[Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

Wed Feb 22 14:00:33 UTC 2017

Of course people who are really good at marketing may come across to some of
us as annoying and overly aggressive. I would be like you. That's why my
braille business didn't do much.
Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Kociaba Fitness via SportsandRec
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 3:47 AM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kociaba Fitness <kociabafitness at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

I thought the "fair" was a great idea and got differing feedback on how well
it went.  I hope it was enough of a success for them to give it another
shot.  It was a new thing and nothing goes totally smoothly the first time
out.

Re Lisa, I guess she was just doing her job.  Personally I am very sensitive
as to not step on the toes of people when they have an opportunity.  A while
back there was a Hadley podcast on travel, maybe cruising specificly, can't
remember for sure.  At that time I was selling cruises and had made some
strong contacts in the "special needs" depts. Of a couple of the major
lines.  A close friend suggested I attend the webinar and that I might have
a lot to contribute.  I felt it would be wrong  for me to be a part of it.
It was someone elses chance.  I know myself and I have a problem keeping my
mouth shut sometimes and just felt it safer to not be there...but again
that's just me. 
Bill Kociaba
www.kociaba-fitness.com
"Building Better Bodies Since 1981"

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Cindy Ray via SportsandRec
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 12:39 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

The fair was a good one. They had several different presenters and the
opportunity to give blood. That part was a bit of a fiasco. You could try a
number of different things there. That doesn't seem right about Lisa when
you were presenting. I guess I wouldn't have thought of her like that.

Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Kociaba Fitness via SportsandRec
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 7:20 AM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kociaba Fitness <kociabafitness at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

Hi Cindy,
I would agree that Jessica and Kevin's endorsement is a strong motivater to
buy Mel's products.
Lisa is a very aggressive marketing person  and is bound to be a huge help.
I did a Hadley webinar insept 2015 at a time when I was doing a weekly
podcast,hosting online workout classes on a blind focused chat site and
being a very active online presence.  As anyone who has attended any Hadley
webinar knows they have a two fold purpose. First to educate the attendees
but secondly to give the presenter a chance to promote themselves weather
they are a travel professional, a rep of the USABA or whatever the case may
be. Lisa was one of the attendees and she was not blatent about it but she
did do everything she could to promote Blind Alive. I wish Mel nothing but
success but I found Lisa's action a bit offensive.

No, I was not at convention.  From what I understand they had a very strong
presence and created a lot of interest.  Jessica invited me to be a part of
it but it just didn't feel like the right fit for me.
I hope they are going to do something again this summer.
Bill
Bill Kociaba
www.kociaba-fitness.com
"Building Better Bodies Since 1981"

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Cindy Ray via SportsandRec
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 7:18 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

I suspect that if Kevan and Jessica suggest she get your business, most of
the people are sold on them and will buy. She has Lisa Salinger for
Marketing. They had a presence at NFB Convention last year. Where you there?
They also sell a few things like this double pack. It is quite nice. She
also has a yoga mat, and I haven't looked at what all. 

Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Kociaba Fitness via SportsandRec
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 4:53 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kociaba Fitness <kociabafitness at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

Hi Cindy,
Think you are correct. I first spoke to her about three years ago and she
was just trying to get things off the ground or at least that's how it
seemed. I do know she invested a good amount to make things as professional
as possible and I hope that has paid off for her financially.
Being a part of Kevin's group has to be a big help to her.  He is a very
smart and aggressive business person.

Bill Kociaba
www.kociaba-fitness.com
"Building Better Bodies Since 1981"

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Cindy Ray via SportsandRec
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 5:27 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

Oh yes. We Fit Wellness is behind her, and she has a marketing team, or at
least one person. She does podcasts and a bi-weekly newsletter. Her blog is
active, and her podcast is biweekly as well. She sells her exercises with
descriptions of the exercises and the routine using the descriptions. If you
do the routine and find you don't quite get something, you could stop and go
back to the exercise descriptions and relearn or you can wait until you are
finished with the routine. I am quite impressed with her company. I don't
know how it is going financially, but she's still out there. I think she's
been in it for only a couple of years maybe, but I could be way off there.

Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Kociaba Fitness via SportsandRec
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 4:21 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kociaba Fitness <kociabafitness at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

Honestly the whole fitness thing goes that way blind or sighted. It's the
nature of the health club business to sign em up and hope they don't show
up.  I saw the influx in the gym the beginning of the year and sadly only a
month or so later and its starting to decline.
If I am not mistaken, Mel has Kevin Worley and his group behind her and they
are very active.  That is a big help for sure.

Bill Kociaba
www.kociaba-fitness.com
"Building Better Bodies Since 1981"

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Cindy Ray via SportsandRec
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 4:53 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

Well, that's cool. I think Mel is doing OK with this. She has a list now and
is getting people together. I think the family atmosphere, so to speak, is
likely to help. I could be wrong. But the fitness stuff is fickle. People
get involved and go great guns for a while; then they quit, and you can't
count on them except for those of us old folks who are in the 70s and 80s.
Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Kociaba Fitness via SportsandRec
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 3:33 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kociaba Fitness <kociabafitness at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

Hi cindy,
Mel has produced some good stuff as did Marty Klein,  the guy who put
together the beginning yoga for the blind CD set. I don't know how well
Mel's stuff sells but I have to say I was very disappointed to see how poor
a response I got when I was promoting creating custom follow along workout
audio files.  I offered them at a very reasonable fee as I know many of us
are on limited budgets but I still got a surprisingly small bit of response.
It seems to me that the number of blind people who actually want to be
active is a pretty small percentage. I have been doing group fitness classes
at the local Lighthouse for a little over a year now and have a loyal(small
but loyal) following.  I got a big crowd in the beginning but when people
realized we were actually going to do a workout the majority faded away.
They wanted to talk about exercise and better eating but when I asked them
to not have any food or drinks in the class and we actually got up and
started doing something the crowd thinned out substantially. Funny thing is
my most consistant people are in their 70s and 80s. and they work their
butts off. They make it worthwhile for me.

By the way, teaching a group fitness class to a group of blind people can be
a great workout in itself as I have to literly go around the room and
physically monoter and correct everyone. And by the time I am done I am
usually sweating as much as the rest of them.Its a challenge to say the
least but I love it.
Bill

Bill Kociaba
www.kociaba-fitness.com
"Building Better Bodies Since 1981"

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Cindy Ray via SportsandRec
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 4:04 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

One could check out Bline Alive. Mel Scott has created that company in order
to create described exercise routines. After you learned to do them well
enough, it would be easy to join some fitness groups. I have a personal
trainer, but that is expensive. I had another trainer once when studying
Pilates, and when I got to a place where I had decent form, I was able to
join the class.
Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Ashley Bramlett via SportsandRec
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 2:26 PM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

Hello,
I agree the  critisisms are sad and not warranted. I'll just chalk up the
bad talk up to some people having a bad day.

Bill, yes this list is to support those pursuing sports and active
recreation.
Generally, it is fine.

Now to the original question, unfortunately I cannot think of a blind
fitness group in MD. I think this is rather common. I wish there were more
fitness classes and activities offered for our needs. I suppose this is not
the case due to the low incidence of blindness. I found it impossible to
follow most fitness classes. I have some central vision but still the
movement is too fast to see and replicate and most instructors are not
verbal enough. I have had success in a spinning class. Oh, also, a
meditation class. But that is about it.

To the person asking about sports in MD, I'd suggest getting a group
together and just doing something. Of course it will require some sighted
help for guides but something could be organized.
I would like to offer you two ideas close to MD though which might be
helpful and you can participate provided the  commute is doable. If you can
ride the Washington metro rail, you can get to DC.

First, the Washington association of Blind Athletes sponsors activities. 
They have yoga every so often at some DC library; I think its Petworth. My
friend who is totally blind participated and he said it worked great. They
describe the poses and they had volunteers available to give hands on help
if needed.

Another resource is the Columbia lighthouse for the blind. CLB might sponsor
some fitness stuff; I'm not sure.
Finally, you might want to check with your independent living center to see
if they offer something.

Hope this helps.
Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From: Kociaba Fitness via SportsandRec
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 8:20 AM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Kociaba Fitness
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

No this is VERY VERY SAD!!!
This is supposed to be a place to exchange ideas and support each other.  At
least that's what I thought when I signed up.
I realize that you are obviously much smarter than the rest of us and you
feel a huge need to point out that "fact".
The conten I thought we stopped getting graded and corrected when we
completed English class.
And I am sure something in this email is incorrect but please keep the
correction to yourself Billt of our posts, what we are saying, should be
more important than weather or not every letter, cap or bit of punctuation
is correct.
Bill Kociaba
www.kociaba-fitness.com
"Building Better Bodies Since 1981"

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Danielle Ledet via SportsandRec
Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2017 9:38 PM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
Cc: Danielle Ledet
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland

This. is. laughable! Here's another one for you; constructive. The teacher
in me coming out. How do you all expect folks to understand your messages if
you do not erm, refuse to spell your wording correctly, or even use the
proper words? WE ARE NOT TEXTING HERE!Is this anything and everything goes?
Or are there children writing in?
God bless your stupidity!

On 2/18/17, Joe Shaw via SportsandRec <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Someone in Baltimore could  call the National Center 410-659-9314 or 
> BISM
> 410-737-2600 and see if they've anything going on locally.
> Joe Shaw
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "GL Norman via SportsandRec" <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
> To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List"
> <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "GL Norman" <glnorman15 at hotmail.com>
> Sent: Friday, February 17, 2017 5:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] [Portlander] Fitness in Maryland
>
>
>> Peter, I reside here in Maryland; applauding this perspective.
>>
>> Let us chat some point offline.
>>
>> A resource is Baltimore Recreation and Sports. Although I have the 
>> sense that their orientation is to mobility related disabilities.
>>
>> A team sport, which I would enjoy observing formed, perhaps playing a 
>> hand
>>
>> in the forming, is a beeper baseball team.
>>
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--
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of
the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of
these.
George Washington Carver
Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com

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