54 life sty le

T H E E D M O N T O N S U N T h urs d a y , A u g ust 2 4 , 2006

Heating up on the ice

EDITOR: Sally Johnston PHONE: 468-0115

FAX: 468-0139 E-MAIL: sjohnston@edmsun.com

Actress uses skating to stay in shape

CARY CASTAGNA
Bonny-Lynn Van Gorp isnt the type to sit still for very long. In fact, the full-time pilates instructor and former competitive figure skater says the ability to move your limbs and keep active is a gift that shouldnt be squandered. That genuine appreciation, however, didnt come until after her mobility was painfully restricted for a few months following a car accident nearly three years ago. Van Gorp says she was stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk in Calgary in the fall of 2003 when her Neon was rear-ended by a careless driver in another mid-sized car. While she wasnt hospitalized, Van Gorp was left with whiplash, a chip fracture in her lower vertebrae and three months of rehabilitation. Activity is the central focus of my life. When its taken away from you, its very discouraging, she explains. Movement is really fun for me. Im the type of person that thrives on skating, dancing doing something I love. Van Gorp eventually made a full recovery from the crash thanks to her own pilatesstyle rehab and soon got her groove back. These days, the 25-year-old Edmontonian is keeping more active than ever. Shes performing at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival until Sunday with a cast of other accomplished figure skaters in Poetry In Motion On Ice. To prepare for the National Ice Theatre of Canada (NITC) presentation at the Granite Curling Club, Van Gorp says she has spent as long as 12 hours a day on the ice. I found myself fatigued and sore after the

first few rehearsals. Its been a challenge, but I find myself thriving on it, the National Ice Theatre of Canada School artistic director says, while praising the energizing Fringe audiences. Performing is such an awesome motivator, it keeps you going night after night. Van Gorp, once a national-level figure skater and ice dancer, regularly goes in-line skating on a variety of river valley paths around the city during the warmer months. In the winter, she heats up the outdoor ice around Edmonton, including surfaces in Victoria and Hawrelak parks. Skating is a good combination of both aerobic and anaerobic activity, she says. And skating is something that can be done at any age. The five-foot-seven Leduc product, who first laced up a pair of skates when she was three years old, is a certified pilates trainer who teaches 30-35 hours a week between Pilates EQ and the Derrick Golf and Winter Club, both on the south side. In addition, Van Gorp does up to four hours of pilates on her own every week. Pilates is a fantastic overall body-conditioning workout, she says, explaining it helps posture and creates long lean muscle tissue not to mention a strong core for figure-skating jumps and spins. To keep her energy levels consistent throughout the day, Van Gorp eats five to six times, usually three portion-controlled balanced meals with two to three snacks. Those meals include lean cuts of meat, whole grains and light dairy products. I dont believe in cutting out entire food groups, says Van Gorp, who is known to carry around containers of almonds, raisins or raw veggies to snack on. Van Gorp, who has a joint kinesiology and fine art degree with a major in dance and movement science from the University of Calgary, says if you want to get into shape, find something you enjoy and go at it. She adds that there are too many people who lead sedentary lives who think the bodys

WALTER TYCHNOWICZ, Sun

Skater and actress Bonny-Lynn Van Gorp practises her routine for Poetry in Motion On Ice, playing at the Fringe until Sunday. She rehearses for up to 12 hours a day.
main purpose is to carry the head around. Ive been active all my life. I cant imagine not moving.
Do you have an inspirational story for Keeping Fit? E-mail Cary Castagna at ccastagna@edmsun.com

You heard the woman move it.