thank all of them for sharing their energy with me, it was an extremely committed group.  And, if you are committed to a class, you are committed to the other areas of your life.  It is the ideology of Sudor Taino, "Fitness and Life with Passion". 

Thank you to Laura and Lauren for allowing me to bring innovative workshops to Trinity College.  Thank you to my Sudor Taino family (aka Yummy Girls) for their support.

Namaste, K

A little Taste of Sudor Taino brings so much to the table.  It is a fusion of all the styles that we tend to incorporate throughout the year.  It is a delicious yet hard core session.  How can that be, well, it just is!

I thank all of you for sharing your energy and it was nice to have you all.  Session by session we learn how to loosen up through our workouts.  We dance how we move and we move how we walk through life.  With a taste of how it feels to love to move it is our hope that you learn to love life through fitness with passion.

From the lowest level of fitness to the highest, it is about the weight you carry on the inside that reflects on the outside.  It is my belief that classes and synergy like the one that we experience today, is a step in the right direction to attack both!

This class allows the participants to play with different styles of exercise, music and equipment, including their own bodies - it is ideal for all!

Join us next time....

Namaste, K


Photos by Juleana Rodriguez:

Thank you to all of the UCONN/CAPP students for sharing their authentic and completely awesome energy with me!  It was an awesome experience on each day, with different people, different energy and different mental and physical exercises.

Often times we do not take the time to acknowledge that life is tough and real.  Today, was a day that made me proud of the abstract gifts that I can give to the future leaders of America.  I left UCONN feeling love, light and peace, all of which I shared with each individual that I encountered.

I take away a piece of authentic energy that was created as a group, a meaningful synergy that I will carry with me forever.  For each encounter for me maximizes who I am and who I continue to aspire to be.  From one serious issue to another, from negative to the positive, from the yin to the yang, the session served an eye opening purpose.

My hope is that I have touched their lives in a positive way and planted the seed of passion, inspiration, motivation, and the inspiration to be a part of bettering humankind.

Thank you to Lynn for believing in innovative ways to capture UCONN students.  Thanks to Carli and Sarah for assisting me physically and mentally - your energy and love inspire me to continue to be for me and for the world.

With love, peace and light to all of you that remain in my heart...

Namaste, K Photos: