Health and Fitness
Archived: Swappi’s Staying Fit, Healthy and Building Muscle. It’s A Boxing Thing!
It’s not necessarily a popular Caribbean pastime or sport of interest for that matter, however Boxing is suddenly becoming a big deal on the ground in Trinidad, this as soca artist, Swappi, along with residents of his hometown of Sealots in Port-of-Spain have been promoting boxing matches within the community.
The ‘Bucket’ singer who’s one of the few artistes still in Trinidad and Tobago, amid Covid-19 restrictions, has been challenging others in the community, known in Trinidad as a crime hot spot, to put down the guns and put on the gloves. The effort has been applauded by some, but for others, the apparent disparity between those who are allowed to gather in numbers and be entertained by such an activity during this time, and those who are not, is disturbing.
Despite the pull and tug over the national security allowances, the concept of boxing as a fitness routine for men and women in the caribbean is actually a great idea.
FITNESS BOXING
There’s no proof that fitness boxing is superior to any other types of exercise, but it does have many health benefits. One is strength. This is an activity that sees those involved in it swinging their arms, moving the muscles of their arms and shoulders and increasing their upper body strength. It also helps develop core muscles, the back and legs.
Fitness boxing is also an awesome aerobic exercise. It gets your heart pumping and helps lower the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. As an aerobic exercise, boxing can strengthen bones and muscles, burn calories, and lift anyone’s mood. All we can say is: way to go Swappi! Stay healthy, strong and build those muscles.
Would you try fitness boxing? Let us know in the comments section below.
Health and Fitness
Is Your Favorite Caribbean Artiste Really OK? Dr. Latoya Lewis Says Artistes Must Pour Back into Themselves.
Unlike International artistes, Caribbean Soca artistes in particular are on a constant hamster wheel. They’re mandated to deliver season after season, and with constant pressure from fans on and off social media, the challenge to remain relevant presents itself.
From online gimmicks and forced engagement to keep their fan bases alive, to touring commitments that keep them away from their families for weeks on end, the job of an artiste in the Caribbean is no easy feat. Still, they do what they must without public complaint, aiming to please fans and take their culture to global audiences. The question though remains, who’s looking out for the artiste? Who’s checking in with your favorite entertainer to make sure he or she is as good as they seem to be on social media?
DR. LATOYA LEWIS BREAKS IT DOWN.
Dr. Lewis is a Trinbagonian award-winning speaker. In addition, she’s a leading voice in healthcare equity, end-of-life dignity, and soul-centered leadership. She serves as an Associate Professor of Clinical at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. Her chat with Ebuzztt.com was centred around mental health and cultural subjectivity in dealing with what is a very serious health issue, globally.
Caribbean artistes and even international artistes, she admitted, are prone to feel the immense pressure of ‘expectation.’ “As creative individuals, at times you have to put on a mask and it’s not only in the artiste space. Youâre putting on a mask where everything is perfect, all the time,” she highlighted. Dr. Lewis cautioned that while creatives generally put their audience first, ensuring that they show up and give their best no matter what, there must be consideration given to ensuring that there is reciprocation. “Because of that high desire to please their fans, they’re constantly pouring out. There must be balance though. There must be systems that allow them to pour back into themselves. Some artistes may not have a community of people to pour back into them,” she said.
In a recent interview, when asked how she had been doing and where she draws her strength from, soca artiste, Patrice Roberts told journalist, Dionne Baptiste- Clarke of Your Caribbean Guide that she had never been asked that question. Roberts became a single mother when her fiancee, fellow soca artiste, Ricardo Drue suddenly passed away almost two years ago. Since that time, the entertainer has continued hard on the soca circuit, performing at multiple major International venues and remaining consistent musically. Dr. Lewis says artistes are always dealing with the weight of the world’s expectations. She suggested that creatives in the Caribbean look beyond the Caribbean-centric stigma associated with rest, and do what is necessary to fill their mental health cup.”They may not be talking to a therapist, but there are other mental health coping mechanisms that may be useful to anyone really. Spending time in quiet places and also spending time with family that doesn’t require you doing something for the family, are just two considerations,” she explained.
On the concept of ‘rest’ in the Caribbean and the long standing Caribbean view that resting equates to laziness, Dr. Lewis said this hidden stigma could go all the way back to Caribbean ancestry. “It’s a traditional concept. If you want to rest you canât do that. You can never say youâre tired, and youâre expected to be resilient and strong all the time. That can create mental health challenges that can impact creative expression,” said the medical practitioner. She added to her suggestions for self healing, noting that journaling one’s thoughts, sketching, and even recording voice notes for personal documenting, are ways to shift the creative energy inward to support healing that’s not dependent on other people.
STAY TUNED FOR PART II
Health and Fitness
Gymnast Thema Williams Hosts Wellness Wednesday, Beginning Tomorrow.
Former Olympic Gymnast and Founder of health and wellness-based company Stretch4Stress, Thema Williams is partnering with Welcome Week Festival 2023 as its Director to host a new edition of Wellness Wednesday. The event will take place during the first installment of a thrilling 4-day series of events for Trinidad Carnival 2023, beginning Wednesday 15th February in Macoya.
Ms. Williamsâ Stretch4Stress, a robust mobility program, is focused on improving the overall well-being, productivity and quality of life of individuals. This year, she has been named Event Director of âWellness Wednesdayâ which will focus on a holistic approach to health.
Williams explains that the theme of the Wellness Wednesday program is âLewwe hold ah MEDS – Mindset, Exercise, Diet, and Soca,â which represents all the things truly loved by Caribbean people. Her wellness-based initiative – established to teach and encourage positive health-conscious decision-making in an exciting way, will be held at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya from 4pm- 8pm. General admission is $300.00.
Welcome Week Festival 2023 promises to be a much-needed addition to the exciting line-up of entertainment, culture and wellness, which includes food, wellness, technology and music during Trinidad Carnival week. With a special guest performance by Soca Artiste Ding Dong and a host of exciting live experiences in yoga, meditation, Zumba and more, it promises to be an experience that brings fitness with a difference to the national landscape.
For additional information, please visit:
Website: https://welcomeweekfestivals.com/
Instagram: @welcomeweekfestivals
