Happy Holidays from all of us at
Aston Kinetics!

2015 has been a wonderful year for us. We thank you for your continued support as we grow and bring the gift of movement, bodywork, fitness and ergonomic education to new places in 2016!

Aston-Patterning® Practitioner Spotlight

Peter Minke, Ph.D., RMT and
Amy Minke, M.S., RMT

Our introduction to Aston-Patterning represents a major shift in our lives. We had both had significant health issues as young people. I (Amy) had experienced scoliosis and spinal fusion at the age of 13. By the time I was 23, tension had accumulated in my body to the point that I was in constant pain with no conception of my condition changing for the better. My unconscious philosophy was that if this is the way my body is, then I’d better just do what I want to and push my body. Soon after we married, we started on a journey of discovery and new understanding of our bodies… understanding that our bodies are trustworthy and not only capable of changing for the worse, but also capable of changing for the better if given the resources. About a year and a half into our journey, we were introduced to Aston-Patterning in June of 1996.

Let me paint a picture: we had just participated in a choir tour to Barcelona and Paris. During the tour, between standing on the risers for performances and walking around these European cities endeavoring to see as much as possible, I ended up in so much pain that I could barely bend my left knee and basically dragged my leg around. When we arrived home, we began searching for options and were referred to Mark Barber in Austin, Texas. This was about a 2 hour drive from our home in Bryan, Texas and out-of-pocket costs that we weren’t sure we could handle as graduate students at Texas A&M University. Thankfully, we decided to try a session. I literally dragged my leg in and walked out two hours later!
Was it a miracle cure? No. But, we could tell that Mark had used a systematic approach and made calculated changes that brought more ease to my structure – and more movement options! By the end of my second session, Peter said, “I have to know how to do this, because I’ll be living with this woman for the rest of our lives.” I laugh because he said it would be cheaper in the long run… little did we know how profoundly our lives would change in the process and what a different direction on our life path we would take!
Peter: When we received that ‘lucky’ referral to Mark Barber in Austin, we were in graduate school (me for a PhD in Cell Biology, Amy for Educational Psychology) so things were flexible but we still had to take a whole day off. I thought the price and the effort was a bit much for a ‘massage session’ but after the choir tour in June of 1996 we had few options so decided to give it a try. Not being entirely comfortable with a male ‘massage therapist’ (I had no concept of an Aston-Patterning Practitioner) touching my wife, I decided to sit in on the session.
What I witnessed in that first Aston session was amazing. Mark clearly knew his way around the body like no practitioner I had experienced so far. He was not guessing. He was not following a routine. By the second session, I knew that I had to learn how to do this. I could see that it was learnable, systematic. I could also see that this was not going to be a quick fix. So, innocently but already determined to do whatever needed to be done, I asked Mark how I learn how to do this ‘Aston stuff’. He laughed. First, I needed a license to touch and the easiest option was massage therapy (at that time, a 300 hour training for licensing in Texas). So, not having a clue what I was getting into, not ever having received a massage, I enrolled in the Fall class for massage therapy to occur during the same semester as my preliminary exams for PhD candidacy. Judith was scheduled to teach AT1 (the first Aston prerequisite class) in Austin that summer -- I enrolled and attended before starting massage school. The ensuing journey through Aston training from the first Pre-requisite class in August of 1996 to Arthro certification for both of us in 2009 is obviously a long story encompassing completing my PhD, Amy her Masters, and Amy having the first three of our five children (including bringing the whole family and a “babysitter” for every Certification and Arthro class). The full telling of which may be for another time.
Amy: I regularly tell people that Aston-Patterning is THE BEST personal development program on the planet! I love how I have to be aware of my own body in order to be most successful in interacting with others. And, the more consciousness I bring to my body and movements, the more effectively I can relate to and help the people around me.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my own personal growth is represented by contrasting my first movement lesson with Mark with my experiences now. During that first session, Mark taught me Arcing. I respectfully watched him and told him that I would do that at home. “You’ll do that now.” I was horrified. I was embarrassed to try new things in front of people, I was embarrassed of my body and I certainly didn’t want someone to watch me!! I made it through that first lesson… Now, I teach an hour long Aston-Toning class for my clients – and am completely comfortable showing movements to them and working with clients in front of the mirror. I apply my movement skills throughout the day to continue to improve mobility in my ribcage, more ease in my neck and more appropriate tone through my body – that all adds up to more comfort in my daily life, and continued hope that I will continue to improve.
Peter: If I had to sum up my experience with Aston-Patterning work in one word, it is empowerment! I am empowered personally in the use and exquisite command I have of my own body movements as well as the amazing awareness I have of my body. I also feel profound satisfaction in offering this empowerment to others through Aston sessions. To work with someone and watch as they systematically take charge of their body and through that their life, to share a process that brings a person along on a physical and spiritual journey of discovery of truth is very rewarding. When I experience the truth of my body through correct movement, I am in alignment with God who created (and creates) me. I experience this as love.
Amy: My current focus is helping my clients have deeply restful experiences on the table, allowing their nervous systems to relax. I enjoy helping clients integrate change. I also enjoy working on the interface between fluid and solid in the body, specifically in the cranial and visceral systems.
Peter: My focus for clients in Aston-Patterning sessions is for better movement. We often have to work immediately on relief of symptoms, but I consider this a peripheral endeavor to the main event of proper movement. When I witness true movement, the beauty of it brings a tear to my eye.
You can connect with us at www.freespiritenterprise.com and “Minke Aston-Patterning” on Facebook, as well as email at peter@minkewellness.com. Our office phone number is 979-492-9492.

Latest News

Aston-Patterning Practitioner Membership Fees

Due January 15th, 2016

What does this membership give you?

Access to discounts on The-Aston-Line products
Automatic discounts for online movement coaching with Judith
Eligible for discounts on bodywork sessions with Brian

The Membership fee will increase to $135 after January 15th. Renew today for $85 and save!

Renew Now

Private Sessions in Albuquerque

If you are in the Albuquerque area (or know someone who is), Brian Linderoth will be offering private sessions in late January and early February.
Secure your private session now! Spaces go quickly.

Sessions available:

January 30th: 1:00-3:00, 3:30-5:30
January 31st: 1:00-3:00, 3:30-5:30
February 4th: 1:00-3:00, 3:30-5:30
February 5th: 1:00-3:00, 3:30-5:30
February 6th: 1:00-3:00, 3:30-5:30
February 7th: 1:00-3:00, 3:30-5:30

Schedule a Session with Brian in Albuquerque

2016 Schedule of Classes

Aston Kinetics Beyond Fitness Intro
Albuquerque, NM
Judith Aston and Lissa Hammit
January 30th-31st, 2016

Aston Kinetics 103: Bodyworks I
Albuquerque, NM
Judith Aston and Lissa Hammit
February 4th-7th, 2016

Look and Feel Younger: A 2 hour Aston Kinetics Intro class

Palm Springs, CA
With: Judith Aston

La Quinta Country Club
Monday, February 22

77-750 Avenue 50
La Quinta, CA 92253

10am – noon

Cost: $50

Registration: 760-564-4151

Non-members welcome and may enjoy lunch in the dining room after the workshop (credit cards accepted)

Bikram Yoga University Village (byuvpd.com)
Tuesday, February 23rd

36869 Cook Street, Suite 101

Palm Desert, CA 92211

5:30 – 7:30pm

Cost: $50 –seating is limited-

Aston Kinetics Sampler Class
Palm Springs, CA
With: Judith Aston
February 23rd, 2016, 1:30-4:00

Aston Kinetics 104: Bodyworks II
Palm Springs, CA
With: Judith Aston and Brian Linderoth
February 25th-28th, 2016

Aston-Patterning Certification Phase I
Incline Village, NV
With: Judith Aston and Brian Linderoth
April 8th-24th, 2016
Only a few spaces left! Apply today!

Apply Now