Frankford resident Paul Corbin heads to Southampton for aerial yoga on a sunny spring day. Photo/Matthew Flowers

Paul Corbin was looking for a new way to get in shape and add some excitement to his workout routine. After becoming bored with the same routine of lifting weights and running, the Frankford resident was introduced to aerial yoga.

Aerial yoga is performed using various yoga movements, suspended a few inches in the air. This unique form of yoga revolves around counteracting gravity. Being suspended a few inches in the air releases tension on the bones and muscle, increasing flexibility.

“One of my friends is a fitness expert and took me out in her backyard one afternoon and she had a long piece of cloth hanging from her tree,” Corbin said. “She had me climb in and we began doing some exercises. I loved it so much. I felt like I was floating on air.” continue reading »

Liberty Belle Diamond Jones fends off a tackle during an April 2011 game against the New York Sharks. The Belles play the sharks in New York this May. Photo/Bill Achuff

The Philadelphia Liberty Belles will return to the field April 14 for another season of women’s tackle football. It’s the team’s fourth season in the Women’s Football Alliance.

Eight games are scheduled for the season, with half at home, and the Belles will play their first home game of the season at Northeast High School’s Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium on April 21.

The Belles were 2-6 list year and failed to make the post season for the first time in franchise history. The team returns this year with a partly new coaching staff. continue reading »

James Goins, or "Cory Kastle" in his last match before the seizure that lead him to brain surgery. Picture courtesy of James Goins.

James Goins, otherwise known as “Cory Kastle” to wrestling fans across the United States, was getting ready for one of his biggest shows ever when his life took a sudden turn for the worse.

On the same day Goins was to take part in a Pro Wrestling card at the Reading Phillies game last August, the Lawncrest native had a seizure in the shower, fell and hit his head on the bathroom sink.

“Usually what I do is, turn the music up really loud and lock the door. I’m home alone normally,” Goins said.

Luckily, he did not have his music on, and the door was unlocked during the time of the seizure.  Goins said his mother happened to be home from work and found James wrapped up in the shower curtain on the floor, suffocating.  She immediately called 911. continue reading »

Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders talk about cheerleading and life with members of Camelot’s Excel Academy North cheerleading team. The school’s mascot is, coincidentally, the Eagle. Photo/Camelot Schools

From Camelot Schools:

Proving that a high school can have a cheerleading team even when there are no school teams to cheer for, girls from Camelot’s Excel Academy North have formed the school’s first ever cheerleading squad.

To celebrate the team’s formation, four cheerleaders from the Philadelphia Eagles visited the school on Bustleton Avenue to share some dancing tips and life advice.

The Eagles cheerleaders talked about the sacrifices required to become successful. One key piece of advice: more practice and less partying. continue reading »

Father Judge cheerleaders at the Jan. 7 basketball game against West Catholic High School. Photo/Bill Achuff

The above photo was shot during Friday’s Father Judge basketball game against West Catholic, with cheerleaders from St. Hubert’s High School.

Are you in the photo? Add your name to it in the comments section below.

GWHS grad Aaron Wilmer now plays as quarterback for Delaware Valley College. Photo by Bill Achuff

Aaron Wilmer, a product of George Washington High School, is now the quarterback for Delaware Valley College in Doylestown.

Recently named the Middle Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, Wilmer led his Aggies team to a perfect 10-0 regular season record, its fourth consecutive conference championship, and the team’s third straight berth in postseason playoffs. continue reading »

Roger Price of the Bustleton Bengals

The Bustleton Bengals Club is one of many sports organizations for boys and girls in the Northeast. The club continues to live out its mission that began in 1956. Past President and parent Vince Tarducci has been volunteering his time with the Bengals since 1997.

“It’s always been about the children from ages 4 to 18,“ Tarducci said. “We try to get them ready for high school years. We try to get them ready to be better citizens within the city of Philadelphia and whatever they do.”

The Bengals interact with several athletic organizations in the Northeast, but  one thing that sets this organization apart is something it’s lacking: a gymnasium.

“When [other clubs] play us, we have to use neighboring schools Anne Frank and Baldi,” Tarducci said. “We’re fortunate to have them, but we don’t have any control over the use of those places.” continue reading »

As of March 2011, the Philadelphia crime rate has increased compared to what it was in March of last year. Many organizations like the recently opened BE Arts Academy on Broad Street, have been aiming to get the kids off the streets and into a safe environment. The Holmesburg Boys Club has been quietly doing this for the past 50 years.

The large white brick building at Lansing and Ditman streets houses a full basketball court that doubles indoor hockey rink with boards and glass.  Unlike many other boys and girls clubs in Philadelphia, Holmesburg is entirely owned and operated by volunteers.

“We pay our own bills. We pay our own utilities,” says Matthew Mullins, the political liaison for the club. “This is a privately owned arena.” continue reading »

From left: Heavy Hitta's coach Rick Terrell, Kieran "Hitman" Hooks, LCA President Bill Dolbow, Heavy Hitta's coach Lonnie Haile

Weighed down by trophies and nursing a gym class injury, Kieran “Hitman” Hooks was all smiles at Tuesday night’s Lawncrest Community Association meeting.

He and Heavy Hitta’s Boxing Club coaches Lonnie Haile and Rick Terrell had recently returned from two tournaments where Hooks came out on top. continue reading »

Heavy Hitta's boxers celebrate their Mid-Atlantic Box Tournament wins at the February meeting of the Lawncrest Community Association.

Updated: The Heavy Hitta’s have returned from Pittsburgh with two awards. A slideshow from the tournament is below.