"AROUND THE
PLAZA"
It's not too late to sign
up and join in our fun fitness adventure,
"Around The Plaza" beginning Monday, February
2nd. Move your gamepiece around the "board"
by exercising and win rewards from participating
Stuyvesant Plaza merchants, or maybe even the
grand prize of silver personal training sessions
weekly for the month of
April! E-mail us now at info@PlazaFitness.net to
register and we'll send you all the details!
Start moving, and start winning!
|
| Personal Training
Success Story |
| David didn't
mince words when he joined Plaza Fitness in
October-- "Lose the gut," was his number one
goal. Getting healthier, increasing
flexibility, and reducing his back and shoulder
pain so he could return to martial arts training
were also important he said but, first things
first.
In response to our comprehensive wellness
recommendation, David worked with Brianna, our
Holistic Health and Nutrition Counselor,
to improve his eating habits. He
also started a healthy walking routine on his
own in addition to regularly guided exercise
sessions with Jason to improve his muscle
function. His initial Movement Screen
score of 8 in October grew to 11 in January,
with a significant increase in pain-free
function.
More to the point, David lost 22 pounds
including a 3 inch loss around the
midsection! David is also standing 2 inches
taller than when he started, a tremendous postural
improvement.
Enjoy the benefits of the journey toward
optimal health for yourself, and for all those who
care about you and need you at your best!
Call 482-2266 today to discuss your
personal health and fitness goals with a
fitness
professional. |
| A Massage Now More
Than Ever
by: Associated
Bodywork & Massage
Professionals |
| While you may be
tempted to trim your wellness budget when economic
times are tough, now more than ever, massage
should play a role in reducing stress and
strengthening the health of Americans. When you
feel your best, you are more likely to be able to
face the challenges difficult times present.
Massage is more than a
luxury--it's a vital part of self-care that has a
positive ripple effect on us as we work, play,
relax, live life, and care for others. The last
thing you want is to get sick, have to take time
off of work, and pay expensive medical bills.
Staying healthy means maintaining your ability to
take whatever life has to throw at you. Besides
lowering stress levels and, in turn, reducing the
risk of stress-related illnesses, massage also
boosts immunity, helping you fight colds, flu, and
other viral infections.
Following is a sampling of a long
list of bodywork benefits:
- Ease anxiety.
-
Reduce the flow of stress hormones.
- Improve
sleep.
- Boost the immune system.
- Build
energy levels.
- Reduce fatigue.
- Foster
concentration.
- Increase circulation.
-
Develop self-esteem.
- Reduce frequency of
headaches.
- Release endorphins.
And massage is an excellent
value. The price of massage has remained stable in
recent years, as the cost of movies, dining out,
and sports events has risen. Which of these has
the power to improve your health and your outlook
on life? Jeff Carr, licensed massage
therapist, is available Fridays and
Saturdays at Plaza Fitness. Call 482-2266 to
book your massage. |
The Benefits of Home
Cooking, part 1
Brianna Harrington, Holistic
Health & Nutrition
Counselor |
| "You don't have to
cook fancy or complicated masterpieces -- just
good food from fresh ingredients." - Julia
Child
With the hectic, modern society
we live in, we have become accustomed to relying
on packaged foods, fast foods, and convenience
foods. Instead of meals being produced in
our kitchens, pre-made meals are being brought
into our kitchens from various commercial
locations. There is nothing wrong with
having quick meals that fit with our busy lives,
however it's important that these quick meals are
being created using fresh, nutritious foods, and
are being created by YOU. There are many reasons
why preparing your own food leads to a healthier
life.
When we make our own meals we
know what is in them. Packaged food and
restaurant food contain very high amounts of
sugar, salt and fat, much more than we would
normally use if we were in control of the
ingredients. They also contain various
chemicals and preservatives such as high fructose
corn syrup, MSG and nitrates. These are very
harmful and can be addictive.
When you use simple whole food
ingredients like fruits, vegetables, beans and
whole grains, you will be spending a lot less on
your shopping bill compared to frozen dinners with
skimpy portions and family meal deals at fast food
restaurants. You will also be saving
thousands of dollars on future medical bills,
because when you and your family are nourished
with whole foods, the chances of contracting the
modern day illnesses (heart disease, diabetes,
obesity) grow slimmer with every wholesome
meal.
It is rare for families to eat
together anymore, so making the effort to prepare
a sit down dinner when everyone is present will
strengthen the family bond. It is also a way
for everyone to take a break from the various
activities that can cause stress and
fatigue.
Next month I'll present some
simple strategies you can use to make home cooking
more healthy, convenient, and
enjoyable. If you'd like to meet with me
and talk about your unique eating challenges, call
482-2266 for an appointment.
|
| Pilates Playground
Postings
Penny Shure,
Pilates Leader |
|
January has flown by! I am really
enjoying teaching at Plaza Fitness and getting to
know all of you!
There is a new morning mat class
on Mondays at 8:30, and I believe this
will help more people fit Pilates into their
exercise routines. The Pilates method is a
terrific way to strengthen your core, improve on
your current level of fitness, and maintain a
supple body, mind and spirit.
Think of it as another healthy habit, like
brushing your teeth!
Performing the movement patterns often
enough will help prevent injuries and
keep you strong. Joseph Pilates considered
his exercises the fountain of youth that people
are looking for!
Please stop into Pilates Playground and
say hello. Try out a class or come in and
observe one. In addition to Monday 8:30
AM, Pilates classes are offered
on Tuesday 11:30 AM, Wednesday 8:00 AM,
Thursday 11:30 AM, and Friday 11:00 AM. I
look forward to meeting and teaching you
soon. Private sessions on the reformer
or mat exercises may also be arranged by calling
482-2266.
|
| Qigong Is Coming
to Plaza Fitness
Steve Cosimano,
Qigong Leader |
| Almost
anyone can learn to practice Qigong to maintain
and improve his or her health. The
foundations of Qigong and Traditional Chinese
Medicine theory state as the main ingredient
of practice that intention (Yi) directs the
movement of the essential functional energy of
life (Qi), which in turn directs the flow of blood
in the body. The objective of the
exercises is to strengthen the Qi in the body and
remove obstructions to Qi flow that may have
developed due to injury, emotional states, diet,
disease or other factors.
The practice of Qigong is the act of
bringing awareness and skill to direct the
function and movement of Qi. The correct
movement of Qi is a force that engages the body's
natural tendency toward balance.
Regulating the mind into a state of relaxation is
the most important step in qigong practice.
Continued practice provides reinforcement of
the body's inclination toward balance and toward
optimal use of all its functions and
potential. For adults, Qigong can remove
fatigue and raise working efficiency. Join
Steve every Tuesday at 4:00 PM beginning
February 3rd for Qigong.
For more information, call Plaza Fitness at
482-2266 or visit www.albanyqigong.com. | |
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| Featured
Article: Around The Plaza |
| Register today for our "Around The
Plaza" contest. It all begins Monday,
February 2nd, but it's never too late to
start! |
| |
