 |
Dear Friends,
I appreciate the many emails I get from all of you who do CS & Essentrics. Many of you write about how the programs have changed your body and how much better you feel overall. This month I thought I’d give you an excerpt of our training manual that helps describe why this technique makes you feel the way you do!
Miranda Esmonde-White
The Flow of Energy and Muscle Chains
One of Leonardo Da Vinci’s most famous masterpieces is the drawing of the universal man standing in the center of a circle with his arms and legs outstretched, touching the circumference. What was Leonardo trying to say with that drawing? In naming the drawing The Universal Man, was Da Vinci relating the physical body of man to the basic universal laws of motion? Circular motion to be exact!
Technically speaking, each muscle is a separate entity in itself, each having its own unique points of origin, insertion and task to perform. However, when we move, there is a natural flow between the muscles, which could be seen as a series of links in an invisible chain of muscles.
In CS & Essentrics we try to follow the natural chains of muscles while exercising. Not only does following the natural chains of the muscles feel very soothing, but it also feels very natural and easy to do. The reason it feels easier is because the body is following an instinctive flow. The movements in CS & Essentrics are designed to deliberately follow the natural chains of the muscles. This creates constant circular or rotational type movement, which are the trade-mark exercises in Essentrics. |
Quick Links
 In the News
Share Your Success Stories
Getting to Know Miranda
Training and Certfification Program
Exercices Sequence
|
|
There are several benefits to deliberately following the muscle chains. One is psychological, leaving the participant with a sense of well-being and peace. In other words, the movements are in harmony with what the body wants to do and where the body wants to flow to. At the end of an CS or Essentrics workout, the participants often walks away relaxed and content even though they just finished a rigorous workout.
The fitness value gained from following the muscle chains is as great a value as the emotional one. A chain implies a series of connecting links, or in this case connecting muscles. If one muscle along the chain is weaker, tighter or in any way off balance from the others, all of the muscles along the chain will be affected. That is why a foot injury can cause hip problems, or an arm injury can cause shoulder problems. The concept of following the invisible natural chains of muscles is part of the basic philosophy behind CS & Essentrics which is to rebalance the entire body. It is partly why this is such a successful workout from a fitness point of view. |
|
|
Series 600- Release
I am very excited that the 600-TV series began airing this Spring. This was the first of many future shows filmed and represented by Lakeshore Public TV out of Indiana.
Lakeshore is a vibrant PBS affiliate with a progressive thinking general manager, Tom Carroll. Tom is a lets-do-it type of CEO who has surrounded himself with a talented enthusiastic and energetic team. Each division from production to marketing and sales buzzes with activity. |
 |
The production team did an outstanding job of this series to what I consider as near perfection. The quality of sound, picture, and editing are the best we’ve ever had. I am sure that you as a Classical Stretch fan will be thrilled to be working out with these beautifully filmed routines. I’m thrilled with these shows as they used very flattering lenses and the Jamaican backdrop is so stunning that it almost looks unreal!
Speaking of Jamaica, I have tried to return to the original style of workouts that I did during my very first series in 2000 which was also filmed in Jamaica! The workouts are more challenging than the previous seasons. It’s important to keep pushing ourselves to remain young and healthy and these workouts will do that for you. As with every series you can adjust the level of intensity up or down, so don’t ever be intimidated by Classical Stretch, it is for all levels of fitness and all ages.
I hope you like this new series,
you can view a preview of it by
clicking here! |
|
NEW-Training Series
It’s finally ready the new Training Series Transition
The new teacher training material is finally ready. After many years of back and forth, we have made a major company decision to re-name Classical Stretch as Essentrics. This decision came after much marketing research. We found that the name Classical Stretch misrepresented the program and actually turned many clients away. The television program remains under the same name, however the teacher training program will certify you as an Essentrics Instructor.
You are welcome to continue calling your classes “Classical Stretch” however we know you will have much more success if you use the name Essentrics. The gyms that originally posted Classical Stretch on their schedules found that class registration doubled using the name Essentrics! This new name helps reflect the fact that this program is a strengthening and lengthening program.
You will therefore find that all Instructor Training Material is using the name Essentrics not Classical Stretch.
For details about the Instructor Training Series Click here
NEXT workshop date is July 12 and 13th 2009
|
|
 |
Up coming Classical Stretch retreats
August 20th to August 24th, Montreal Canada
Join Miranda in her hometown of Montreal for an intensive 4 day fitness retreat.
Click here for more information and to book your space
December 5th to December 12th, Riviera Maya Mexico |
| Share Your Success Stories |
Dear Miranda,
I am writing & sending my pictures to you, from encouragement from my fellow videofitness.com online friends.
I recently posted my pictures on a couple of fitness forums & have received so many compliments & emails thanking others for being an inspiration to them.
I am constantly asked what kind of workouts do I do? I spread the word as much as can to everyone, "Classical Stretch".
I tell everyone to go to your website & purchase just one of your dvds & they will become hooked!
My story goes: I am 47 years old. I have jogged, lifted heavy weights, yoga & pilates my heart out over many years. never really achieving the look I wanted. long & lean.
I bought several Classical Stretch dvds to use for my tired, achey & pained body.
they were originally purchased to be used for my "rest days". after trying CS, I noticed after just one use, I felt amazing.
finally about 1/2 a year ago, I decided to stop all my other workouts & just use CS exclusively.
which made me nervous. I was afraid I would lose all that I had worked so hard at. years of jogging & weight lifting. I was scared I would gain weight basically. not the case at all!
within the first week of doing CS averaging a hour a day, I noticed a tremendous difference in my body. I was no longer tired, not so ravenous hungry either.
2 weeks later, I could not believe the range of motion I was acheiving on every part of my body.
4 weeks into CS, my core was ripped. my arms no longer flabby.
The longer I kept doing CS, the better I felt. I cannot believe the transfirmation on my body! Thank you so much Miranda.
I no longer have cellulite. my saddlebags are gone. I had a rotator cuff injury. & my doctor said one shoulder was higher than the other. & one leg longer.
I used to have this crick in my leg & everytime I would lift my leg, in any type of pilates move, it would crack at the hip. I no longer have these problems. My arms are so toned, as well as my upper back. Everyone comments on how I look feminine, yet so toned.
I feel & look better than I did when I was in my 20's or 30's.
I have given away all my other fitness dvds, & peices of fitness equipment.
I am devoted soley to CS. I purchased every dvd you have available. I even bought the men's dvd & the golf dvd for myself! I don't even golf! The online forum's cannot believe my pictures & said I must send my story to you. & they are right, I wanted to thank you so much. They are all buying CS dvds now!
I tried desperately to find your Back Pain & Stress Release dvd & your Osteoporsis Prevention, I can no longer find these. if you have some kicking around, keep me in mind!
I look forward to your new releases & have spoken with customer service & heard that you are making some remakes of the older dvds. I'll be first in line waiting to purchase.
I bought your textbook. which was so informative. & I have been telling anyone who will listen on the forums, this is a great read for furthering your CS workout techniques. learning all the "whys" about how the muscles react from CS.
I am anxiously awaiting for the release & sale of the Essentrics book as well.
I am also so happy to own Sahra's dvds! they are fantastic & I hope she will have more new titles released soon also.
You are an amazing teacher Miranda & I am so happy that you shared & made your dvds available to home exercisers. I wish you the best.
Sincerely your biggest West Coast fan,
Lori K.
|
| Getting to Know Miranda |
Favorite Ballet
Many people love the nutcracker but having performed it over 250 times myself, I was never able to see it again. I couldn’t even bring myself to take my daughter when she was a child! I do love the classical like Romeo & Juliet! I also like the special gala’s when many top artists tour and do varying genres. Its nice to spend an evening watching a mix of classic ballet, jazz, and contemporary. I also like specific dance companies: the Ballet Bejat from Switzerland, the New York City Ballet and of course the National Ballet of Canada where I danced!
Whats your favorite memory from your days in the Ballet Company
There was a special thrill listening to the orchestra playing just before the curtain went up. It would get goose bumps, as I knew the performance was about to begin. There is a magical feeling to dance with a full orchestra playing.
|
Training and Certification Program |
Bringing Essentrics to a Gym Near You
A project that Miranda and I have been working on over the last 6 months is revamping our teacher training in order to get her technique into a gym near you!
We are very excited at the response we’ve been getting!
We’ve created a system where we supply pre-choreographed workouts to teachers to ensure that if you attend an Essentrics class you will be getting the same class Miranda is teaching in her home town gym in Montreal! We would love your help in spreading the word and getting this program into your favorite local fitness center! If you’d like the program at your gym, you can either give us the contact of the fitness manager, or we can provide you with a short one-page description that you can hand over to them.
We appreciate your help and hope to see Essentrics on a gym schedule near you!
xo sahra sahra@classicalstretch.com
|
Exercices Sequence - Training Series |
SEQUENCE 5 / ECCENTRICS BACK & HAMSTRING EXERCISES
- Sit with a straight back and arms beside the ears
- If a client can not get their back straight get them to either bend their knees or sit on a raiser
- Ceiling reaches; single arm & double arm
- Over-extensions
- Row the boat: Exhale going towards touch toes
- Inhale while rolling up one vertebrae at a time returning to neutral (flexed & pointed feet.)
- IT Band stretch; keep back as straight as possible, slowly and carefully use the opposite foot or tibia to pull the IT Band
Taken from the Pre Choreographed Workout 1/ GROIN, HIP, RIB CAGE & SEATED HAMSTRING SEQUENCES
|
|
| Go Back |
|
