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REZA
REZA (front rider) teaches group classes for people of every fitness level. Come to DC Ranch Village in North Scottsdale for a life changing experience with REZA.
REZA's Spinning Philosophy If you have ever taken a spin class from REZA, you have probably heard him say; Spinning cures everything. He truly means that. Since early 2001 REZA has been inspiring people to change their lives with this simple approach. Beginner and advanced alike can make spinning a regular part of their fitness routine. And if your time is very limited and you can only exercise a couple of hours a week, then Spinning will give you all the Cardio and fat-burning work-out you'll need, according to REZA. Come experience the difference when you Spin with REZA. Why is REZA so different? REZA teaches at the DC Ranch Village in a state-of-the-art Indoor Cycling room. Utilizing the latest technology and skill, REZA recommends members to monitor their Heart Rate, Cadence and Road Speed for the most efficient "cycling based" indoor cycling experience. By attending REZA's class, you will learn proper technique for outdoor cycling. Do I need to be have a good cardio base before I begin Spinning with REZA? Many people think that they need to be in great cardio shape and be able to go all out in a Spin class, but that is not true. Come as you are and you will find that REZA's Spin class will help you become stronger, build your cardio conditioning, expand your lung capacity, enhance your mental toughness and personal confidence. REZA provides the perfect class for the beginner or advanced alike. You may contact REZA by email at reza at cimi dot mobi. ----------------------------------- A story written by Michael K., a first time student of Reza's cycling class... I couldn’t move…literally, I was frozen, the longer I stared, the later it got…4:33, 4:34 . The battle raged. “you made the commitment, you have to go”, “I don’t want to go”, “you have to go”…”you haaave to go” … “but you promised him” … Now I resented him. He who convinced me, no! Promised me, this would cure everything, it would change my life, change everything, forever. On the dark, early morning drive, I prayed for a break down, a blown tire, a speeding ticket. I felt sleepy and irritable, but mostly, I felt anxious. I’ve never done anything like this before …what should I expect? will I be embarrassed? exposed?…will people stare? Who gets up at 4am to go to a cycling class? have I lost my mind? I arrived. He was there, Reza…like his name, high octane, red bull energy in biker shorts, He had an infectious enthusiasm that moved matter forward…first pedals, then people…then me? Not me. … “Hey”, I mouthed and waved. He nodded as if to say “good job for making it here this morning”. Like a salamander, I slid quietly into the back room to remove my old shoes and returned attached to my new one’s…cycling shoes, a combination cleat and tap shoe, unnecessarily noisy and not good for those looking to slip quietly under the radar. I clicked and clacked
my way toward the dark black entrance…this must be it, the
CYCLING ROOM – my rite of passage. I was reminded of a Joseph
Campbell quote: I tapped my way into the dark black box, adorned with clean yellow indoor cycling bikes and black lights. Believe me, I’d heard the horror stories, the cardiac bursting workouts, drill sergeant-like instructors and considerable chafing and bottom soreness that accompanies an hour of high intensity cycling...but I wanted to “change my life”. That’s why I was here…that’s what he (Reza) promised me I would do if I followed his instructions. So in the dark I fumbled to find my bike, and one pedal at a time, I rose onto the saddle. So who is this Reza? He is many things to many people I would find out over time…depends on who you ask. Loyal friend and confidant, boundless enthusiast, Perspective Photographer, Fitness and wellness Expert, Serial Entrepreneur, Internet Guru, Business Architect, Modern Day Renaissance Man, and the Ultimate Innovator, he graduated from Penn State with a degree in Engineering. He has pioneered and profited from the creation and sale of many businesses and high-tech systems that he developed in the early to late 90’s. Having sold most of his business interests in a variety of entrepreneurial endeavors Reza embarked on a personal path to enlightenment in early 2000. In 2001, he began to focus on one of his favorite hobbies, turned life passion – health, fitness, and wellness – and more specifically through the application of yoga, meditation, breathing techniques and cycling. What? Today, at 4:59 am, Reza is chairman of the board, his directors wait patiently, warming up, chatting quietly, taking quick sips of bottled water. They are here, the corporate elite, the type A’s, the Fortune 50, captains of commerce. Pedigreed and pampered, word of mouth brought them here to be humbled. There is an air of reverence, a communal respect for the challenges one must face when committed to personal transformation. One kind lady who looked ready to race, and obviously in amazingly great shape, tried to make me feel at ease. She told me “I began my cycling journey with Reza about 2 1/2 years ago after hearing in the same day, by two different people, "If you are going to try a spin class, the only way to do so is to take a class from Reza himself." Since that time I have lost close to 25 pounds, have become a spin instructor myself, have raced in several races and have a great sense of accomplishment and a rediscovery of will and inner strength to try anything without fear. Under Reza’s guidance, you are able to dig deep into your own well of untapped potential and with his encouragement and his strong will for you to succeed, you are able to rise to a new level of self realization: That your own well being and health are at your very own finger tips. You and only you are in control of your own path.” A fellow classmate introduces herself. She looks good, much better than I feel. Her name is Nancy, she’s a regular - her vocal RPM matches her cadence, “ I was bored with exercise, steppers, treadmills…I detest running, bad for the joints and bones…so I when I was told about Reza's classes, came in, took a cycling class…it just blew me away, physically it was the toughest workout I’ve ever had but I felt great, stayed with it, later purchased a road bike and have now ridden in several tours. I would never have thought at 46, I’d be riding and completing 70 mile road races.” Completing 70 mile road races? At 46? I can’t remember the last time I circled my courtyard on a bike. Is this how it is?…I had to go to the bathroom, and my feet were clipped in, I felt isolated and alone. I could see my faint outline in the mirror ahead, I didn’t look twice. I hated what I saw. From a raised solo bike at the front of the room, REZA addressed the board. “Good morning. Deep breath in, shoulders relaxed, add enough resistance on the bike so you can get some feedback. Let’s warm it up.” Great music filled the room and just like that class had started, “Bring your focus to your breath, get a nice breathing rhythm and find your zone, and make smooth circles with your feet. Visualize that you’re sliding your feet forward and scraping them back. Visualize your feet making smooth circles, pedal stronger and add some more resistance. Breathe deep, relax your upper body, relax your hands on the handlebar, relax your face and smile…keep the pedals moving at a strong, steady pace…slide your feet forward on the downstroke, scrape them back on the upstroke…nice and smooth, looking good.” I found myself thinking, drifting, settling in…without added tension my feet felt swift, I tried to tap the rhythm of the slide and scrape – the ebb and flow, I thought that it’s true in business, in life, when I take the time to focus, to prepare, I am effective, aware, confident and open. I feel good, engaged and present in the moment. “Breath deep, take your breath all the way down and exhale, pushing that air all the way out” – yep…this brand of Cycling by REZA is going to be a piece of cake… I hate to admit it, but cake did sound good– cheap sheet cake, white on white, the grocery store kind with thick frosty flowers… “Towel off, get your water, catch your breath, we have a fun ride ahead of us today. Class, I was so excited about today’s lesson, I couldn’t sleep last night.”…Did he just say what I thought he said…I’d hoped we’d stay at the warm up pace, but I had been warned by some of the students before class, if Reza says “fun class”, or “easy class” brace yourself… “give me 20% more resistance, on a scale of 1-10 give me a 7, bring it out of the saddle, keep your weight back, and pick up the pace to 95 rpm.” With that, the music changed and I struggled to get up, more resistance, faster pedal stroke, more intensity…the others, I noticed were out of their seats (saddle), pedaling strong and moving with the music …were they even sweating? My heart rate soared…I was stressed, felt out of place and terribly unfocused…“for those of you in your first class…stay smooth, keep good form and return to the saddle if you feel out of control, go at your own pace, and find your rhythm, remember to breathe deep and relax your mind.” Find my rhythm, remember to breathe, find my rhythm, keep my own pace … I took a little resistance off and eased into my seat, I felt better, more relaxed. I could feel my feet again. I even remembered to slide and scrape…I was finding my rhythm. “The moment we stop chasing other people’s expectations of us and begin to discover our own, we can start to live from our authentic self. It is from this place of truth that we judge less, live more and offer understanding to those different than ourselves.” WHOSE QUOTE “add more resistance, stay out of the saddle, keep your pace”…we’d entered a pretty good climb. I heard the class groan, and up they went, I decided to join this time. I added some resistance, it felt better to stand this time and I extended my limbs. I was out of the saddle, climbing, working, going nowhere and everywhere all at once. For a moment I was moved, moved to be here, to be inspired, to be alive…sweating, screaming, free of everything and felt happy. We're so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it is all about - Joseph Campbell As quick as it arrived, the feeling was gone. Exit stage left. The classic Vaudeville hook. A more sinister form of something was beginning to spread, my arms and legs ached, my cadence slowed, my lungs burned. I was in pain. PAIN. I had never felt anything like this before. Just at that time, as if he read my mind and felt what I was feeling, “learn to enjoy suffering, welcome it, and enjoy the process” Reza’s voice echoed, against the panting in my head. I was dying, seriously…I think I might die… I should just stop, my mind raced. “Focus away from your pain and bring all of your attention to your breathe, 2 breaths in, 2 breaths out, in rhythm with your pedal stroke”. I remembered to go back to my breathe, to feel my feet and to notice making smooth circles with my feet. I stayed with it - sliding and scraping. “You’re almost there, stay with me class, one minute, just one more minute from here”. Cat calls erupted from the worn out crew. “Good job, stay with me, you’re almost there”, staying with it, breathing, sliding, scraping. It’s all I could do to keep from passing out or throwing up, or both. I surged ahead with the rest of the class. We raced to the Jet song, Are you gonna be my girl? And closed out the one hour session. “forty five seconds, thirty seconds, twenty seconds, ten, nine, eight,…..three, two, two, two, two, one and a half, one! ”. These final seconds lasted longer than any seconds I had experienced before. Reza’s pace was insanely high and gracefully powerful, how he talked and rode at the same time I will never know. In the final last gasp I was fighting for my life. Screaming, sweaty, surprised, and empowered, I felt a certain feeling of strength come over me. I had survived – we, all of us, including me, together had arrived. I focused on my feet, on my breathe, and on my rhythm and it got me through. I remembered to breathe. I thought about “enjoying the suffering” and began to understood what Reza meant. Tough experiences are our most valuable teachers, they challenge and connect us to ourselves in ways we rarely understand – they force our hand, they ask us to keep going when we want to lie down, they challenge us to find a way when none can be found, to love another, when we want to walk away. WHOSE QUOTE As the class filed out,
I was greeted with congratulatory comments, we exchanged contact
info and class times. I looked around the classroom, and paused
to reflect, I could see a faint outline in the mirror ahead. I took
a second look. Was that me? It was me. For the first time in a long
time I liked what I saw. The times I spent with Reza, have stayed with me. It wasn’t about the Cycling – it was much deeper than that. If Cycling was the vehicle, Reza was the guru guide, he inspired, challenged, pushed and prodded – he never asked of us what he wouldn’t do himself and he always did more. He was at home around us, with himself, and with the process of sheparding our success. Each of us brought secrets into that tiny black box, each of us overcame them somewhere inside, at our own pace, but with Reza’s direction. As Jason, a devoted student remarked, “ I like working with Reza because Reza likes to have us push ourselves to new limits. Although it seems that it is never enough – it is in an encouraging way. Rather Reza’s constant mental challenges and remarks keep us on our toes and helps us build our mental toughness. As a result, we often surprise ourselves with what we’ve accomplished at the end of each session – whether its speed work, hills, breathing or pedaling techniques, we’re always learning and growing. My cardio is the best it’s ever been, my weight is in check, and my core, confidence, and mental toughness are as strong as ever.“ To date Jason has completed over 338 spin classes, has developed incredible relationships with all his cycling buddies, and has completed a 70 mile bike race with the rest of the morning crew. He wishes to continue his life training with Reza for years to come. Another devoted student; Eric, 55, recited to me that “Reza's instruction of true cycling techniques, as well as teachings of mental toughness to surpass personal limits within our minds is delivered masterfully in every class. Reza brings offers ideas and challenges to each person on a personal level. Always asking for your best and not comparing you to any one standard and creating a class that challenges you to reach new levels of accomplishments. I have learned from Reza that at any age and any skill level all goals are within reach with good direction, consistent work and strong support from good friends. With Reza's direction I have graduated from barely getting through my first 1-hour indoor cycling class to completing a 70 mile road race. Reza has opened my eyes to many other goals in my life.” “SPINNING CURES EVERYTHING...” Reza often reminds his students. Maybe it does…I must admit, the transformational effect his Cycling classes had on me and the other members I knew seemed astonishing. Lives were "literally" renewed; members lost weight, gained strength, improved their health and developed a positivity toward life that was absolutely infectious. Reza delivered on his
promise. With his direction, my life was changed forever.
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"Life
is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.
" Albert Einstein An hour of vigorous cardio that will go by in a flash and help you burn off between 300-800 calories or more. Put Reza to the test and take an indoor cycling class with him at the DC Ranch Village. REZA teaches every other week at The DC Ranch Village on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 5:45AM to 6:40AM. It's time for a change in your fitness routine. Life is such an interesting adventure! It truly is. The Soul of REZA The
soul of REZA - as I call it - reminds us that the path is long and
winding. Clarity in the moment is essential to improving your awareness
in life, health, and well-being. It is no wonder so many people get addicted to Spinning. Once you have experienced the RUSH you get from a great spin class, you'll have a hard time settling for anything else. REZA takes teaching seriously. It is his passion. His goal is to challenge you in a way no one has before. REZA believes that there is an athlete somewhere inside you and he is determined to help you find that hidden beast inside. If you're not a member at The Village, be Reza's guest for your first class and enjoy a complimentary spin class at The DC Ranch Village. How many times a week can I attend a Spin class? Spinning is one of the few forms of exercise that you can do every day. Listen to your body and take a few days off if you feel you need a break. Remember, you don't have to go 100% everytime you take a spin class. Sometimes it's best to do a recovery ride and give your body a well-deserved break. REZA suggests starting with two or three classes a week. Your desire to take more classes will expand naturally and you will find yourself doing more and more, experiencing a powerful feeling of wellness. Anytime you attend a spin class, do let your instructor know about injuries or conditions that might affect your performance. How should I dress for Spin? Wear a pair of comfortable shorts, (padded biking shorts are better) and a t-shirt. Wear running or tennis shoes (biking shoes would be better). The Village DC Ranch has SPD and pedals, if you plan to wear bike shoes. Don’t eat for about one or two hours before class. But make sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after class. Please let your instructor know if there is anything else that you might need for a perfect indoor cycling experience.
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