Juice Therapy on the Beach with Mas Vidal, Stacy Hunsicker, Karyn Andrade, retreat attendee and Kim Taylor
principles. I am still reminiscing about the Chile poblano asado relleno de alcachofa lentejas marinadas al oregano fresco y tofu horneado, bringing vegetarian and vegan food to a whole new level and created with delicious artistic perfection. We were honored to be joined by Juan Vela (one of the Vela brother owners) and the famous Mexican interior designer of the Velas Resorts, Melin Castro. Meline elucidated on her artistic vision; including the choice of all textiles and original artwork to every last detail of the old-world candle lit lanterns left on our terrace at night with warm towels and fizzy bath tablets for a moonlight dip in the whirlpool bath. Clearly their intention and vision for their first yoga and spa retreat was a grand success. Our senses were continually enticed and mesmerized by something new to see, taste, feel and smell. The experience allowed us to focus and live in the present of each delightful sensory moment as it unfolded.
Left Photo: Yoga & Spa Magazine Publisher, Stacy Hunsicker, with Grand Velas Resort and Spa Staff in Puerto Vallarta in September at the yoga and spa retreat.
Don’t miss Yoga & Spa Magazine’s annual Living Fit Expo at Plaza Frontenac on January 26th, 2013 to enter to win a free trip to Grand Velas Resort and Spa. The drawing will be held during the 1pm fashion show. You must be present to win. Yoga & Spa Magazine • Holiday 2012
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Edwardsville Fitness Studio to Change its Name
Owner Sally Burgess says the new name better illustrates the studio’s mission and philosophy. “We didn’t know that yoga and Nia would become our cornerstone when we opened in 2006. Our program has developed organically as a spirit~mind~body center and the new name is a reflection of that.” The studio offers several styles of yoga, Nia Technique classes, Bender Ball Pilates, Raw Food Nutrition workshops and is a site for yoga teacher trainings offered by Yoga Central. So if nothing else is happening for you on December 21st there will still be some excitement!
To find out more information about the soon-tobe Studio Gaia, please visit our current website: edwardsvillefitnessstudio.com
You may also contact us by email or phone call: edwardsvillefs@gmail.com / Phone number: (618) 779-5378.
Upcoming Events: Nia White Belt Intensive with International Trainer Winalee Zeeb and Next Generation Trainers Tracy Stamper and Jayne Mielo. November 24 - 30. Go to www.nianow.com to learn more or register. Candlelight Restorative Yoga with Jennifer Koontz; Drumming offered by Claudia Elliott. November 30. 6:30 - 8:00pm. Nia Challenge: November 9 – December 21st. Participants will receive a goody bag with several gifts including two coupons for Retro Rate class cards. To celebrate our new name we are offering our old rates for a limited time! Hands-On Adjustments for Yoga Teachers with Jen Jones. April 13-14. Nia Blue Belt Intensive with renowned International Trainer Winalee Zeeb. August 23-29. To register or learn more, visit www.nianow.com.
Yoga
An exciting shift will take place in downtown Edwardsville December 21st when Edwardsville Fitness Studio sheds the name it has carried for the last six years and takes on its new identity as Studio Gaia.
EXPANDING YOUR CAPACITY: A LIFE OF ABUNDANCE Have you ever put much thought into what holds one person back and propels their neighbor to soar to great heights? I am absolutely convinced a great deal has to do with their capacity to take on new experiences. Having this kind of capactiy allows us to take advantage of new opportunities, to become aware of areas we want to grow, and to feel worthy of these experiences. Most of these ideas I have held closely to my heart for many years, starting with my introduction to yoga and and mediation. In fact, all of my periods of tremendous growth have followed this pattern of first decompression, then new challenges, and finally new heights. Of course, indirectly, it has also become a big part of my practice philosophy as a Doctor of Chiropractic,
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Yoga & Spa Magazine • Holiday 2012
by Dr Jennifer McCleary photographed by Talia Kite
and allows me to relate with my patients and practice members. No matter what challenges they are facing when we meet, this common theme will connect us. Let’s think for a moment about the way that a sponge works. As you are cleaning, your sponge is always in a state of either being able to absorb more liquid or it cannot. If your sponge has reached its capacity to absorb more liquid, what options do we have? Well, we can simply leave behind those potential liquids on our sinks, tables, and countertops or squeeze it out to create a capacity for more to be absorbed. This unutilized liquid seems to be an excellent metaphor for those experiences that could be available to make us better, deeper, happier individuals. We all have the opportunity to apply this analogy to all areas of your life.
I recently found myself in a situation exactly like this in my own life. Before I knew it, I was on a plane to Colorado for the first of a number of scheduled trips. I soon found myself right smack in the middle of a sabbatical. This trip was a two week rotation working in Sports Medicine at the Olympic Training Center. Much to my surprise, the working was the least of what I gained from my time there. A sabbatical is generally defined as a “time away” or “a period of rest from work.” It can vary in length and the kinds of activities you are involved with while you are away. The common quality is that you are taking a break from your normal duties and responsibilities in hopes to return with more productivity and the potential for new ideas. I found myself in this situation that forced me to slow down. There was less physical work, minimal phone calls, no cleaning, no driving or cooking. This either sounds to you like heaven or like torture. In the beginning I have to admit it was probably more like torture for me. My first week in Colorado was more about decompressing and wringing out the sponge. I had much stress to release before being able to take on new skills, new perspective and fresh ideas. I recommitted to more routine exercise, yoga, and prayer. I signed up for a weekly massage and rested more deeply.
Some of the most successful people are really good at making these health promoting aspects of their life non-negotiable. It is the proverbial “line in the sand” for them. In other words, it is not something they do, but is simply part of their lifestyle. Despite how hectic life becomes they take the opportunity to squeeze out the sponge and take on more. I believe that Tony Robbins, the world renowned motivational speaker, has said it best with a term he uses; CANI, which stands for Constant And Never-ending Improvement. Some of you may also be familiar with this as the Japanese word “kaizen.” However you think about it, change to better ourselves is a good thing! As we create more capacity as opportunities arise, we fuel the cycle for further growth and ultimately a truly abundant life.
Dr. Jennifer L. McCleary is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and an Acupuncturist. She is also the owner and clinic director at Triad Sports & Family Chiropractic where they have offered “excellence in conservative healthcare” since 2006. Follow her on twitter @triadchiro_drj. Photographed on location at the Four Seasons Hotel at 999 North 2nd Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63102. Tel. +1 (314) 881-5800. Step into an urban oasis of tranquillity, with 12 luxuriously appointed treatment rooms, and indulge yourself with treatment regimens carefully designed to promote a sense of pampering and wellness.
Yoga & Spa Magazine • Holiday 2012
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from
CONCRETE
to
ABSTRACT
Have you ever wondered how children transfer what they know concretely into something that is abstract? For example, my daughters do not come home and announce that they learned about the number “5” today – but rather, I see evidence of such learning when they set the dinner table with the appropriate number of plates for our family. They need experience with concrete materials (e.g., blocks, counting beads) to fully understand that the abstract symbols, 1-10, represent specific amounts. Preparing children for Mathematics is what a Montessori education does well. I have enjoyed watching my two older daughters, ages 4 and 5 ½, learn math at Chesterfield Montessori School. One favorite activity of theirs was the Pink Tower. After receiving their lesson (i.e., one-on-one instruction from the teacher) they patiently and systematically place blocks to construct a tower. The most important aspect of this lesson, and all lessons, is that they are allowed to learn at their own rhythm – they can return to this work as often as they like throughout the weeks so that the concept underlying the work becomes wholly integrated. In their words: “They are little cubes [which range from 1cm to 10 cm]. You get out a rug and unroll it on the floor. You take the pink tower off the shelf [one cube at a time] and then you build the tower: Big block, medium, keep building and the littlest one goes on top [each cube is 1cm larger than the previous one]. Then you put the tower away and roll up the rug.” There is much more to this task than simple block play. First, there is Planning - the child must prepare for her work as she rolls out the rug and brings the blocks over one at a time. Second, this task requires Working Memory as she has to determine if there is another block in between the size of the one she just chose and the size of the one she just placed on the tower. Finally, the child has to Inhibit the desire to merely choose the block that is closest to her. These cognitive processing skills correspond to Executive Functioning, which is related not only to important outcomes in mathematics, but also to overall academic performance and social functioning. I have realized that each task in my daughters’ Montessori classroom is layered with extensive opportunities to plan, concentrate, attend, execute, and understand. Each task has much more depth than what I had expected. I know that my daughters are not merely ‘playing with blocks.’ They are practicing and developing an intrinsic, self-motivating love of learning. They learn that their work has purpose and through that work, they discover their purpose.
Lifestyle
by Barbara O’Brien, Ph.D.
Chiropractic is the largest natural health care profession and provides a holistic approach to maintain or increase a person’s quality of life and ability to age successfully. Logan College of Chiropractic/ University Programs educates and graduates hundreds of doctors of chiropractors every year. The belief in the fact that the chiropractor-patient relationship is the ultimate gift of trust and care is Logan’s driving force. No other health profession can apply two hands to the healing process and enhance patient health. No drugs, no invasive procedures required. Many Logan students continue to pursue advanced degrees in conjunction with the doctor of chiropractic program. Logan offers two masters’ degree programs in sports science and rehabilitation and in nutrition and human performance. Students can also pursue certifications in additional chiropractic techniques and other disciplines such as acupuncture. These additional programs provide the students with a greater understanding of the human body. In each student’s last year of study, they begin an internship offering chiropractic care to patients at one of Logan’s four fee-for-service chiropractic health centers located in Chesterfield, St. Charles, St. Peters or South County. Through the Logan Chiropractic Health Centers, interns work under the guidance of a licensed doctor of chiropractic and treat patients daily. Chiropractic care can benefit all members of the family from children to seniors. Chiropractic care for children is gentle and effective. Chiropractic care is especially effective for women who are pregnant and can assist in easing the low back pain that women often experience during pregnancy. Logan is now offering acupuncture services at the Southfield Health Center located in South County. Also available to patients are the BIOFREEZE® Sports & Rehabilitation Centers, located in the Chesterfield and South County health centers. The BIOFREEZE Centers treat athletes of all levels from injury rehabilitation to injury prevention. All athletes can benefit from the services from the elite high school and college athlete to weekend warriors, looking to improve their game. Perhaps the most lasting lesson Logan imparts is the belief in community service. In September 2010, Logan began offering a First Responders Chiropractic Care Program, which offers complimentary chiropractic care to first responders who work in the St. Louis area. In addition, Logan operates three charity health centers and offers care through a number of other locations throughout the area. Lastly, Logan interns participate in hundreds of community events each year offering complimentary screenings, lectures and other services. For additional information regarding Logan College of Chiropractic/University Programs or the Logan Chiropractic Health Centers, visit www.logan.edu. Logan College of Chiropractic/University Programs. Science and Nature Aligned in Balance.
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