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A message from Melissa John, MINT co-owner

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Dear Members,

Going forward, we will be canceling select classes that don’t have at least 3 people registered in advance. We want to make sure we’re using your membership dollars effectively, and holding classes that don’t meet this minimum is just not a responsible use of those resources. Our goal is always to keep a wide variety of great classes on the schedule spread across each day, and rather than permanently cut some classes that don’t seem to have a consistent weekly following, we’ll cancel these select classes on a case by case basis.

How many classes could this affect?

Relatively very few classes are even subject to the new process; the majority of weeks only a max of about 30 of over 250 weekly classes have registrations low enough to be subject to cancellations.

How can I keep my favorite classes on the schedule?

Sign up in advance online, and encourage other MINT members to do the same! You can sign up through our website or by using the MINT app. If you need help, stop on by the club and ask at the front desk to walk you through the process, it’s very easy, we promise.

I have a lot of very good reasons why I can’t/don’t want to register in advance. How can I keep my favorite class on the schedule so I can still drop in?

We understand that dropping in to class is preferred sometimes; and that option still exists. But running an efficient and sustainable class program requires planning, and to do so this new policy is necessary. We just don’t think it’s fair to ask you or our instructors to come to the gym only to find out then that a class isn’t happening, so in order to make the call in advance, we have to base our decision on online pre-registration numbers.

How will I know if my class has been canceled?

If you’re pre-registered for class, you’ll be notified via email if class was canceled. Cancellations will also be posted on the schedule online and on the MINT app.

When will I know if my favorite class is still on?

Classes with 2 or fewer registered will be cancelled on the following timelines:
M-F morning classes (classes that start from 6-9 AM) will be canceled between 8:30 PM and 9 PM the night before the class.
M-F lunchtime classes (start time 12-2 PM) will be canceled between 8:30 AM and 9 AM the day of the class.
M-F evening classes (starting 5 PM and later) will be canceled between 1:30 PM and 2 PM the day of the class.
Sunday evening classes will be canceled on Sunday between 12 PM and 12:30 PM.

My favorite class doesn’t start at any of those times. When will I know about that?

Any classes that fall outside of these windows currently have a consistent weekly following and are not being canceled based on pre-registration.

I attended a class that only had two people – why wasn’t it canceled?

There are a lot of reasons that might happen. It may have been a class we weren’t looking at as part of this process, people may have signed up and just not showed up, or we may have had another reason to keep the class on that particular day. The cancellations are an entirely manual process, with a MINT staff member reviewing the schedule and making the call. If we’re ever in doubt about whether we should cancel, we’ll always err on the side of keeping a class on the schedule.

What happens if I pre-register and can’t make it to class? Are the no-show and late cancellation fees firm?

For a policy to be effective, it must actually be enforced. But that said being a small and agile company we always listen to our clients; feel free to reach out to your GM and explain a situation.

How will I know if my favorite class is affected by this?

You can ask your class instructor or reach out the club GM for additional details

Save on Nationals Game Tickets

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MINT members can now save on Nationals single game tickets!

MINT’s New Community Partner- Taqueria Local

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Great food, and great atmosphere. Taqueria Local’s cuisine uses locally sourced ingredients in traditional and unexpected ways, but always with the goal of making tacos that make culinary sense.

Show your MINT card to receive 15% off.

11 Tips to Avoid Aches, Pains and Injury While Working in Your Garden or Yard This Spring

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Last year a 63 year-old patient (let’s call her Kay) came to my clinic very discouraged. She said she went to the doctor because of back pain and stiffness and was told she had arthritis. She was distraught as she lives alone, is very active and felt that she was doomed to live in pain. Funny thing was, her pain was very minimal and once I asked about her pain, here is what she said.

“It started after I trimmed 17 bushes around my house over a three-day period. I had never experienced back pain before this, but when the doctor told me I have arthritis, I knew I had to stop everything or I would live in pain.”

I smiled and gently assured her that her arthritis had been there for years and that if I trimmed 17 bushes in three days I would feel back pain and aches. I let her know that her life was not over by any means and the fact she was able to trim 17 bushes in three days proved she was far from being done with activities, BUT, I said, “Kay, maybe take a few less bushes a day and spread it out a bit longer and everything would be fine next time.” She left with a new lease on life relieved to know arthritis did not have to slow her down…
SO, with Spring nearly in full swing, it’s time to get your yard and garden prepared for summer. Is YOUR body ready? Many people spend the winter months less active, or hibernating (if you will), so you may be at risk for injury IF you do not prepare adequately. Getting out and working in the garden / yard too quickly can cause muscle pain, back, shoulder, and knee strains and pains.

Here are some tips to help avoid some common aches and pains you might encounter while gardening:

✓ Start slow and slowly progress the level of activity.
✓ Work smarter, not harder. Use tools to reduce risk and strain on body.
✓ Warm up first by walking &/or stretching before beginning yard / gardening work.
✓ STOP at any signs of pains in joints or back, though it is NOT unusual to have
some muscular fatigue or soreness with new activities.
✓ Feel free to use an ice pack for any region of soreness. I recommend up to 20’.
✓IF pain persists > 72 hours without relief, call our office for advice.

To HELP minimize risk of injury during working in yard/ garden, try these simple tips:

✓ Alternate positions frequently to avoid stressing muscles and joints or causing fatigue. Keep plant pots at various heights, on tables, at waist level and on ground to help with changing positions.
✓Drink MORE water than you think you need, many people are dehydrated and do not know it.
✓ Do not be afraid to take breaks to move, stretch and rest a bit each 45-60 minutes.
✓ Use proper tools to avoid stressing your body unnecessarily, e.g. knee pads for kneeling, thick handled spades for planting etc..
✓ When done with activities remember to “cool down” with a walk or gentle stretching activities.

MOST importantly, remember pain is a sign from your body that something is wrong. IT is not worth creating more problems by working through or pushing through pain. Don’t ignore your body’s cries for mercy. NOT stopping may cause more problems than it is worth. IF pain does NOT calm down in 48-72 hours, call our office and ask for help on what to do!! We are always here for you!!!!

Save the Date – DC Chocolate Festival

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Benefits of Yoga from Mint Yoga regulars!

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New to yoga and wondering what some of the benefits are before taking your first class? Mint Dupont yoga teacher, Kelly Tobin asked some of her regular students to share one of the ways they benefit from including yoga into their fitness routine regularly.

Yoga quiets my mind and strengthens my body. I need both. – Melanie

Attending a regular yoga class (Kelly’s) has made me stronger. – Marianne

As a Hindu woman, it’s hard for me to find a yoga class that aligns with my spiritual practice. This class is that for me. I feel my body heat rising, my inner self shedding needed thoughts, and am so grateful to be in a safe space. Not all poses are available to me and that’s OK. That’s what a good yoga class is. Being able to listen to our bodies without compromising where we are in the moment. – Sangeetha

I like the attention to breath and alignment as well as the music and the ideas about yoga woven through the class. I feel like I get out of my head and into my body and I feel awakened and refreshed each time I walk out of class. – Stephanie

If you’re interested in seeing how practicing yoga benefits you we encourage you to sign up for a class this week!

By: MINT Yoga Instructor, Kelly Tobin