Mandy Shintani – YMCA’s Women of Distinction

June 4, 2010

On June 1, 2010, the YMCA held its 27th Annual Women of Distinction awards ceremony. Urban Poling Co-owner Mandy Shintani was among the women honoured at the ceremony, nominated for an award in the area of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Though Mandy did not win the award, she had the pleasure of attending the ceremony and meeting dozens of outstanding women in the community.

“I did not win the award, but I feel that it was a great honour to be nominated by our Certified Instructors. Thanks to everyone for their votes, support and words of encouragement,” co-owner Mandy Shintani said.

“I am extremely grateful for the generosity and kindness of the fitness instructors across Canada who believed in Urban Poling and passionately helped me with my dream to spread the word across the country.”

To schedule an interview with Urban Poling Inc., please contact Mandy Shintani at 604-990-7711 or mandy@urbanpoling.com.

Nordic Walkers To Make Big Impact – Vancouver Sun Run 2010

February 3, 2010

Press Release - VANCOUVER SUN RUN

 A UNIQUE FITNESS TREND GAINING MOMENTUM LIKE A STEAM ENGINE.

 Nordic walkers aim to make a big impact at 2010 Sun Run

YOUR COMMUNITY STORY

 Move over Sun Run runners and walkers. You’ll need to make room for a throng of Nordic walkers this year!

SportMedBC in partnership with Urban Poling Inc. has seen a rapid expansion in this year’s Sun Run Nordic Walking InTraining clinics as popularity for this unique fitness trend grows rapidly across British Columbia. Growth from 3 clinics in 2007 to 25 Sun Run InTraining clinics offering Nordic Walking in 2010, reflect how this low intensity, high aerobic workout is appealing to spirited walkers and elite runners.

Nordic Walking is now truly on the move within the Sun Run InTraining Leadership Community, … I’ve known it was only a matter of time before it would be like an incredible steam engine that would gain momentum and never stop… for walkers and runners alike! – says Lynn Kanuka, Olympic bronze medalist runner and SportMedBC’s RunWalk Coach.

 “We have seen an overwhelming response to Nordic Walking in our Sun Run InTraining program this year … The Sun Run was the first 10 kilometre event in Canada to accept participants with poles and now our InTraining programs offering Nordic Walking are expanding beyond our expectations”.

- says Lynda Cannell, President & CEO of SportMedBC

 “The initial success of Nordic Walking stems from it’s accessibility; with guidance and proper training, everyone can get inspired and achieve great results.”

- says Mandy Shintani, occupational therapist & Director of Urban Poling Inc.

 How Nordic Walking became a growing trend for the 2010 Sun Run InTraining Clinics  

 By opening your mind to different training modes like Nordic walking, you can keep your training fresh and enjoyable. – This is cross training at its best!

 “As a personal trainer and marathoner, I’ve personally seen how the use of poles achieves excellent strength building and toning results without the heavy joint wear and tear,” says Leah Stasiuk, local Vancouver fitness trainer

 “Nordic walking involves more muscles than regular walking, it burns substantially more calories.” And that’s good news for people who are interested in full body workout that results in weight loss” says Mandy Shintani, an occupational therapist and one of the leading Canadian experts on the health benefits of Urban Poling/Nordic Walking.

“The spark is alive and well at the Guildford Community centre in Surrey. – says Barrie Mills, Sun Run InTraining Clinic Coordinator.

 Local Company Joins Forces with SportMedBC and its Sun Run InTraining Program

Started in Vancouver……

Urban Poling Inc. co-founders, Mandy Shintani and Graham Watts are thrilled to be the training centre for SportMedBC’s Sun Run InTraining program leading up to the 2010 Vancouver Sun Run.  Mandy Shintani, is an occupational therapist in British Columbia who asserts that her company is dedicated to developing a state of the art Nordic walking training programs that she hopes will serve as an example to the rest of the country on how to use NW as a method for training and completing 10 kilometre and half marathon events.  

RECENT MEDIA ON URBAN POLING INC.

“It’s fun and easy to learn and it’s a growing fitness trend that promises to improve posture, while giving you a workout“ – Dr. Rhonda Low, CTV NEWS Vancouver, Sept. 14, 2009.

“Nordic walking is a happy medium between walking and knee-grinding running” – Says Sheila Brady- Ottawa Citizen, May 22, 2008.

 “Unlike that old universal gym languishing in the basement, nordic walking poles are an inexpensive and effective way to get the body moving and continuously improving” - Says Karen Gram – Vancouver Sun June 09, 2008

 Rodger Knight says urban poling can become “almost addictive.”  “Urban poling an intense workout improves cardio, muscle strength” – Says Kate Robertson – Toronto Star, Sept. 18, 2007.

ABOUT SPORTMEDBC

SportMedBC, a professional not-for-profit society comprised of sport medical and paramedical practitioners in British Columbia, promotes leadership, public awareness and education in the areas of sport medicine, sport science and sport training. For most active Canadians, SportMedBC comes to life through its Sport Training programs, including the SportMed RunWalk curriculum through the SunRun InTraining clinics offered throughout the Lower Mainland in and around Vancouver.

SportMedBC’s Sun Run InTraining clinics start the week of Feb 6, 2010 and run for 13 weeks. There will be a total of 65 Sun Run InTraining clinics offered throughout the province with 25 of these clinics offering Nordic Walking options. All Sun Run InTraining clinics, including those offering Nordic Walking are listed on www.sportmedbc.com.The SportMedBC Intraining clinics start on Feb 6, 2010 and run for 13 weeks.   All 25 clinics are listed on www.sportmedbc.com or by calling Tel: (604) 903-3886

ABOUT URBAN POLING INC.

Urban Poling Inc. is a Canadian company based in Vancouver. The co-owners are Mandy Shintani and Graham Watts. Mandy Shintani, an occupational therapist is considered one of the leading experts on the health and fitness benefits of Nordic walking in Canada. Urban Poling Inc. is manufacturer of the Urban Poling poles and also operates one of Canada’s largest certification centres. Urban Poling runs the only Nordic walking training centre in Canada that is recognized by these six fitness education organizations including:

• Can Fit Pro
• British Columbia Parks and Recreation
• Ontario Kinesiology Association 
• Manitoba Fitness Council
• Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association
• Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association

 www.urbanpoling.com

Contact Information:

Lynda Cannell
SportMedBC President & CEO
Tel: (604) 903-3885
lyndac@sportmedbc.com  

Lynn Kanuka
Bronze Olympian, SportMedBC’s RunWalk Coach &

Co-founder every WOMAN events
Cell:  (778) 891-7870
lynnk@sportmedbc.co

Mandy Shintani

Founder and Director

Urban Poling Inc.

Tel. (604) 990.7711

www.urbanpoling.com

mandy@urbanpoling.com

 Website. www.urbanpoling.com

Urban Poling & Wingham Pharmasave

December 12, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Urban Poling – Changing the Way We Walk

New Craze started with Town and Country Support Services

HURON COUNTY, ON – “We’ve never started a craze before, but that’s exactly what’s happening now. People stop me in the street to tell me how much they love urban poling,” says Cheryl Phillips, Wellness Supervisor with Town and Country Support Services.

The desire for healthy, active aging, along with people’s need for low-cost exercise activities has created an upswing in walking for fitness.  Now walkers have another option – urban poling.

Also known as Nordic walking, urban poling is a full-body, low-impact activity that engages 90% of the body’s muscles. All that’s needed are specially designed walking poles to begin exercising on neighbourhood streets and local trails.

”We ran free demos in eleven different towns within Huron County since April and have completed over twelve 4-week sessions since then and still going strong,” says VandenHeuvel, Wellness  Coordinator with Town and Country Support Services in Clinton. ”We attracted easily over 150 new people – people from their 40s to their 80s.”

“We can’t keep up with the demand for classes,” says volunteer instructor, Carol Phillips.

“Our county has only 3,000 residents…so were completely surprised that we sold over 24 pairs of poles from the spring flyer,” says James Brown of Brown’s Pharmacy in Wingham Ontario. “Urban Poling has really taken off in our area and many of our customers have told us that it has helped them realize their fitness goals.”

According to Mandy Shintani, an occupational therapist and co-director of Vancouver-based Urban Poling Inc., “Urban Poling is one of the most effective ways to improve your posture, stabiltiy and balance as well as getting an effective workout as it burns up to 46% more calories compared to regular walking. People with sore hips and knees or arthritic joints love poling because it relieves joint stresses letting them walk farther and faster.”

Town and Country Support Services classes

Where: Wescast Community Complex parking lot, Wingham

When: Monday & Wednesdays at 9:30 am starting September 14.

ABOUT URBAN POLING INC.:

Urban Poling Inc., a Canadian company based in Vancouver offers the only instructor training centre in Canada that are recognized by the five Canadian fitness organizations (AFLCA, BCRPA, SPRA, OKA & Can-Fit-Pro).

CONTACT:

Nadine VandenHeuvel, Wellness Coordinator, Town and Country Support Services, 1-877-502-8277

Cheryl Phillips, Wellness Supervisor, Town and Country Support Services, 1-877-502-8277

Carol Phillips, volunteer fitness instructor, 519-357-3222

James Brown, Brown’s Pharmacy 519 357-1629

Mandy Shintani, occupational therapist and co-director, Urban Poling Inc., 604-990-7711, toll free. 877-499-7999, mandy@urbanpoling.com, www.urbanpoling.com