A skateboarding workshop for womxn to feel strong and comfortable in their bodies
SUNDAY, APRIL 5th
9am-1pm
Switch & Signal Skatepark
7518 Dickson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
FUN > FEAR
When you saw "skateboarding"…
Was your first reaction…
"I can't do THAT!!!" ?
Well, YOU totally can, because I CAN and I DID.
And if that WAS your first thought, that is exactly WHY you should join me for this workshop.
It’s part group-lesson, part yoga retreat, and mostly just designed to get you out of your comfort zone, bust through your fears, and explore something new that you are ABSOLUTELY capable of.
You are capable of so much more than you think you are.
When my son started skateboarding I was so jealous. I was just standing around watching him and I realized how fun it would be to skate WITH him, and also show him that AS A MOM I am capable of ANYTHING.
I spent so much of my life feeling awkward and out of place in my body, yet throughout my life I’ve had experiences that have shown me I am so much stronger than I think, and, at 41, I finally believe it.
You don’t need a bunch of tricks to have fun. Truth: I’ve only been doing it a year and it’s such a blast just to have enough knowledge and skill to push around on my board.
Just imagine when you wake up and think “I know I can do anything today, because yesterday I went SKATEBOARDING, and I never thought I would do THAT.”
I want you to feel that confidence in yourself. I want you to give your body the experience of busting through your fears and MOST IMPORTANTLY, I want you to HAVE FUN.
EVENT DETAILS
The event will start promptly at 9 a.m. where you will sign in, meet other attendees, and get acquainted. We’ll follow that with a gentle yoga session to anchor into our bodies and stretch them in preparation for skateboarding.
Following the 40-minute yoga session we’ll have brunch and then we’ll suit up for the main event: a 75-minute skateboarding lesson with instructors from Shred Your Fears and Switch & Signal Skatepark. We keep our instructor-to-student ratio low so you get lots of and hand-holding if you need it. We’ll provide skateboards and safety equipment should you need them as well.
This is a small, intimate event where you will get plenty of personalized attention.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Who is Maya?
Maya is a freelance writer and healthy lifestyle coach who helps women step out of their comfort zones and live more purposeful lives.
Maya is a certified health coach, culinary nutrition expert and a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE). By day Maya is the Director of The Clemente Museum here in Pittsburgh.
Kim Eckel, Yoga Instructor
Kim has been practicing yoga regularly for over twenty years and became a certified Kripalu yoga teacher twelve years ago. She turned to yoga purposefully once she learned how it could help her gain control of how she was feeling. She believes that yoga can help anyone who wants to feel strong on their own two feet.
Kim currently enjoys using the insights of yoga to create classes that are fun and creative and draw upon the insights of self-discovery to promote strength and flexibility. As a mother of three small children who also works full-time, Kim only teaches private clients.
Valerie Lueth, Tugboat Printshop
Valerie Lueth is a woodcut artist & printmaker living and working in Pittsburgh, PA. Valerie operates the internationally recognized artist press Tugboat Printshop, steadily producing her hand-crafted woodblock prints at Tugboat since 2006. Valerie's original prints are published directly to paper from blocks of 3/4" birch plywood, drawn & carved by hand in low relief for printing by the artist. More info & latest available woodcut editions at tugboatprintshop.com.
The Location
TICKETS
$97
90-min group skateboarding lesson with instructors from Shred Your Fears and Switch & Signal Skatepark.
Access to safety equipment and skateboard should you need to borrow them.
40-min yoga class with Kim Eckel.
Printmaking with Valerie Leuth of Tugboat Printshop.
Raffle prizes
Vegan, gluten-free brunch, snacks, and beverages.
Switch & Signal Skatepark is a 12,000 sqft. indoor skateboard park located in Pittsburgh's Swissvale neighborhood.
The park has become a special place for me and my son to spend time together. When I go here I don’t just feel like I am visiting a business, I feel like I am part of a community. I’m so excited to share this place with you while doing things I love: skateboarding, yoga, drinking coffee, chatting, and eating delicious food.
If you want to learn more about Switch & Signal’s inclusive mission, check out this Huck mag article.
REFUND POLICY
Because of the advance planning necessary to hold this event, there are no refunds, however tickets can be exchanged (i.e. a friend can attend instead of you). Please contact Maya ASAP if you are unable to attend.
FAQs
+ Isn't skateboarding DANGEROUS?
This is the number one fear that I hear when I tell people I decided to learn to skateboard at 40. Here's the deal. Learning skateboarding fundamentals like we are going to do is no more dangerous than many other activities such as running on a treadmill. Srsly.
That being said, we want you to have a positive experience and only you can determine if it is right for you to try. If you currently run, do yoga, or other exercise this is probably a good match. Reach out to Maya if you want to discuss further.
I wish I could tell you we are going to take you from ZERO to OLLIE in an hour, but that's just not realistic. However, you will walk away grasping basic skills that will empower you to keep up the sport should you desire.
+ Do I need to know how to skateboard?
Nope. This event is geared towards beginners, but we'll have lots of personalized attention from instructors, and if you already have skateboarding experience you can totally work with an instructor on building up your skills.
+ What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes that you can wear knee and elbow pads over. Yoga pants and a long-sleeved shirt would work well. If you opt to wear a helmet (highly recommended) you may want to wear your hair lower on your head, but we've got lots of size options available.
Shoes are probably the most important. Athletic sneakers are fine, but thin soled shoes are going to work a bit better for skating. So if you have thin-soled sneakers like Keds wear them so that you can really connect with your board.
+ Can I bring my own ...?
You can TOTALLY bring your own skateboard, helmet and/or pads if you have them. HOWEVER, Switch & Signal will have safety gear and boards available for everyone. We ARE asking that you bring your own yoga mat if you have it.
PLEASE contact Maya in advance if you need to arrange for any extra accomodations for your comfort or safety! (maya@mayahenry.com)
+ What is provided?
You're going to receive a full group skateboarding lesson that includes all safety equipment and access to a skateboard as well as an instructor-led yoga session, yoga mat should you need it, and lots of vegan, gluten-free snacks and beverages. You'll also be entered in a raffle to win a new skate deck.
+ Who is this retreat for?
This event is inclusive of women, womxn, femme, trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people. If you want to know more about what that means and if that includes you, contact maya@mayahenry.com.
+ What are the physical limitations (injuries, etc.) that might prevent me from participating?
Skateboarding is inclusive, as is this event. While we might not have the tech to do something adaptive for this event specifically, I am open to working with you! Reach out to me at maya@mayahenry.com with any specific questions and I will do my best to answer you.