Archive for category Guest Author
Sophia Kozak, Usui Reiki Master Practitioner
Posted by Core Arts Pilates in Guest Author, Health Tips, What's New on April 19, 2011
Hi to the Core Arts Pilates family!
My name is Sophia Kozak, Usui Reiki Master Practitioner and new member of the Core Arts holistic services team! I began practicing reiki in 2006 after a period of burnout and transition in my life. I used Reiki as an empowering, self-care tool that supported me greatly in starting a new chapter in my life. After experiencing so many wonderful changes in my own life, I was enthusiastic about sharing the benefits of reiki with others. My work is guided by the belief that healing and transformation is possible for all people, as well as the planet. My intention is always to work in service of my clients’ highest good and greatest healing.
What is Reiki?
Usui Reiki is a complementary of energy medicine, which enhances the body’s ability to heal itself. It compliments Pilates, Massage and Meditation in creating optimal health in the body, mind and spirit. Usui Reiki is a holistic treatment, meaning that it works with the emotional, mental, spiritual and physical levels. Stress in all its forms and manifestations can restrict the natural flow of energy that flows through the body and replenishes it. Reiki clears those blockages and assists in the release of physical pain, emotional trauma and limiting thought patterns that no long serve. It is a powerful tool for personal transformation and growth, as well as a vital part of one’s self-care practice. Like going to the gym for physical health and maintenance, reiki is used on a routine basis to restore one’s energy for disease prevention and wellness; and/or to heal specific issues on the physical, emotional or other levels.
What are its Benefits?
In 1-6 sessions, I have seen clients experience healing from chronic pain, illness, allergies; injuries; body tension; migraine headaches; indigestion; and insomnia/disturbed sleep. I’ve also seen clients heal from past or present emotional upset or trauma (from family, relationships, work, etc) and move past periods of stuckness, lack of clarity, unease, anxiety, and stress.
Reiki also helps to relax and experience greater inner peace, more joy, an increased spiritual connection, sharpened intuition and more focus, greater self-trust and confidence, as well as clearer direction and purpose. Shifts include new love relationships, improved relations with friends and family, feeling happier with work, more artistically expressive/creative; and doing more of what makes you happiest!!
How Does it Work?
During a reiki session, you lie down, fully clothed, eyes closed, in a relaxed position. The practitioner places her hands on, above, or around your body and allows the energy to flow through the energy centers in your body using various, gentle, hand positions and patterns. Clients generally experience deep relaxation and refreshment during and after a session! Please note that Reiki is not meant as a substitute for medical or psychological diagnosis and treatment. Reiki practitioners do not diagnose or treat medical or mental health conditions, offer prognosis, nor prescribe a course of treatment.
Reiki Special for all First-Time Clients
Schedule your session now and get $10 off your first reiki session at Core Arts! Email or call Sophia to schedule your appointment at Sophia@spiritascending.com or (310) 709-1589, and remember to mention this article to redeem your gift discount. Offer lasts through May 15, 2011. The regular price of a one-hour Reiki session is $75. Looking forward to connecting with you!
Grandma does Pilates instead of painkillers for back pain
Posted by Core Arts Pilates in Guest Author, What's New on March 2, 2011
A great story on how Pilates works its wonders on the debilitating muscular and bone structure issues.
A GRANDMOTHER of seven has thrown away her walking stick after taking up pilates and aerobics classes.
Diabetes sufferer Urmin Agenta Gibson has suffered from spinal sclerosis, known as curvature of the spine, for more than three years.
The problem with her back was so bad she needed a walking stick to get around and was taking eight strong painkillers every day.
But after deciding to join Temple Cowley Pools and Fitness centre, where she has been taking pilates classes for more than a year, Mrs Gibson, from Leiden Road, Headington, that has all changed.
The 69-year-old now goes to the gym five times a week and joins in water aerobics, gym sessions and pilates classes.
She said: “The pain started in my back about three years ago and to begin with doctors told me it was arthritis. But they eventually discovered it was sclerosis.
“I was already a member of the gym but when I told them about my problem they suggested I do pilates.
“It is so good, and it really helps. The pain is gone and I don’t need my painkillers or stick anymore.
“I now feel great. The only thing I have changed from a year ago is my exercise regime, so I put all my improving health down to the classes provided at my local leisure centre.
“The classes have not only improved my health and fitness but I really enjoy the social side as well as I have made some really good friends.”
Oxford City Council runs the city’s leisure centres in partnership with Fusion, a registered charity.
Natalie Oakley, general manager at Temple Cowley Pools and Fitness Centre, said she was impressed with Mrs Gibson’s transformation.
She added: “It’s great to see our members really benefiting from the range of classes and facilities we offer. Urmin is an inspiration to us all.”
Cllr Mark Lygo, board member for sport, play and school liaison, added: “This is fantastic news and I am pleased that a member of the public has used exercise to help them with their illness.
“It is remarkable that Urmin needed to rely on painkillers and using a walking stick and has benefited from our class so much that she no longer needs them.”
By Amanda Williams, Oxford Mail
A letter from Francisco Gella, Neuvo School of Dance Artistic Director on Pilates
Posted by Core Arts Pilates in Guest Author, Testimonials, What's New on October 28, 2010
Dear Parents and Students,
It is with great excitement that NUEVO School of Contemporary Dance will be partnering with Core Arts Pilates. This partnership allows NUEVO to separate itself even more with the addition of an amazing technique that is an important supplement to dance training, but it is also accessible to parents who are interested in getting in shape as well. Pilates is HOT right now and everyone in the Hollywood scene, celebrities of both genders use it get into amazing physical condition. In addition, professional athletes are now also using Pilates as a great way to build and maintain core strength that results in less injuries and also helps in the recovery process for injuries as well.
I have been taking private sessions from the staff of Core Arts Pilates in their West Hollywood studio and I am now again completely addicted. The change in my body, the way it works and functions when I take ballet class has made is more efficient. My lower back has ceased from hurting during class and I found myself re-connecting with my center strength. I realize that I am not in the best physical shape, not like when I was dancing professionally and training everyday twice a day, but Pilates has done wonders with getting in touch with my core strength again. It has helped me lengthen, gain more flexibility, has changed the shape of my legs back to when I was dancing professionally, and has also aided in myself getting leaner and becoming more physically fit at my age.
I am very excited for what Core Arts will bring into the already amazing training that NUEVO offers to it’s current students in the conservatory and company. In short, Pilates will change everything for the better. I realize each student is built differently and there is a very small fraction of individuals that are born with the natural facility conducive to dance technical training. The majority of the time, dancers in their formative years of training have to fight with their natural bodies, their genetics to be able to hit the appropriate positions in dance. It is only through correct training and hard work that this can be accomplished. Enter Pilates into the training picture – what Pilates does is it actually forces the dancer to connect and lengthen all the muscles necessary for dancing and miraculously aids in changing bodies to be more efficient and stronger for dance overall.
As opposed to gripping, Pilates teaches the dancer to work specifically from their core muscular structure out, which then allows the appendages, the arms and legs, to work in an efficient manner, making everything feel lighter and having a sense of finite muscular control. When dancers are born with a specific body type that is not always efficient for dancing, it becomes a challenge to hit certain positions in an effortless fashion, but with the supplemental help of Pilates training it becomes easier for a dancer not blessed with great facility to be able to accomplish certain physical feats. I know this through direct experience as my particular body type is naturally geared toward more power sports, track & field, gymnastics, etc. With the help of Pilates training, when it wasn’t as popular back in the 90′s I was able to change and increase the range of motion and turn out in my hips (at a later age – in fact at 20), allowing me to work correctly to achieve the correct technical structure. In addition, it also helped with the power and strength of my jumps and aided in the center strength of my turns.
I can go on and on, but in any case starting in November, Core Arts Staff will be available for both students and parents at NUEVO for Pilates private instruction. Their set hours will be from Fridays 2pm-8pm and on Saturdays from 9am-1:30pm and from 2pm-6pm. For more information please visit their website at www.coreartscenter.com. I would highly recommend taking advantage of this amazing opportunity and in fact I will be approaching certain dancers and parents and recommending them to do a session with a Core Arts staff member. The Pilates privates will occur at the annex building of NUEVO. Go for it and see the amazing changes it will have on your bodies! Here’s to more physically fit you!
Thank You,
Francisco Gella
Founding Artistic Director
Nuevo School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD)
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