I recently started a new business. I didn’t really plan to, but sometimes life just picks you for certain things. Just like the one act play I wrote and performed, taped and put on youtube. I didn’t realize it would reveal more than political satire, it showed me, and the world, the truth of the state I was in physically.
Having been married for 14 years and raising a child, I have undergone many changes. Training and becoming a Bellyfit Instructor in my middle years has reacquainted me with that strong, healthy, youthful me, while supporting my new ‘cultivated-through-living’ self-confidence and power.
In 43 years I accomplished a variety of eclectic goals. Medical Laboratory Technology degree, Theatre arts of all kinds, feature films, a small role in Friday the 13th part 8- Jason Takes Manhatten, and the 1996 Canne best seller Seetha & Carole. I played Carole. We shot in Saskatoon and 3 weeks in Madras India. Other interests I persued included Crop Circle Researcher with the Canadian Crop Circle Research network since 1998 and Speaker on related topics like Chakras, Cymatics, Light and Ancient Calendars. I was invited to speak in San Antonio Texas, Tempe Arizona and Woodland Alters near Serpent Mound, Ohio.
I had sat and done hours and reading writing and research and so my body reflected my sedentary habits. The good news was I was in great mental, emotional, and spiritual shape. I was ready. Call it mid life crisis but I felt, as far as my fitness, it was ‘life or death’ for me as a spirit incarnate in a body. It was go time.
Out of all the goals and interests I’ve followed, Bellyfit was the challenge I needed.
I come from Minot, ND. I moved to Saskatoon with my mother and sister to live with my Grandmother after my mothers divorce. I come from a broken home. I feel as result I became an overachiever. I did well at most things, was described as talented, pleasant looking, if not a bit plump. For the most part people assumed I was intelligent and emotionally secure.
I developed an eating disorder in grade 12 I got over it in about 4 years. Until recently I did not know I was gluten intolerant, that I suffered from Celiac disease, the inability to digest the gliadin protein molecule found in grains. I suffered malnutrition and emotional imbalance as well anemia left undiagnosed until I was in my late 30’s. My body was haunted and I felt little control over it.
I was married for the second time and had my son by 1994. My 30’s were focused on raising my child and creating a family home with my husband working full time to support us. I stayed active by walking and running with the stroller and my dogs and attending the odd aerobics class at my old high school.
I went back to casual lab work after my son went to school, but always remained active in the theatre community acting and directing plays. I kept pushing the consciousness envelope by bringing a paranormal conference to Saskatoon and holding educational workshops with my Shaman Trent Deerhorn.
After performing my show, The Subversive Lecture of Tinfoil Hat Lady, live and posting it to youtube I finally took a breath. I watched the show on the computer screen. Who was that middle aged overweight woman telling my jokes? I was in shock.
The following month as fate would have it I attended a Bellyfit demo. I stood outside the room looking in at all the fitness ladies. I focused on a young woman inside, her very long blonde hair held back by a narrow headband. “She’s Alice. Alice in Wonderland.” I thought, or heard.
Little did I know how far she would lead me through the looking glass. I went right up to her after the demo class. “I want everything.” I remember saying as I was so over the moon about my bellyfit experience. I had had an emotional release at the end of the class and knew my whole chakra system had been activated. Also I was entranced with the items she had for sale. I bought one of everything went home and hoped someone would start a franchise.
About 2 months later I contacted Alice through her website to find out if anyone from my community was going to take the BFIIT. No interest had been expressed.
I was no fitness instructor but I had other performing, teaching and movement skills so I asked if I could do it. Alice told me spirit told her to allow the first 20 ladies who wanted to do it. Good old spirit, I was in.
It’s been one transformational year for Bellyfit and for me personally. Being at the first training in November 2007 was an honour and one of most challenging yet meaningful weekends I have ever spent. The best 44th birthday gift I could have given myself. I took the May BFIIT in agin in Victoria in 2007 and am excited to help train more ladies at the BFIIIT being held in Regina SK in May 2009.
I just finished my second session at the end of November 2008. Now Bellyfit is so ingrained in my life it’s like another arm. I run 3 classes a week and this winter I am teaching a fourth class at a private facility. My classes are well attended and so fun to teach. The best part is sharing what I have learned with my city.
I jokingly say Bellyfit was my ‘midlife crisis’. It gave me myself back. I recommend this ‘crisis’ of self-love to any woman looking to bring health and heart not only into her life, but the lives of women in their community.
Beata Van Berkom
“Be at a” Bellyfit Class
http://www.circlessoundandcreation.com
http://youtube.com/tinfoilhatlady
Originality does not consist in saying what no one has
ever said before, but in saying exactly what you think
yourself.
James Stephens