Kate Watson's blog

Presenters, be warned: if you make a claim of prowess to IDEA attendees, you risk being called on to prove it! Phil Block found that out this morning. He told us he'd learned to walk on his hands as a kid

Remember when Pilates classes were quiet? They're not anymore. Sometimes it's background, sometimes the moves follow the beat. Regardless, from New Age to hip-hop, music has taken over.

As I flew into Las Vegas from San Diego this morning, the ambient temperature was 40 degrees higher than it had been at home, but the weather wasn't the only thing here that was hot. It was a treat to land just as the first full day of the IDEA convention was starting to simmer.

As the thousands of fitness and wellness professionals who’ve been gathered in San Diego gradually begin to slow down and head home—many of them to places as far away as China, Italy and Kazakhstan—they are overflowing with technical knowledge and felt experiences that are sure to enrich their careers and inspire their clients. What attendees might not realize is what a wealth of memories they leave in the hearts and minds of others, not least the IDEA staff.   read more >>

Either folks were on a roll from last night 's anniversary do or they were already warming up for this evening's bash, but 7:00 am was party time for attendees at the IDEA World Fitness Convention. Picture mood lighting and raucous applause as Buddy Macuha fired up participants in an encore performance of karaoke cycling. I stayed just long enough to hear Kathy from New Jersey bellow out "It's a-rainin' men (hallelujah!)." Nothing wrong with Kathy’s lungs! Then a quick dash to the Marriott to catch Jeff McMullen in a session billed as INTENSuality. You missed it? Look for some of those sexy moves at the Stingaree tonight.   read more >>

You know it’s a memorable day when—before breakfast!—you’ve been charmed by Chinese folk music, laughed and hugged with wellness professionals from Spain, South Africa and Australia, tasted the power and focus of a martial arts kata or two, soaked up the delicious undulating moves of the Gyrotonic® Expansion System and been profoundly humbled by the courage, wisdom and love of Augie Nieto, who is living with ALS.   read more >>