2017
2017
The Woodlands: Breakfast with Santa
Dec 06, 2017
Topic:
Member Events
We are so happy and grateful for all the smiles and warm wishes our members shared with VillaSport this Saturday. The VillaSport team wanted to make this Breakfast with Santa so special for every child and parent and took extra time and effort to serve you warm breakfast and hot coffee in a fun comp ...
Colorado Springs Member Success Story: Greg Melnick
Nov 13, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
Greg has been dedicated to fitness with a focus on lifting and light cardio for more than 40 years. During the first 30 years he was able to maintain a healthy body weight of 180 pounds and a 32 inch waist. However, in the last 10 years, Greg saw a slow but steady, decline in his health. He noticed ...
The Woodlands Employee Highlight: Dawn English
Nov 06, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
I have been a group ex instructor for 14 years, and I have been teaching SPRINT and Group Cycle at VillaSport for 2 years. I was born in Florida, but I have lived coast to coast in the U.S. thanks to my Navy retired husband. Living in different places taught me to believe that you can bloom where ...
The Woodlands Employee Highlight: Stephanie Waters
Nov 03, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
On October 19 was my first year anniversary in VillaSport as a Fitness Advisor and Group Ex instructor. I am originally from Northern California, but my Dad was raised in the Houston area, so in a way, I'm returning to my roots. I am very happy to be here - love the weather and my 40's have been th ...
The Woodlands Member Success: Sara Forbes
Nov 02, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
This month we want to introduce our member of the month – Sara Forbes. She became our member quite recently and had already found herself a perfect workout routine, fitness advisor and supporter of her passion of weightlifting. She says, “I'm 45 years old and have two kids (six and 8 years old) The ...
The Woodlands Employee Highlight: Bernadette Field-Dodgson
Oct 30, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
I’m Bernadette, an Aussie girl now happy to call The Woodlands, TX home. I am a yoga instructor, teaching a variety of regular classes at Villa including: vinyassa, gentle, restorative, family and baby yoga. I’ve been a member of Villa for a year, and lucky enough to be in the position of a yoga ...
The Woodlands Member Success Story: Luke Millington
Oct 23, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
Our Fitness Advisor Adam Farny shared his training experience with a young client – 11 years old kid Luke Millington. Millington family have been training with Adam for a while now and are really happy with their experience. They say that the main reason they love VillaSport is having an amazing tra ...
The Woodlands Employee Highlight: Chelsea Ebner
Oct 23, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
I have worked at VillaSport since 2012 in the Group Fitness Department as an Instructor. I absolutely love my job, and find it a privilege and a joy to come alongside people to assist them on their health and fitness journeys. As instructors we get to make fitness fun, and that is really what it’s a ...
The Woodlands Employee Highlight: Mariangel Rodriguez
Oct 16, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
After I received my first yoga certification in Venezuela, I began teaching yoga in 2007. My family moved to United States in 2014, and a year later I started teaching yoga at VillaSport in The Woodlands. I'm a vegetarian, I love animals and I believe the only way we can see peace in the world is t ...
Beaverton Employee Spotlight: Linda Caravia
Oct 09, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
How long have you worked with VillaSport? Tell us a little bit about yourself. I have worked for VillaSport for 6 months as a kids yoga teacher. As a mother of a 6 year old daughter, teaching kids yoga has been a beautiful resource in my parenting tool box. I am finishing my last term at Oregon S ...
Beaverton Employee Spotlight: Sam King
Sep 25, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
How long have you worked for the club? Tell us a little bit about yourself. I have worked at the club for two and half years in the VillaKids department. I am currently majoring in chemistry and minoring in French at Portland State University. I have lived in the Portland Metro area my entire life. ...
Beaverton Employee Spotlight: Thomas Jacobs
Sep 11, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
How long have you worked for the club? I have worked at VillaSport for almost three years now as a team member of the Housekeeping department. If you could eat any food with no consequences what would it be? Any kind of burger. Tell us something surprising about yourself. I've played basket ...
Colorado Springs Employee Spotlight: Chris Smith
Sep 04, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
EMPLOYEE: Chris Smith, Summer Camp Coordinator BACKGROUND I have had the privilege of serving as camp coordinator for seven summers at VillaSport. During the school year, I teach 6th-8th grade science at Sabin Middle School and mentor student teachers from UCCS. I absolutely love getting other ...
Hydration = Happiness
Aug 30, 2017
Topic:
Wellness
If you’re a parent of an active child, you’ve probably experienced a summer afternoon with a grouchy, sweaty headed kid. As a mother of four, I’ve seen this far more often than I’d like to admit! I’ve come to learn that keeping my girls hydrated is the key to ending a hot, busy day with smiles inste ...
Recipe of the Month: August 2017
Aug 28, 2017
Topic:
Recipes
One of the things we often hear from our members is that they know or want to know how to cook healthy and tasty food. Many VillaMoms will also appreciate quickly prepared food. Here we are, opening our food blog for members. The first recipe is from VillaSport The Woodlands’ member and a mother of ...
Beaverton Employee Spotlight: Susan Skordal
Aug 28, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
Employee Spotlight: Susan Skordal How long you’ve worked for the club? I have been at VillaSport teaching Pilates since the club opened. I have been in the Fitness Industry 25 years. I have a 20 year old son named Tyler and a 14 year old daughter named Ally. What’s your favorite Instagram acco ...
Recipe of the Month: Jama's Avocado Salad
Aug 27, 2017
Topic:
Recipes
One of the things we often hear from our members is that they know or want to know how to cook healthy and tasty food. Many VillaMoms will also appreciate quickly prepared food. Here we are, opening our food blog for members. The first recipe is from VillaSport The Woodlands’ member and a mother of ...
Deep Tissue Massage for Muscle Recovery
Aug 21, 2017
Topic:
Wellness
If you're an athlete or if you're someone who exercises a lot, you should look into getting a deep tissue massage or a sports massage. A deep tissue massage is designed to improve athletic recover and performance, reduce stress, anxiety and muscle tension, treat chronic back pain and break up scar t ...
Cypress Employee Spotlight: Alex Flynn
Aug 16, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
Alex Flynn serves at VillaSport Cypress in the Club Care department, so be sure to say hello if you see him around! He was born and raised in the UK and moved to the United States with his family in 2015. In 2008, at the age of 36, Alex was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive disorder ...
Beaverton Employee Spotlight: Xavier Espinosa
Aug 14, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
Xavier Espinosa - Member Ambassador I have been with VillaSport for a year and a half. I started by working at the front desk and recently switched to the ambassador team. I enjoy helping others and in my free time I like to go hiking and play video games. What’s your favorite workout? I love ...
The Woodlands Employee Highlight: Sima Alamdari
Aug 09, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
Sima Alamdari VillaKids Associate Sima is an example of caring and compassionate person. She has been working in VillaKids since 2010 in the nursery room. She remembers those little babies and is always happy to see them healthy and all so grown now. Sima is from Iran and she has been living in th ...
What's Up With the Safety Break?
Aug 09, 2017
Topic:
Aquatics
At the top of every hour during Family Swim, we call a Safety Break to clear our recreation pools. But whose ‘safety’ is it for? Actually – everyone! So we first want to clear the pool, especially on really busy days, to ensure everyone is able to exit the pool and there are not any safety hazards t ...
The Woodlands Member Success: Yves and Irina Puisieux
Aug 07, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
Yves and Irina had been members since 2015. They spend a few hours daily in our club to stay active and healthy. Yves started to run with his wife Irina in 2012, he was out of shape and a heavy smoker, and could hardly ran 1 mile. A year later he started racing 5K, then 10K, then half and full mara ...
Is a Pilates Reformer Class Right for You?
Aug 07, 2017
Topic:
Fitness
Is a Pilates Reformer Class Right for You? The Pilates Reformer is an amazing and elegant machine designed by Joseph Pilates as a new approach to exercise and body conditioning. It provides finely tuned exercise resistance, allowing one to work precisely to develop great alignment, balanced core str ...
Coconut Water and Fresh Berry Popsicles Recipe
Aug 02, 2017
Topic:
Recipes
Fun and Healthy Recipe Coconut Water and Fresh Berry Popsicles Ingredients Fresh Berries – best with blueberries, raspberries, and sliced strawberries Coconut Water – the purer the better Instructions Drop berries into Popsicle molds (smaller pieces will go to the bottom; other ...
Beaverton Employee Spotlight: Erica Atkinson
Jul 24, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
Erica Atkinson-Nail Technician I’ve worked for VillaSport since before the club opened. I am a nail tech in the Spa. I enjoy being silly with friends, going on random adventures, catching a happy hour on a patio, or anything sports and active. What’s your favorite Instagram account to follow? A ...
Beaverton Employee Spotlight: Kennedy Campbell
Jul 06, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
Kennedy Campbell-Member Services Associate I have worked for VillaSport since 2014 in VillaKids and I am currently working in the Member Services department. I am full of energy and I love to have fun. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and that’s a big thing for me. If you ...
Colorado Springs Member Success Story: Taylor Reynolds
Jul 05, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
“Taylor has participated in the last two youth leagues at VillaSport and is one of my hardest workers. She plays hard on defense, always has a great attitude and is very athletic.” – Coach Tevin, Sports Coordinator Name: Taylor Reynolds, Youth Basketball League Participant Age: 12 What’s your fav ...
Colorado Springs Employee Spotlight: Albert Piantino-Smith
Jul 01, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
Concierge Associate: Albert Piantino-Smith How long have you worked for the club? Since September 2016 Tell us a little bit about yourself. I was born and raised in Colorado. I went to school at University of Northern Colorado and earned my Criminal Justice degree. I really enjoy playing and watch ...
Colorado Springs Employee Spotlight: Elissa Mount
Jun 26, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
Group Exercise Instructor: Elissa Mount Elissa earned a psychology degree from UNC Asheville, where she also played volleyball. Her passion for athletics inspired her to pursue a career in the fitness industry. Elissa started teaching classes 18 years ago and later added personal training to her rep ...
Keeping Your Head in Line
Jun 26, 2017
Topic:
Aquatics
A Simple Tip for Our Freestyle Lap Swimmers If you are an experienced lap swimmer, your goal is to always be more technically efficient. This means you are working smarter, not harder, which usually means swimming faster or longer with less effort. As an inexperienced lap swimmer, you are just tr ...
The Woodlands Employee Spotlight: Beth Knudsen
Jun 24, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
I have worked at VillaSport for 5 years! I teach ZumbaKids, Born to Move, & POUND Kids. I have a degree in child psychology & early childhood education from the University of Minnesota. I have 4 children and my oldest child just graduated from high school. I had a total hip replacement 6 years ago. ...
Tips for Eating Healthy When Dining Out
Jun 19, 2017
Topic:
Nutrition
Current research supports the importance of diet to our overall wellness. We now know more than ever about the huge role food plays in our immunity, risk for disease, genetic expressions and mental health. As we transition into summer, changes in our daily routine (think: school’s out!, BBQ’s, holid ...
Sleep - It's Time for Rest!
Jun 12, 2017
Topic:
Wellness
As the VillaKids Director in Cypress and Mom of two young children, I know that sleep is precious. But sleep is not only important for moms; it’s necessary for children’s brain development! We all know how hard it is to rationalize with a tired child, whether they are 2 years old or 16 years old. I’ ...
Facial Massage: The Secret to Younger-Looking Skin
Jun 05, 2017
Topic:
Wellness
Did you know that there is a well-kept secret to younger-looking skin? Even with today’s technology, a large percentage of people still want the natural alternative to a healthy, toned, and glowing complexion. So, what’s the secret? Facial massage! Just like the benefits of a body massage, facial ma ...
Beaverton Employee Spotlight: Didi Leinweber
May 15, 2017
Topic:
Employee Spotlight
Introducing Instructor Didi Leinweber Background You may recognize this face from VillaKids! Didi is a former preschool teacher who fell in love with fitness after she lost more than 60 pounds dancing away depression, making new friends, and feeling the Zumba® love. She became a group exercise inst ...
Beaverton Member Success Story: Gary Etlinger
May 08, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
Introducing Member Gary Etlinger After two knee replacements and several surgeries to repair damage from falls, Gary Etlinger wasn’t sure he would ever walk again. Being the strong and persistent person that he is, Gary decided to join VillaSport after his last surgery to begin his recovery. Gary ...
10 Tips to Drop 10 Pounds
May 01, 2017
Topic:
Fitness
From a Bodybuilder There are simple steps you can take to start off losing weight the right way but there is no such thing as a quick fix. If you want to lose weight, you have to work for it. When I began my fitness journey, all I knew about losing weight was what I learned through high school he ...
Colorado Springs April Surprise and Delight: Balloons!
Apr 14, 2017
Topic:
Member Events
We have surprised our members with complimentary balloon twisting pop-up event. Marvelous Marc made animal creations for kids. The kids were quite excited to see the balloons being transformed into animals of their choosing! We suggested Easter themed animals to all of the kids, but they asked for ...
Beaverton Surprise And Delight
Apr 14, 2017
Topic:
Member Events
Happy St Patrick's Day! 'May your pockets be heavy, and your heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night!' We certainly had the Irish Spirit here in Beaverton! Members and staff sported green attire, there was no shortage of leprechauns and we had a face painter in the lobby to ...
Colorado Springs March Surprise and Delight: Face Painting
Apr 12, 2017
Topic:
Member Events
We surprised our members with face painting! We set up in the main lobby and encouraged all of the members with kids to stop by for few minutes to get face painted. We face painted about 15 kids. Parents were surprised that it was free of charge and were very appreciative of our initiative!
The Woodlands Member Success Story: Sean Burton
Feb 02, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
Introducing Member Sean Burton The Woodlands, TX Sean Burton, a typical high-energy 10-year-old, has been playing soccer since he was 5. When he began to notice that his strength was not increasing over the years, Sean decided to try the Youth Athletic Conditioning class with Fitness Advisor Ty Nor ...
Colorado Springs Member Success Story: Lily Ingram
Feb 01, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
Introducing Member Lily Ingram Colorado Springs, CO Lily Ingram has been coming to VillaSport almost her entire life. She and her family were stationed out of state for some time but on their return to Colorado Springs, they rejoined VillaSport. Lily’s favorite things about VillaSport are seeing ...
Beaverton Member Success Story: Susan Harlan
Feb 01, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
Introducing Member Susan Harlan Beaverton, OR Susan Harlan’s back pain began after many years of working long hours in a glass factory/studio in Scotland. She moved to Oregon and started swimming at VillaSport in the hopes that the pain would dissipate. After an MRI revealed a ruptured disk, Susan ...
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The Woodlands Member Success Story: The Robinson Family
Jan 15, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
Introducing the Robinson Family The Woodlands, TX Jesse, Tracey, Emily, Kaylee, Presley, Jude & Timothy Jesse has been a longtime member of the triathlon and Masters swimming community in The Woodlands. His wife, Tracey, owns two local businesses in the community - SpryArt Photography & Camp Pixel ...
Colorado Springs Member Success Story: Denise Yowell
Jan 01, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
Introducing Missing Denise Yowell Colorado Springs, CO Denise Yowell has been a VillaSport member since 2008, and has competed in multiple Lose To Win Competitions. She loves the program because of the activities the participants get to be involved in and the time she gets to spend with the Fitness ...
Beaverton Member Success Story: Marisa Fergusson
Jan 01, 2017
Topic:
Member Success
Introducing Marisa Fergusson Beaverton, OR Marisa Fergusson was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in May 2013 at the age of 49. A year of treatments and 35 pounds later, she joined VillaSport to work on having a healthier lifestyle than she had before cancer. Marisa was more determined than ever ...