A couple of weeks ago I heard about a great organization for kids (of all ages) which promotes physical fitness and makes it seem cool. Kamau Hunter of Bartendaz Physical Fitness pointed me to his videos.
One in particular - the one above, reminded me of a group of breakdancers I saw in Central Park in New York in the summer. We stood mesmerized for at least 20 minutes while the guys (and girls) demonstrated amazing muscle tone, rhythm and sheer joy in moving to music.
Bartendaz are a community based non profit dedicated to fighting youth obesity and childhood diabetes through exercise. Rooted in hip hop and in partnership with artists such as Ludacris, 50cent, Jadakiss, Warren G, N.O.R.E and the RUFF RYDAS they have pledged to promote physical fitness in youth in a way which makes it irrefutably cool and popular. I couldn’t help but spread the word!
A few day ago I caught up with Kamau and asked him a few questions:-
How did you get started doing this?
They say necessity is the mother of invention, & it’s true because that’s how this BARTENDAZ movement was created as a way to fill a need that was missing in our communities.
What do you hope to achieve in 2009?
Expansion is the key for 2009. Expansion in every sense of the word. The constant expansion of the BARTENDAZ brand. Reaching more youth across the globe & increasing the good, 1 person at a time. Because we firmly believe that, better people make a better world.
What is your ultimate goal?
Good question. In a nutshell our goal is to create a indigenous weight-free movement system in the states that becomes part of the fabric of peoples daily existence.
As we look around the world, different people from various backgrounds all have exercise or movement as a fundamental part of their cultures. We’re talking yoga, tai chi, caporeia, to name a few, well that’s what we are doing with the BARTENDAZ - Natural Movement system creating a program that people can do everyday that heals as well as strengthens their body inside & out, that becomes a main part of our American culture. Could it be the lack of such of system in the USA that accounts for the high rates of preventable diseases among Americans?
Do you have a specific example of 1 person who has benefited & what getting involved has done for them?
Of course, we have numerous examples of people who have benefited greatly from their interaction with our system & its principals. One young man named Cody, went from being a gang member on the verge of dropping out of high school when we first met him to a BARTENDAZ Jr. 5 star general, who’s now enrolled & excelling in college as a exercise science major.
How can people help?
Great question, the first thing people can do is simply get more movement in their life. Turn off the tv, turn off the computer, put down the soda & the cheese burgers and get up & get moving, it can be as simple as taking a brisk walk, whatever it takes to jumpstart the process.
On a larger note if you know someone in a position of power who’s is doing something or wants to do something positive for the youth, tell them you know the perfect grass roots program to help them further their efforts and have them reach out to us ASAP! www.myspace.com/bartendaz
A couple of weeks ago I heard about a great organization for kids (of all ages) which promotes physical fitness and makes it seem cool. Kamau Hunter of Bartendaz Physical Fitness pointed me to his videos.
One in particular - the one above, reminded me of a group of breakdancers I saw in Central Park in New York in the summer. We stood mesmerized for at least 20 minutes while the guys (and girls) demonstrated amazing muscle tone, rhythm and sheer joy in moving to music.
Bartendaz are a community based non profit dedicated to fighting youth obesity and childhood diabetes through exercise. Rooted in hip hop and in partnership with artists such as Ludacris, 50cent, Jadakiss, Warren G, N.O.R.E and the RUFF RYDAS they have pledged to promote physical fitness in youth in a way which makes it irrefutably cool and popular. I couldn’t help but spread the word!
A few day ago I caught up with Kamau and asked him a few questions:-
How did you get started doing this?
They say necessity is the mother of invention, & it’s true because that’s how this BARTENDAZ movement was created as a way to fill a need that was missing in our communities.
What do you hope to achieve in 2009?
Expansion is the key for 2009. Expansion in every sense of the word. The constant expansion of the BARTENDAZ brand. Reaching more youth across the globe & increasing the good, 1 person at a time. Because we firmly believe that, better people make a better world.
What is your ultimate goal?
Good question. In a nutshell our goal is to create a indigenous weight-free movement system in the states that becomes part of the fabric of peoples daily existence.
As we look around the world, different people from various backgrounds all have exercise or movement as a fundamental part of their cultures. We’re talking yoga, tai chi, caporeia, to name a few, well that’s what we are doing with the BARTENDAZ - Natural Movement system creating a program that people can do everyday that heals as well as strengthens their body inside & out, that becomes a main part of our American culture.
Could it be the lack of such of system in the USA that accounts for the high rates of preventable diseases among Americans?
Do you have a specific example of 1 person who has benefited & what getting involved has done for them?
Of course, we have numerous examples of people who have benefited greatly from their interaction with our system & its principals. One young man named Cody, went from being a gang member on the verge of dropping out of high school when we first met him to a BARTENDAZ Jr. 5 star general, who’s now enrolled & excelling in college as a exercise science major.
How can people help?
Great question, the first thing people can do is simply get more movement in their life. Turn off the tv, turn off the computer, put down the soda & the cheese burgers and get up & get moving, it can be as simple as taking a brisk walk, whatever it takes to jumpstart the process.
On a larger note if you know someone in a position of power who’s is doing something or wants to do something positive for the youth, tell them you know the perfect grass roots program to help them further their efforts and have them reach out to us ASAP! www.myspace.com/bartendaz
If you know any way to help, please do