As a single woman living in Kenya in 1995, Kerry was looking for an outlet for physical fitness. She was working full time in the SIM Kenya office and evenings were open for some recreational time. In 1995 there were not many recreational options for women in Nairobi. By word of mouth, she began to hear about a group of women that were gathering at the nearby Nairobi Baptist church for a daily hour of exercise. She knew that this was the outlet she had been looking for. After attending her first class on a warm Kenyan summer evening, the combination of dance aerobics and challenging strength training had her hooked. Close to 100 women of all tribes and races would exercise in that church hall every day. Body and Soul Fitness became a regular part of her routine.

Kerry had no idea that the choice to attend that Body and Soul Fitness class in 1995 would lead to her teaching her own class on 2 different continents: in Canada and in South Africa. Upon moving to Edmonton after living in Kenya for 18 months, she soon offered to undergo the instructor audition process to bring Body and Soul Fitness to Edmonton. Kerry taught in Edmonton for 4 years and then revitalized her role as an instructor when the Wiens moved to South Africa in 2010. She has now been an instructor for a total of 10 years and recently completed her American Council of Exercise Group Fitness Certification.

Kerry reflects on how much Body and Soul has impacted her life.

“I always hated gym class. Being the last in the pack during the long distance run was embarrassing, not to mention my huffing and puffing and bright red face. My body just didn’t seem to be made for endurance. I still struggle with discipline in exercise, but Body and Soul has taught me that exercise can be fun. I have also learned how my body enjoys getting stronger and healthier.”

Body and Soul Fitness truly is a unique organization. A team of professional and knowledgeable trainers create a set of routines which are passed on to the instructors 3 times a year. The routines include excellent cardio work, some dance options, interval training, body weight training, resistance training with weights or bands, pilates and core strengthening, flexibility and stress release. Instructors are given the most comprehensive and up to date information to offer an excellent class. All the music used in the classes is faith based, inspirational music and at the end of each class, a thought provoking message is shared to help attendees to reflect on their lives and be encouraged to seek out deeper vision and meaning. Most people say that at the end of a Body and Soul class, they feel energized.

2017 is a special year for Body and Soul in Africa. It is the 25th Anniversary of Body and Soul in Africa. Starting in Kenya, it has now spread to Zimbabwe, Rwanda and South Africa. In June, instructors from all over Africa gathered in Zimbabwe to celebrate this wonderful occasion. As is expected when instructors get together, there was a lot of exercise. There were also workshops on nutrition, muscles and body mechanics. The highlight of the weekend was the 25th Anniversary Banquet. The stories and testimonials of the impact of Body and Soul on our lives were outstanding.
Some of the side effects of radiation therapy include painful or frequent urination, online viagra mastercard loose stools and erectile dysfunction. The result is improved all round vigor and vitality in males that naturally leads to naturally side effects viagra enhanced sexual performance. It then leads then to intense pains in the affected molineanimalaid.org prescription du viagra hand and arm, and mental dazzling for 3 to 7 seconds. You need to consume molineanimalaid.org levitra sale 4T Plus capsules, which are the best herbal remedies to prevent male impotence, regularly with milk or water for the best results.

Perhaps the greatest highlight for Kerry was attending the workshop with her 2 co-instructors from Bhekulwandle, Mbali and Mandisa. These 2 incredible women became instructors 2 years ago and have been sharing leadership of the Bhekulwandle class for over a year now. Kerry now instructs and works in the background to continue to make the class a success.

If you know us well, you have heard us talk a lot about holistic mission. As Christians, we are called to engage in people’s lives on a physical, social, mental and spiritual level.   Kerry has loved how Body and Soul has enabled her to engage with women in areas that they often want to hide from and through that engagement she has seen confidence, character and determination develop.

Body and Soul believed in Kerry when she was an untrained young woman and they continue to give women the opportunity to learn leadership through fitness. She hopes to continue to train other women to be instructors so that more people can attend these amazing classes.

…