• Diet and Exercise are not the
      Whole Secret to Cardio Health
  
  
• Acupuncture for a Healthy Heart
  
  
• Having More Fun with Your Cardio
  
  
• Get Active America! Open House
     at Sequoia  

Diet and Exercise are Not the
   Whole Secret to Cardio Health

A recently published article in Newsweek magazine, The Good Heart by Anne Underwood, made headlines by describing current research that ties emotional stresses to heart disease. In the last 25 years the medical community's major focus has been on the physical factors of heart disease: obesity, cholesterol and physical fitness. However, this approach has disregarded one of the most damaging components to your heart and your health, emotional stress.

"Fifty percent of people who have heart attacks do not have high cholesterol," points out Edward Suarez, associate professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Duke. The risk of psychological and social factors are almost as great as obesity, smoking and hypertension, the traditional medical markers for cardiovascular disease...which afflicts 70 million Americans and is the nation's No. 1 killer.

Constant high stress living puts your body in a state of overdrive with excess levels of adrenaline and cortisol, the stress hormones, coursing through your veins. Your body acts differently under these conditions promoting weight gain, a weakened immune system, loss of bone density, high blood sugar and heart and vascular disease.

At Sequoia, our System improves both your mental and physical fitness making positive healthy lifestyle changes complete and permanent. Fresh Start empowers you to feel younger, look better and live longer.

Read the full Newsweek article

Acupuncture for a Healthy Heart

Fun physical activity, good nutrition and relaxation techniques are essential to maintaining a hearty health. The Newsweek magazine article, The Good Heart by Anne Underwood, made headlines by describing current research that ties emotional stresses to heart disease. As a licensed acupuncturist, this link comes as no surprise to me.

The Chinese Medical Classics, written over two centuries ago, discuss the effects of emotional trauma and stress on the heart and have suggested ways to strengthen the heart through acupuncture and other forms of Chinese medicine. Even though ancient, the concepts in these writings remain surprisingly relevant to our 21^st century lifestyle. 

The Essence of Qi and Spirit

Before we go any further, let's explore two basic concepts of Chinese Medicine... qi and spirit.  Roughly translated as "energy," qi is the animating force that constantly circulates within our bodies, giving us the capacity to move, feel, and think.  Spirit refers to our core soul, what makes you, YOU.  Although difficult to define, it is a quality that we can recognize in others when we see a healthy light in their eyes and a purpose to their words and actions.  Similarly, we can sense dullness in those who are "dispirited" or whose "spirit is broken."  Trauma and stress can impact both the qi and the spirit.

Read the full article

Having More Fun with Your Cardio

Looking for ways to make health and fitness a family affair? Do you wish you could boost quality time and get some much needed exercise as well? The motto at Sequoia is the family that plays together stays together. Last year the Surgeon General recommended the equivalent of two to three hours of cardiovascular exercise a week for all members of the family. Recent medical studies suggest that two to three hours a week ensures a healthy heart and lungs while reducing stress and maintaining a healthy weight. Everybody agrees on two things; how important and how boring cardiovascular exercise can be. Standing on those treadmills walking, walking, walking and going nowhere fast. It's important to have a healthy heart but if you can't have fun you just won't get it done. Rethinking the traditional approach to cardiovascular fitness has brought us to the solution. 

Introducing Cardio-FUN-Time:

     Fun because you challenge yourselves, your friends or neighbors to a fun game of Wallyball, Whack-it, Indoor Soccer, or TotalTennis

    Efficient because the whole family improves their cardiovascular fitness together. This way, Mom and Dad don't have to "take turns"

   Healthy because you reduce stress, lower cholesterol, increase bone density and strengthen the heart and lungs

   Physical because you improve balance, body control, eye hand coordination and sportsmanship

Cardio-FUN-Time is great for your whole family. Playing together is quality time well spent. Scheduling a weekly Wallyball or Whack-it game is also a fun way to commit to feeling better and improving your health as a family. Compared to getting your cardio on a treadmill or stationary bike, Cardio-FUN-Time saves time and benefits your body more. Your kids love to play, have fun and stay active and so should you. They love to compete with their parents and see them act like kids again.

What a great chance to reverse rolls; let your kids see the kid in you while the whole family has a great time. Team play also builds strong interfamily communication skills. When the family plays as a team kids and parents learn to support one another. We have several choices of cardio based games your family will love to play against each other or other families.

Click on http://www.sequoiahealth.com/ for more details.

Request Your FREE Family Pass  - Come meet the staff at Sequoia and try out Cardio-FUN-Time with your loved ones.  

We put the Fun back in FUNctional Activity
 

News From Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc.

Fresh Start is a revolutionary way of helping you achieve strength, vitality and good health in less time and with less effort. Unlike other approaches The Sequoia System improves both your mental and physical fitness making positive healthy lifestyle changes complete and permanent. The Sequoia System benefits you in four important ways. You receive: - A Healthy Life Plan that is a step by step road map to achieving the changes you?ve always hoped for on your journey to better health- A balanced and integrated approach to your health and fitness activities including physical activity that is fun; nutrition that optimally fuels your body; and stress reduction techniques that produce greater results in less time - A supportive health and fitness team available 24/7 guaranteeing your success by offering individualized programs, personal attention and motivation - A cutting edge health and fitness information service provided by experts in their fields helping you apply the latest scientific health and fitness breakthroughs to your program. 

(read more) 

 Join us for our Open House At   
 Sequoia Health and fitness, Inc.

Saturday November 12, 2005 from 10am to 2pm as part of the nationwide  

                 2005 Get Active America!

Marking the second year of this campaign; it is a great opportunity for Herndon residents of all ages to take the "first step" in beginning an exercise program in a safe and supportive environment.  During 2004's inaugural program, more than 150,000 Americans participated in Get Active America! taking their first step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Register for FREE

Woody McMahon has been working in the health and fitness profession for over 20 years. Before starting his career Woody earned his Bachelor of Science degree in human biology from the University of Maryland, his Doctorate in chiropractic medicine from Palmer College of Chiropractic and is certified as a personal trainer through the National Strength Professionals Association. Woody's unique integrative approach to health and fitness - combining fitness, nutrition and stress reduction activities allows him to help many people that are considered beyond help.

Continued Health,

 Woody
 
Woody McMahon 
Sequoia Advisor  

Don't forget to Request Your FREE Family Pass  - Come meet the staff at Sequoia and try out Cardio-FUN-Time with your loved ones.  

       
                  We put the Fun back in FUNctional Activity 

Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc.
483A Carlisle Dive
Herndon, VA 20170 

Required Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be construed as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other prescribed health-care advice or instruction. The information 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 information 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 information 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) 2005 by Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc.