A Precious Human Life

Every day, think as you wake up,
Today I am fortunate to have woken up,
I am alive, I have a precious human life,
I am not going to waste it,
I am going to use
All my energies to develop myself,
To expand my heart out to others,
To achieve enlightenment for
The benefit of all beings.
I am going to have kind thoughts towards others.
I am not going to get angry,
Or think badly about others,
I am going to benefit others as much as I can.

~His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama

Stretch of the Month: Flying Angel Chest Opener

Spring is here and we are ready to soar! The Flying Angel Chest Opener will stretch your pectoral muscles resulting in a more open chest, easeful breathing, and better posture. This pose uses the floor as resistance to roll back the shoulder and increase the pectoral stretch. Remember to warm up before you try it out, especially through the shoulder joint, as it is a very intense stretch. By the end of the month you'll feel like you're standing up taller, breathing better, and ready to wear those spring tank tops!

-Lie down with your front side on the floor.
-Take your arms out to your sides to form a T position. Bend your right arm and place the palm on the floor close to your shoulder. The left arm will remain straight with the palm faced down to the floor.
-Cross your right leg behind the left so that your right hip stacks on top of the left. Your right toes should still be in contact with the floor.
-Internally rotate your left arm so that the back of the hand is in contact with the floor and your thumb is pointing towards your feet.
-Reach the right arm behind you and interlace the fingers of the right and left hands.
-Pull your fists away from your body and move your chest forward.
-Take 3-5 deep breaths, release, and practice on the other side.

Modifications: "What if...?"

"I can't do this on the floor..." Take a similar position at a wall. You will start facing the wall with your left arm extended at the wall at shoulder height. Keep it there as you move the chest away from the wall. You can also stretch both sides of the chest at a doorway. Stand in the doorway with both arms out to your sides and elbows bent. Place the forearms on the sides of the doorway. Move your chest forward until you feel the stretch.

"My neck hurts and my head is hanging down to the floor..." Use a block, rolled up blanket, or small pillow underneath your head.

"I can't balance on my side..." Make sure both feet are in contact with the floor. Pull your belly button in towards your spine.

"My elbows are hyper-extended..." Keep your elbows slightly bent and try to keep your palms touching as you pull the arms away from the body.

Need a Massage?

Of course you do! Your daily stressors, tight muscles, the "economic crisis", intense workouts and anything else causing tension in your body will release after an assisted stretching session with me.

These sessions include techniques from Thai yoga massage, a modality that combines stretching, reflexology, energy line work, yoga poses, and massage. In this method the receiver is completely passive, and gets a full body stretch to increase flexibility, improve circulation, reduce stress, and feel completely relaxed. Thai yoga massage and assisted stretching also help the lymphatic system, muscle function, posture imbalances, sciatica pain, chronic back & shoulder tension, and much more.

In a session we will discuss your health history and assess the current state of your body. I will design a unique plan for you, which will incorporate my knowledge from my extensive background in personal training, yoga, Pilates, postural alignment, dance, assisted stretching, and Thai yoga massage. You will feel rejuvenated and more prepared to handle any 'crisis' in your life!

Here's what some clients have experienced...

"When Elyse trained me with her new body conditioning technique which incorporates Thai massage and stretch, I discovered greater strength and awareness in my core muscles almost immediately after our sessions. I noticed my dance and movement skills improving especially in hip flexibility and balance. Her method released much of my tension in a way that was very gentle even though it worked at a deeper muscular level. Thanks so much Elyse!" -Leah, Actress & Business Owner, New York

"I have to tell you, Elyse, your support is touching in a way more than I can express. You have a very profound healing energy and so much love comes out from you." -Amy, Personal Trainer, New York

"Last week, due to an injured toe, I found myself hobbling about unevenly. This caused a re-occurrence of intense sciatica pain in my right hip. Elyse gave me a Thai yoga massage and stretched me out. I was incredibly relieved when, after I walked around for a couple of minutes the next morning, I realized the pain was completely gone. I had to make a 7-hour car drive that day and was concerned that the sciatica would come back as it has in the past, during a long drive. I am very grateful that Elyse's caring work on my body alleviated the pain. Thank you Elyse!" -Lynn, Audiologist, Maine

***INTRODUCTORY OFFER***
Call 201-240-4288 or email esparkes@gmail.com to schedule an appointment in the comfort of your own home and details on the INTRODUCTORY OFFER.