ABM for Children!

The second trip to Edmonton was great! Seeing the same 4 out of 5 children again was priceless. The changes from the month previous and the learning of how to take the children to the next level.

Most children get some PT and/or OT weekly. So I must come in and think outside the box on how to get the child to turn on the "learning switch"!! I have noticed if I do something, like lye the child on her side and she is not used to being there, she looks at me with a look that says I'm learning! When I teach them to feel there arm under there body on their side and feel different ways of holding their heads, they are learning. The parents report the child going home and sensing and doing what I have taught them throughout the day! This in and of its self makes wonderful changes for the children.

For the children that have a really hard time holding up their heads, it starts to give a kinesthetic sense of themselves. When requested and they start to use their lower back, they can then start to support their head. When the head and pelvis become more attached they can start to progress to another level. This takes them from "wobbly" to moving on their own.

With splasticity comes softness with awareness. Teaching a brain is very rewarding! It takes time, but we all have learning brains. It is when the brain or person chooses not to learn that the learning switch cannot be turned on. I see this in my aging father and it saddens me.

I often wonder if there is a generation thing here. Today, most people wish to learn and evolve to see what they can do and what all they can accomplish. Or perhaps these are like minded people to me. I see the children as a whole new way of being, how they can move, sit, roll, stand and then evolve into a continum of movement grow beyond what was ever expected of them. If you look at some of Anat's videos along the side you will see and hear some things that will perhaps even turn on your learning switch and give you a whole new way to view the world for you and your family!!

Pilates in Italy anyone!

View from outside me window.
View from outside my window!

View from outside my window!

Outside Sportlandia, Castlemmare Di Stabia, Italy! The best coaches in the world.

Was it just a facebook joke? Was it real? I was asked to teach Pilates at an "International Marathon Pilates" event being held in Italy! My first response was "yes", in my mind I thought it was a joke. This all started in April 2009. I was than asked for my name and address for a airline ticket. I responded with the information.

Two weeks later I was asked for my email address to send the e-ticket to. I gave the information. One day the ticket arrived in my in box. I was so excited with this new possiblity of teaching in Italy. Meeting new friends and travelling. To think "NOW" it is real !! I'm going to Italy!

I flew from Toronto to Rome and from Rome to Naples. I was to be met at the airport by Sportlandia personal and driven to my hotel in Castlemmare Di Stabia, Italy. It all happened like clockwork. Not knowing what was to happen, where I was staying. Or the others that were attending. I had gotten my schedule 2 weeks before leaving and knew my teaching times. I arrived at the hotel. Actually the Grand Hotel La Medusa!!

What a place. 5 star, my own room with a king sized bed and a view that was out of this world.

Here is a link for some pictures of my hotel and some of the events that took place in Italy.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=104763&id=599946921

It went so well that we will be doing this again next year! 2009 had 96 hours of Pilates over 4 days! 2010 will have 480 hours of Pilates over 8 days. If you would like to go to Italy next year June 17 - 28th, let me know. Would you like to visit Italy and become a participant in this Pilates marathon? I would love to have some fellow Canadians join me on this venture next year.

After the event we can tour around see Rome, Florence and Vience.

Call 519-743-5375 for more details of this amazing trip.

Karen Toth

Feldenkrais (R) Anat Baniel Method (sm) for Children and Edmonton!!

What an amazing journey this was. I flew into Edmonton to meet a lovely person, Carla and her sister-in-law Theresa. What a wonderful group of people to meet!

I was coming to work on 5 special needs children. My request upon landing was going to see the West Edmonton Mall ! I found myself at this mamoth place within 1/2 hour of landing! We saw the ice rink, the swimming pool, the roller coaster, stores galour, Europea section, and had dinner in the Bourban St. Area. We also stopped into the Lululemon store. I finally purchased so Lululemon fitness wear for my upcoming trip to Italy!

I was given my very full intensive, schedule to see 5 special children either 2 x for 45 minutes or 3 x for 30 minutes a day for the next 4 days.

First child was very cooperative and got 3 lessons that first day with some wonderful changes, eg. better balance, more confident playing sports.

The second child was amazing and loving in his own way. He was very spactistic, but learned to soften during the sessions.

The third child has had many lessons with Anat Baniel and other practitioners in California, so she was very quick to learn and change. She has had brain injury so repeating things was very helpful for her.

The fourth child came in very quiet and little to now awareness or movement. She changed very quickly to become aware and have a light and sparkle for life in her eye.

The fifth child was abused as a 9 week old and had suffered brain injury! She has a number of habitual habit that have formed from being in the hospital and parents and grand parents just not knowing what to do, how to create new possibilities and change. I believe this is the 1st step in becoming aware of an issue with your child.

The changes in the children were amazing and the parents were very, very thankful.

The news of your child being diagnosed with some disease or disability is 'overwhelming' to say the least! What steps do you take and what do you do? There are many agencies out there to tell you this that and the other, but the "overwhelm" creates a helplessness that sometimes closes our minds to look for other alternatives.

Working with the children in the Feldenkrais, Anat Baniel Methods gives me lots of insite as to how to create new possibilites, create more movement and self awareness for the child. I work with the whole child and adult, not just the dis-ease or dis-ability. I have been through a process of many lessons on the floor as well as doing hands on sessions in my training! With this new knowledge in my body, mind and soul, I have learned how to teach others to learn and be aware as well.

Whom has benefited and can be helped by this method?

• Arthrogryposis
• Ataxia
• Athetosis
• Autism - Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Brachial Plexus
• Cerebellar Atrophy
• Cerebral Palsy
• Charge syndrome
• Contractures
• Delayed development
• Diplegia
• Down's Syndrome
• Failure to thrive
• Fragile X Syndrome
• Hydorcephaly
• Hypertonia
• Hypotonia
• Larsen's syndrome
• Macrocephaly
• Microcephaly
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Periverntricular Leukommalacia
• Polymicrogyria
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Premature birth
• Rett syndrome
• Sensory integration dysfuntion
• Shaken Baby syndrome
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Stroke

What changes are seen when children receive lessons?

• Improved mood
• Better sleep
• Greater comfort
• Increased alertness and awareness of their surroundings

Functional changes that have been seen as children continue the work include:

• More effortless movements
• Better balance
• Improved ability to move: crawl, walk, run, jum and reach
• Greater problem-solving skills
• Improved speech

Find an Anat Baniel Method (sm) practioner in your area to learn more! email me at info@stretchyourlife.com

phone 519-743-5375 please leave a message as I may be out of town (off to Italy June 23 - July 3rd) or working with a client. I will return your call as soon as possible!!

Article about The Thorax!

http://www.efeld.com/news/2007/index.html

Christmas Special

Merry Christmas,

This is a must have for anyone that works on a computer, sits in a car or has any pain.
There is a 20% off special for a day or two. http://www.desk-trainer.com/?_acode=696zqf4f5b

Increase productivity, awareness and your life.

Karen

Merry Christmas and Pilates

Merry Christmas,

Classes are coming to a close for 2007. Just a few short days away is a celebration for the Christian faith. Whatever your beliefs please enjoy a safe a wonderful holiday with your family and friends.

This fall has been very challenging for my family and I. With Aaron my youngest son being diagnose with Type 1 diabetes we have sure faced a huge learning curve. He is determined to live his life his way. Prayers would be appreciated. Until you become a mother or father the word love of a child is only a thought. When life gives you a huge lesson you learn to deal. Not always easy to do.

Aaron and I will be working on doing a fundraiser for Diabetes. We are thinking of a Saturday morning late February. The fundraiser will be based on the Bones for Life movements. Donations will start at $25 and there will be sponsor sheets for anyone interested in participating. More on this after the Holidays. They are so close to finding a cure. Things have already changed for diabetics so much in the last 5 years. We want to contribute to acquiring funds for this cause. Anyone that would like to participate as a donor or a participant keep posted.

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Off to a more fun subject... I am encouraging everyone to try a green smoothie. I love my smoothies everyday. Here is one mix that I love

• 1/8 Pineapple
• 1 tbsp Omega 3-6-9 oil
• 1 c Water
• 1" of ginger root, peeled and cut up
• 5 Raspberries
• 5 Blackberries
• 2 large handfuls of spinach or kale

You may add anything more to this like apples, oranges, clementines. I sometimes even add almonds or hemp hearts for protein.

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Exercise of the Month

Breathing

Just find a quiet place to sit. Inhale through your nose for the count of 5. Open your mouth as you let the air come out the back of your throat. Repeat about 10 x's.

This will open up and activate the lungs, reduce stress and get you ready for the holidays.

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Pilate's Business

I would like each of you to invite a friend or family member to a free Pilate's class Thursday Jan. 3 at 5:00pm and/or Free Awareness Through Movement Class Jan 3 at 6:00pm. I am also encouraging you to support Stretch Your Life by inviting a friend or family member in the New Year.

New program Bones for Life trial class Jan. 8 at 10:30

Class Schedule http://www.stretchyourlife.com/schedule.htm

Studio Rates http://www.stretchyourlife.com/studioRates.htm

Let's all evolve to the next leave in our wellness and fitness at Stretch Your Life.

Please do leave a comment on this newsletter so I can evolve even more!

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Holiday Special

For those last minute gifts, get the gift of a Certificate.

Special prices include

Buy 4 get 1 more Anat Baniel Method, Functional Synthesis Sessions $300 Buy 4 get 1 more Pilate's Private Session $240

Happy Holidays,

Karen Toth

Here is an interesting Utube to watch!!

(http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=LnLVRQCjh8c)