My Story
Mandy Shintani (an Occupational Therapist) is considered the leading authority on the
health and fitness benefits of Nordic walking in Canada.
"Move over Pilates. Here come Shintani, Gormley and Nordic walking." Toronto Sun - Sunday, July 2, 2006 "Tips from instructor Mandy Shintani on how to get a serious workout from urban poling" Calgary Herald - September 28, 2006 "Mandy Shintani doesn't look or sound much like the stereotypical rough-hewn pioneer of Canadian lore. ...But, someday, she could well be right up there alongside the Jacques Cartiers of the fitness world with Richard Simmons and Suzanne Sommers." Ottawa Sun - Sat, July 8, 2006 Shintani said its important to use the proper equipment, because, “you wouldn’t jog in your dress shoes.” Shintani says "Nordic walking addresses all of the top barriers to exercising: It doesn't require transportation, it is inexpensive, it provides stability, its not difficult and it doesn't hurt." Vancouver Sun, October 17, 2005 |
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How I got hooked on poles!
As a single mother of two, an Occupational Therapist working with seniors, and a recent masters graduate in Gerontology, life moves pretty fast! Finding a balance in life that includes eating well and exercising is important to me, but not always easy to achieve.
After having my second child and hitting my forties, I was determined to get back in shape. Like most of my friends, I promised myself that I would include jogging as a regular exercise I could conveniently do around my neighbourhood when time permitted. The truth is that while I was able to muster up the interest to jog, it only lasted for a few weeks, okay - maybe days! It wasn’t long until I was again reminded why I had stopped jogging – it’s a labourious, sweaty affair and, in addition, I don’t believe the high impact aspect of the sport is a good long-term option for me. I endeavored to search for a better, more efficient and more interesting (to hold my attention this time!) way of keeping in shape.
The Swedish connection
In 2003, my Swedish neighbour Erin Engstrom and I had a fateful exchange that would change my life. We were discussing methods of exercising and the topic shifted to her home country with its particular exercising habits. Erin told me about Nordic walking; the sport had recently become massively popular in her country. Poling helped to get Swedish seniors and baby boomers into a regular exercise routine while significantly improving their health and fitness. The sport offered all the convenience and fun of walking with the additional benefits poles provided. Its mass appeal was due to its simplicity and suitability for people of all ages and fitness levels. However, I was still skeptical. As an occupational therapist I had seen a number of gimmick fly-by night operations marketing the latest fad exercise “revolution”. Cross-country skiing without the skis? I wasn't too sure...
I was still determined to give it a try, Swedes are not known for their lack of ingenuity, after all, and I wasn’t going to back down from it just because it was different. Erin lent me a pair of her fitness walking poles and quickly taught me the technique. WOW – I don’t think I have ever been more wrong about anything in my life. I immediately noticed the difference between walking without poles & walking with them. I could really feel the difference in my upper body, and it was so easy. The biggest impact was in my arms, upper torso, and more importantly in my stomach and core muscles. I felt stronger, slimmer, firmer and healthier!
It was encouraging to find a sport that gave me an effective, total-body workout, but didn’t leave me sweating profusely or short of breath. I remember Nordic Walking down my home street the first week of experiencing the sport and thinking, ‘Finally a sport that doesn’t make feel like I’m abusing my body or working beyond my physical limits – I can do this and its fun!’ The fact is, I was not walking any harder or faster, and yet I just felt better. Nordic walking gave me more energy and talking and socializing with my friends was much easier while poling compared to jogging. Now we go for a Nordic walk on the seawall to talk, instead of heading to the local coffee shop. Learn more about Tom Rutlin...