Every Friday 7.30am Turrametta Beach Narrabeen and every Wednesday 7.30am Tennis Courts Long Reef
Contact: Lyn Taylor 99977442
By simply using specially-designed poles to involve the arms which activates the upper body , walkers achieve a total body workout with significantly increased health and fitness benefits
The Pole Walking Technique achieves:
Low impact, higher training heart rate with no increase in perceived effort
Every major muscle group becomes involved to strengthen and tone the whole body
An effective training heart rate zone , not always attained by walkers
Increased energy output (calorie burning) by 20% or more = weight loss
Enhanced stability and balance
Improved endurance, mobility and posture
Reduce stress and impacts positively on mood
Decreased joint impact = less pain/ strain
Benefits gained regardless of current levels of fitness and health
Proven benefits for women
NEWS FLASH
When Mona Vale fitness instructor and adventure travel organizer Lyn Taylor first started going to the Himalayas she was shocked to see many of the local porters heading up to the snowline in thongs and with only plastic bags for rain protection.
These days that would be a very rare sight thanks largely to the efforts of the International Porter's Protection group (IPPG). Lyn was inspired to join soon after it was set up by a British doctor in 1997. She has been serving as its Australian Co-ordinator and Representative for the past 9 years and said that she was inspired by its mission to improve the welfare of the porters, who are on the bottom rung of the local industry.
"I used to think I kept going back to Nepal for the mountains and the scenery, which is spectacular, but then I realised it was the people," she said. "They are so impoverished yet I have never met such open, hospitable and happy people". Lyn said IPPG's main focus was to make sure porters had appropriate clothing and boots, enough food and shelter on the mountain and medical care if they were sick or injured.
"We have been trying to educate Nepalese tour operators as well as overseas agency's about looking after their safety and welfare," she said. "Another issue is the load they carry. An appropriate weight is usually 30kg but I have seen them carry up to 50 kg because they then get paid for a double load and more companies encourage it to cut their own costs".
Lyn Taylor said a British doctor and mountaineer set up IPPG after a young Nepalese porter was left to die before some tourist carried him to the closest health post, he was suffering from altitude sickness and although attempts were made by the doctor to save him, he later died.
She said IPPG had set up a clothing banks for porters, built shelters for them on the mountain. created an emergency relief fund and has completed a health post in the Gokyo Valley.
Lyn said "her main activity in Australia was to raise funds for these activities and endeavor to get donations of good quality warm clothing to Nepal. Lyn said "if you are thinking of travelling to Nepal, think of the porters and take over extra warm clothing, make sure the operator you book with supplies warm clothing, food and shelter for their staff. Always ask this question before leaving Kathmandu for your trek, ask to see the gear they are providing. If they do not supply gear then choose another operator.
