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)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello All,

Wishing you all a most pleasant Thanksgiving. It is a time to be with family and friends. I will be leaving this city to go to South Hampton to spend time with my family. Wishing you all a safe and very pleasant weekend.

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Next Saturday check these out!!

2 Great Workshops

Healthy Neck and Shoulders, Oct. 13, 2007 9:30-12:30 Cost $55

Neck and shoulder pain, strain and limitation are the most common disorders after back pain. Repetitive motion injury is common among computer users, musicians, athletes and others.Almost all adults experience stiffness and limitation in the movement of their neck and shoulders.Neck pain can easily be chronic, is often slow to diminish, can return with the smallest of exertions.

Pelvic Power Low Back, Oct. 13, 2007 1:30 - 4:30 Cost $55


This workshop will assist with awareness and tissue strengthening after menapause.It may help you avoid surgical intervention for prolapse. As myself and other women have discovered, it can return vaginal sensation even after years of loss of feeling. Low back pain is the most common disorder. Back pain can easily be chronic, is often slow to diminish and can return with the smallest of exertions.


Register for both now and pay $95

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Just a reminder there will be no classes Oct. 17 at 5:30pm or Oct. 18 at 7:00pm.
Oct. 16 9:15 class will be Oct. 15 at 9:15pm.

I will be away in New York City studying with Ruthy Alon. Ruthy is a master Feldenkrais teacher and has devised Bones For Life Program. I will be attending 30 of the 200 hour training. I am very excited about the trip and the training. 1st time to NYC. I have classmates there and will get to see the neighbourhood will there. There are 2 raw food restaurants close by.

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I would like to thank all those who have invited friends or fellow workers to join the studio. Please do keep inviting people. I would like to see another 20 or more students gain strength, flexibility and balance in their lives. My dream is to let all be aware that aging and pain are options, but it does take awareness and commitment to change these processes. It can happen!

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**Exercise of the Month**

Rolling Like a Ball

http://www.stretchyourlife.com/exer/roll_like_ball.htm

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Health to all. Have a great Thanksgiving weekend.

Karen

Fall into Pilates

Hi All,

I had a most pleasant end of the summer driving down the coast of California from San Francisco to LA. The scenory was breath taking. I spent the first night at a classmates house near Monterey. The next day she and her sons took me in to the town of Monterey to the wharf and we drove down Cannery St. It was as if out of a Disney movie.
We than ventured to the 17 miles road in Pebble Beach. We stopped by the ocean a few times and really had a most enjoyable day. Great company and beautiful scenery!
I continued down the coast past the Big Sur and Hearst Castle (what a sight that was) even from the road.
The next day I went horseback riding at Circle Bar B Ranch. They have a truely awesome bed and breakfast, the riding trails and theatre all back off the highway on a 1.5 lane road.
That night I was in Marnina Del Rae. Since I forgot my swimsuit, I went shopping. I did find a suit for $20 and I visited the Victoria Secrets store. I spent two nights there and got to study with Marie Jose one the the great trainers in the Pilates world. My favourite place by there was Santa Monica, the beach was warm enough for swimming and there were 2 raw food restaurants there. Loveley place to sit by the beach and write. It is currently rated as 1 of 10 green cities in the US.
I left there and went north to Santa Barbara. What a pleasant surprise it was. I was greeted by a fellow bridge player and toured arount the whole town. There was a family event that took place on a little boat ride around the harbour. The boat, the little toot, was followed by 4 dolphins, we would turn to see them and they would turn. It was good fun that lasted about 20 minutes of dolphin entertainment.
I saw some of the wine country with 2 places of wine tasting! Each place had a different flavour. The second the one I perferred was set in New Orleans style with beads and lamps in the tasting room. I had never done a wine tasting before. I was very fearful of being ill, but they really know what they are doing when handing out the tasting in a special order.
After meeting my friends mother Dagmar Hegland, I can never be the same. What an outstanding lady of 86 years. I do wish she would finish her story before it is too late.
I was in Santa Barbara for 3 days and really got familiar with where to drive.
Next stop was LA. It was highly recommended that I see the Getty Museum. What a place! Bought in 1983 it took until 1997 to finish building and opened to the public in 2000. The stones were beautiful. The budget just for art at this place is $20,000,000 per year. The cost to enter $8 for parking. There were buses or trolly. The gardens are spectacular and I never saw grass that green and short. The view of LA was clear that day and the houses in the neighbourhood were something to view as well.
My classmate and her husband, gave me a tour of Hollywood, Sunset Blvd., Malibou, Bel Air and Rodeo Dr.
Overall was a very pleasant visit of which I hope to do more of in the future.

Karen

Classes and new learning!

Hello All,

Hope the end of your summer is going well. Here in California it is warm during the days and very cool at night. The Anat Baniel Special Needs training is going great! Learning to move myself in ways I never thought was possible or even thought of. With this new knowledge I can now see how that does create incredible learning for all children and adults.

Classes Starting Sept. 10, 2007
For more information on class schedule http://www.stretchyourlife.com/schedule.htm
Registration is Sept. 6 & 7 from noon until 6pm. I look forward to seeing many of you than.

New Classes:
Wednesday 8am Total Body, 9am Everyday Movement, 4:15pm Teen Pilates, Thursday 7am Abs-Hips-Thighs, 6pm Pelvis and Low Back series.

Exercise of the Month
100's with the ball
http://www.stretchyourlife.com/exer/hundredsBalls.htm

Fall Workshops
Healthy Neck and Shoulders, Oct. 13, 2007 9:30-12:30 Cost $55
Healthy Pelvis and Low Back, Oct. 13, 2007 1:30 - 4:30 Cost $55
Register for both now and pay $95
I am studying with one of the best teachers in the world. She is considered an Genius in Residence by her publisher. Tell your co-workers, family and friends about these great workshops!

Closing remarks
Enjoy the end of the summer! See you in September! Remember that movement will increase your brain power and intelligent movement will increase connections in your brain at the rate of 1.8 million per second.

Karen

Green Smoothies

Hi All,

A Friend of mine named Helen is doing a 9 city tour on green smoothies. She is also the lady that introduced me to Eat Right for Your Blood Type. Here is a link to her site http://www.waytogonutrition.com/ Select Live Enzyme Cuisine on the left and recipes & Menu on the right for a few recipes.

Summer time and Pilates

Hi All,

With the summer session in full swing now and this heat, please be sure to drink plenty of fluids. The summer session has a few changes from the spring schedule check link http://www.stretchyourlife.com/schedule.htm

July 15 there is a Caring for the Caregiver pampering time from 9am - 5pm. Please do let all your family and friends know of this. For more information please check this link http://www.bubblingsprings.org/main.php

Exercise of the month:

Rolling like a ball http://www.stretchyourlife.com/exer/roll_like_ball.htm

I have just spent the weekend at a Landmark Education Forum. It was very informative of how I am living in the past and continue to bring my past into the future. There were 188 people in the training. I met people with PHd's to alcoholics. Everyone learned an incredible amount about themselves. I will be going Tuesday evening to finish the course. I would like to invite anyone interested in joining me to call 519-741-1449 for more information. Here is a link for more information http://landmarkeducation.com/

I am also holding a summer special 4 Anat Baniel Method sessions for the price of 3. That is a $75 savings.
There is the studio pass available as well. The cost for the next 9 people to join is $750.00 per year. That includes all the classes you would like to attend and $50.00 per private session.

Wishing you all a great July,
Karen Toth

A Book, a birthday party and more

Hi All,

Thank you all that attended and sent best wishes for my 50th Birthday Party! It was great to see so many there!

Last trip to California has introduced me to RAW food. I love the taste and texture of the food. No sugar, no wheat and no dairy. My body really likes it.

Working with Children with special needs was remarkable. We all worked on a child with special needs and watched each other work on these children. The results in changes of the children were amazing. If you know of anyone who has a child with special needs and is interested in trying this modality, I would love the opportunity to work with them. I will charge a small fee of $30 for 30 minutes as an Anat Baniel Method Practitioner (regular fees are $75 for 45 minutes). The treatment has no pain to the child, very small, gentle, slow manipulations. Children with Autism, brachial plexup, ADHD and slow learners, unable to move or other neurological concerns are whom I would like to work with. The more children I can work with, the better feeling in my hands and more knowledge I will be for the next session in August.

Oh and at long last my "Pilates for Pregnancy Pre and Post" is finished and in print. Cost is $20 from me. I will be attending book signings at Chapters and other stores. I will keep you posted as to dates and places. I will also have another party. A book launch. See what happens when I turn 50! I become more alive and brave to complete more of my dreams and goals.

What is Feldenkrais?

Hi All,

WOW!! Here is a link to let you see and hear about more about the Feldenkrais Method (R).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_i5QuIqcQo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eutahfeldenkrais%2Eorg%2Fblog%2F

Ask and You Shall Receive

In this workshop you will learn how the law of attraction will increase your spirituality and your awareness! April 28th from 10 - 5:30 Cost is $149 including materials to continue your journey at home.

Check this site for more information and to register.
http://www.saraswatidavies.com/
Sara is also available to read tarot cards, do astrology, reiki master and too many more trainings to write here. Her tarot card reads are very, very good and worth a try. She will be offering $30 readings in the studio May 5th 100's day.

I would like to see as many of you out May 5th as possible. It is like a customer appreciation day as well as to introduce other memebers of the community to Pilates in a studio setting.

Enjoy this lovely weather with more vitality and action,
Karen

April Newsletter

Hi All,

Just an invite to join me at the studio Friday night for some fun with makeup. From about 7:30-10:00 a talk and than some fun with makeup. There will be some wine and cheese available as well. Please RSVP as soon as possible so I know how many to expect.

May 5th from 10:30-Noon is 100's Day.

Come try free private movements on the specialize Pilates equipment. Invite family and friends to try some demo Pilates classes. Please feel free to pass this on to family and friends. We are going to make this a really fun day for all that attend.
I will draw to give away 3 private Pilates session as well. It may not be just Pilates. Try some Anat Baniel Method Functional Synthesis and feel how much more you can move, feel and think!

Later May 5th at 1pm I have the Healthy Neck and Shoulder workshop. Discover the difference a few simple movements can do to your life!
For more information check http://www.stretchyourlife.com/classes.htm

Canadian Alpine Ski Team Uses Feldenkrais(R)

More exciting news in the Feldenkrais Method (R). Here is a email I received on Sunday. As a result of the excellent work Kurt Kothbauer and Irene Gutteridge are doing with the National Ski Team, the benefits of FM are spreading around our ski world.
I received an email from the Coach of Ontario Women's Ski Team saying, "Feldenkrais is used by our National Team with a great deal of success". He came to class the other night and we have set up a series of classes exclusively for the Women's Team. Hans, if you are not familiar with them, you might be interested in two great articles Margaret McIntyre wrote for Skiing Magazine. Margaret, formerly of Vail, is a PT, Feldenkrais Practitioner and Ski Instructor.
To read more of this article http://www.whistlerquestion.com/madison/WQuestion.nsf/0/597A28C63F1DCBAD882570C30070B084?OpenDocument

Book of the Month

Pelvic power for men and women. By Erick Franklin

This is a must read for anyone with pelvic floor concerns, incontinence, low back and hip joint issues. He gives amazing stories and visualization for assisting with small movements that make huge differences. How the organs not moving correctly can cause incontinence.

http://astore.amazon.com/stretchyourli-20/detail/0871272598/103-3709320-2835815

Exercise of the Month

As many of you are learning about the Hara, or furnace. We will use one for you to do while driving long distances or sitting at your computer. Please feel free to pass this along to friends and family that drive or sit alot.
1. Sitting tall, inhale to prepare, exhale and start to round down through only the pelvis, feel the length spine and from the sitting bones to the ears. Come to sit tall. Repeat 10-15 times. This really warms up the pelvic floor. Benefits strength in the core to help prevent back pain and incontinence, improve you sex life.
2. Sitting tall and start to slowly rock back and forth from sitting bone to sitting bone. Inhale to right, exhale back to centre. Inhale left, exhale back to centre. Repeat 10-15 times. Benefits keeps the spine moving sequentially from side to side using the obliques and think of the hara while you do this, feel more strength.

Increase your spiritual awareness


Sara Davies will be offering a one day workshop "Ask and You Will Receive - Opening Our Eyes to Clarity and our Spiritual Gifts" the workshop is centered around "The Law of Attraction" and will include the tools that are needed in order to make the "Law of Attraction" work. This workshop is an insight into how things truly are, and a human perspective on the immediate universe. This Seminar examines the gift of the love perspective of the universe and an insight into what truly maters.

Participants will learn to see auras, understand and practice meditation and trance work, learn to use energy-healing techniques and psychic development. We will explore dreams and dream symbols and participants will develop an understanding of the different modalities used to obtain their answers to their spiritual questions. The cost of the seminar is 149.00 and it includes a copy of "The Answers CD" with Hypnotherapist Guy Letourneu.

Register now! as space is extremely limited. You can register on line at http://www.saraswatidavies.com/ You will stretch your awareness and your minds. If you have been stuck in a rut, this seminar will unblock your energies and allow you to move forward in an abundant and spiritual way.

Namaste and Blessings

Saraswati


New session begins April 30th

Check class schedule here http://www.stretchyourlife.com/schedule.htm
Sign up for your classes now!

Stretch Your Life February News Letter

Hi All,

February draws to and end and spring is just around the corner! New session starts March 5 and runs for 8 weeks.

For class schedule see http://www.stretchyourlife.com/schedule.htm

For a 5-7 minute mini workout to reduce computer pain and strain check the desk-trainer link at http://www.stretchyourlife.com/index.htm This workout was and is being developed by my teacher Anat Baniel. It was because of this site that she was given a 6 digit figure to publish her book. This company publishes 16 books per season and has Deepak Chopra as one of their clients.

Exercise of the Month

Pilates for Equestrian http://www.pilates.com/BBAPP/V/personal/pilates-equestrian-exercise.html

For those interested in increasing or becoming more aware of their intuition, there is a 1 day workshop March 11 from 10 - 5:30. Space is limited so please respond quickly. (If you would like me to forward the info to you please email info@stretchyourlife.com)

Saraswati Davies and Guy Letourneau (Naturopath and Hypnotherapist) have come together again to present a one-day seminar called Ask and You Shall Receive, which is designed to enliven the students' own psychic abilities.

Guy has created The Answers CD, which will allow participants of this new seminar to practice on a daily basis. Each participant will receive a copy of this amazing CD to take home and practice with.

Saraswati and Guy have designed a program that includes learning to see auras, energy work, meditation, as well as interesting discussions on dream analysis and creative visualization.

Saraswati also discusses the tools connected with spiritual counseling such as astrology, tarot, and channeling.

Saraswati teaches the techniques, which, if practiced, will enhance spiritual and psychic abilities, producing spiritual answers for the questioner.
In this one-day seminar, participants will examine the following aspects of psychic and spiritual awareness. Participants will be given the opportunity to experience these aspects for themselves. This workshop will be both experiential and instructional.

VisionaryThis is the ability to transform thought forms into a vision, symbol, or a specific colour by using the mind’s eye and correctly interpreting the vision. This part of the course will awaken our ability to see and read auras. We will examine the chakra system and its colours, their meanings and their relationship to our spiritual, psychological, emotional, and physical health. We will also examine the Dream State and its importance to clairvoyance. Students will learn to keep a dream journal. We will discuss symbols and their meanings. We will also learn “grounding and protection techniques”, which are essential tools when attempting to work on the vibrational level.

PropheticDescribed as the ability to pick up a thought and just “know it”. This ability makes one sensitive to precognition and produces hunches, dreams and “knowings”. Adepts at this practice work to become clear channels and receive their information directly from The Universal Source. They pick up the Akashic record of emotions past, present, and future. This ability allows the clairsentient to capture the energy signal of those emotions in the time-space continuum, thus producing images and “intuitive knowing”. Some describe this practice at its most basic as simply seeing red flags or hunches.We will look at the use of Tarot Cards and their symbolic journey to the rediscovery of the past, the situational content of the present, and the predictive probabilities of the future. The future, although probable, is malleable by its creator.

FeelingThis ability allows one to pick up a thought and transform it immediately into a feeling. The sense of touch is well developed; thus the Feeler has the ability to know people by feeling the vibrations they receive. In combination with other skills, a feeling clairsentient can tell the past, present, or future from the vibrational energy they perceive. We will explore the science of psychometry, which allows the student to learn how to pick up vibrational impressions from inanimate objects. We will also return to our discussion on the various techniques of protection and detachment when attempting these practices.

About Saraswati Davies
Saraswati’s formal career into the Para-normal began twenty-five years ago.
At the age of twenty-eight, Saraswati had a near-death experience, which changed the course of her life.
Saraswati studied parapsychology and philosophy; and started reading tarot cards on a regular basis.

Her teacher in those years was a world class expert on Dream Analysis, June Mewhort, and from her, Saraswati learned spiritual philosophy and the art of dream divination.

Simultaneously, she studied with Astrologer, Robin Armstrong. Over the next four years she delved into the world of planets and predictions.

Saraswati’s very first tarot party was at the home of Senator Keith Davie and his wife Judge Dorothy Davie. She has been reading and guiding people of position and celebrity ever since.
Saraswati continued to work with clients and started teaching spiritual development and philosophy in the mid-eighties. The trips to sacred sites and the Dolphin swims in the Gulf of Mexico, which she arranged for her clients, were one of the many highlights of those years. She enjoyed introducing her clients to their spiritual roots, while finding her own.

In 1988, she wrote and produced “Wishing Well,” a program of relaxation tapes and print. The program was designed to bring clarity to her readers and listeners.
Later she wrote, produced and appeared in her own TV show “ESP”. Saraswati wanted to get the word out to all those who would listen. This show featured interviews with prominent guests in the fields of alternative therapy and medicine.

1990 rolled around and Saraswati realized that she needed more education; if she were to continue to be effective for her clients and students, and so, she enrolled at Wilfred Laurier University and completed another degree, this time in Religion and Culture with a minor in Psychology.

Her curiosity leaned toward Psychology, Native American and Women’s Studies and she studied privately with the Wolf-Clan Mother on Six Nations in Brantford, Ontario. Sylvia Sandy mentored Saraswati until her own death, in 2004.

She left for Mexico, in 1996, and over the next two years she lived with the Huicholes; who initiated her into their medicine society. She returned: Tu-Tu Chenulawey – Grandmother White Flower who calls to you from the desert.

Upon her return, two years later Saraswati earned her degrees as a Reiki Master/Teacher.
The next few years found her in the middle of the crop circles in Southern England, collecting evidence that would hopefully help us to understand the real meaning and significance of these phenomena. Already a third degree priestess and hereditary initiate of the Old Religion, she thrived in the magical land of Ancient Avalon, and the land of her birth.

In 1998, Saraswati used her education in a different manner; she left Canada for Korea where she taught English in the land of Temples and Eastern Philosophy.
When she returned Saraswati joined the Lester B Person School Board and developed a program for ADD and ADHD kids.

In 2002, illness threatened to stop her from continuing with her work; however, she met Guy Letourneau who had enough internal fortitude and strength for both of them. Saraswati started her long road back to health.
Saraswati and Guy, co-produced and Aids Awareness docu-drama “Good Dogs Go To Heaven”; it premiered in 2003, in Montreal Quebec

Again, in partnership with Guy, “The Answers CD” was produced. This was an attempt to help her clients understand the process of “reading” for them selves.

Saraswati now lives in Southern Ontario, where she continues to study, teach and do readings.

Saraswati is currently studying with Swami Sai Premananda and counts herself very lucky to be doing so.

Create a month full of "action and vitality".

Karen