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Archives for January 2024

Welcome MINT’s newest community partner: Others Coffee

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MINT has a new neighbor! Welcome to our newest community partner, Others Coffee. Located just across the street at 1722 Florida Ave., Others Coffee is a new pop-up cafe open on weekends from 9am-4pm. 

Like MINT, Others Coffee is a small, community-oriented, family-owned business. Started in 2020 by founders Ashley May and Brian Raupp, the shop offers whole bean and ground coffee, specialty brewed coffee, home goods (designed in-house!), and even a monthly coffee subscription club. According to May and Raupp, the name “Others” signifies an acknowledgment of the interconnectivity inherent to specialty coffee. 

The founders of Others Coffee really know their beans. Their website lists detailed information about the coffees on offer, so you can learn more about each cup’s process, taste profile, and geographic origins. As the company grows, it aims to help tell the stories of all the “others” involved in bringing us our favorite beverage, coffee.

And just in case you need another excuse to treat yourself to a cup of joe, the New York Times found that caffeine can improve your athletic performance by an average of 2 to 5 percent! Caffeine blocks adenosine, the neurotransmitter that can make us drowsy; this, in turn, releases hormones like dopamine and epinephrine, resulting in a stimulating effect. The article also states that caffeine might also help our muscles produce more force. Turns out that your morning or afternoon cup of coffee may be leading to stronger workouts! 

It’s MINT to be! All MINT members get $1 off any drink on the Others Coffee menu. Just show your membership card at checkout to get the community discount. Check out our other community partners for additional discounts at local businesses.

Introducing Seara Mainor: Our New Yoga Instructor

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Yoga has the power to heal, transform, and uplift both body and soul. It’s a practice that brings physical and mental wellness together in a harmonious dance. At MINT, we are delighted to introduce our newest yoga instructor, Seara Mainor, whose journey through yoga embodies the essence of this ancient practice.

Seara Mainor

Seara Mainor’s introduction to yoga came during her high school years, a time when her body endured the rigors of competitive sports. She initially embraced the 26×2 sequence, formerly known as Bikram yoga, as a means to counterbalance the physical toll her athletic pursuits had taken on her. While she quickly recognized the physical benefits of yoga, it was the immediate sense of peace, connection, and self-compassion that truly resonated with her during those moments of intense focus.

What makes Seara’s approach to yoga unique is her commitment to being a “lifetime learner.” She is driven by the belief that yoga is not just a series of poses but a path to self-discovery and personal growth. She encourages her students to listen to their bodies and express themselves fully on and off the mat. In her classes, Seara cultivates an environment of compassion and kindness where students feel safe, welcomed, and deeply connected to their own bodies.

With a strong athletic background and a daily Mysore practice, Seara offers a unique perspective on yoga sequences, making her a perfect fit for those seeking powerful Power and Vinyasa flows. However, she’s also skilled at tailoring classes to the individual needs of her students, ensuring that yoga is accessible to everyone, regardless of their experience level or physical condition.

Seara’s journey to becoming a yoga instructor is a testament to her dedication and passion for the practice. After completing her undergraduate studies with dual degrees in Biology and Cognitive Science with a concentration in Philosophy at the University of Virginia (UVA), where she was a decorated athlete in soccer and field hockey, she went on to earn a Master of Public Policy Degree. In April 2023, she received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification from Flow Yoga Center under the guidance of Debra Perlson-Mishalove and Marie Belle Riviera Perez.

Beyond her role as a yoga instructor, Seara is a true adventurer at heart. When she’s not guiding students through their yoga practice, you can find her immersed in the great outdoors, playing soccer, running, reading, or painting with friends and family.

At MINT, we are thrilled to have Seara Mainor as a part of our yoga community. Her dedication to the practice, commitment to her students’ well-being, and her multifaceted background make her a remarkable addition to our team. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a beginner looking to embark on a transformative journey, Seara’s classes at MINT will leave you feeling inspired, rejuvenated, and deeply connected to the power of yoga.

Join us in welcoming Seara Mainor to MINT, and let’s embark on this yoga journey together, one breath at a time.

Welcome to 2024 at MINT!

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New Year’s resolutions – some people love them, some people hate them, but regardless of your feelings, they are always a popular topic come January. Whether you want to call them resolutions, intentions, goals, or anything else, here are some ideas to kick-start 2024 with energy and motivation. 

  1. Rest

This might not be at the top of your “new year, new me” list, but getting adequate rest is so important to your body, energy level, and overall health. If you already work out regularly, try to include 1-3 rest days into your week. If you’re new to working out, maybe aim for every other day so your body adjusts at a realistic pace to increase movement. Sleep is important, too – it’s ok to skip that morning workout if you had a late night! Your body might benefit more from sleep than pushing it when you’re low on fuel. 

  1. Hydrate

Proper hydration is important whether you’re working out or not. The general guideline for water intake is half your weight in ounces, though if you’re active and sweating, you should add ~12 ounces for every 30 minutes of activity. Fill up that brand-new Stanley cup and get sipping. 

  1. Try different foods or cuisines 

While there is always a lot of diet talk around the new year, I want to encourage you instead to focus on incorporating new-to-you foods into your meals. Maybe there’s an ingredient you always see but don’t know what to do with. Maybe a new restaurant opened in your neighborhood. Whatever it is, mixing up your go-to meals with new options makes fueling your body enjoyable and exciting. (Also, did you know that the MINT newsletter occasionally features new recipes? Check it out and get cooking!) 

  1. Find new ways to move your body 

Will this be the year that you join a recreational sports league? Learn to swim or ride a bike? Train for a race? MINT has added many new classes to the schedule – try them and let us know what you think. There are endless ways to move your body, so find what brings you joy! 

With any of these ideas, take the pressure off – for many, the thought of starting a whole new routine all at once is daunting and leads to failure. If you incorporate any new habit or change even once throughout the week, it’s better than not at all. And most importantly, do what feels right for your body and your routine. Movement should be fun and positive, not punitive. 

The start of the year is always a busy time at MINT. While walk-ins are accommodated when space is available, we strongly recommend booking ahead for classes and gym time. We look forward to seeing you in the gym!