TRAINING FOR YOUR SPORTS & HOBBIES

By Tamra Christiansen, Fitness and Wellness Director

The key to success in any sport is fitness training, and every sport has specific training to ensure consistent performance.

We are all athletes in one way or another, even if we are still perfecting in our game. The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch offer many recreational sports to choose from. Golf is at the heart of the ranch, with our majestic and challenging Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Couse. Tennis is another love among our members. Both sports have something in common: they involve powerful trunk/torso twisting. Our everyday workouts are great, but if you are really dedicated to improving your game, meet with our pros and trainers to determine a regimen tailored to your specific needs in your sport.

Let’s talk golf. It’s a sport that is an art. Fine tuning your game is as easy as knowing the avenues to go about it. Start by getting fitted with the right set of clubs, gear and clothing in the pro shop. Next, set up time with a golf pro. We have the best here! Our pros can analyze your game and get you to a smooth swing or perfect putt. Fitness is your next stop. Your flexibility and core-to-total body strength affects your golf swing more than most realize. I am TPI (Titlest Performance Institute) Certified and will help you with your Swing Connection. This is the correlation between your body mechanics and your game. If you would like to swing stronger and last longer (aka: low back pain mid- and post-game), a TPI assessment is highly recommended. Out of this assessment, you will receive a program specifically designed for your needs. For example, you can work on your core, power, stamina and flexibility in the Fitness Center and complement that with Pilates and ELDOA. Pilates with Kris Kracknell will strengthen and lengthen your body for better stability and power. Pilates is an effective way to repattern movements that aren’t serving you on the golf course, tennis court or life in general. Kelly Vizzone will increase your flexibility at an extremely detailed level with ELDOA and yoga.

Tennis and Pickleball are equally as popular, and our tennis pros Joe De Luna and Bradley Hill will help you perfect your game with private or group lessons. Your game and how well you play boils down to specificity of what you need to do to gain strength, skill, mental-focus, flexibility and injury healing/ prevention. It takes dedication and special attention to leg and core strength. Your instructors can pinpoint areas that need improvement, and I am happy to show you how to use the Power Plate, which allows for rejuvenation, strength and power training, and other equipment to help you reach your goals.

I have had members that gained flexibility, found relief in their backs and shoulders and saw their game improve. They added in sport-specific strength training and saw more powerful shots, stronger hits and greater stamina. At The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, we all work together to provide the best services and training to take you to the top of your game.

Tamra Christiansen is the Fitness and Wellness Director at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at tchristiansen@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9184.

ASSESSMENT FOR BALANCE AND STABILITY

Balance and stability are key to your golf swing. PGA norms for balance are 16 to 20 seconds…with your eyes closed! An assessment will reveal core strengths, plus weaknesses to work on for improving your game, and Tamra will develop a personalized program that will help you create a better swing.

SEATED TRUNK ROTATION

This test assesses how far your trunk can rotate independently of your hips. These movements are involved in the powerful torque it takes for your long game. The PGA norm for this is a 45-degree rotation.

BRIDGE WITH LEG EXTENSION

Strong glutes align the hips and spine for an amazing swing! The Bridge with Leg Extension Assessment determines your glute strength, and Tamra can suggest exercises to build that area.

Relax and Rejuvenate

The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch Spa Services invite you to relax and rejuvenate with an array of services including massage therapy, facials, and personal training.

Tamra Christiansen

Fitness & Wellness Director 830.336.9184

Kevin Durio

Personal Trainer 214.232.8603

Kelly Vizzone

Yoga Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor 210.442.9061

Natalie Sales

Group Exercise Instructor 956.455.3145

Kris Cracknell

Master Pilates Instructor 210.860.7322

Mike Miller

Personal Trainer 573.201.5381

Lisa Geiman

Masseuse 830.596.3831

Amanda Rebollar

Masseuse 773.701.1797

JoAnn Rangel

Esthetician 830.850.0023

Kelsey Grudle

The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch Recreation Coordinator 830.446.2711

For more information about the state-of-the-art fitness facility and spa services, please call 830.336.9000 and visit www.clubsofcordilleraranch.com

why kids why kids Should Ride Should Ride

By Shane Reynolds, Outdoor Recreation Director & Outfitter :: Photography by Kelsey Grudle

In today’s world, horses may be one of the best tools ever for fostering healthy, well-adjusted children. Over the years at Cordillera Ranch, I’ve had countless opportunities to observe the effect horse involvement has on children and families. And how exactly do horses benefit young people? It’s a substantial list. Here are just a few of the most important rewards.

WHOLESOME FUN & COMPANIONSHIP

Horses are the perfect antidote to today’s digital mania. Children are naturally attracted to horses, making them a welcome alternative to TV-watching, video-game-playing, social-mediaobsessing or just hanging out.

Horseback riding does indeed get kids off the couch and out into nature, and it can be enjoyed alone or in groups. And when the whole family gets involved, the time spent together with horses can enhance the bond among family members.

The benefits of horse involvement are enduring, too, as a child’s riding habit can evolve into a rewarding lifelong hobby — or even a career. Horses are fun and kids adore them. Learning horsemanship promotes important life skills, and the right horse can be a wonderful confidence-booster for a child.

GREAT EXERCISE

Do horses help here? You bet! Riding is terrific exercise. Apart from its aerobic benefits, riding also helps a youngster develop balance, coordination and flexibility. The activities involved in caring for a horse — grooming, hefting equipment, cleaning stalls — are great muscle builders. Bottom line? When kids and teens come home from school and head out to the barn instead of plopping down in front of a screen, it’s healthier for them physically — and psychologically, too.

MENTAL-HEALTH BOOSTER

Kids are under a lot of pressure these days. The stress of “keeping up” on social media, surviving school testing and managing overbooked lives can strain their mental resources. Horses provide a welcome respite from these stressors, offering the unconditional friendship of a living, breathing creature plus serving as a stabilizing presence in youngsters’ lives.

CHARACTER BUILDER

Negative influences on children abound these days — in mass media, pop culture and politics, especially. Handling, riding and caring for a horse can help counteract these effects, promoting such positive character traits as responsibility, accountability, patience, self-discipline, empathy and kindness.

MINIMIZING THE COST

Horse ownership involves certain expenses, but you needn’t own a horse to involve your child with one. Here are some options: • LESSONS. This is the best way to introduce your child to riding anyway. He or she is safest learning the basics on well-schooled lesson mounts under the guidance of an experienced instructor. • LEASING. A full lease will provide your child with most of the benefits of horse ownership without the initial expense of buying. You’ll be responsible for the cost of the horse’s care and boarding, and sometimes an additional fee in the case of highly desirable animals. Leasing is an excellent way to fully test the waters — financially and in terms of time and commitment — before you buy.

In the end, horse involvement comes with at least some cost but, as all parents know, expense is a relative term in child rearing. In the 21st century, when parenting is not a job for the faint of heart, horses provide a way to keep youngsters positively engaged during those pivotal years from pre-teen through young adulthood.

MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS AT CORDILLERA RANCH

SUSIE PHILLIPS

Susie has worked in the equine industry for 25 years, successfully showing, buying, selling and breeding world-champion horses. She’s affiliated with various national associations including APHA, AQHA, PTHA and NSBA. Her accomplishments include World and Reserve World Championship titles in both English and Western riding disciplines. Susie graduated from Campbell University with a BS in Psychology and Sociology.

MEGHAN MORIARTY

Meghan has 15 years of experience in the horse industry. She is from Northern New York and has been in Texas for the past eight years. Meghan graduated from Jefferson Community College and Morrisville State College. Her degrees include an A.A.S. in Business Administration and a BS in Equine Science. In college she competed in AQHA and NRHA events that included western pleasure, trail, reining, ranch riding and hunter under saddle. Meghan worked for an elite professional in the AQHA industry for five years. She traveled throughout the United States to different AQHA and APHA regional and national horse shows. Meghan’s favorite events are the trail and hunter under saddle. Her passion is building confidence in her riders and helping them find their connection.

TAYLOR STONE

Taylor grew up with grandparents who were horse trainers and began her experience with horses at the age of three. She learned the basics in the barn at an early age cleaning stalls, cleaning hooves and grooming horses. She started riding hunters and then on to jumpers. Her barn consisted of horses that were in for training or re-training problem horses. At about the age of 12 she was introduced to race horses and exercised riding on a 3/8 mile track at their farm. The experience she gained was invaluable when it came to handling horses, watching for any problems that could occur, how to properly wrap legs and tend to any wounds; but most of all, learning to feel the horse underneath her and to “ride what you got.” Over the last seven years she primarily rides her off-the-track Thoroughbred, which she greatly enjoys and has given her a whole new set of skills.

LYNN LINDSKOG

Lynn joined Cordillera Ranch as a Camp Counselor this summer with continuing service to the Cordillera Equestrian Center into the school year. She is a retired Special Education Teacher and brings a wealth of knowledge to teaching, whether it be academics or equestrian knowledge. Lynn began her horse career at the age of eight years old with instruction in English riding and expanded her knowledge throughout her equine career with trainers in western pleasure, reining and working cow. She has coached 4-H youth in Kendall and Bexar Counties to include horsemanship, reining and horse judging, with achievements at the local, state, regional and national levels. Upon retirement from the classroom, Lynn pursued her PATH certification to work with riders with disabilities. Lynn is excited to be a part of Cordillera Ranch and to offer her expertise at camp, in the arena and out on the trail!

For inquiries or to sign up for a riding lesson, please contact Susie Phillips.

Susie Phillips is the Equestrian Center Manager at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at sphillips@cordilleraranch.com or 919.422.2256.

Shane Reynolds is the Outdoor Recreation Director & Outfitter at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at sreynolds@cordilleraranch.com or 210.616.6051.