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Saturday, November 21, 2009

Students Produce Short Film for Business Excellence Awards

On a rainy day in September Alfred Ball became a finalist for the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in the category of Young Entrepreneur.

While introducing himself to all the other finalist he was surrounded by a group of enthusiastic Capilano University Students who were there to produce a short film on all the finalists for the awards gala in October.

John and Chris introduced themselves by saying that they chose Lifemoves, because they were given only words to describe each business, our was "fitness" and it sound more exciting than some of the others.

After several phone calls and a couple of delays due to difficulty getting the proper equipment we arranged to film on a Monday afternoon. They arrived full of enthusiasm, but the last person to use the video recorder forgot to charge the battery. While Charlie went to retrieve a cable and new battery, John and I discussed exactly what and where we were going to shoot. I had carefully arranged several clients to take part and arrive in 30 min intervals, however they came almost all at once. An hour later, with patient clients, we were under the bright lights as shooting took place. They had over 30 min of video to choose from during editing, so I was both eager and nervous to see the results, but had to wait until the business awards' gala.

This week were able to share the results with the public and the wonderful clients who were very patient during our filming session. This video is also the first one we are posting on our new YouTube Channel: Get Moving For Life: Lifemovesca. Post your comments to let's us know what you want to see and learn about in 2010.

Labels: Awards, Entrepreneur, Recognition

Sunday, November 8, 2009

A Deeper Exploration of Upper Body Flexibility

August 2008 was when Alfred attend the Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) Level II Lower-body in Arizona. Using the techniques he learned there he helped his clients reduce hip, knee and ankle pain, move more freely and perform better in sport and walk better. Since then, he felt there was something missing; by mostly focusing on the lower-body he was leaving people feeling like a rolled tube of toothpaste, nice and loose in the lower-body, but still tight in the shoulders and neck.

He finds that as an actively aging population, his clients, tend to have restricted movement in the shoulders. Poor posture, rotator cuff injuries and frozen shoulders which have never fully resolved leave women having trouble doing up their bra, others have trouble reaching or lifting over head or throwing balls to their grandchildren.

In mid-October, Alfred flew down to Arizona to complete the Level II certification and be with an amazing group of ten other health professionals from Canada (Toronto) and the United States. They all want to positively impact the well being of their clients and spread the word of Fascial Stretch Therapy.

As his third time to the Stretch to Win Institute, he was still excited to experience the hands of others, reconnect with who he met in previous courses and bring back new techniques to affect his clients.

The developers and instructors of FST, Ann and Chris Frederick (front of photo), are a very dynamic and engaging couple. Each class member was able to be part of the demonstration so that we felt and experienced their hands. The movements broken into components, demonstrated and then we had the opportunity to practice on each other. We switched partners often as it was important to be able to 'feel' individual differences in tissue and mobility.

The days went by quickly, lunch was at Whole Foods and dinners at various locals near Arizona State University. After group dinners we studied for our practical and written exam on Sunday morning. Ann and Chris provided us with some of the most current information on Fascia, who they study with, such as Thomas Myers. After our exams we refined our techniques by continuing to practice on each other and our instructors while asking many questions related to our current clients.

What Alfred found most fascinating about the course was how to access the deeper layers of shoulder fascia by liberating the outer layers. To unwind the spiral line, he learned techniques where the client drops their knees to the opposite side. He also learned side-lying positions that really help to open up the chest and bring the shoulders back to their proper place. Lastly, face-down stretches get the shoulder blade unstuck, after-all it needs to float freely for optimal function and mobility.

His clients noticed a difference after a just one session of being him being back to Vancouver; one even commented "Have you been back to school?" He finds that he is now able to better facilitate the body's natural ability to heal and move efficiently. Alfred's philosophy is to reduce soft tissue pain it is important to first get muscles back to their more efficient length.

If your arms and shoulders are feeling stiff, or you suffer from chronic tendonitis, or upper-back is feeling sore from working a computer book Fascial Stretch Therapy session today, call 778.839.2348 or email alfred@lifemoves.ca

Labels: chronic pain, continuing education, fascia, fascial stretch therapy, flexibility, myofascial pain, rehabilitation, trigger points

Friday, November 6, 2009

Kinesiology Week Raises Awareness of Organ Donation, Lifemoves and Kinesiology

If, you saw all the blue and green balloons in Fitness World North Vancouver a couple of weeks ago it was Kinesiology Week October 19th - 24th, 2009. On October 21st we opened our doors to celebrate Kinesiology Week, Lifemoves' second anniversary and the achievements of our clients.

At the front doors of Fitness World we set-up several tables, one for Beyond H20, who compared total dissolved solids in their water to that of others. They also precipitated these solids so that the audience could see what was in the dissolved in the water.

We hosted Margaret Benson and the Canadian Transplant Association. Margaret brought her books full of photos of her motivating life and the she medals won at various transplant games to show, while she spoke to people about the value of being an organ donor. We also intorduced clients and guests as they arrived to Sven Winter, aspiring Olympic Champion.

The Lifemoves table was full of great tidbits, including BCAK brochures explaining who Kinesiologists are, our own information explaining some of our services and some neat stickers for people to take home as an appreciation for coming. We also had a slideshow showcasing the development of Lifemoves, client achievements and our services. At the end of our table the draw prize box sat waiting for people to enter for their chance to win many fabulous prizes that were generously donated by businesses on the North Shore. A North Shore News photographer was gracious to attend and take of photo of Sahba and Alfred at our table before he had to dash off to another event happening on the same evening.

Presentations started with Margaret Benson telling her very moving story how as someone with Cystic Firbrosis, she was once read her last rites and now she is is double lung transplant recipient, motivational speaker, accomplished athlete and dedicated teacher and advocate for organ donation.

The crowd started to grow around our make shift auditorium in the personal training studio as Sven Winter, another sponsored athlete, compared ski cross to a combination of downhill skiing and wrestling. He also revealed that until starting Fascial Stretching sessions he wasn't aware that his heels spurs were limiting his performance. He is always finding ways to help others reach their dreams as he pursues his goal of Olympic Gold.

Celebratory branded cupcakes sat next to a nutritious vegetable platter for people to snack on. We finished with a bit of chemistry. Stephen Bohn of Beyond H20, had a bit of difficulty with his battery for the dissolved solids demo (look on the side of the bottle for 'TDS'), however he was able to reveal what was in some of the common bottled water we drink and compared to Beyond H20's, which is produced in Richmond. Unfortunately a miscommunication between us and Beyond H20 meant there wasn't any for sale to raise money for the Canadian Transplant Association, something we will correct for next year.

Overall we had over 30 people attend our open house and 40 more take part in the draw. Prize winners have been notified. Some comments included "I didn't know you were here in Fitness World, I usually go straight to the Ladies area" (when passing the service desk members either go left to the ladies area or right to Lifemoves' offices and the Co-Ed workout area) and "the event was well put together, I enjoyed the speakers."

We enjoyed hosting this event and look forward to next year. We achieved two of our goals. Firstly, we raised awareness of the Kinesiology profession and the value of organ donation . Secondly, more peolple know that Lifemoves Health and Rehabilitation's Kinesiologists are available to help members and non-members get moving for life (contact us today at northshore@lifemoves.ca to book a complimentary consultation).

Thank you to all those who attended and to our draw prize donors: Moveo Sport and Rehabilitation Centre, Fitness World, Stretch to Win, Cultivate Your Health, Beyond H20, IMPACT Magazine, Grouse Mountain Resort, Lifemoves, Galiano Inn and Spa and Twist Conditioning.

Remember Kinesiology Week happens every year. Mark your calenders for mid-October 2010 for another great event.

Labels: Kinesiology Week