Janine is Port Union’s fitness queen.
By Saumiya Balasubramaniam
It started when I was pacing the hallway of the Port Union Community centre stalling myself from going to the gym. But I couldn’t escape that powerful voice booming through slightly ajar doors – clear, strong, and loud. Perhaps it was a bit too loud for my constitution then. So, I quelled my own curiosity until I no longer could, when that same voice (this time calm and composed) beckoned me into the serene space of ‘Yoga’ a few weeks later. Thanks to the city of Toronto’s comprehensive fitness membership, I impulsively dropped-in to the class.
I am of oriental descent and a little picky especially when it comes to ‘Yoga’. So, her moderately loud pop music threw me off. As if she noted the cue, she said, “If you fall off balance, just simply come back. Yoga is not supposed to be all that serious.” Little did I know then that I, like many others in that class, would be embarking on an interesting journey of learning new lessons in stability, strength, and flexibility (literally and metaphorically), from the ever so wonderful fitness instructor, ‘Janine’.
I then dared to venture into her high energy, motion packed, fast paced, much sought-after, super popular Cardio class. This class draws such huge numbers, that the community personnel must often man the gate with some innovative token system. I personally think that is the power and potential of Janine as she even puts the staff to task!
Janine is a one-of-a-kind instructor whose passion pours out into every rep, every step, every beat, every breath of her wonderfully designed workout. Anyone who has ever been to even one of her classes can vouch for that. Right from warm-ups (where all you need to do is jog and kick yourself in the pants) to cooldown (where you must simply stretch an arm and a leg), she instructs clearly and constantly all the way through class. It is impossible to slacken. She speaks louder than her music, and her energy is exuberant.
While most of us are heaving and panting and catching breaths, she is speaking about the fine details and science behind each movement, or cracking jokes while she herself is doing jumping jacks or lunging with hammer curls or is in the middle of stiff-leg deadlifts with ten-pound (or plus) weights! I have occasionally paused just to observe how it is possible to do it all in one breath and with such ruthless energy. It is tricky to cheat in Janine’s class. Not because she is monitoring with eyes at the back of her head (which I secretly suspect she does), but simply because it feels disrespectful to her diction, devotion, and dedication.
It is a pleasure and a privilege for P.U.C.C to have Janine’s inspiring presence in our midst. City staff or any professional employee with such a strong work ethic are far and few between!
And truth be told, she is friendly and approachable. Someone or the other is always talking to her about something or the other. And she invariably has an effective solution/suggestion. If not, the least you can expect is a wise crack at some common plight.
Through groans, grunts, and guttural expressions of emotions (That is how challenging some of her exercises can be!), I have often quipped,” Where do you come up with this torture?”
“In my bee-u-tea-ful brain,” is her quick response.
Janine is definitely beauty and brawn inside out!