The beginning of the DIAKADI Difference Program, which allows a participant to work with trainers once to twice a week for three months, focusing on fitness, diet, and lifestyle choices.
DDP focus: The Medea Project: Theater for incarcerated women
Meditation affords us the opportunity to find inner peace amid our often hectic daily lives. By clearing the mind and practicing mindfulness (a term we'll explore more later), we can calm the swirling tides of our thoughts and emotions and see things more clearly. However, meditation can seem daunting. It takes practice to be able to tame a mind that is so used to having free rein all the time. This level of mastery is difficult to achieve with a few sporadic meditation sessions sprinkled throughout the week. That's where Spirit Rock comes in. Sprawled among the woodlands of Marin County, Spirit Rock offers immersive meditation retreats designed to deepen your personal meditation practice by combining the teachings of Buddha, insight meditation, and loving-kindness meditation.
Our very own Billy Polson, as well as a long time DIAKADI client Gary Loeb, were able to attend a full 5-day silent meditation retreat. We interviewed both of them to get a sense of what they experienced.
Somehow the New Year has come and gone, and we're now on the fast track to February. How did that even happen? Nevertheless, the "new year, new you" mantra is in full swing and if you are the type of person to make resolutions, let's do a quick check-in. How are they going? If they're no longer going, don't stress. Our DIAKADI trainers say it's time to regroup, start over, and get this show on the road.
We’ve all heard that you get out of your workout what you put into it. No matter what your goals happen to be, there are many variables to consider when crafting your most optimal training program. The particular combination you select will have a direct impact on the physical results achieved. These variables include: the total number of sets per exercise, the number of repetitions (reps) per set, the intensity of the weight used with respect to a benchmark (e.g. 1 “rep max” or “RM”), the tempo of the repetition, the amount of rest between sets, and the frequency that you train each muscle group per week.
Looking to hit the slopes this snow season? DIAKADI team members have some of the top recommendations for snowboarding and skiing in Tahoe this season! From secret runs, to ideas on fun family activities, this is truly the inside scoop to the best spots in Tahoe. Read below for some of the best recommendations in the Bay Area.
Every December I set intentions to strive for in the upcoming year. While writing my intentions in 2015, I had this desire to REALLY give back and spend time working with an organization that speaks to me. I discovered The Her Initiative through the power of Instagram seeing the lovely Jenna Kutcher talk about her experience. Since then I kept 'Her' on my radar and was inspired by their efforts, grace and compassion.
The Olympics Games are the holy mecca of athleticism. As the world's largest and most watched sporting event, only the best of the best individuals and teams get to represent their country and compete. So how does one become an Olympian? Great genes and luck, of course. Just kidding. But seriously- the answer is actually pretty straightforward, just ask Sean O'Brien, one of DIAKADI's very own trainers.
Personal trainers play an extremely important role in both preserving and improving the health and safety of clients’ bodies and lives. Most individuals see their doctor only once or twice a year, but see their personal trainer once or twice a week. So, the quality of the information and the recommendations that we provide in our practice must be well researched, tailored and proven effective.
We hope that the information we share will assist beginning trainers as they select their best education path.
Lately, our clients and trainers have been raving about P-DTR, a new form of therapy that eliminates lingering and chronic pains.
What is P-DTR?
Proprioceptive – Deep Tendon Reflex (P-DTR) is a new form of therapy that addresses musculoskeletal problems (injuries, lingering pain, etc.) by focusing on our body’s receptor system. Sensory receptors throughout our bodies provide our brains with the information they need to move our muscles.
Whether we are ready to change careers, decide to travel the world, or start working out to get healthy or in the best shape of our lives, we know that it helps to have a support group to change our habits or achieve a goal.
The hard truth is that people might not understand how to deal once it hits home that you are actually changing. It was frustrating to not receive support and it made me feel like an outcast at times. I know that was never anyone’s intention, but it sure could feel lonely. Judging by the stories my clients share every day, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced it, too.
Treadmills are notorious for epic running workouts because that’s what they were designed for. If you’ve avoided them for that very reason, then prepare to be taken outside of the thinking box. These exercises require a treadmill but don’t include any mileage, which means you’ll be getting a full body workout while adding a little bit of variety to your routine.
Kaveh says, "Skateboards on the treadmill are one of my overall favorite exercises. The exercise allows you to work your legs unilaterally, which serves as a very functional form of sport-specific training. I also love that your upper body and core are used for stability while your target leg gets an awesome workout."
Jesse says, "When consciously working your core, the goal is to have those muscles fire up while you're going about in your daily life. Aim to incorporate these movements at least three days a week. This actively trains your core to come to life from shoulder girdle to gluteus while protecting the spine."
What does it take to be a trainer? During the certification or undergrad process, they teach you a bunch about anatomy, physiology, and how to work with clients that have a history of diabetes. You gruel for hours over pages on pages of anatomical positions, trying to find ways to help you remember the difference between the sagittal vs. transverse plane. Unfortunately, what they seem to skip through is how to be a personal trainer. Sure, you have to know your books. But, how do you get people through the door and signed up as your client?
Valentine’s Day can rack up quite a big bill. According to the U.S. National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend at least $116.21 on this holiday, a number that can skyrocket when gourmet chocolates, bouquets of flowers, and a fancy dinner get involved. Instead of showering your loved one with big materialistic gestures today, try taking part in something more memorable and intimate: a sweat-inducing, heart rate increasing, and endorphin empowering workout.
You Have tried everything to avoid the holiday weight gain and the slow slide to a bigger waist band during the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years. Usually it is a valiant effort with minimal and often depressing results. This year, try something different. START NOW!
DIAKADI Announces Expanded San Francisco Facility and New Cutting Edge Equipment
Award Winning Personal Training Gym Now the Single Largest and Most Comprehensive Facility in San Francisco
San Francisco – April 9, 2015 – DIAKADI,
San Francisco’s most comprehensive fitness, performance, and life facility, today announced it has expanded its SOMA headquarters by an additional 2,400 square feet, making space for new equipment, including an obstacle course, speed training tools and small group training facility.
Bad habits are difficult to break. Let 2015 be the year that you conquer your goals and live the life that’s best for you! Don’t think for one second we are about to begin the new year by emphasizing only the things you should stop doing. Instead, we have put together a list of good habits to start in the new year allowing you to reach the ultimate goal of happiness...
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
- Leonardo Da Vinci