There’s been a lot of chatter within the NP community this week. A few hot topics and we want to address a few things officially here in the blog:
Why does MONDAY DESTINATION DECK matter?
First of all, you need to know it’s in North Point Park. And why this Monday we’re doing something rather unusual. We typically try to make Monday workouts pretty hard, pretty fun, and pretty interesting. So we work hard, play hard, and explore our city hard. It’s the same delicious flavor of fierce free fitness, but gives some variety to the usual stadium Wednesdays and hill Fridays. And on Monday August 14, we’re throwing a yoga class for the tribe. Izzy VanHall, the Boston-based yogi, will be giving us her time and talent to help our bodies recover from all the regular training we’ve been doing as well as all the EXTRA stairs we’ve been doing this month. We’re just about half-way through the month and we’re putting up some serious sections. But are we resting? Are we recovering? Are we tending to those tight IT bands, hamstrings, quads, and calves? You all are doing your part to put in extra work, and now we’re doing our part by making time in the regularly scheduled programming for some restorative fitness. Fierceness and intensity matters, and balance matters too!
Why does a #TATTOOVERBAL matter?
I have “NOVEMBER PROJECT” tattooed on my ribs. Sometimes people see it and ask why I would permanently have those words on me. The story I tell them is not one about November Project, the big worldwide movement that’s bringing fitness to human beings in fun, fierce ways, forever and for free. The story I tell is of NP’s third birthday, when all the tribes in existence at that time came together to recruit as many people as possible to #justshowup. The goal was to get 3014 people at that one Wednesday’s workout, from all the tribes. In Boston, it was my very first Wednesday morning that I woke up and led the tribe as a co-leader. And I stood at the bottom of section 19 that day, looking up at Every. Single. Face. The 1000+ faces who came from all over Boston, and way beyond Boston, in order to be a part of that effort. I was overwhelmed by the enormity of that day, and I continue to be overwhelmed by the enormity of this movement and it’s powerful positive impact in the world. I also have the numbers “3014” tattooed underneath the familiar November Project type on my ribs. These numbers remind me each time I look at it and every time I talk about it, of the group of people who made that particular day happen in November of 2014. You see, the tattoo is about a particular moment within this movement, that I am inspired by every single day.
This new #tattooverbal is all about the collective effort that this tribe is putting in this month to accomplish something amazing and impressive–and maybe a little crazy–but totally inspiring. I want EmC2 to get a tattoo because it will represent you–the dedicated tribe members who are showing up, putting in the effort, climbing the stairs, and doing something together that is worth commemorating. Every section matters. Let’s go get it! #150k And please, please track your sections and help everyone else track theirs too! Here’s the tracking sheet again.
Why do hugs AND respecting each other matter?
In light of the PSA video and anonymous blog that were shared this week, let’s say a couple things about the culture of NP. Hugs matter. They always have and they always will. And they’re not going anywhere. Many of us, hell, MOST of us really love the fact that NP has a culture that includes hugging. Many a’folk have realized that they’ve “become a hugger” through the many many hugs with strangers-turned-friends. And this is awesome. It’s also true that we often believe so much in the importance of hugs and the transformation of “non-huggers” into “huggers” that we sometimes cross other peoples’ boundaries–in the spirit of doing what NP does. But just like I can’t force you to finish a Frogman1 of 50 sections if that’s not what’s best for your body–and I certainly won’t kick you out of a workout if you decide to stop at 11, 19, 25, 37 or 49 sections–we can’t begin to say that people who don’t want to hug aren’t welcome or should just go somewhere else. We respect what people need for their bodies–both in fitness and in physical contact. We’re just making it a little more explicit–NP is a culture of hugging and awesome fitness, and we will all respect and support others when they need to tailor their experience to make it awesome for them. We’re really good about respecting the injury deck for people who shouldn’t do the regular workout, and we’re getting better at supporting healthy rest & recovery. Let’s also be really good about respecting boundaries when someone indicates with words, gesture, or body language that they aren’t into the physical contact we’ve suggested. The bottom line is that the only thing we’re getting rid of is ambiguity about what’s cool and not cool at NP. Not cool: human contact that is disrespectful, intimidating, unwanted, or makes any member of it feel unsafe. Cool: human contact and connection that builds community and all members involved consent to. Because hugs AND respecting each other matter.
If you all want to discuss this more with each other and/or with EmC2, please do it!
Why do YOU matter?
Because you’re here!! We’re glad you’re here! Let’s stay focused on what matters and keep taking over the world. #weekendearned
