16 I ENERGY TIMES • July/August 2010

nter summer, exit protec-tive clothing. As we shedour sweaters and ventureout into the sun, weexpose our skin and eyes

to summer’s deceptively harsh ele-ments—and our bodies to injury as weengage in sports, swimming and otheroutdoor activities. Thankfully, you canprepare for summer’s inevitable sun-burns, scrapes, insect bites and musclepulls by building an all-natural firstaid kit.

Pine ProtectionYour summer kit should include sun-screen, but remember that it’s not acure-all—even the best sunscreen onlyblocks some of the sun’s damagingrays. Nutritional supplements cansupport skin from the inside out tocomplement sunblock. “To preventsunburn, it is important to have opti-mal levels of calcium, magnesiumand vitamin D, as well as essentialfatty acids and antioxidants,” saysSharon Stills, ND of NaturopathicSolutions in Plainview, New York.One example of a protective antioxi-

dant is the French pine bark extractPycnogenol. The sun’s harmful raysunleash damaging molecules calledfree radicals; they also promoteinflammation that results in sunburn.Pycnogenol quenches free radicalsand modulates the body’s inflamma-tory response.In studies Pycnogenol has demon-

strated a capacity for increasing theskin’s sunburn resistance and reduc-ing skin redness after exposure toultraviolet light. In one investigation,Pycnogenol showed an ability to pro-tect mice against a form of skin cancer

known as squamous cell carcinoma(Toxicology and Industrial Health 5-6/09). Pycnogenol has also been foundto accelerate skin healing and reducescar formation, making it helpful forinjuries sustained during rough-and-tumble summer activities.If you do get a sunburn, Laurie

Steelsmith ND, LAc of SteelsmithNatural Health Center in Honolulusuggests using black tea to ease dis-comfort. “Make a few good strongcups of tea. Soak a towel in the tea andapply to the burned skin, or take abath in tea to help alleviate sting,”advises Steelsmith, author of NaturalChoices for Women’s Health (ThreeRivers). “After you no longer have‘heat’ emanating from your skin, applyaloe vera to help to heal and preventscarring.” You should also keep aloevera on hand near the barbecue, whereit can take the sting out of burns.

Internal SunglassesA hat and shades are mandatory sum-mertime protection. But few sun-glasses are able to block all of thesun’s damaging rays. Lutein , anantioxidant nutrient found in foodssuch as dark leafy vegetables, can helpby acting as “internal sunglasses.”Lutein (along with its chemical part-

ner zeaxanthin) has been found tosettle in the eye’s retina and act as afilter that absorbs damaging blue lightfrequencies from the sun. Lutein alsoneutralizes free radicals generated bythe sun’s deep-penetrating UVA rays.These actions are especially impor-

tant as the years go by because sun-induced free radical damage in theretina is linked to age-related maculardegeneration, a condition thataccounts for most cases of blindnessin Americans age 65 and older.Supplementation has been found to

m a k e o v e rMALADY

Natural First AidBe prepared for summertime’s bumps, bites and burns with these remedies.

E

increase lutein concentrations withinthe retina (Current Eye Research 4/10).In a similar manner, lutein helps

protect skin from the sun’s dam-ag ing rays . Resea r che r s havefound that supplemental luteinmig ra te s to the sk in , where i tdiminishes the effects of UV radia-tion, helps to counteract the sun’s“photoaging” effects, such as finelines and wrinkles, and increasesthe skin’s hydration and elasticity.MSM , an organic form of sulfurbest known for its pain-relievinge f f e c t s , a l so he lps keep sk insmooth and supple.

Easing the OuchFor cuts and scrapes, stock your sum-mer first-aid kit with tea tree oil,taken from a plant (Melaleuca alterni-folia) native to the east coast ofAustralia. This broad-spectrum anti-septic can be applied externally tocombat bacterial, viral and fungal

infections. Keep a small bottle handyin your sports bag or beach tote andyou’ll be well prepared for quick treat-ment of minor injuries as well as theathlete’s foot fungus that can lurk inpublic pools and locker rooms.Calendula ointment, taken from

the pot marigold (Calendula offici-nal is) , works to gently c leansewounds; it also helps to preventinfection and minimize scarring.CoQ10 (now avai lable in theform ubiquinol) is best known asan energy supplement but hasbeen found to speed wound healingas wel l (Archives of PharmacalResearch 6/09).Feeling bugged? If you are a magnet

for mosquitoes, you might be lackingin B vitamins . These pests arebelieved to go after people who areB-deficient, so be sure take your Bsdaily to keep bugs at bay. If you do getbit, either calamine lotion or witchhazel solution can ease the itching,

while supplemental quercetin canhelp fight an allergic reaction.For summer sports injuries such as

sprains and strains, reach for brome-lain . A compound derived frompineapple, bromelain is an effectiveanti-inflammatory enzyme thatdecreases pain and swelling. “As asupplement, take 750 milligramsthree times a day on an empty stom-ach,” Stills recommends. “Or, you canjuice the inner core of a pineapple.” AEpsom salt bath with lavenderessential oil, along with measureddoses of homeopathic arnica, willhelp melt away muscle strains andtension. In addition, magnesium andwhite willow bark have well-docu-mented muscle soothing properties.Don’t let the perils of the great out-

doors limit your fun in the sun thissummer. Get back to basics with nat-ural first aid options, and you’ll easilymanage common summertime healthissues.—Patrick Dougherty

July/August 2010 • ENERGY TIMES I 17

14 ENERGY TIMES | Apri l 2007

augh. Sneeze. Squint.Yawn. Repeat. This is just

some of what our remarkablefaces can do in a matter of

mere minutes. Add the effectsof stress to an ever-changing array

of expressions and there’s no doubtthat our features suffer the conse-quences . Facial muscles can getstrained, making us develop deeplines and an overall worn look. Somepeople even develop annoyingtwitches from overworked, stressedfacial muscles. While many will runto the plastic surgeon’s office to cor-rect these problems, there are all-natural solutions for those who’drather avoid the scalpel or needle—including yoga facials.

We all know how yoga stretches,relaxes and tones muscles through-out the body; yoga facials bring thesesame benefits to muscles in the face.Yoga facials present a non-invasive,holistic anti-aging approach: defin -itely worth a try before that first shotof Botox! Believe it or not, you canflex your face the same way you flexyour biceps, and achieve a tonedappearance. Best of all, you can domost of these exercises almost any-where—just remember to warn yourco-workers if you plan on doingthem at your desk!

Face FactsAmazingly, the face, neck and scalparea has 57 separate muscles—andexercising them every day enhancesblood flow to the whole area, whichcan create a healthy glow and helppromote supple skin. As facial circu-lation is increased, more oxygen andnutrition reaches the skin cells ,

helping to stimu-late collagen pro-duction and fightoff f ree-radicaldamage. And asfacial musclesbecome strongerthe skin shouldtighten and lift ,which can lead toa more youthfulappearance.

Facial yoga prac-tice is like that ofa regular yogaclass: It involves agreat deal ofstretching, push-ing and pulling .Make sure you dothese exercises atleast once a day;optimal benefitsare achieved with a twice-dailymorning and evening routine. If youskip a session, adopt a yogicapproach—do better next time! Eachof the following exercises should beheld for six deep breaths through thenose and repeated ten times.

To target the muscles of the fore-head and help remove lines abovethe brow: Spread and separate yourfingers with your thumbs folded in.Place your f ingertips where yourscalp meets your face, near the tem-ples. Push straight up and hold. Atthis point, raise your eyebrows. Anddon’t forget to breathe!

To target the forehead musclesright above and in between the eye-brows: Place the middle fingertip ofeach hand in the center of each eye-brow. Pull the brows apart, and at

the same time frown. For the secondstep, place the middle fingertip ofeach hand in the center of eachbrow. Then push the brows togetherwhile raising them.

To eliminate crow’s feet aroundthe eyes: Place the ring and middlefingers of each hand at the outer cor-ners of the eyes. Pull the corner ofthe eyes toward the hairline andhold. At the same time, squeeze theeyelids together.

To eliminate puffiness around theeyes: Place three center fingers ofeach hand on the area underneaththe eye; pull down while trying toclose your eyes.

To work the muscles that run fromthe corners of the nose to the cor-ners of the mouth: Place boththumbs under the top lip; grab your

t r a i n e rPERSONAL

Yoga FacialsStretch, push and pull your face for younger-looking skin.

www.energyt imes .com | ENERGY TIMES 15

lip with the sides of your index fingers;pull the lip straight down and hold.While holding the lip in place, try topull it up.

To fill out the cheeks and firm theface: Take your three center fingers,place them on the apples of the cheeksand push down. At the same time,smile as hard as you can. Put your headback when doing this. For the nextexercise, put your thumb in yourmouth, right in the center of the cheek,and push the cheek out. In the mean-time, pull the cheek back toward theteeth against your thumb.

To alleviate that dreaded doublechin: Take your three center fingersand pull the chin down, while curlingyour lower lip over the bottom teeth.In the next step, place your fingerstogether, with your thumbs stickingout. Push up on the chin with yourthumbs. At the same time, press yourtongue to the roof of your mouth.

Finally, to firm and smooth the sidesof the neck: Lie face-up on a bed andhang your head over the edge. As youinhale, slowly raise your head in linewith your body; on the exhale, loweryour head back down again. Dothis exercise for three sets of f ivebreaths only.

You can maximize the impact of theseexercises by incorporating supplementsthat promote healthy, youthful-lookingskin. One of yoga’s facial benefits is thatit allows for better nutrient delivery toskin cells—why not take advantage ofthat fact?

MSM , an organic sulfur, is a keybuilding block for skin collagen. Manypeople have found that MSM causesskin to become softer and smoother,with improved elasticity. Studiesshow that supplementation withlutein can boost skin’s hydra tion andelasticity while helping to protectagainst sun damage. Lastly, theAmerican Academy of Dermatology

recommends the antioxidants seleni-um, vitamin E and vitamin C to help protect against f ree radical damage, preserve tissue elasticity and

stimulate collagen synthesis.Don’t want to let time leave its marks

on your face? Turn to yoga. Namaste.—Anastasia Dorahova

fitness

A ballerina’s body, with its long, lean muscles, is most envi-able. There’s no question, the strong, yet feminine physique of a dancer issomething almost every woman would like to attain. And according to thelatest trend in fitness – The Bar Method – you don’t have to train for yearsor invest in a tutu to pull off this lovely look.

The Bar Method is based on the technique of German dancer Lotte Berk.After a back injury, she had the idea of combining ballet bar routines withrehabilitative therapy to form a unique exercise system known today as theLotte Berk Method. Lydia Bach brought it to the U.S. and further refinedthe method to make it a single, all encompassing exercise for womenwith the end goal of developing a dancer’s body.

Years later, journalist Burr Leonard entered the picture. She quickly fell inlove with the technique, left her profession and spent a year studying andeventually teaching The Lotte Berk Method. Soon after, she noticed thatsome of her clients’ knees, backs and shoulders were not responding wellto the exercises.

To solve this issue, she sought the help of a physical therapist. Under hisguidance, she gradually reworked and updated the sculpting exercises andthe system as a whole, so that they would target students’ muscles withoutjoint impact. Once mastered, Burr left Lotte Berk which soon disbanded(2005) and introduced her own program named The Bar Method in 2001.Today, there are 25 studio locations open around the country.

72 winter 2009 woodbury

by marissa candela

Transform Your BodySo what is the bar method exactly? In a recent, very full class at The BarMethod studio in Port Washington, the first of its kind on Long Island andone of 25 franchises in the United States to-date, I found out. As luckwould have it, founder Burr Leonard was teaching just for that day, so theenergy was high. The studio was basic; comfortable with carpeted floors,mirrors and ballet bars that flank the class. Socks are worn, along with longpants to allow freedom of movement. After settling in, we began with a seriesof simple leg raises to warm the muscles. The music was comfortablyaudible and its tempo matched our pace. We then worked the upper bodywith free weights, push-ups and stretches using the bar, but all movementswere very concentrated, controlled isolations to ignite a deep muscle burn.This was soothed by ample stretches right after each exercise. Soon into theclass I broke out into a sweat, as did my classmates – this was no easy workout.

Next came challenging exercises for the lower body, most of them per-formed in various standing positions while grasping the bar. As the classprogressed, Burr encouraged the class to dig deeper and push themselvesto maximize effect, manually adjusting students’ positions along the way.After she caught my cheating posture and corrected my hip positioningduring a leg exercise, I immediately felt a more intense pull in my quads.

The workout continued with floor exercises for the abdominals and gluteson comfortable mats and concluded with a relaxing series of back and legstretches with bands to maximize effect. At the class’s culmination mymuscles were shaking, a common effect for newbies.

former Lotte Berk guru goes for gold with The Bar Method

woodbury winter 2009 73

In speaking with Burr following the class she said, “The Bar Method is quite differentfrom working out at a traditional gym, where basically ‘pump and hold’ until themuscle fatigues is the norm. Instead, it offers isometric reps within a structuredroutine that enables you to go deeper. It recharges the muscles and stabilizes thejoints, making them firm and balanced.”

And because it was designed from rehabilitative exercises, clients with knee injuriesand even hip replacements can also try this non-impact, challenging workout. Accord-ing to Burr, those with wrist injuries can modify the exercises to avoid further injury.

Followers of the program also claim self awareness is heightened, remarking thatas you go through the moves you feel your body more deeply. Personally, I can at-test that the next day soreness of unfamiliar muscles affirmed that the workoutdoes go deep, at least on a physical level.

Mollie Mulholland and Michelle Avena Rowe, co-owners of the Long Island fran-chise, are believers and banking on this workout as a fitness movement; not atrend people will bore of. “Although the sequence of the class is the same, varia-tions allow it to remain fresh and interesting. Plus, you can always drive yourselffurther in class,” said Mulholland.

Risa Waltos from Manhasset, who has been taking Bar Method classes three tofour times per week for the past five months, agrees. “It has toned, lengthenedand defined my muscles. After just two weeks, I began to see a difference. Youbegin to push yourself when you get the moves down, which only takes about threeor so classes. I loved that as I went along my ‘inner ballerina’ began to emerge.”

And although cardio enthusiasts may be concerned, students who measuredcalorie burn during class shed between 250-800 calories in a one hour session(also keep in mind that rigorous cardio can also spark your appetite, killing theresults of a workout faster than you can get into first position). This high calorieburn can result in significant weight loss.

So if you’re wondering if The Bar Method is for you, why not take a trial class?While there, it’s hard not to notice the strong, lithe physiques of its avid followers,which may very well inspire you to discover your own inner ballerina! |For information visit www.barmethod.com or call the Port Washington location at 516.767.7560. FounderBurr Leonard will be back in the area this coming February. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch a class with her!

fitness

Maybe it’s the recent popularity of shows like So You Think You Can Danceand Dancing with the Stars. Perhaps it’s the lure of a fun, dance clubatmosphere sans the high-calorie drinks and cheesy pick-up lines. Or, itcould be that participants unwittingly burn hundreds of calories in one60-minute session, whooping it up as if they were at the hottest danceparty around.

No matter. Zumba, Colombian slang meaning “to move fast and have fun,”has been gaining recognition for the past decade. Accidentally discoveredby professional dancer and choreographer Beto Perez, it was brought tothe U.S. in 1999. This high-octane, Columbian-born dance aerobics fusesfootwork and body movements from salsa, merengue, flamenco, samba,cumbia, reggaeton, bachata, belly dancing, hip-hop and more.

The Zumba Craze Has ArrivedMost recently, Zumba’s being offered at gyms and studios – some of whichare exclusively devoted to the craze – around the country. According toZumba Fitness, LLC, 1 million plus Americans have taken Zumba classes,following the moves of over 3,500 instructors nationwide. Now, Zumba-mania has hit Long Island. There’s no question it has exploded, spreadinginternational rhythms and fancy footwork like wildfire.

Certified Zumba instructor and part of the regime appointed by ZumbaFitness to bring it to the forefront of the fitness industry on Long Island,Nathan Blake said “Zumba’s momentum has slowly been building for quitesome time and has really taken off on the Island. Its popularity is largely

due to the fact that it’s not rigidly choreographed, so people aren’t intimi-dated by it.”

“Zumba is unlike any other form of exercise in that participants are drivensolely by the music, feeding off the energy and motivation of those aroundthem. It’s a more open-minded fitness program. Yes, each song has aparticular routine, but since it’s not regimented it doesn’t matter if youdon’t get the steps perfectly. No matter what your fitness level, sizeor background, all that matters is that you’re having fun. It’s the best‘non-dancer’ dance class around.”

Instructor Abigail Davila of the buzz-worthy Zumba classes at North ShorePerforming Arts Center (NSPAC) in Syosset commented, “My clients lovethe fact that the class is dance oriented, fun and non-stop. They don’t re-alize they’re getting a real workout until the end, when they’re soaked withsweat. It’s also the same music they would hear on the radio or in a club,so it’s familiar. And with each song, we always ease into the more intricatemoves; so even if I get someone who is hesitant at the beginning, theyrealize quickly that they can take it at your own level and pace. Almostalways, clients are hooked and looking for another class.”

At a recent high-energy Zumba trial class at NSPAC, Carolyn Gilbert-Schwartz signed up for a 7-week package with her friends and daughter,a good short-term commitment alternative to a full gym membership. Shecommented, “My daughter Ilana and I loved it. It was very energetic withthe right balance of cardio. I love to dance, and the rhythmic exercisesand sexy Latin steps enhanced my moves overall. I didn’t want to stop at

72 fall 2009 woodbury

Shimmy and Shaketoward Fitness with Zumba

“Beto” PerezPhoto courtesy ofZumba Fitness

by marissa candela

the end and was literally dripping with sweat! The instructor was veryprofessional as well.”

At a local gym, Zumba classes have become so popular devotees startlining up a half hour prior to class. Member Alexa Martin from Plainviewcommented on how she began Zumba. “I would literally stop my workoutto watch the Zumba class from the weight room because it looked like somuch fun. I decided to try it and have become a fan ever since, and nowI’m lining up, too. It’s fun, great exercise and I’m learning some cool newmoves that I could probably even use on the dance floor.”

It’s All About the MusicZumba is all about feeling the music and just like each song, each classis unique. Instructors often add their own choreography and musicalselections, which are primarily Latin-based beats mixed with anythingand everything, including slow-tempo tunes and even rock and roll.

Where some songs and moves may repeat with the same instructor, a goodinstructor will change things up enough to keep it fresh. The key is to stayconnected to the music because when it changes, the steps will too.Some instructors even use easy-to-read hand signals to indicate changesin movement, making the class a breeze to follow.

If you’ve got rhythm and can move, you’ll hone your dancing skills evenfurther with Zumba. And if you’ve got two left feet, at least you’ll beexercising and learning, sans judgment!

Achieve Real ResultsAside from having a blast, you’ll achieve long-term body benefits with acommitment to Zumba. One exhilarating hour of caloric-burning, body-ener-gizing movements can significantly contribute to weight loss. It also increasesendurance, builds bone density, improves balance and muscle tone, whichin turn can improve blood pressure and overall physical and mental health.

Zumba enthusiasts even credit the workout with resulting in tighter abs.

Because the style of the dance engages your core, it can have the sameeffect as doing crunches. Calorie burn ranges on the effort put into theclass, but you can expect to burn a minimum of 400 calories in onesession, and as high as 1,000 calories per hour.

Zumba Love is SpreadingInterestingly enough, many class members and instructors have bondedthrough Zumba, changing people’s outlook and health for the better. MerryKuschner from Plandome commented, “Not only does Zumba give peoplea fun, amazing workout, there’s no pretense to it. Zumba was a big part ofmy weight loss success, and I’m more motivated because I’ve made friendsthrough class. You see the same people over and over each week, so you’rebound to connect.”

Anne Marie Russo from Great Neck credits Zumba from pulling her outof an exercise slump. “I stopped doing Jazzercise because I felt that it wasbecoming stale. For a while I didn’t exercise at all. Zumba reawakened mysenses and has made me enthusiastic about working out again.”

If a class-environment is not for you, CDs and DVDs are also available atzumba.com for home use.

Zumba is the fitness wave of the moment worth exploring for those intriguedby a high energy workout. To get started, all you need is a pair of good,supportive shoes, such as cross-trainers, or dance-specific sneakers, freeflowing active wear, an absorbent towel, a bottle of water and a carefree,positive attitude. |

To find a Zumba classnear you, visit www.zumba.com/us/and click on “Find a Class.” Classesare also offered at the North ShorePerforming Arts Center in Syosset.Call 516.364.1150 for classschedules and information.

woodbury fall 2009 73

According to the American Pain Foundation, an estimated 20 million Americans suffer

from chronic pain each year, making it all the more difficult to stay in shape as

time marches on. Although recent trendsdictate our interests to get back to basicsand achieve healthier lifestyles through diet,exercise and supplements, we continue toendure sore feet, ankles, knees, hips, back,shoulders, elbows…the list goes on. Giventhe amount of time we spend either sitting orhunched over in our cars, desks, computers,and even workout machines, it’s no wonder.

Going from static to active often results inchronic pain, affecting exercise regimens,daily routines, and interrupting our overallquality of life. For many, more traditional op-tions such as medication, surgery, physicaltherapy and even chiropractic have begun to fall short, so it’s no wonder millions haveinstead turned to the Egoscue Method insome form for sweet relief.

Pete Egoscue, a former Vietnam Marine in-fantry officer, developed the Egoscue Methodafter being shot in the hip and buttocks on the left side of his body. Although traditionalmedicine helped, he was still riddled withpain after healing. Literally taking mattersinto his hands in 1969, Pete diligently beganto study anatomy, learning the body’s design and seeking answers to lead a pain-free, active existence.

At the core of Pete’s findings was that the body is brilliantly simple. “We are all bilater-ally symmetrical,” said Egoscue, meaningboth the left and right sides are designed todo the exact same thing. Therefore, his phi-losophy is when you perform balance pro-moting exercises; one can eventually be freeof pain and limitation. He then developed aseries of gentle movements and carefullyconstructed stretches to do exactly that.

Over time, he claims the pain and limp van-ished by focusing on the equilibrium of hisleft and right side movements. It wasn’t longbefore other wounded Marines sought his help.

This “hobby” morphed into the first of twocorporations being formed in California in1978. Pete is now a nationally known physi-ologist and sports injury consultant to topathletes. The exercises are now known as e-Cises, specifically geared toward each individual based on a rigorous, yet simpleevaluation. Presently, there are over 20 clinics nationwide, several bestselling books– the most popular entitled Pain Free – andthrongs of Egoscue instructors and devotees.

During a recent interview, Pete explained,“Gym rats who bust their butts without balance are actually retarding their ability to generate internal health. We know moreabout our health than anyone else, espe-cially women, who are naturally intuitive. Unfortunately, we mostly ignore painfulsymptoms, which are signals that your bodyis trying to tell you something. A symptom is not to be feared, but understood.”

He continued, “Women are spending billionsof dollars on cosmetic procedures of all kindsto look younger. The assumption is when youlook younger you feel younger, but it’s noth-ing to do with the image in the mirror, it’sjust the perception of that image.”

There are many ways in which one can “do” Egoscue. Since the closest clinic is in Rybrook, NY, a more viable option for Long Islanders is to seek the guidance of a personal trainer certified in The EgoscueMethod, such as instructor Michael Levensonof The Balanced Body on the North Shore. A 23-year fitness industry veteran with multiple certifications in massage, Yoga andPilates, and now, Egoscue, Levenson found a plethora of answers to nagging healthquestions with Egoscue, as he’s dealt directly with professional athletes’ injuriesand had spinal surgery himself.

He commented, “Egoscue just makes sense. It puts the power back into the person’shands because the exercises are designed toput you into the proper position so you canperform any sport without hurting yourself.

by marissa candela

fitness

72 summer 2010 woodbury

BREAKING THROUGH PAINtoward optimal fitness

with the egoscue method

Although The Egoscue Method may sound reminiscent of chiropractic, it differs because it does not “force” or manually manipulate the body back into position. Rather, balance is naturally promoted through gentle movements,stretches and exercises.

Dr. Todd Sinett, Chiropractor and Kinesiologist at Midtown Chiropractic and Wellness in Manhattan and author of the book The Truth About Back Pain,commented, “Egoscue seems to be a very good non-invasive, structural approach,especially for those limited in movement. It’s always good to try things before considering surgery because you have nothing to lose.”

However, Dr. Sinett thinks there is no cure-all, and that we’re missing two-thirdsof the equation. He continued, “Pain is not just a structural problem. Rather, itstems from three main sources. Emotions are the number one cause, as proven by Stanford University. Next, diet and nutrition are a huge part. Finally, hormoneslike cortisol, especially prevalent in women during their monthly cycle, play a major role. Therefore, we must pay attention to all pain sources and approach them from various angles.”

Dr. Sinett provides more detail in his book, including a “No More Back PainDiet,” which instructs to avoid triggers like caffeine, alcohol, and processed foodsand sweeteners, at least for a few weeks. It’s hard to argue that health truly does radiate from the inside out, no matter what method you choose to overcome pain.

A

Essentially, doing the e-Cises quiets downand retrains over-stimulated muscles andstrengthens the weak ones.”

With a private instructor such as Levenson,an initial evaluation can take up to threehours depending on the person’s limitations.First, a detailed questionnaire is filled out.Then with a trained eye, he examines struc-tural discrepancies while clients standagainst a wall forwards, then facing the wall,and finally, left and right. The findings areplugged into a computerized system thatconstructs a series of e-Cises from a menuof over 600 maneuvers based on the individ-ual’s needs. Sessions can be a commitmentof up to 60 minutes per day, the first ofwhich is carefully guided by the instructor.

After, clients perform the exercises on theirown and have sessions once or several timesper week depending, then every four weeksas the body adjusts and changes. The menuof exercises evolves along with the client, becoming more challenging as they progressover an average of 8 weeks. Levenson said,“My clients feel at least thirty percent betterafter the first session. After I show them howto do the exercises, they gradually don’tneed me because they become stronger,more aligned and eventually free of pain,which is the goal.”

After Egoscue clients are pain free, balancedand completely aligned, it is recommended to take on the next phase known as Patch Fitness, which includes a unique combina-tion of drills and playful strengthening activities designed to allow your body toreach its full potential. Patch exercises arereminiscent of a time when as kids in a Jungle Gym, we were easily able to run,jump, crawl, duck, leap and roll around –whatever suited our fancy during play. In ourstatic modern world, we hardly ever exertourselves in this manner.

After completing The Egoscue Method and performing the Patch exercises, clients claim to be free of pain, stand taller, have better balance, breathe deeper, and have better overall strength. They are able to performany sport without limitation and achievemore productive workouts due to the greaterforce of contraction in their muscles, as theyare now doing their job more efficiently.

So, if you’re struggling in your workout, orpracticing avoidance because you’re in pain, it may be worthwhile to consider theEgoscue Method to get back on track and restore your body to its natural state – onethat’s pain free, perfectly aligned and atpeak performance level. |

RIGHT LEFT

KNEE JOINTS

HIPJOINTS

SHOULDERJOINTS

S-Curved CenteredSPINAL COLUMN

LEFT FOURSOCKET POSITION

RIGHT FOURSOCKET POSITION

ANKLE JOINTS

Due to the wide variety of bodytypes in real life situations, shoulderjoints may not aligndirectly over thehip, knee, andankle joints.

All 4 joint levelsparallel withone another

All right (90˚) angles at all 8joints (horizontal,vertical, andfront-to-back).

Designed tobear weight

in an upright position

and to movethe body

Mirror image bilateral bodysymmetry:Equal balance,function, andparts of eitherside of the centerline of gravity andbody axis.

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