Sarasota Observer Health Matters, Sept. 2015

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Observer

Health Matters SEPTEMBER 2015

TAI CHI MIND-BODY CONNECTION

Prominent local Realtors Ian Black and Jim Soda share a love of Tai Chi. PAGES 2-3

Fall prevention

Health calendar

Picture of health

See which factors put you at risk.

Don’t miss these local events.

Linh Gordon went from overweight to a fit champion

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HEALTH MATTERS

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YourObserver.com

SEPTEMBER 2015

Tai Chi trains mind and body The 300-year-old Chinese exercise form provides activity with little stress to the body. JESSICA SALMOND STAFF WRITER

The movements are slow, but focused, the breaths deep but calculated. Ian Black and Jim Soda, prominent Realtors in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, look cool, calm and collected as their arms and legs swirl around them. It’s almost like dancing. The pair spends two sessions a week practicing the ancient exercise of Tai Chi, under the instruction of Black’s wife, Rosann Argenti. Argenti has been teaching Tai Chi since the 1980s, and even had her own television show about the exercise called “Tai Chi Innerwave,” which aired on PBS for nine years. Jim Soda, a residential Realtor with The Soda Group, part of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty office in Lakewood Ranch, jokingly said he became interested in Tai Chi when he noticed Black could hit a golf ball farther on the golf course than he could. So, about six months ago, he started doing sessions with Black and Argenti. Already, he’s hooked. Soda said he’d always had a difficult time sticking to a workout routine, whether riding a stationary biking or lifting weights, partly because of lower back problems. “Every time I did them, I got hurt,” Soda said. “Tai Chi was the first thing I could do that I didn’t

hurt myself.” The practice combines movements similar to martial arts with the slower pace of yoga for a gentle, yet effective exercise. Soda said after he learned the rhythm, movements and breathing techniques, he started noticing an almost immediate difference. He was pain-free after the sessions, and he became more energetic and more focused, both in the office and during Tai Chi lessons. “It helps you relax, gives you a business focus,” Soda said. “So much is going on. It helps you dial down and get a new attitude. It’s like a breath of fresh air.” Argenti and Black have been married for eight years, but Black, certified commercial investment member for his commercial realty company, Ian Black Real Estate, began learning the exercise from her after the couple met through a mutual friend 23 years ago. Black had always had a penchant for athletics — he used to play rugby and tennis — but found something different in Tai Chi. “This became a whole new system. It was a different way of looking at life,” he said. “I became more balanced, more focused.” Argenti noticed the difference in him, as well. She said after he started practicing, he became mentally and physically stronger and more focused, and opened his life up to more creative hobbies. The mental stability of the exercise also gave him a calm and

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAI CHI n Increases endurance, strength and flexibility n Improves posture n Increases cardiovascular strength n Improves balance n Sharpens mental focus n Reduces tension n Eases chronic pain n No age limitations

HISTORY Tai Chi is a form of Chinese exercise that is more than 300 years old. Families in the early times would develop movement techniques that would be unique to that family. The exercise started growing in popularity in the United States in California in the ’70s and ’80s. Instructor Rosann Argenti teaches the 17th century Chen family style, called Chan Su Chin, which means “silk reeling cocoon.” After her students master the movements of this family group, she includes 24 Yang Style, short form.

CONTACT

Website: Sports-TaiChi.com Email: rosann@sports-taichi.com

focused attitude when dealing with his clients. The couple practices Tai Chi together, even when they travel. Because the exercise requires minimal space and no special equipment, it’s easily portable. Argenti calls it a health care system because it exercises and tones

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SEPTEMBER 2015

Pines of Sarasota takes a stand against falls

Sprains Strains and Broken Bones

Sports Physicals

A new fall-prevention program assesses your risk of falling and makes suggestions for improvement.

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AMANDA MORALES

With age comes poise. With more age comes loss of balance. Pines of Sarasota, a rehabilitation and senior care community, hopes to combat injuries, hospitalizations and even deaths resulting from falls with risk assessment tests. The Ready & Steady program has been offered to residents at Pines of Sarasota on a trial basis and now is open to the public. “Most of the time we see patients in rehab, unfortunately, is after the fact that they’ve fallen already or have injuries,” said Joel Amistoso, director of rehabilitation services at Pines of Sarasota. “If we can actually see them ahead of time, hopefully, we can help to prevent the fall and having to have a new hip or new knee.” According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals 65 and older who fall once are two to three times more likely to fall again. Statistics from the CDC also show that falls result in more than 2.5 million injuries, more than 734,000 hospitalizations and more than 21,700 deaths each year.

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BY THE NUMBERS

STAFF WRITER

1/3 of Americans 65

and older fall each year

Every 13 seconds, an older

adult is treated for a fall

2.5 million

injuries occur from falls annually

734,000

hospitalizations happen due to falls each year

21,700

deaths result from falls annually

Amistoso said that many of the ways older adults end up with injuries result from doing the activities they enjoy most, such as tennis, golf and walking along the beach. Through the Ready & Steady program, he can better determine what measures patients can take

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Pines of Sarasota Lead Physical Therapist James McClure, right, helps Dickie Smothers try out the Biodex Balance System.

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HEALTH MATTERS

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YourObserver.com

SEPTEMBER 2015

HEALTH CALENDAR

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HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO Runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp. and the hospital will host more than 50 local health and wellness vendors. Meet local physicians, gather product samples and participate in free health screenings. Blake Wallenda will perform balancing acts in the kids’ zone. For information, call 782-2100. WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S Begins at 9 a.m. with registration and the walk starts at 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at Riverwalk Rossi Park, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Participants will complete a twomile walk and will learn about Alzheimer’s disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical trial enrollment and support programs and services from the Alzheimer’s Association. For information, call 365-8883 or visit act.alz.org/ Manatee. THE 5K COLOR BLAST FUN RUN Starts at 10 a.m. Oct. 25 at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Run or walk your way through five color zones at which you’ll be covered in color. All participants receive a T-shirt, medal, one color pack, tattoo, car decal and entry to the post-race dance party with music, entertainment, food, vendors and a fun family atmosphere. Cost is $15 for children ages 6 to 10. Adult admission is $40. For information, visit the5kcolorblast.com.

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CLASSES AND SEMINARS HEALTHY PET DIET PRACTICES Runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota. Veterinary Neurologist Dr. Anne Chauvet will discuss healthy pet diets during the “Chow Time” presentation. Topics include understanding your pet’s optimal weight and healthy methods for maintaining it. For information, call 929-1818. SHOULD I GET A MAMMOGRAM? Runs from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 15 at the Lower Level Seating Court in front of Macy’s at The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Dr. Jeffery Wasserman will share the latest information on who should get a mammogram, and the benefits of 3-D mammography. Light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited. For information, call 708-8100.

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HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota will join rehabilitation providers nationwide in celebration of National Rehabilitation Week Sept. 20 through Sept. 26. Themed “Passport to Independence,” the week highlights effective ways to guide patients toward their goal of going home. HealthSouth, a 96-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital, will celebrate with an annual patient reunion from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sept. 23, in the hospital dining room, 6400 Edgelake Drive, Sarasota. Travel industry consultant Linda Odom will speak about traveling with disabilities. For information, call 921-8795.

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The nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities will celebrate the opening of its new Sarasota location. Fresenius Medical Care North America will hold an open house for its relocated Sarasota Coastal Dialysis Center, 2989 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 24, at the facility. At the event, guests can see demonstrations of the latest dialysis technology and single-use dialyzers, as well as treatment stations designed for patient comfort with heated treatment chairs, individual televisions and wireless Internet access. Nurses and staff will be available to discuss patient services and treatment options, as well. For information, contact Nancy Simpson at 373-9270.

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SEPTEMBER 2015

John Russo, DDS, MHS

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Remote Area Medical’s first event in Florida is still months away, but local organizers have big needs to fill. Specifically, they need more than 500 volunteers, including medical practitioners and the general public, to help pull off the event, which will transform Manatee Technical College into a medical clinic Nov. 21 and Nov. 22. The clinic will provide more than $1 million worth of free dental, vision, general medical and educational services to the public. Care is targeted toward indigent care, but no one is turned away based on income. Organizers Doug Schiller and Dr. Richard Conard expect more than 2,500 people to come from Sarasota and Manatee counties and throughout Florida to receive services. Remote Area Medical is a national nonprofit that provides medical care to underserved, impoverished or isolated communities through mobile clinics, among other services. The public can apply for the RAM clinic in East County starting Nov. 20 and clients will be served on a first-come, firstserved basis. The MTC campus will offer free parking and provide port-a-lets for the public as they wait to receive services. Individuals who wish to volunteer or make a donation toward the clinic’s $87,000 budgetary needs, can call Schiller at 9326147.

Dialysis center relocates

HEALTH BRIEFS

Remote Area Medical seeks volunteers

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HEALTH MATTERS

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YourObserver.com

SEPTEMBER 2015

PI CTURE O F HE ALTH WITH LINH GORDON BEFORE

DIET Water: 64 ounces a day Breakfast: Oatmeal or egg whites Lunch: Brown rice or sweet potatoes with chicken or fish and vegetables Dinner: Usually a variation similar to lunch Cheat meals: Pizza, Mexican food and chicken wings

Amanda Morales

After losing 75 pounds, Linh Gordon strives to maintain her healthy lifestyle.

AMANDA MORALES STAFF WRITER

disease by changing their diets and exercising routinely. “I’m preaching all the time how to live a healthy way all the time. I have to live it as well,” Gordon says. Gordon has witnessed her parents and her husband’s parents manage their lives around diabetes. “There’s this disease that’s 365 days a year, and they’re the only one who can control it,” Gordon says. With her continued focus on health, Gordon sticks to a healthy

AFTER

Courtesy photos

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A

fter giving birth to her son 12 years ago, registered nurse Linh Gordon, 43, went on a mission to turn around her exercise and eating habits. She’d once been the picture of athleticism and participated in bodybuilding competitions. But, during three years of infertility treatments and during pregnancy, she’d gained 75 pounds. After birth, getting back into

shape became a priority. In addition to wanting to lose weight for herself, Gordon wanted to set an example for her son, Maven, and patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She restricted her diet and returned to an exercise routine, which she largely continues today, and has kept the extra weight — all 75 pounds — off. Gordon has worked as a certified diabetes educator at SMH for seven years, meeting with patients and consulting with them on how to take control of the

eating regimen. Her meals consist of a lean protein, such as chicken or fish, with a complex carbohydrate of brown rice or sweet potatoes. She even extends it to include the diet of her now 12-year-old son. “He tells us, ‘I need more protein.’ What 12-year-old says that?” she asks. She limits her diet to what she considers clean eating and backs it up with daily workouts of high intensity interval training mixed with weigh resistance training to achieve a lean mass, or more muscular physique. She completes 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day. Gordon also makes sure to get six to seven hours of sleep per night. Recently Gordon has begun participating in fitness competitions as a means of indicating that she’s reached her health goals. In 2013, she placed third in the St. Petersburg Classic. “I want to live a healthier lifestyle for my second part of life,” she says.


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