November Newsletter 2022
CLUB NEWS
I have a love/hate with this time of the season. I absolutely love waking up to cool mornings and great weather. I can't stand seeing the sunset so early in the day. This "daylight savings" thing just kills me! I know….first world problems!
Let's get back to the action! Last month was a blast here at the club. It was great having Ted Lennon and his band play for Happy Hour Friday Night. We had a nice turnout and a great vibe throughout the club.
I want to talk about some projects we have in the works. We are going to relocate the Freemotion machines upstairs to the downstairs fitness area. It is getting more and more crowded upstairs and we want to give members more space to stretch and move around. We will also be adding new equipment downstairs to give members options when working out.
We will be adding a new Stairclimber which will be located next to the Treadmills upstairs. Many of you have asked for one and we listened! It should be arriving mid-November.
We are also in the process of getting the hot tub replastered this year. It has been a challenge to find someone to do the project but we hope to get it done soon.
We hope everyone is enjoying the club. We will continue to make OVAC the best for all our members!
See Ya at the Club!
Ryan
OVAC CLOSED THANKSGIVING DAY
OVAC will be closed Thanksgiving Day. We are so thankful for our members and staff and hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
LIFE HACKS TO MAKE NOVEMBER YOUR HEALTHIEST MONTH
-Fitness Director Danielle Wommack
The days are getting shorter but don't let that discourage you! If you're feeling stagnant
sometimes you just need to switch things up a bit to keep you on track with your health and fitness. Try these simple life hacks to increase your productivity and efficiency to make November your best month yet!
1. STAIRS ONLY. Pretend elevators and escalators don't exist. Or if you don't come across many elevators and escalators in your day, then intentionally park in the farthest section of the parking lot.
2. JUST A LITTLE LESS SUGAR IN YOUR MORNING COFFEE. Try to wean yourself down half a packet of sugar for a couple of weeks, then try a full packet less. If flavored lattes are your thing, ask for 1 or 2 less "pump" of syrup. Over time your taste buds will get used to having less and you'll be able to fully enjoy a healthier version of your morning coffee.
3. FIRST COME THE VEGGIES. By eating your veggies first at every meal you will fill up on the most nutrient dense foods first.
4. ORDER YOUR BURRITO WITH LESS RICE AND MORE BEANS. The beans offer more protein and fiber to keep you feeling full longer than the rice.
5. SET A TIMER FOR YOUR WATER. It's easy to get too busy or distracted throughout the day. A timer is a great way to remember to finish your glass of water and get a refill. And while you're at it, move around a bit and do a few stretches if you've been sitting.
6. STICK TO A SLEEP SCHEDULE. Getting enough sleep is crucial to our health and fitness, and also a struggle for many. Going to bed and waking at consistent times is key to helping your body sleep. And make sure to turn off your tv, computer, phone or other electronic devices at least one hour before bed.
7. WALK. There are going to be those days you just don't have the energy for a full workout. Instead, take a walk. You can even catch up on phone calls while you walk outside; or watch that show you've been dying to see while walking on the treadmill.
Sure the days are shorter and colder, but try these life hacks to take the "No" out of November.
Aquatics
NEW SWIM INSTRUCTOR-JULIANA ORTIZ
The OVAC Aquatic's Department is excited to add Juliana Ortiz to our team! Julianna is available for all levels of private swim lessons. She will also be assisting with the Ojai Heatwaves swim team. Jules can be contacted by email: [email protected]
Welcome Jules!
Juliana, nicknamed Jules, has been a water girl since she could remember. Growing up on the beach in Ventura, the ocean became her happy place. She began swimming lessons at a very young age and carried her skills throughout her active lifestyle. Growing up, Jules was a member of the Junior Lifeguard program through the California State Parks, competed with Buenaventura swim club, and loved ocean swim competitions. Jules began playing water polo in middle school, earned a spot on the Ventura High School Varsity water polo team beginning her freshman year, and was team captain for Ventura her senior year. Jules swam Varsity for the Ventura High School swim team for three years. Jules went on to play water polo for California State University Monterey Bay for a brief time until dedicating more time to school and work. Alongside her athletics, Jules taught swim lessons for all ages/abilities and Lifeguarded for the City of Ventura, the City of Monterey, and Cal State Monterey Bay for several years. Alongside the Ojai Athletic Club, Jules is a student, a supervisor for Topa Topa Brewing Co. in Ojai, and a volunteer for the Ojai Raptor Center. She loves spending time outdoors - camping, hiking, and surfing. Jules is stoked to be a part of the Ojai Athletic Club and to continue to be an asset to her community.
BALANCE OUT YOUR FREESTYLE BY SIDEKICKING
Many swimmers think freestyle is swum on their stomach with arms crawling through the water. But, good, efficient, and injury free freestyle is swum rotating from side to side on a vertical axis---imagine that you have a pole through your body from your head down through your spine and you can only rotate on that pole from side to side. To practice this vertical side position and to avoid swimming flat, practice side kicking. To side kick, position your body on its side with the top arm resting alongside your body with your hand flat on your hip. Extend your other arm straight above your head, with your hand resting just at the surface of the water, palm facing down. Rest your head back on your lower shoulder and look straight up with only your face out of the water, and start kicking, staying completely on your side. Go slow and stay relaxed, breathing regularly. Do not use your arms or hands to balance; only your legs should be moving. Make sure to switch sides either half way or at the 25m to practice being on either side (one may be easier than the other). Wearing fins for this drill is very effective, that way you can focus on your balance and position without struggling for momentum. After practicing side-kicking, be mindful of hip rotation during your freestyle on each arm stroke.
OJAI HEATWAVES QUIN SEIDER MAKES USA SWIMMING 21-22 SCHOLASTIC ALL AMERICAN LIST
Quin Seider of OVAC's Ojai Heatwaves swim team was listed as a recipient of the 21-22 Scholastic All American. The list has 1.281 athletes in grades 9th-12th who also maintained a 3.5 GPA and met any of the competition criteria during September 1st- Aug 31, 2022. Great Job Quin!
KID'S CLUB IS OFFERING PACKAGES AGAIN!
Buy 18 hours and get 2 hours free or our new half packages, buy 9 hours get one free.
Full Package: $180
Half Package: $90
Come check out our fall crafts and help us decorate!
Halloween Pickleball Fun
This past Saturday we held our Pickleball tournament. Jacqui Burge and Deborah Herron-Mulligan made it scary for the competition by going undefeated on the day winning 7 matches in a row. After preliminary round robin action the two top teams faced off in the final. Leslie Rule and Gina Rodriguez put up a good fight in the final but Jacqui and Deb cemented their spot at the top with an 11-5 victory. Thanks to everyone who came out to play or watch.
VCJTA NOVICE/OPEN TOURNEY AT OVAC
OVAC will be hosting a Ventura County Junior Tennis Association tournament Saturday and Sunday November 5th and 6th. There will be a Novice division for those beginning players just getting used to playing matches and a more advanced Open Division for those with more experience. Entries will close 10/31. Court availability will be very limited after 11 AM on both days but please come out and watch the kids play if you can. Please visit vcjta.com for more details.
TURKEY TROT 2022
It's time for our annual mixed doubles Turkey Trot on Sunday November 20th, one of our most popular events of the year. We will be starting around noon and going until everyone needs a nap. As always we'll have a "Just 4 Fun" division and an "In It to Win it" division. Grab a partner and look for the sign up in the lobby in the coming days.
NEW TENNIS INFORMATION DISPLAY CASE
Adjacent to the cafe above the drinking fountain you can find our new tennis bulletin board with schedules for clinics, ladders and upcoming events. Check it out.
SINGLES LADDER NOW ACTIVE
Our club singles ladder is up and running and the first challenge matches are being scheduled.
We currently have 19 on the ladder but could use more and we definitely need more ladies.
NEED A NEW TENNIS RACQUET OR PICKLEBALL PADDLE?
OVAC will be happy to help you with your Tennis and pickleball equipment needs. We have relationships with Wilson for tennis pickleball with very competitive pricing and great savings. Please contact Steve at [email protected] with any questions.
SUNDAY MORNING ADVANCED PICKLEBALL
Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30AM for fast and exciting pickleball action. The level of play here is quite advanced so if you're not sure about whether this is for you please contact Ryan or myself to run it past us. Again, members are invited to bring their high caliber guests free of charge.
TENNIS CLINICS
Contact Steve at [email protected] to sign up for any clinic. The weekly JUNIOR tennis clinics will resume after labor day.
JUNIOR CLINICS
Intermediate/Advanced Clinic- Invitation Only- Children must be able to rally, serve and play points. For players looking to play competitive tennis in tournaments or high school. Ages 9-14 as a loose rule. Inclusion in the clinic is based on Tennis Directors approval. Ages 9-14. Cost: $18 member/$21 non-member. Monday & Wednesday 4pm-5:30pm (90 minutes)
Future Stars- for our youngest players aged 5-8 who are new to tennis. Fun learning through movement and games. Cost: $12 member/$15 non-member. Monday & Wednesday 3:45pm-4:30pm, Saturday at 9 AM (45 minutes)
Bigger Littles Clinic- A clinic for our mid to upper elementary age beginners who have some experience. Physical conditioning, stroke production and drills/games are part of this clinic. Ages 8-11. Cost: $15 member/$18 non-member. Monday & Wednesday 4:30pm-5:30pm, Saturday at 10 AM, (60 minutes)
Tweens Clinic- A clinic for older beginners who are approaching middle school and want to learn the game but aren't quite ready for our Intermediate/Advanced clinic. Ages 11-14 as a loose rule. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 PM
ADULT CLINICS
Advanced Live Ball- Invitation Only
Thursdays 4:30pm-5:30pm. Cost: $15 member/$18 non-member
Men's 4.0 Live Ball
Tuesday 3:00-4:00 pm.
Ladies Intermediate Live Ball- Invitation Only
Wednesdays 5:30 pm-6:30 pm. Cost: $15 member/$18 non-member
Saturdays 9am-10am. Cost: $15 member/$18 non-member
Adult Beginner/Intermediate Clinic
Saturdays 10-11:30am. Cost: $18 members/$21 non-members
DROP IN TENNIS
Drop in Doubles: Tuesday/Thursday at 3:30pm
Cronies Doubles: Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 7am
PICKLEBALL
Adult Beginner Pickleball Instruction - Please contact Steve if interested in group or private pickleball lessons.
Open Play: Pickleball is open all day, 7 days a week. Paddles and balls available at the front desk for loan. All membership types may play. Guests are currently free for Sunday morning advanced play sessions.
Group Play- 8:30 AM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Informal group doubles.WEAKNESS VS. LACK OF MOBILITY
WEAKNESS VS. LACK OF MOBILITY
Georgia Cotsis, Pilates Director
[email protected]
(805)272-5619
Pilates has helped people become so much more aware of why they cannot do an exercise with ease. There have been situations in private training where someone comes in thinking they cannot do an exercise because they are simply not strong enough to do it. That is not always the case! More often than not, it is because that person is actually not mobile in a specific part of their body, or has not practiced movements that create mobility to that area. For example…in what we call "Roll Ups" in Pilates…I will teach someone that exercise with great core strength already, but they cannot Roll Up solely because they do not practice rounding/tilting their spine. Once they get into that stretch, it is so much easier to work the muscles that support that stretch.
Now the visa versa of that…is when we think we cannot do something because we are not mobile enough. That is not always the case either! An example of this…rotating the spine; meaning twisting the mid-spine right and left. In this situation, it usually comes from the person having unawareness to their obliques (side abdominals). The reason that is important is because when we rotate the spine, we are mobilizing the mid-back so the side abdominals need to be strong to do this.
I encourage you to understand your own body more in coming to the Pilates studio for your private session. My schedule is booked, but I am happy to set you up with our wonderful instructors!
NOBODY'S PERFECT
Georgia Cotsis Massage Therapist
[email protected]
(805)272-5619
We all have different bodies…different structures, different alignment, and different pains. This is not something to be sad, or hard on yourself about! It is simply just something to know. Massage is a great way of accepting the body you have and learning more about it.
Sometimes we come into a massage stating how many problems we have. Do not get me wrong…it is SO important to describe these things to whoever is helping you, but I feel bad when the person is stressed about it. It is nothing that we cannot work on, or bring attention to in a gentle way. If we are angry about the misalignments we have, we do not progress as easily as we could because then that is all we are thinking about all day. Massage is a great reminder that not every day is the same, and that we can work through these areas with patience!
Please accept and love the body you have. Book your Massage with me!
