|
How to Become a Superager
|
|
On the last day of 2016, the New York Times published an article by research scientist Lisa Feldman Barrett on what it takes to
become a "superager." She writes,
"'Superagers' (a term coined by the neurologist Marsel Mesulam) are those whose memory and attention isn't merely above average for their age, but is actually on par with healthy, active 25-year-olds."
Wow, sounds great, sign me up! But first, what does it actually take to become a superager, that is, w
hich activities, if any, will increase your chances of remaining mentally sharp into old age?"
To find out, Barrett and her colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital performed fMRIs on seventeen superagers, comparing their brain scans with those of others of comparable age, and discovered two regions of the brain in which the superagers had thickened gray matter. "These critical brain regions increase in activity when people perform difficult tasks, whether the effort is
physical or
mental. You can therefore help keep these regions thick and healthy through vigorous exercise and bouts of strenuous mental effort."
If you were to ask the six instructors who spent last fall preparing for their Pilates certification exams (see below for good news!), they would tell you that they are well acquainted with "yuck". And maybe you have experienced some of this yourself in the context of a particularly demanding session at the studio. It is in the service of this intense effort that I ask our instructors to not only teach you how to do the exercise, but also how to experience the specific muscles that are generating the movement, and how to take the exercise to the next level. In the progressive overloading of muscles and brain there is an opportunity to slowly develop a tolerance for the temporary discomfort that can lead to superaging.
So, this month, we will be pairing our workouts with complex mathematical questions. Get out your old calculus books folks, it's going to be a bumpy February!
Best wishes,
-Patrick
|
|
|
|
Six Instructors Pass Exams!
It is with pride and joy that we share the news that six Practice Fitness instructors passed their STOTT PILATES certification exams.
Leslie Harshman, Kitty Snow, Jenny McCalip, Joy Karl, Matt Parente, and Teresa DiCarlo completed their exams in November and December, but didn't get their scores back from Toronto until after the publication of the January newsletter, so this notice is belated but well-deserved. CONGRATULATIONS!
If you are an instructor who needs observation hours for your own certification, you can now sit in on sessions or classes with any of our current staff members. To find out when instructors are teaching throughout the day,
contact our Education Director, Joy Karl, at
joyka48@gmail.com
or 937-371-8176.
|
|
|
Say Hello to Anaka Davis 
Anaka Davis started her coursework in 2016, and is now starting her active apprentice work at Practice Fitness. She will be available to teach both reformer and matwork private sessions for free in January and part of February as she diligently prepares for the first of her in-house exams.
If you are interested in a complimentary private session with Anaka, contact Studio Manager, Teresa DiCarlo at
teresa.dicarlo24@gmail.com or 404-358-0979.
|
|
|
|
Instructor News
Upcoming 2017 STOTT Courses!
 The Reformer is the most popular piece of equipment in Pilates. Learn how to use this highly versatile tool to program and instruct personal training and group classes with confidence using hundreds of spring-resistance exercises.
Advanced Cadillac
 The addition of the Advanced Cadillac course provides extensive programming options for extremely fit clients or those who participate in high-level activities. Exercises presented build on mobility, flexibility, and stability while challenging neuromuscular coordination and control.
Advanced Stability Chair
 The Advanced Split-Pedal Stability Chair course offers increased programming in a full studio setting. Exercises presented build on mobility, flexibility, and stability while challenging neuromuscular coordination and control.
Advanced Barrels
 The addition of the Barrels in the Advanced repertoire offers extensive programming possibilities in a full studio setting. For extremely fit clients or those looking for an additional challenge, this course will provide the exercise diversity required.
All deposits and final payments for courses and and workshops are non-refundable.
To register for this course, please contact Education Director, Joy Karl, at
joyka48@gmail.com or 937-371-8176.
|
|
|
|
The Year of Conquering Negative Thinking
This year, we implore you to fight negative thoughts that seep in throughout the day. We assure you that with a little practice, you'll be an old pro when it comes to looking towards positivity and "taming negative cycles."
If you don't believe us, read more from Lesley Alderman's
New York Times' piece.
|
|
|
|
|
Where in the World are David & CJ?
CJ Schoeff was kind enough to pack a Practice Tee on her recent trip with her husband David to ____________. Do you know where they are? Be the first to reply to this email with the correct answer, and you will win the last bag of Mom's Granola that we have left in stock!
|
|
|
|
Welcome to Practice!
A warm welcome goes out to our newest members of the Practice community, who started with us in January:
Peg Court
Andrew Deaton
Sue Freese
Laurie Friedman
Ellen Kooser
Melissa McNamara
Erin Shanahan
We are thrilled to have you with us. Welcome aboard!
|
|
|
|
Anniversaries
To all the practitioners who joined us in previous months of February since 2009, and who are still with us: We
thank you and we congratulate you!
2009
Dick Amann
Peggy Grunkemeyer
Carl Kershner
Debra Mach
Ruth Przyborowski
Skip Snow
Debbie Spiegel
Carol Stadler
Susie Stein
Kerry Young
2010
Monica Cummins
Lori Orlando
Judy Wyatt
2011
David Treese
2012
Don Ruegsegger
2013
Jeff Gill
Jan Ridinger
Amanda Russ
2015
Debbie Miller
Yvonne Mischler
Lisa Sweeney
Kelly Wolfe
2016
Wendy Cronin
Alex Martin
Rachel Shields
Mary Van Schaik
|
|
|
|
Stop Checking Email So Often
A recent study - discussed in this New York Times piece by Kostadin Kushlev and Elizabeth W. Dunn - explained how taking time away from email can reduce your stress levels. In fact, "the reduction in stress was about as large as the benefit people get from learning relaxation techniques (e.g., taking deep breaths, visualizing peaceful imagery)."
...And yet here we are filling your inboxes!
|
|
|
|
Is Hot Yoga Good For You?
There's nothing more rewarding than a good sweat, but when is it too much? This fascinating article by
New York Times' writer
Roni Caryn Rabin discusses how "Hot Yoga, done in a hot room, may have health benefits, but it can also lead to dehydration and heat stroke."
|
|
|
|
Big Sugar's Secret Ally? Nutritionists
There's no denying that, over the years, sugar has gotten a bad rep. But you may be surprised to find out who's coming to sugar's rescue -Nutritionists!
Gary Taubes delves more into the topic in his recent
New York Times'
piece, where he compares both sides of a common nutrition-related argument, "that
what
we eat doesn't matter; it's only
how much -
just as the sugar industry would have us believe."
Decide for yourselves when you click the link below!
|
|
|
|
Is Your Workout Not Working? Maybe You're a Non-Responder
"People who don't benefit from endurance workouts may get results from interval training, and vice versa, a new study suggests."
Gretchen Reynolds explores how an alternate workout may be the key depending on your body - read more of her
New York Times' article below.
|
|
|
|
Running May Be Good for Your Knees
"Im tired"
"I don't have time"
"I've had a long day"
"I'm not a runner"
There are plenty of reasons
not
to head out for a run. Here's one solid reason to put on your shoes and hit the pavement:
"Knees of runners show substantially lower levels of two types of cells that can contribute to inflammation and promote arthritis."
Read more in Gretchen Reynolds' latest article in the
New York Times.
|
|
|
|
Policy Change
Beginning January 1, 2017,
any unused funds that a client maintains on house account with the studio are available for a full refund for up to one year after the date of the client's most recent visit
.
Unused pre-purchased sessions (e.g. Pilates privates) or class packages (yoga or Pilates matwork) are non-refundable and expire 6 months from the date of purchase, but during this period they can be transferred to other family members or friends.
For questions related to your account or purchases, please contact Patrick at pprzyborowski@gmail.com.
|
|
|
|
