Weekly Schedule 3/14/2022 — The Power Of Touch and Info About Fascia
THIS WEEK IS DONATION WEEK! Sign up for class to have your class fee donated to our 2022 organization.
With the intention of gathering strength for the new generation of the Black community, our donation class recipient organization for 2022 is Third Street Youth Center and Clinic. Please read more about this clinic and the variety of programs they offer San Francisco youth between 12-24 years old: https://3rdstyouth.org
We donate 100% of class fees from classes attended the second week of every month to the annual organization. We also encourage you to make your own donation directly if you are able.
Week 104 - Greetings from the Sierras! My son's daycare is closed until Tuesday, so I'm away and back in the studio on 3/15/2022.
As many of you know by now, I've been astounded at the benefit of online workouts, and have collaborated with session participants to create some unique environments attempting to replicate a variety of GYROTONIC® and Pilates equipment. I still find myself saying two years into the pandemic, these MacGyver’d set-ups have "never been done before!"
That said, this past week I was really struck by the power of in-person sessions. Initially I thought equipment was the missing link due to its added resistance, support, and proprioceptive feedback for the body. I soon realized the dramatic changes I observed were not due to the equipment providing the most benefit — although believe me, it is quite powerful. It's the power of hands-on cuing — of intentional, therapeutic touch. Honestly, it took me some time to feel comfortable giving hands-on feedback to students for health and safety reasons. Now that I'm starting to feel closer to normal, I see how the body and nervous system change visibly after simply placing hands on an individual's shoulders, or even giving a masked and fully-vaccinated hug. I am no self-proclaimed healer-by-touch, but an observer of cause and effect and am amazed by how the human body responds.
The more we learn about the connective tissues of the body through scientific study, the more I imagine the body as a spider web: touch a distant part of the web and the spider knows. This is possible via the fascia and interstitium of the body and the fluids they contain and circulate. Abdominal pain? Touch the shoulders, and the abdomen — like the spider — knows.
If you'd like to learn more about connective tissues of the body, here are a few links to get you started:
Fascia Magnified 25x (Subtitled) -- https://youtu.be/uzy8-wQzQMY
Fluid in Fascia -- https://youtu.be/5Pwqr0RcHd8
Functional Fascia -- https://functionalfascia.com/whats-it-all-about/fascia-facts/
And the article that helped me realize the true difference between online and in-person workouts:
https://functionalfascia.com/homepage/evidence/
Although titled, "Evidence", I think this is a starting point of discussion and research, rather than an iron-clad truth.
I look forward to welcoming you to the studio, either in-person or online, this week after I return from a weekend away with my family.
Here's what's on the schedule this week:
CANCELED Monday, 3/14/2022
IN-PERSON GYROTONIC® Pulley Tower Class
A 50-minute group equipment class series exploring Gyrotonic exercise on the Pulley Tower. Space for four (4) individuals. Curious about this movement system? This is a great class to learn more.
Sign-up for next week: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=11540424
9:30am PST - Tuesday, 3/15/2022:
ONLINE Pilates Mat (Mixed Level)
In February's class format we are finally getting to the wall. We're putting our feet on the wall, so wear clean socks to keep your wall clean. Keep the long foam roller (36" long), light hand weights, and a resistance band available. Our focus is varying the planes of motion for the body and mind for better balance. Video available if you can't attend live.
Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=13574506
9:30am PST - Thursday, 3/17/2022:
ONLINE Balance and Flow GYROKINESIS®
Our February focus is flowing through the seated arm-work, then getting more into legs and pelvis on the floor. Maybe even getting to lying down on our fronts... Remember, there are always options available if you're just not feeling the floor. Have your stool/ chair, two bath towels (blankets, etc.), and some wall space free.
Focusing on the ability of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® to increase circulation, mobilize and strengthen joints, and increase proprioceptive awareness, this Zoom class prepares the body for more confidence in standing balance work. Video available if you can't attend live.
Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=13778332
Looking forward to seeing you online and in-person this week! Until then, breathe deeply, stay socially distant, healthy and sane.
Warmly,
Harriet
2022 FOCUS: Firmly deciding, after reducing an abstract problem into its components, to proceed on a journey toward harmony.
Read the first email of 2022 here to understand how this became our resolution for 2022.
