Well, it has been a few weeks and I returned to the Egoscue clinic for my next evaluation and lesson.    Shawn asked whether I'd done my exercises and which I liked the best, and we reviewed which ones they were.   I realize that the more I can do my exercises at home the better results I will get, as this is not like working out in the gym.   These exercises are designed to change your postural alignment and they must be practiced on your own at home.    I always explain to my bodywork clients that it is important to have an exercise system that will help reinforce the changes they receive from their bodywork, so Egoscue is a fantastic solution.

 Today I performed various new exercises, and repeated those you see below in the photos.  I feel taller, lighter on my feet, and pain free.   Here is a description of those 2 exercises:

Double/Switch 3 Sets of 20
1.  Lie on your back with your knees bent and your arms relaxed out to the sides, palms up
   * Ankles, knees, hips and shoulders should be in alignment
2.  Place a strap around your knees so they can go no more than hip width apart
3.  Place a pillow between your feet/ankles 4.  Simultaneously pull your knees out against the strap as you press your feet/ankles into the   pillow    * Keep your upper body relaxed
   * Keep your feet on the floor
5.  Hold each movement for about a second 6.  Repeat

Purpose: This exercise promotes proper function of the pelvic stabilizers.

I.T. Bandstretch 1 minute Each Side
1.  Lie on your back, with your legs flat and your arms straight out from your shoulders, palms down
2.  Tighten your thighs and flex your feet so your toes are pointing up toward the ceiling
3.  Keeping your legs straight, flex one leg at the hip to 90 degrees and rotate that leg to floor crossing over the opposite hip
   * Allow your hips to twist
   * Keep your shoulders on the floor
4.  Move your head to the side so you are looking in the opposite direction as your leg is twisting
5.  Hold then switch legs and repeat

Purpose: This exercise rotates the spine while stabilizing hip flexion and extension.

I've been raving to many of you lately about a great corrective exercise system called Egoscue, and now I'd like to share my experiences with it beginning with this blog entry.

When I first met Shawn at the Egoscue clinic in Palm Beach Gardens he explained that he would analyze my posture and movements, then create a set of exercises I could do both in the clinic and at home to help improve my alignment and help rid some chronic tightness in my low back.  I understand the idea that having muscle weakness, especially in postural muscles, can lead to pain and tightness.  This was the first time however that I'd been introduced to a complete system that attempts to address these muscle weaknesses in simple and systematic way.

I was asked to stand in front of a camera so photos of my posture could be taken from the front, back, and sides...just as we typically do in Rolfing.  I was then asked to walk so my gait could be analyzed.  Shawn then developed a set of exercises for me to do, and printed them out so I could take them home with me.

After 15 minutes of doing these exercises, my shoulders felt looser and in a better position.  My hips felt more open, and my legs felt more directly underneath me when I was walking.  I felt taller, and  I noticed that the tightness in my lower back was gone!!  I'm really looking forward to upcoming lessons, so check back for my next post.   I'm amazed at how Egoscue complements Rolfing.

Check out Shawn's Health Blog when you get a chance!

Here's a great interview about Rolfing Structural Integration® and how it works by a talented practitioner, Bruce Schonfeld:

I recently authored an article on Nursetogether.com, talking about how massage therapy can help relieve the stress that nurses experience on a daily basis.  Please see the article HERE.

I've  been talking for some time now about how Rolfing Structural Integration can benefit golfers, but don't just take my word for it.  Here's some testimonials that speak for themselves:

Here is a great video from the creator of Rolfing Structural Integration®, Ida P. Rolf herself.  Although this video is subtitled in Portuguese, you can listen in English to Ida describing the method and how it benefits you.   There is very little available video footage of Dr. Rolf herself speaking about her work, so this is a precious clip.

Welcome to the Back to Life Healing Arts Blog!

This will be the place to check for current events here at Back to Life, interesting information that I find useful for my clients, and lots of other fun tidbits.

Here at Back to Life I am always looking for ways to improve my service and help my clients in any way possible.   Over time I will be adding lots of great content to this website, so please check back in frequently for new and exciting updates.

I look forward to serving you and wish you continued health and vitality!

Ari