People today have a better understanding about exercise as well; they recognize the benefits of having a specialized exercise program, one geared to meeting their own personal needs.

Christina Scallion (PTS, PNS, RAB, NWS) is the owner and operator of Body & Spirit Fitness, which in based in Fall River and has been in operation for over two years. Scallion is a certified and insured Personal Training Specialist; she is Resist-a-Ball certified, a Pre and Post natal Fitness Specialist, Emergency First Aid and CPR certified, and she is trained in Nutrition and Wellness.

“I became interested in fitness as a teenager and have always enjoyed weight training,” said Scallion. “I decided to take the Personal Trainer Specialist course three years ago, through Can-Fit Pro Fitness Organization, to better train myself at the gym.”

Scallion was so impressed with her own personal results that she decided to pass along what she had learned. “I decided to use these skills to train others,” she said, “so they can effectively exercise with results.”

Scallion knows it is not always easy for individuals to make time for exercise, and with busy work schedules, spouses, and children, it can often be difficult to find time to visit the gym. She also realizes the difficulty many people have in staying with an exercise program, but she knows the rewards of “sticking with it” are worth the effort. “I always emphasize the psychological benefits of exercise, such as better sleep, better body-image, and improved moods,” said Scallion. She decided to offer an alternative to clients.

“If working out is enjoyable, individuals are a lot more likely to stick with their program and get results,” she said. “Body & Spirit Fitness is a home-based business, meaning I will come to your home and provide you with a workout based on your fitness needs and personal goals. My goal for my clients is to make exercise fun and interesting. I am always upgrading my fitness skills to stay current and to offer unique workouts.”

Scallion progressed her training to specialize in pre and post-natal fitness. “I feel strength and fitness can help women during child-birth, and to recover their pre-pregnancy body back faster and easier,” she said. “Pre-natal fitness does require specialty training due to safety restrictions for baby and mom.”

To further specialize in pregnancy-related health, Scallion received Doula training through the international Doula organization “Dona”. A Doula is a trained labour companion who offers emotional and mental assistance during childbirth.

“I am currently working on my certification to become a certified Doula, which is fairly extensive,” she said. “As a Doula, I can work with and provide fitness training for women, from pregnancy, birth, and post natal. As a Doula, I am trained to be a childbirth coach for women and their partners during birth. A Doula does not provide medical assistance, but will help women with pain relief, coping strategies, and emotional support, and they will help partners present during birth. I find it very rewarding to help women through the most important event of their life.”

For further information about Doula’s and the services they offer, see www.dona.org

“What makes Body and Spirit Fitness unique,” says Scallion, “is being able to work with pre-natal clients and being able to follow them through birth, and to continue to work with them post-natally.”

To compliment a rounded lifestyle, Scallion is also an aromatherapist. “I have been practising for nine years,” she said. An aromatherapist uses pure essential oils for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. “I develop blends for many conditions, such as arthritis, alopecia, muscular aches and pains, colds and flu, warts, cold sores, depression, insomnia, and seasonal affective disorders to name a few. As an aromatherapist, I will work with individuals and develop blends based on their tastes and needs.

Scallion has many different products available, including organic body wash, organic shampoo, massage oil, bath oil, salts, perfume roll-ons, air fresheners and room scents. “I provide high quality oils and organic oils when possible,” she said. “I can also create customized gift baskets for those who may be hard to buy for.” More information is available at www.bodyandspiritaromatherapy.com

Body & Spirit Fitness offers group and small group training and exercise classes privately in homes and at the Gordon R. Snow Rec. Centre. If you would like to get a group of friends together in your home, train with your child present in your own home, or if you would like a lunch-time workout at your workplace, you can call Christine at 880-1342 to arrange this. You can also email her at bodyandspiritfitness@gmail.com

Ben(l), Liam(m), and sister Ellie(r) think so much of their friend “Bussy” Grimes, that they decided to pay tribute to him in the Keloose Parade!

Bussy is a familiar face to hundreds of children at the Windsor Jct. Community Centre, where he is the grounds-keeper.

Liam made sure to clarify what his costume was, “We’re a Tribute to Bussy!” he stated matter-of-factly. With that, he struck his best Bussy pose.

“I got Dexter when he was 14 weeks old, from a breeder in Sarnia, Ontario, after months and months of searching for a breeder,” said Treby. “He’s pure-bred and I have all his papers, etc. I took a big risk as I bought him on Kijiji and you never know if it’s a scam or it’s for real or not.” Lucky for Treby, not only did he get the dog he was hoping for, but he got one that likes to do just what his master does – including skateboarding.

“I knew the breed loved to skateboard and that it comes somewhat natural for them, so as soon as I got him and he was settled in his new home, I started trying,” Treby said. “I got him on the board by putting treats on the nose of the board which was a little successful. I then moved on to putting an old tire on the board and letting him sit on the board inside the tire. He really liked this and got more and more comfortable as time went on. So within a week or so he was off the tire and just on the board. He loves skateboard parks as he finds it a challenge and he also loves hills of almost any sort.”

Treby is from Truro, and was at the Skatepark in Fall River doing a photo shoot for Entity Boardshop in Bedford. “They are one of my many skate sponsors that I have,” he said. “I have lived and worked in Truro for the past year. I’m a welder by day to pay the bills and get my toys and all that fun stuff.” Dexter is busy tugging on his own skateboard and carrying it by its wheels, all in an attempt to get to go down the cement bowl one more time.

“I really can’t take him anywhere unless I have lots of time on my hands,” said Treby, whose girlfriend was “babysitting” Dexter while his master worked.

“He gets more attention than I could ever believe – on and off his board,” Treby said. “English bulldogs aren’t very common to get like some other breeds, so between that and him on the board, he keeps everyone amused and asking for more!”

Clearly Treby is a responsible and loving animal owner. “I did have a ferret, Gunner, who I unfortunately just put down two weeks ago as he was suffering. He lived a great life for seven years, which is a really full life,” he said.

Although Dexter is clearly talented and could probably command a crowd almost as well as his best friend, Treby does not intend to pressure his dog into becoming a professional performer. “No plans for Dexter other than to love and cherish our time together,” he said, “day in and day out.”