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)

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