Get Outside

The winter in Tahoe hasn't seemed to arrive this season, in stark contrast to the snow, ice and frigid temperatures of the East coast these past few months. But when solely focusing on weather, how it affects our travel and commute, most of us tend to forget how powerful fresh air can be to our body and to our mind. A Japanese practice, shinrin-yoku, translates to "forest bathing" and prioritizes being surrounded by trees as a healing practice. (Read more here.)

"The "magic" behind forest bathing boils down to the naturally produced allelochemic substances known as phytoncides, which are kind of like pheromones for plants. Their job is to help ward off pesky insects and slow the growth of fungi and bacteria. When humans are exposed to phytoncides, these chemicals are scientifically proven to lower blood pressure, relieve stress and boost the growth of cancer-fighting white blood cells."

Sounds like a free, enjoyable way to boost your health.

As spring approaches or continues, find time to enjoy the outdoors as a physically rejuvenating and spiritually fulfilling practice.

"Continuing Transformation" will be addressing "forest bathing" in the next post with tips on how make the most of getting outside through running, hiking and other recreational activities. Stay tuned!

Spotlight: Ann Brode, CST

For nearly 50 years, I have immersed myself in the relationship of body, mind and spirit as it shapes the physical experience. My first training was in motor-perceptual therapy and after seven years working with young children in a clinical setting, I realized that I wanted to learn more about grace, function and comfort. At this time, Judith Aston had left the Rolf Institute to develop Aston Patterning and it was my good fortune to become one of her first students. We met for classes in Alan Watt’s old houseboat in Sausalito to embark on what has turned out to be a lifetime of learning.

Over the years, in addition to seeing thousands of individual clients, my private practice in Santa Barbara has included:

teaching Aston movement concepts at Santa Barbara City College & UCSB
establishing a non-profit & website to promote integrative health ( www.sbHealthSource.org )
working collaboratively with adjunctive professionals
teaching small workshops for pregnant women, athletes, & massage practitioners
organizing retreats for professional women
producing a CD (BodyBreath: three guided Meditations which can be found on iTunes, AmazonMp3, and Google Play)

At this time, I am working in my spare time on the first in a series of self help books designed to encourage the reader to tune in, learn something new, and develop body intelligence for health, happiness, and success in life.

Truly, my early learning with Judith and introduction to the “Aston paradigm” has been the touchstone throughout my professional career. It has made it possible to stay flexible, focused and relevant in this fast paced, rapidly changing world. When Judith asked me in our initial interview, “Are you interested in a lifetime of learning?”, little did I realize how very rich & rewarding that lifetime would be!

Ann can be reach in Santa Barbara at 805-966-1681
www.bodywisdomforlife.com

Latest News

Continuing Transformation

Our latest blog post is all about sitting. Click on the photo below to read about how many are proposing that "sitting is the new smoking" and how Judith Aston politely disagrees.

Our instructional video is free this month, with in-depth tutorial videos on sale next week. Click on Judith to view new ways of sitting optimally and tips on modifying your chairs.

Special "Introduction to Aston Kinetics" Class in Kihie, HI

Judith Aston is presenting an introductory course for movement teachers and students of Pilates, yoga and fitness on the island of Maui in May. This two-hour movement class will introduce you to the theory of Aston Kinetics to find your unique neutral starting point for the movement focus you are working in. Aston will also demonstrate how you could use some of this theory to your Pilates, yoga or fitness workouts.

Date: May 11th, 12:30-2:30
Investment: $40.00
Location: Kihie, HI

Testimonials

If you haven't yet, check out our new Testimonials page on our website. From athletes, to writers, to psychologists, our client and practitioner testimonials are true testaments to the infinite applications of Aston Kinetics.

Testimonials

Featured Product: The Standard Seat Wedge

In partnership with our "Continuing Transformation" Sitting post, The Standard Seat Wedge featured on the video will be available for a discounted price until March 31st.

Click on the standard seat to order.
Save 10% when using the promotion code: 240794874888 at checkout.

Featured Classes

Aston Kinetics 101&102

For movement/bodywork/fitness professionals

Focus on viewing and notating postural assessment and body patterns
Learn how Aston visual assessment skills create more understanding about the relationship between the alignment and the root cause of the symptoms
Learn Aston Arcing movements in sitting and standing that enable participants to find their own unique body alignment that is both effortless and stable
Learn how to teach basic Aston movement designs to your clients as a self care tool which can facilitate a reduction in pain and increase mobility and strength for daily activities

March 26th-30th

Los Angeles, CA

Instructor: Judith Aston

Investment: $885

June 3rd-7th
Reno, NV
Instructor: Allison Sagewind
Investment: $800 until April 22nd, $885 standard fee

Register Today!

Aston Kinetics 103

For certified massage therapists, bodyworkers, and other manual therapists (physical, occupational, chiropractic).

Aston-Mechanics instructs the student in optimal movement and introduces the spiraling technique of work.
Learn the Aston Spiraling technique: a painless, hands-on approach which respects and matches the layer, shape and grain of soft tissue. It teaches one to work with ease, from the surface layers through the deeper layers to include the bone.
Specialized attention is placed on keeping the whole body in balance as localized tension is released.
Combined with an accurate whole body assessment, the Spiraling Technique greatly increases the effectiveness of all manual therapy and decreases the amount of stress and effort on the therapist.

May 13th-16th, 2015
Maui, HI
Instructors: Judith Aston and Brian Linderoth
Investment: $625 by April 1st, $695 standard fee

Register

June 6th-9th

Austin, TX

Instructor: Mark Barber
Investment: $695 until April 25th, $775 standard fee

August 6th-9th
Reno, NV
Instructor: Allison Sagewind
Investment: $695 until June 25th, $775 standard fee

Register

Aston Kinetics 104

For certified massage therapists, bodyworkers, and other manual therapists (physical, occupational, chiropractic).

Visual assessment skills are integrated into a bodywork plan.
Learn the Aston Spiraling Technique, a massage form to reach superficial to deep tissue layers.
- This technique is a painless hands-on approach, which respects and matches the layer, shape and grain of the soft tissue.
- It allows you to work from the surface layers through to include the bone with ease.
Specialized attention is placed on keeping the whole body in balance as localized tension is released.
Combined with an accurate whole body assessment, the Spiraling Technique greatly increases the effectiveness of all manual therapy and decreases the amount of stress and effort on the therapist.