By Jai-Leen James
A Towson University graduate collaborated with journalism students from her alma mater to publish her first book this semester.
Karen Dubs held a book signing Thursday on campus at Towson University for her book “Find Your Flexible Warrior: Think, Stretch and Eat for Balance and Resilience.”
Photo from Dubs’ LinkedIn page.
Dubs – who is a registered yoga teacher, certified Pilates and Spinning instructor, a personal stretcher and a health coach specializing in flexibility, balance and recovery – said she was introduced to the fitness industry at the age of 16.
A 1992 Towson graduate, Dubs enlisted help from Professor JoAnne Broadwater’s new editing class in which Towson mass communications students worked together with Dubs to ensure the book adhered to proper AP style and grammar.
“Having the opportunity to work with students who sat in the same classroom as me, 25 years later, was both nostalgic and rewarding,” Dubs said.
Chanda Kumar, a junior graphic design major at Towson, designed the book cover and interior layout.
“Working with Karen was such a wonderful opportunity for me and I feel so lucky to have had it,” Kumar said. “She really helped me jump in to my future career field and I hope to work with her again soon.”
Dubs, who has battled Lyme disease and autoimmune thyroid disease the majority of her life, uses the book to discuss many nutrition and fitness techniques. She also expands upon the idea of her “Flexible Warrior” lifestyle.
“I founded Flexible Warrior in 2001 with the intention of bringing chillpower and flexibility to tight athletes,” Dubs said.
In her book, Dubs introduces the concepts of “willpower” and “chillpower.” Dubs said that the concept behind Flexible Warrior is the balance of opposites, stability with mobility. Dubs defines willpower as the ability to carry out decisions despite obstacles and chillpower as the ability to let go and be at peace with what is.
Dubs helped Olympic pentathlete Suzanne Stettinius remain flexible and in good health while she trained for five events leading up to the 2012 London summer games. Stettinius brought Dubs with her while she competed at the Olympics.
Dubs taught yoga and stretching for the Baltimore Ravens in 2013 when the team won the Super Bowl.
“The Baltimore Ravens are grateful for Karen’s dedication to keeping our players healthy,” the Ravens’ publications and public relations specialist, said.
Dubs also trained the University of Maryland men’s basketball team.
Dubs teaches her Flexibility for Warriors classes at Charm City in Baltimore. She has filmed a series of Flexible Warrior DVDs.
Dubs will be hosting another book signing Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 at the Hanover Library.
Dubs said that she intends to release an e-book in the near future.