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As far as feedback on the Posture Perfect!TM class goes, it has not only met my expectations, but exceeded them! There are several reasons I enjoy the class...
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The Sequoia Advisor
IN THIS ISSUE October 1st 2012
- Balance Practice Can Save Your Life
- A Powerful Set of Tools to Mitigate Stress
- Still Time to Join September 27th Beginner Posture Perfect!TM
- Up and Coming
- Osteoporosis Support News
Feel Better... Live Better
Balance Practice Can Save Your Life
By Woody McMahon
Good Balance Critical to a Long Life
As you age, good balance is one of the key components to maintaining a
healthy and independent lifestyle. Did you know that the #1 cause of
accidental death in people over age 65 is head trauma from falls? I have
known about this statistic for some time and because of it emphasize
balance training in all of my fitness programs. But just out of curiosity,
I asked several 50+ friends of mine about the head trauma statistic. I was
surprised to find out how few of them really understood the importance of
improving their balance as it related to maintaining good health.
Your Balance is Important to Self-Confidence
Your balance is involved in every single daily activity you undertake.
Being unable to balance generates fear and anxiety and reduces your
ability to have fun. If you can't balance, simple activities such as
walking up and down stairs become daunting rather than routine.For many people with balance problems, just walking on a flat surface
can create a challenge. If they were to add walking with groceries in
their hands, the task can become impossible. But just ask any of your
friends who might be having balance troubles and they will tell you of
its extreme importance.
Your Balance is Important to Independence
Good balance helps you remain independent. When surveyed, people
over age 65 always ranked maintaining their independence as they age
number one. Working on improving your balance helps prevent falls and
the medical cost assistance that is required for recovery. Starting a
balance training program is one of the most important fitness goals to
consider as you get older. You learned to balance at a young age and
can lose that ability unless you practice regularly. Sitting in exercise
machines is not a good way to stimulate your balance.
Practice Your Balance Daily
If you find yourself walking around feeling unstable or avoiding stairs
because of the fear of falling, it is time to start practicing your
balance. Balance training is easy to incorporate in any regular exercise
program; it just takes knowing how. When I perform a health and fitness
assessment and evaluate someone's balance, I use a simple test called
Single Leg Balance (SLB). You can try SLB at home and test your
balance as well.
Single Leg Balance... A Simple Test
To perform Single Leg Balance, stand on a flat, hard surface. Fold
your arms across the chest and then raise one foot off the floor
approximately two inches. Stand in this position with your head up
and shoulders level for 30 seconds. Make sure to breathe. During the
test, if your foot touches the ground or either shoulder dips to one
side, the test is over. Record your time. Now repeat for the other side.
A Test and an Exercise as Well
Not only is Single Leg Balance an important and reliable test but it is
also a simple and effective way to practice your balance as well. Try
standing on one leg for 30 seconds several times a day. Try it when you
are watching television, listening to the radio or any time you have a
spare moment or two. In balancing, as with most activities, the more you
practice the better you get. Until next time, I will be thinking of you
balancing on one leg.
Would you like to reduce stress and improve your bone health
but don't know where to start? I provide an easy to follow program
called Be Bone Strong! that helps improve your bone health, posture,
balance and strength while reducing fracture risk. Contact me anytime
for a no cost 20 minute consultation at 703-628-2880 or email to
woody@sequoiahealth.com.
A Powerful Set of Tools to Mitigate Stress
By Woody McMahon
Keeping Your Mind Strong
Your mind is a wonderful tool when used correctly. But if left to its own
devices, your mind can create many unnecessary health and emotional
problems. The mind sets the tone for your entire body and life. Recent
studies have shown that your state of mind, optimism as an example,
is more closely tied to good health and longevity than pessimism. This is
not the first time that state of mind has been studied and found to have
a direct affect on physical health.
The Importance of a Stronger Mind
The recent events in Colorado and the Middle East punctuate how stressful
the world has become. Increasing your mental strength is the only way
you can ever hope to feel secure and hopeful in a world full of despair,
disease and uncertainty. A few years ago I coined the phrase
"Mental Fitness" in an attempt to help my clients realize that, just like
their bodies, their minds could be trained and strengthened as well. The
process of attaining a higher level of Mental Fitness is very similar to how
you develop increased physical fitness. What is the benefit to a stronger
mind? Why is a stronger mind so important?
The Mind Controls the Body
As I have stated before, your mind is a powerful tool IF you strengthen
it and then use that new found strength wisely. I am sure you know that
stress causes great harm to your body. Stress disrupts your body's natural
mechanism by altering its hormone balance. When hormones are out of
balance, your body has a difficult time maintaining a healthy state.
Internalized stress can be recognized by the variety of symptoms it
produces. Everything from back and neck pain, digestive difficulties,
sleep problems to muscle and joint aches and anxiety can be expected
from an over-stressed body. Left unmanaged, stress shortens your life;
literally destroying the body from the inside out.
Pump-Up Your Mind
The key to blocking the negative effects of stress in your life is not by
removing the stressful events but changing your reaction to them. A
stronger mind is more capable of handling stressful situations without
reacting to them in a negative way. In truth, there really is no stress
in the world. Stress is purely your mental reaction to an event.
Strengthening your mind helps alter your reaction to that event and
changes the physical effects that follow. A different state of mind
modifies the way your body experiences the event. So how do you
do this?
Going to Your Mental Gym
You are probably familiar with the concept of physical fitness. To
become more physically fit, you must first create a well balanced exercise
program containing a variety of exercises that improve your posture,
strength, balance, stamina and flexibility. Once you have your exercise
program in place, you allocate time to practice your exercises. Practice
your program for a long enough and you begin to see results. This is
exactly the same process you will use to strengthen your mind.
The stronger your mind is the better your health will be and the
less you will worry and harbor negative thinking.
Positive Distractions for Your Mind
Fortunately there are several methods that can reduce or eliminate the
negative effects of stress. My favorites are a combination of physical and
mental fitness. Physical fitness strengthens your muscles and heart
providing more oxygen to the tissues helping promote healing and
biological stability. It distracts your mind in a positive way by shifting
your concentration to bodily movements, breathing and other healthy
pursuits.
Mental Fitness Magic
Mental Fitness is a series of exercises for your mind. These mental
gymnastics help strengthen the mind. They allow you to feel more empowered
while helping minimize physical damage to your body from stressful
situations. These mental exercises help make you more hopeful about your
life and your world, bringing you a sense of peace. Anytime you feel powerful
rather than powerless, your body will react much more favorably. Feeling
powerful in a stressful situation takes practice especially if the event
or events are uncomfortable in the first place.
I suggest devoting some time each and every day to improving both your
physical and mental fitness. Over the years, I have found the results
rewarding both personally and professionally.
Try these healthy lifestyle changes for 30 days. Feel what it is like to
be a part of the health solution rather than a health burden. If you need
additional suggestions and advice on living a healthier lifestyle, email
or call me for a 20 minute no cost consultation, at 703-628-2880 or
email to woody@sequoiahealth.com.
Still Time to Jump In...
Beginner Posture Perfect!TM Class
Started September 27th
Our Thursday at 12 pm September 27th class has a few more open slots.
There is a make-up class at the end so it will be easy to catch-up with
the rest of the class.
Our classes are designed to help you begin a safe and effective program.
Each class helps strengthen your bones, improve your balance,
alleviate back aches and neck pains, improve osteoporosis and teach
you how to sit and stand-up straighter.
We have several people in our current classes who are coming to strengthen
their bones and over half of the others are interested in exercises and posture
changes to help make their backs and necks feel better.
Please call Woody McMahon at 703-628-2880 or email to
woody@sequoiahealth.com for more information, class times and reservations.
Posture Perfect!TM Testimonials...
Posture Perfect's! momentum continues to grow. Here is a glowing testimonial
from one of our class members.
"Posture Perfect!TM class has not only met my expectations, but exceeded
them! There are several reasons I enjoy the class. The small class size
gives each of us extraordinary personalized training; your knowledge,
expertise, patience, and sense of humor makes me look forward to
coming to a class I thought would be only for 6 weeks; and I have
learned so much more than I expected."
"For example, I now think about my posture every time I sit, and just when
I thought I'd begin to have a hard time rising from sitting on the floor, you
taught me how to make it easier. I try to practice some of the balance
exercises a couple of times a week (I know, I should do it more often!).
I thank you for all I have learned from you so far, and hope to continue
this class for the foreseeable future!"
P.S.
Click Here to read more about S.A.F.E. and effective Posture Perfect!TM
classes.
Upcoming Events
New Classes Starting at Beth Emeth in Herndon
Come join Sigrid and I for two new Posture Perfect!TM Classes
starting on October 17th and 18th.
When: Wednesday October 17th from 12:00 to 1 pm
Thursday October 18th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: Beth Emeth Congregation in Herndon, VA
Cost: $160 for 8 Weeks
Class size: Limited to 6 people!
Please contact Woody McMahon at woody@sequoiahealth.com if interested.
Click Here to read more about the many benefits of Posture Perfect!TM
Osteoporosis Support News
2012 Osteoporosis Resource Center at Qi Elements Classes
Current Class Schedule
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis
When: Mondays and Wednesdays 1:30-2:30 PM
Where: Qi Elements Center, 464 Herndon Parkway
Suite 215, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $105 for one class a week, $190 for both classes
Email qielements@verizon.net or call Roger 703 435-4400 for more
information.
Yoga for Boomers & Beyond
When: Monday 6:45 to 8 PM
Where: Qi Elements Center, 464 Herndon Parkway
Suite 215, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $154 for one class a week for 7 weeks
Email http://www.openingmovesyoga.com/join.php or call Bonnie at
703-407-2065 for more information.
Gentle Yoga for Seniors
When: Monday 11:45 to 12:30 PM or
Tuesday 11:45 to 12:30 PM
Where: Qi Elements Center, 464 Herndon Parkway
Suite 215, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $48 for one class a week for 6 weeks
Email http://www.openingmovesyoga.com/join.php or call Bonnie at
703-407-2065 for more information.
Posture Perfect!TM Level 1 Beginner Class Starts September 27th
When: Thursday 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Where: Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc
483A Carlisle Drive, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $160 for 8 classes in 8 weeks
Email woody@sequoiahealth.com or call Woody at
703-628-2880 for more information.
What is the ORC?
The ORC is unique in the Northern Virginia area offering safe and effective
exercise classes including Personal Training, Yoga, Tai Chi and
Posture Perfect!TM We also offer classes and consultations for people with
osteoporosis, osteopenia, back, hip and neck pain as well as other
bone and joint health problems.
"What makes the ORC exceptional is that it offers safe and effective exercise
programs that can help improve posture, balance and strength for bone
and joint health problems" says Woody McMahon one of the center's
co-directors. "For the first time people that come to the center can feel
comfortable that the exercises they are performing will only do good and
not cause any harm."
Who Benefits From Our Classes
Beginners: Our unique classes are great for someone who wants to begin
a safe and effective exercise program but does not know where to start.
Post Rehabilitation: Our classes offer a safe and effective transition from
physical therapy to more general exercise that help to safely strengthen
important stability muscles.
Advanced: The classes are perfect for tennis players, golfers or runners
who want to enhance their bodies to improve their sport and continue to
play safely and injury free.
Newsletter Sign-Up
Sign-up for our FREE newsletter The Sequoia Advisor to stay informed
about all of our future class offerings, workshops and seminars. It is
easy... just go to http://www.sequoiahealth.com/ORC and enter your
name and email address.
We look forward to seeing you soon at one of our classes.
Please call Woody McMahon at 703-628-2880 or email to
woody@sequoiahealth.com for more information.
Continued Good Health,
Woody
Woody McMahon
The Sequoia Advisor
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Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc.
483A Carlisle Drive
Herndon, VA
20170
Required Disclaimer: The material provided herein should not be construed
as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other prescribed
health-care advice or instruction. The material is provided with the
understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine
or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care
practitioner/patient relationship with its readers. The publisher does not
advise or recommend to its readers treatment or action with regard to
matters relating to their health or well-being other than suggesting that
readers consult appropriate health-care professionals in such matters. No
action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication. The
material and opinions provided herein are believed to be accurate and sound
at the time of publication, based on the best judgment available to the
authors. However, readers who rely on material in this publication to
replace the advice of health-care professionals, or who fail to consult
with health-care professionals, assume all risks of such conduct. The
publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.
Copyright (c) 2006-2012 by Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc.
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