For the fab look this summer, Try yoga and massage
Vogue’s hot July issue has boldly declared, that “the six pack ab is officially passe”. People, we’re told, aren’t doing crunches with weights on their stomachs or getting hooked on ab blaster videos.
They’re stretching, straightening their posture, twisting in directions they’ve never twisted before”.
So in search of the “new lean look” heralded by the fashion bible of the world, we visit Sharon McConnell at 5 Bedford Park, home to the Shakti sanctuary, Jamaica’s first official yoga centre. It’s not difficult to understand why Vogue has declared Janet Jackson passe, and the likes of mother and model Christy Turlington hot, when Sharon McConnell, dressed in a skimpy top, and hip-hugging white cotton trousers greets us. She’s entirely lean, stunning, glowing, but looks real — softer. If ever there was motivation, here it is. The thought of saying goodbye to loud, noise-making boot camp type trainers, and hello to the world of chanting is no longer unappealing.
Inside the yoga room, with its designer shantung silk curtains, classes have already started, and there’s enough cool from the overhead ceiling fans, to allow us solace from the harsh rays of sun already outside at 9:30 am. I roll out a yoga mat, sit on a soft high cushion, organise my towel and am ready to inhale the special essential oils passed around by instructor Jennifer Stanigar (she too looks real and soft). A quick, and oh so furtive look around the class allows further comfort. No movie-star, actress, body beautiful, model types here.
I start my breathing, slowly, deeply. Breathing is very important to the execution of yoga positions.
This “gentle” yoga session (perfect for me) “synchronises breath with movement”. It also allows “centring”, and easy postures for flexibilty and strength. It’s a comfortable class and we work the arms, the stomach, and the legs. Some of the poses are challenging (it’s always difficult for me to determine my left from right) but I survive and am not panting and dreading the thought of returning for another session.
Further audience with McConnell, who has been a “yogi” for seven years, and a teacher for two, allows further insight. She sees yoga as “a non-competitive form of exercise”. “Our aim is to embrace people from all walks of life… to open the heart, and expand the mind and body…yoga is a gift available for anyone wanting to receive”. Trained in Boston in 1995 at the Kripalu Yoga Centre (Kripalu means yoga of compassion), she continues: “Children are also able to receive. It’s a perfect gift for a child,” says McConnell. “It allows them to get in touch with their bodies, and learn to access inner peace’. We teach them (the children) to focus and concentrate at the same time. We encourage movement. It’s a very nurturing experience.”
Still desperately seeking that long, lean, body with toned muscles (not tough) and much more flexibilty, I find myself in a Thai massage class. Yes that same type of massage seen in movies with supple Oriental women moving trampoline style across the length and breadth of the protagonist.
Jennifer Stanigar is who takes the class. She’s a registered yoga teacher in the Kripalu tradition, and has also completed training in Thai Yoga Therapy with the celebrated Saul David Raye. Her voice is calm, she speaks softly and advises me that there’s no need to change. Thai massage is executed with the client wearing cool, comfortable clothes.
Thai massage is an ancient and sacred system of healing with its roots in Yoga,, Ayurvedic Medicine and Buddhist spiritual practice. It’s a combination of rhythmic massage, acupressure, assisted Yoga stretching, soft tissue manipulaion, gentle twisting, energy work and meditation. In Thai massage, the therapist uses the feet, forearms, knees, and elbows in addition to the hands. It’s the perfect way to get an excellent stretch. I remain in a passive, at first semi-relaxed state, while Jennifer moves and positions my body into various stretches. In less than five minutes I’m totally at ease. I am, after all, realising my dream of being a yogi — stretching and reaching positions hitherto impossible. My body is moved around on a mat on the floor. One and a half hours later I’m ready to shout and scream at the top of my lungs that Vogue is right — is Anna Wintour ever wrong about anything?
Reduce stress with Acupuncture
Acupuncture, clinical psycology and Naturopathic medicine are treatments available at The Shakti Yoga Centre. And yes, I allowed Dr Heinz Becker (doctor of psycology, naturopatic medicine, oriental medicine and certified Acupuncturist) to insert five needles. The aim is to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. I cannot yet reveal how I’m doing because as you can appreciate I need lots more sessions. But the centre obviously allows individuals to get in touch and stay in touch with their bodies. Dr. Heinz Becker is one of Jamaica’s foremost authorities on Alternative Medicine. Trained as a primary practice physician specialising in both Naaturopatic Mediciane and Oriental Medicine and a Clinical Psycologist, he brings over 12 years of training and thousands of resident intern hours at the world’s best alternative medical universities, hospitals and clinics. After teaching and practising in the United States. He is once again home to increase the quality of life of all who seek it.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture, is a complete medical system, used to diagnose and treat illness, manage chronic disorders, alleviate pain and promote health through prevention and maintenance. It can be used for physical, emotional and psycological problems.
Acupuncture is part of traditional Oriental medicine, the most widely used healing system in the world.
Acupunture needles, dating from four thousand years ago, have been found by archaeologists in China. The first needles were made from stone; later gold, silver or bronze was used.
The world (it would appear) truly sat up and took note of this ancient healing method in 1970, during US President Richard Nixon’s visit to China. A member of the mission became ill, and required an appendectomy. What made this surgery unique was the fact that, it was performed while the patient was anesthetised with acupuncture as the only method of anesthesia. Impressed with what he had learned of acupuncture, President Nixon helped to organise a cultural exchange of medical practitioners between the United States and China.
