I witnessed a wonderful transformation in the girls in the concluding willPower for girlPower® class before the holidays. Aside the physical changes I witnessed such as improved balance, strength, and, most certainly, grace, their written footnotes provided valuable feedback. An additional online survey was also sent to them from the Principal, and their comments and ideas were to determine the future of the program.
When asked what they learned about their feet, one girl replied “They’re like fingers and hands! They are more important than I thought.”, another stated “Feet aren’t weird or ugly and they can affect other parts of your body, and they support everything”. I also found out that my “foot skeptic” mentioned in the previous blog actually had foot problems for years and this time she wrote “These foot massages (Sole Training®) are really helpful, I always used to have foot problems”. She goes barefoot without hesitation and is pain free now.
Many gave similar feedback about their bodies feeling much stronger than they thought they could be in such a short amount of time, and almost all stated that their posture was much improved – that they feel “taller”. A very important breakthrough came with a student who sustained a back injury in a car accident a couple years ago and has had constant pain and many chiropractic visits. She wrote: “I’m starting to walk straight and my back pain is going away with the exercises.” She told me afterwards that her chiropractor is encouraging her to continue the class and also to keep doing planks daily since it seems her core strength is supporting her back and helping with recovery.
Each girl had something of value to take from these sessions. Many had lamented their mantra, others noticed improved focus, a higher sense of calm, reduced stress, boosted confidence, and increased energy. “Positive” was a word used in many replies. They also really appreciated a fitness class experience in a safe, nurturing environment.
Introducing this program to the girls has been truly one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. There is so much more to do and so many more girls we can help.
We are strong, we are confident, and we can do anything we can set our minds to!
These girls and I will ignite empowerment within the walls of PCTI and beyond! The girls and I have many wonderful things we aspire to do such as empowering workshops, incorporating The willPower Method®’s Words of the Week, community service and even a 5k!
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After this post published, the PCTI school board voted to approve willPower for girlPower® as a permanent After School Activity. To find an instructor near you, Contact Us! willPower Instructors: this course is available as a home study… you can teach it in your community! Log into wIN to learn more!
I am 3 weeks into sharing the willPower for girlPower here in the uk I am loving it and so are the little girls ( 8 yr olds) their footnotes are enlightening! We are taking it as a taster to a local school in march and it is on the programme for our charity day in march at Virgin Active Bolton
Great inspiration Tracy! I am starting my first willPower for girlPower this week, and can’t wait!
Thanks so much ladies! Yeah Jenn, I was really looking forward to giving that as a gift for plank challenge (thank you)! Meg – great suggestion! I have been thinking about that too. Laura and I each could have age specific tips, she has been working intensely with tweens for a long time now. Jenn could have younger still too, I bet!
Congrats Tracy! I loved this post and seeing the picture of the girl holding up Jenny Finch’s “Throw Like A Girl” book! Awesome!
This is was a delight to read and so encouraging for those that teach willPower for girlPower.
It would be great to have tips on wIN for girlPower in the future.
Wonderful! So glad to hear it was a success!
Congratulations Tracy. I enjoyed reading about your progress with the girls at PCTI and wish you continued success!