Ever get the feeling while looking at someone walk down the street that they are filled with purpose? Well Elena Klymenko gives out precisely that at the very first look. Once you see her move it is impossible to not get the sense that there is no real excuse to sit around and wait for fitness to come to you. What is particularly appealing about her is that she goes beyond the standard fitness cliche of just “do it” by adding a creative and artistic angle to everything she does; in short she makes you fit by sharing not just her fitness tips but her warm personality, which I think to a large degree is the secret to her success and approachability.
Elena’s story starts far away from our shores. Born in the what is one of the more unique cities in Ukraine, Kharkov (city known among other things for its sciences and love of the arts, and also the famous World War 2 T-34 tank) was her birthplace and a city with such wide diversity that you cannot but help think that is must have influenced her myriad of different passions and interests. I took some time to get a better sense of Elena’s unique perspective and this is our conversation:
Thanks for sitting down with me Elena. Can you tell me how this whole love of fitness started?
My pleasure, Mikhail! I’ve been into dance and sports my whole life, always been aware that an active lifestyle with whole foods nutrition and proper relaxation is extremely important to be happy and successful in all areas of one’s life. I started reading books on holistic nutrition since I was 13. I choreographed dances, little musicals at school and university, advised my friends on exercises and nutrition, but never thought it would be my profession. I studied business in the Ukraine, because it was prestigious, and the only profession where you could make a decent career in the Ukraine at that time. That was the main reason why I decided to immigrate to Canada later on, and then with a fresh start in a new country I chose to follow my passion.
I became a fitness instructor and a personal trainer, worked in the best fitness clubs in Toronto, got my degree in kinesiology and health studies at York University.
I see that you are a person who can’t sit still, how are you currently getting people in shape? what do you offer the public?
Last four years I’ve been working at Flirty Girl Fitness, a women’s only fitness facility, with a very original concept: all classes must be fun and make you feel fabulous! I’ve been teaching a variety of classes there, including pole dance, chair striptease, zumba, sexy sculpt, fabulously firm, abs and body, ultimate upper body etc. It’s been a blast working with amazing stuff and students, and been able to use my creativity to the maximum.
Precisely,there seems to be so much creativity and passion behind your desire to get us all to be our best, what do you have coming up?
Everybody wants to expend. In January 2010 I am planning to start Fit&Fab Boot Camp Program at King West Fitness. It will include two sculpting instances boot camp style classes a week, with energizing music, fun cardio-dance intervals, plyometrics and other innovative exercises; a yoga class for aligning, focusing and stress relief ; and an easy to follow nutritional plan. I still will be offering my favourite playful and sexy dance classes. Along with Yoga classes, they are designed to develop strength, grace, flexibility and, the most important, to release stress (which actually makes us gain weight beside other harmful effects on the body and mind). Women of all ages and fitness levels are welcome to join this program.
You also are a woman of many many different interests, what other passions should our readers know about when it comes to you?
Yes, I have too many passions in my life. The main ones are still dance( pole, modern, Flamenco), music, arts, travel, books, especially on philosophy, spirituality, self-development( I love Herman Hesse, Plato, Abraham Hicks ), poetry. I have lots of friends who are musicians and artists, and I love helping them to organize different cultural events, parties and exhibitions. I think it’s important to support what you love, appreciate the beauty and see it everywhere, inspire and awoke the creativity on all levels.
It is also fun to bring those passions together. For example, traveling to Brazil, Spain, Cuba enriches my Zumba( Latin dance aerobics) classes with new moves in Samba, Flamenco, Salsa, Meringue, Reggaeton.
I strongly believe that most of things in life should be fun!!!!
Want to know more about Elena and what she does? Check these links
www.artevitafitness.com
www.flirtygirlfitness.com
www.kingwestfitness.com
(Publisher’s note: We got along so famously that Elena has agreed to start writing about fitness issues starting in the new year and more importantly will be answering all the questions you may have regarding fitness and nutrition in order for you, our readers, to achieve your best! I am so very happy to welcome her to Alternavox and I know our readers will as well!)
