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We sweat. We dance. We recharge. 
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"This is a place for you. To come and work on yourself. To strengthen your mind, body, and soul. To let go. To feel. To love, so you can live. That is why we started and that is why we are here."
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"To be apart of something that empowers, strengthens, and changes the lives of those that we come in contact with...that is what we are. We are love. This is TORQUE."

-Normalcy is key in times of uncertainty-

3/23/2020

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GOOD MORNING!!! Happy Monday! I know that I am not the only one who needed to double check what the date was before writing it. This quarantining is sure doing some interesting things to say the least, and not knowing the date or even the time is definitely one of them. I wanted to write to you all today about this new reality we were facing. I know that while it is still new, we are starting to settle into it. The first few days were TOUGH. I mean, everything that we knew to be our lives, somehow was stripped away in a few news conferences. And there we were to put the pieces together. Make it less scary. And figure out a plan of just how we would come to accept this. I know it left me feeling very anxious, uncomfortable, and just overall not happy. I was frustrated that my students were being taken away from me. That my beloved gym had to close their doors. That I was a risk to my grandparents. It scared me in a way I had never been scared before and I did not like it. Not one bit. 

So the days went on. I tried to find a new normal. Like did I still wake up at the same time? Did I eat eggs and toast for breakfast now because well I had the time? Was I supposed to shower and get ready for work? Or were sweatpants just fine? Should I eat lunch? Was I even hungry? So many questions running through my head at one time. It was overwhelming. It was different for sure. And there was no guidelines on how to approach it other than trial and error. So thats what I did. And let me say I lived in that error area for a few days. At first, it was great. Because it was that long desired break and slow down that I had been begging for. Until it wasn't just a long weekend. Soon I didn't know what day it was. I had eaten way too many snack. I hadn't worked out. Did I even shower? Who knows. And then I  woke up and realized that this was more than a long weekend. This was a new reality and the only way it would get better is by making it better. So I decided to start realllllyyy small. I showered. And then I decided I was going to blow-dry and straighten my hair. Then something else amazing happened. I put on make up and real clothes. And suddenly, it was like my whole outlook on this changed. I was ready to work and be productive. I was motivated to get done early so I could sneak in a walk/run. I felt like me and not just some lazy couch potato who was annoyed that Netflix had the audacity to ask me if I was still watching. (seriously, they should temporarily remove that feature during this pandemic. obviously we are watching!!)

From that day on, I had a little bit of life in me. Was I automatically adjusted to both DJ and I working from home in a small apartment? No. But did I feel a little bit more like myself. Absolutely. I think that through this time of unknown, that is the key. To find that things that we know and are comfortable with and do them. To bring a sense of normalcy into this trying time. And if we can’t, then we need to create a new normal. Whether it is walking around the neighborhood on your lunch break or reading before bed every night or doing a workout just to hear the instructors voice. Whatever it is, make sure it takes you to a place that is closer to you. Will it be the same? Of course not. Because the circumstances are different. But is it the best option at the moment…you already know the answer. So let’s keep doing it. I cannot tell you how amazing it has been to see everyone connecting via social media. I mean really, all the workouts, the FaceTime happy hours, the education that is taking place. It is seriously amazing to see how although we are distant in a physical sense, we are more together than we have ever been in an emotional sense. That ladies and gents is how you take lemons and made lemonade (with vodka in it for obvious reasons). 
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Togetherness has never been more important than now. And TORQUE tribe, this is a skill we mastered a long, long time ago.We need more things that fuel hope and set fire in hearts to keep on going though this tough time. We can do this. We already are. We just can’t stop, and I know that we have the best army behind each and every one of us holding our hands along the way. Remember, you don't have to run, you don't have to walk, crawl if you have to just don't stop moving towards the day that we can all be together again in friendship and love. That’s the silver lining. And that is what I keep on the forefront these days. It you guys. You are giving me the strength I need to get through this. 


With all my love and endless air hugs, 

Caroline 


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-This is how we walk on-

3/14/2020

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I hope that in the midst of all this chaos, stress, and uncertainty that this message finds you and brings you a sense of peace. I am writing to you to tell you that in the end, everything will be okay and if it’s not okay, well then it’s not the end. What is important at this very moment is that you are here. You are breathing. And you are going to walk away from this post with a better mindset on this than you did when you started reading. I am here to validate your fears and anxieties towards this situation, because quite frankly they are real. They are present. And they are scary. I am also here though to be the sunshine on a cloudy day. To offer perspective and solutions. In every single thing, there is some type of good. This blog is going to be the place that we go searching for the good in the middle of all of these troubles. So the question still stands…how do we walk on. Well, this is how. 

I can only imagine all the thoughts going through each and every ones heads. While we can connect on this to some degree, this experience is different for us all. Whether it be a matter of money, childcare, or being exposed, and working…it is nothing short of scary and stressful. It is times like these where the most essential thing that we do is come together. We cannot allow the stress or the anxiety of this situation to further isolate ourselves from the ones we trust, love, and care about the most any more than it already has. I know that this is not easy, but it is step one. Step two is not too far behind. We have to come to terms that this is the new reality. We have to accept and follow the precautions. Don't take the invincible approach on this one. My feelings are you might lose. Accept that this is happening and let’s work together to find solutions on how to get through. 

For those of you with kids at home, I can honestly say, I know what it is like. While I do not have children of my own, I have a lucky 18 that I get to call my own from 8-4 each day. Now that they are home, and most likely without formal plans yet from schools, this is my advice. 
1. Acknowledge that this is scary for them. They are dealing with this in their own way. They know that it is different and that something is wrong. Unfortunately, they don't have the mindset to sort all of this on their own. They will need your help to reduce their stress and anxiety on this. It is important to not project your fears onto them, but rather allow them to talk openly about how this situation makes them feel. 
2. Make a schedule. Don’t let this become a free for all. The more rigid this time can be, the better off! 
3. Remember they are listening. Be cautious and aware of what you say, the tone you say it in, and the amount that you are talking about this topic. Don't let this consume you any more that you need to. When we live in the future of what if, we have allowed ourselves to become anxious beings. Take this day by day, update by update, breath by breath. 
4. Implement some type of quiet time. Whether it be an hour or a half hour, some designated time where they can be alone and you can as well will allow for this time to be more bearable. I think all parties will benefit from this as it is exhausting on all ends. 
5. Teach them life skills. Speaking as a 1st grade teacher, those little bodies are capable of more than you think. This is a great time to teach them about laundry, dishes, cleaning, packing lunches, etc. Make this a part of their day. It not only gives them something to do, but helps you out as well. 
6. Wine. Self explanatory. No shame. Happy hour is any hour at this point. 

For those of you stuck at home: 
1. Prioritize self care. Take this time to deepen an understating of yourself. There are very few times when life almost comes to a complete stop. This is one of them. Start each day with something to make you feel good. Whether it is making your bed, drinking water, having your coffee outside, doing a workout. Do something to jumpstart the day. There is a lot of times on your hands and that is overwhelming. Start your day by doing something, I promise you won’t regret it. 
2. Do the TORQUE workouts that are being posted on the social media pages. With most gyms closed, this is not the time to do nothing. In addition to the TORQUE social media pages, there is Youtube, apps, Pinterest which are all great resources for some easy, simple at home workouts. You might find it hard to self motivate. The great thing is, everyone is in it together. Get a group together and do some workouts at the same time. Encourage each other the best you can from miles away. 
3. Get dressed! Yep, I know, the sweats are comfy. Being productive in slippers and a sweatshirt is HARD. Put on some jeans, do your hair, and you’ll be that much more motivated to work. 
4. Drink water, and more water, and more water. With the lack of exercise and possibly the lack of fresh produce available, keeping up on your water intake is CRUCIAL people. Especially since bathroom breaks are endless and about 5 feet away, there really is no excuse! 
5. Allow yourself to relax a little. Read some books, watch some new shows, take a bath, sleep in. Letting yourself relax is not a crime, especially in the middle of all this chaos. Being happy you have some time off is not a sin. So soak it up as a positive and move right along. 
6. FaceTime, Skype, etc with your coworkers. They are lonely too. Plan a virtual lunch date, call them on the phone, don’t isolate anymore than you have too. Remember, we rise by lifting others. Let them know you are missing them, because they are missing you too. 
7. Check things off the to do list. Clean out the basement, organize the hallway closet, sort through old clothes, purge, purge purge!! The time is now!! 

Will any of this be easy? Probably not. It’s not our normal. It’s out of our comfort zone. And to top it off, it’s paired with anxiety. It’s a pretty terrible recipe we have at the moment, but it’s all about perspective. Take this time to find the light. Take advantage of this extra time with your kids. They will remember this time of their life for their whole life. Make it a good memory. Have breakfast for dinner. Let them laugh and giggle. Have dance parties in the kitchen at 1 pm because you can. You will look back on this years from now and wish you could all be stuck together for just one day. The time is now to make those memories to one day look back on. Don’t let the virus steal that from you. And most importantly, breathe. It will be okay. It will end. And we will be stronger becuase of it not because we made it through, but because we did it together. And you all know that is my most favorite place to be. 

That’s all I have for you right now. You can do this my loves!! As always, sending love to you and yours no matter where you are in this world. Keep calm and wash your hands.
In health with peace,
Caroline

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-Welcome to the blog pt.2-

3/3/2020

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Hi there my babes! I cannot tell you HOW happy I am to be sitting down to write to all of you. It has been WAY too long and believe me when I say I am sorry for the long hard pause on the blog. This past month has just been pure hell at work. Observations, contracts, the flu, you name it, we faced it. I am human and I just could not find the time to balance it all. Thankfully our boss babe is the most amazing and understanding person who lets me write when I feel inspired and post when the time feels right. Well I can tell you, the time is most certainly right. So I wanna tell you a funny story. Last week, I wrote up a blog because I found the time to finally get into the creative headspace and write. So I wrote it, sent it to the boss babe, got it approved, posted it, and then simultaneously in one second and one click deleted the entire blog and all the posts that have ever been posted on it. Nope, I am not kidding. That really happened. And no, it was not funny. I can’t even describe to you what emotions were going through my head. Besides sheer panic, I was sad, heartbroken, in total disbelief and about 100 other things. But there was nothing I could do except move along and start from scratch. So that brings us here. To this post. On our slightly different blog page. And I couldn't be more excited about it. 

So what is the Tribe Times? What is it’s purpose? How did it start? It is actually one of my most favorite stories to tell. This blog, Tribe Times, started about 2 years ago. I had been going to TORQUE for just about a year. I was in college and going through some really dark things. Life just wasn't bright for me unless I was at the studio. Which was a really big problem considering I was in my junior year of college at Penn State. I remember coming home on the weekends and spending a lot of time healing and learning about myself in the studio. Opening old wounds, sorting feelings, and breaking down high, high walls. When Sunday rolled around, I had a lot of new songs to listen to on my way back to school accompanied by a lot of new thoughts to think. Just me, spotify, and 3 hours of open road. Lots of things happened on those drives. A lot of healing took place. I would get back to my apartment and usually text Summer about my drive. I would tell her all the things I pieced together. All the clarity I had gained. All my goals and ambitions for the week. It was like clockwork. And one day Summer said, “Caroline, you need to write. Like actually write. Like stories or a book or something.” I, at the time, was so unsure of myself and purpose that I didn't believe her. But I knew one thing, I did love writing. I always loved how words flowed together and became these amazing thoughts and perspectives. So I took a leap of faith, and responded to her saying, “will you let me write a blog for TORQUE?” Let me tell you, those were the longest I don't even know how many minutes of my life. It was the first time I took a step totally outside my comfort zone. I had NO clue what she was going to say. The minutes went by and the doubt settled. I started to think, “why did I ever send that?”, “she is obviously going to say no!”, I’m just some broken college kid, who is even going to read this.” And then my phone buzzed. I knew it was her before I could even look at my phone. SO nervous to read the text, I unlocked my phone, and there it was. My smooth landing. She responded, “I think that would be amazing. You get it together and we will see how it goes. This is all you and I am excited.” So that night, I started.I stayed up the whole night. Figuring out websites. Trying different fonts. This that everything. I was motivated and excited. And it has unfolded to become one of my most prized possessions to this date. 

That’s how this started. A sappy text turned into an idea fueled with confidence and belief.So what is the point? Like I said before this blog was started when a lot of things were different. I didn't just mean the studio. The person behind this blog has changed a lot too. She went from a confused, broken, devastated college student to a first grade teacher who is in love with the love of her life and can clearly see her purpose. I give a lot of credit to time, music, spin, love, family, and friends for getting me this far, but I would be lying if I didn't mention this blog. This blog was the ear I needed to listen to my thoughts. It was the outlet that allowed me to free myself from my darkest fears. It was the 2 am phone call where I got out my thoughts. My travel buddy. It was a voice for me in a really dark time. And that will never change.

So this blog. Well in short, this is a place where we can come together and heal. It is a place where we can touch on those tough topics. The ones we don't want to speak of, but maybe can get ourselves to read. This is a place where we acknowledge we aren't perfect and that sometimes life sucks. This is a place where we shine a light on the amazing people of the studio and look closer into their lives and stories. This is a place where we heal. If you haven't read a blog yet, stay with me, I know it sounds like a bunch of fluff. But I promise you, these blogs, the togetherness that you feel when reading them, they have a way at pulling at just the right heartstrings at just the right time at just the right place. That is one thing I can promise you. This is raw and real. It is blunt and honest. It is simply sometimes what we don't want to hear, but know that we need to. So join me on this journey. There is no schedule. There is no planned posts. This is just simply a girl sharing her thoughts with the world. I hope you fall in love with this just as much as I have. I hope it can be that reassurance you need or the affirmation you are waiting for. I hope it everything you hope and dream it to be. This is the blog. This is me. We are TORQUE.

 As always, XOXO…

Caroline 
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    Author

    Caroline Menges. 
    First Grade Teacher. 
    Find me in the spin room.
    Music speaks to me. 
    Lover of words. 
    All things green and love.
    "Things turn around when you turn on your heart."

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