A skateboarding workshop for women who want to overcome their fears so that they feel strong and comfortable in their bodies (plus coffee + brunch)!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6th
9am-1pm
Switch & Signal Skatepark
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 retreat.
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.
Photo by Cristin Goss.
I’m Maya. A former city planner turned health coach who is on a mission to help women feel radiant from the inside out by easily making healthy choices every day.
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 40, I finally believe it.
Where I’ve been featured
Skateboarding is a great way to stretch yourself out of your comfort zone, build confidence, and strengthen your mind-body connection.
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.
Shred Your Fears, November 2018. Photo by Cristin Goss.
Don’t take my word for it! #skateboardingisfun:
- Ta’lor, 29; Pittsburgh
- Michelle, 38; Pittsburgh
- Sarah, 40; Pittsburgh,
- Caroline, 35; Pittsburgh,
EVENT DETAILS
The event will start promptly at 9 a.m. where you will sign in, meet other attendees, get some coffee or tea, and then we circle up and get to know each other and learn some fear busting techniques from an inspiring speaker. We’ll follow that with a gentle yoga session to anchor into our bodies and stretch them in preparation for skateboarding.
Photo by Cristin Goss.
Following the 40-minute yoga session, we’ll take a break for tasty vegan brunch (with gluten-free options), and coffee and tea refills.
After brunch we’ll hit the main event: a 75-minute skateboarding lesson with instructors from Switch & Signal. We’ll provide skateboards and safety equipment should you need them.
Following the lesson you are welcome to stay and skate at Switch & Signal, bonus points for inviting your family and friends to join you at 1pm and show off your new skills!
This is a small, intimate event where you will get plenty of personalized attention.
75-min group skateboarding lesson with instructors from Switch & Signal Skatepark
Access to safety equipment and skateboard should you need to borrow them
40-min yoga class with Kim Eckel
Cookie decorating class with Jasmine Cho
Raffle prizes
Unlimited coffee and tea
Brunch plus other snacks and beverages
- Megan Dowd, 30
ABOUT YOUR HOSTs
Photo by Cristin Goss.
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).
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.
Image courtesy Kim Eckel.
Jasmine Cho, Founder of Yummyholic
A self-taught baker and artist, Jasmine has been baking up sweet treats for 20 years. She has received a number of accolades including CREATOR of the Year (Pittsburgh Technology Council, Creative Industries Network), Small Business Community Champion (Citizens Bank), and the Women & Business Award (Pittsburgh Magazine). A 2019 TEDxPittsburgh speaker, Jasmine encourages everyone to build their own platforms in the way she uses cookies to elevate awareness on social justice issues.
As our October partner, Jasmine will be preparing a special vegan SYF cookie for the event and you’ll get a chance to learn some of her decorating techniques and decorate your own cookie. Jasmine will be speaking about her pioneering research into bake therapy. To support Jasmine’s work, we’ll be donating a portion of the proceeds from the event to the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.
Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh is more than an emergency shelter for women experiencing domestic violence and their children. It is a safe harbor that provides specialized care and support for women who have experienced all types of intimate partner violence from physical to emotional through Emergency Shelter, Legal Advocacy, a 24-Hour Hotline, Support Groups and more.
Akwafina cookies by Jasmine Cho.
The Location
Image courtesy Switch & Signal Skatepark.
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.
TICKETS
$97
75-min group skateboarding lesson with instructors from Switch & Signal Skatepark
Access to safety equipment and skateboard should you need to borrow them
40-min yoga class with Kim Eckel
Raffle prizes
Unlimited coffee and tea
Brunch from Onion Maiden plus other snacks and beverages
What it’s like to work with me
- Tina, 46; Pittsburgh, PA
— Johanna, 39; Pittsburgh, PA
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. If you want to practice your moves, you are welcome to stay and shred during Switch & Signal's Open Session following the event (1pm-9pm).
You'll also want to follow Switch & Signal on Facebook to stay informed of their weekly Adult Beginner session (currently Mondays from 5-9p), monthly Adult Beginners Clinic (first Monday of the month 5-9p) and their 12 & Under Session Saturdays from 9a-1p (PARENTS SKATE FREE ... WUT!).
And by the time we are done you definitey will feel comfortable to come out for the monthly Womxn & Grrrls session held the second Sunday of each month.
+ Do I need to know how to skateboard?
Nope. This event is geared towards beginners, but we'll have lots of personalized attention from Switch & Signal's 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. Bring a layer as it can be cool in the skatepark. 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 and a group coaching session with Maya. You'll also receive bottomless Ceremony coffee and Leaf & Twig tea and a delicious vegan brunch with gluten-free options.
+ Who is this retreat for?
This event is inclusive of women, womxn, femme, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people. If you want to know if that includes you, email me at maya@mayahenry.com, and if you want to know more about what that means check this out: https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/sex/news/a43461/what-is-non-binary-gender/
+ 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.
I’m so flipping excited!
P.S. I created this event for YOU. I can’t wait to see you there.