LifeStretch: Learning to Stretch for Life

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With the exception of a few Instagram posts, I’ve been off the grid this weekend. I’ve been in Tempe, Arizona training to become a LifeStretch instructor.

What is LifeStretch?

LifeStretch is based on the principles of Fascial Stretch Therapy, which include synchronizing breath and movement, using traction to create space in the joints, utilizing oscillation and circumduction to warm and lubricate the joints before stretching, and working in a completely pain-free range-of-motion.

The class begins with self-assessment, where students identify their own needs and issues. There is no “right” way, just the way that feels good for each student’s own body.

If you’ll recall, I was in Arizona last year, when I was certified as a Level One Fascial Stretch Therapist. Since that time, and in spite of a slight drawback of cracking my kneecap, I’ve been working with a number of clients, all of whom have seen great results from this assisted from of stretching.

For any of my local readers! Contact me directly and let’s talk about what FST can do for you!

Now I will be adding Life Stretch Instructor to my training toolbox. Not only will I be able to teach the class, I can use the method to teach my FST clients self-stretching that will enhance their assisted stretching, and I can use it will my personal training clients because it is far more effective that plain old static stretching.

Fascial Stretch Therapy was developed by Ann Frederick, a former dancer, who has been specializing in the field of assisted stretching for over 20 years. All the classes are still taught by Ann and her husband Chris Frederick, also a former dancer, who is also a physical therapist. Ann has worked with many professional athletes, including NFL players, who appreciate the functional flexibility and balance that they receive from FST.

Learn More: 10 Benefits of Fascial Stretch Therapy

LifeStretch, as well as FST, is constantly evolving. As more about the body and its functions are investigated, movements are changed to be more effective.

I want to reiterate that LifeStretch and FST are both designed to be pain free. When I recommend this type of therapy to runners and other athletes, they are sometimes confused thinking that I am talking about myofascial release, which can be quite painful. Fascial Stretch does not hurt.

If you want to learn more about LifeStretch and Fascial Stretch Therapy, here are some resources, in addition to the Stretch to Win website that you might find helpful.

Stretch to Win by Ann and Chris Frederick

Fascial Stretch Therapy by Ann and Chris Frederick

Anatomy Trains by Thomas W. Myers

(The above are affiliate links. I will make a few dollars if you purchase using one of my links. Thank you.)

My Weekend in Tempe

I drove to Pheonix on Friday after work. That’s not as bad as it sounds. I got off at 12, went home, packed, had lunch, and was on the road by about 3:30. Traffic was a little heavy, especially within the city, but I still arrived at my hotel in Chandler around 7:30. Checked in, unloaded, dragged myself out to find some dinner and a few groceries. So tired by the time I ate that I committed the ultimate blogger sin and did not photograph my meal.

I haven’t been able to run because it is still dark all the way until shortly after 6:00 am and the tiny room they call a “fitness center” here doesn’t open until 6:30. Doesn’t work when class starts at 7:30. I have found, though, that about eight hours of stretching provides plenty of exercise.

Seriously, the best classroom ever. It is actually a warehouse where they hold practice for gymnastics and tumbling, so the flooring is all springy. As you move toward the back, each platform is a little bouncier. At the back there are trampolines, including something called a Tumble Track, which is about 30 feet long. I made sure to run on it every time I went that way (which was often since the bathroom was back there).

It was a lot of fun to see Ann and Chris again. Not only are they brilliant and creative, they are also fun, nice people to be around. Another person I was happy to meet was Gail Bannister Munn. She taught a session I attended at the IDEA Convention last year that I really enjoyed (scroll down this page to the last workout to see what I said about Gail and her class back then). Now I’m happy to be a student of LifeStretch alongside her.

On day two of class, we learned a new component, assisted floor stretching. Again, based on the principles of FST, but it can be done without a massage table, so easy to do with clients possible at the end of a workout. While it was good information, it was hard on my back. The floor stretching, combined with a four-hour drive home, has left my back hurting like hell a little touchy.

I’ll talk a little more about the class, plus give you some stretches to try yourself, in an upcoming post.

Vegan on the Road

I got myself together after Friday night’s failure and managed to keep good track of my meals from then on. At the store I bought stuff for breakfast and snacks, so I didn’t have to worry about going hungry during class (which is never an issue anyway, since there are plenty of snacking options provided).

Actually that first, un-photographed meal is worth mentioning. I had a falafel wrap from a place called the Pita Jungle. It serves meat, but has several vegan options. And it was close to my hotel.

I went to my old standby for lunch, Whole Foods. So easy (and I actually remembered where it was from my last visit to Tempe). I was planning on a salad, but got sidetracked at their deli counter. I ended up with an eclectic lunch of Buffalo Beyond Meat chicken, eggless tofu salad, and orange cranberry couscous.

For dinner, my Happy Cow app searched out a vegetarian restaurant called the Pomegranate Cafe less than a mile from my hotel. Happily it turned out to be vegan with just a couple vegetarian options available, meaning I could order without asking a ton of questions. Spicy “chicken” must have been my thing for the day, because I ordered the Buffalo Ranch Wrap. Good choice.

Since the Pomegranate Cafe had a display case full of vegan desserts, I couldn’t help but order two! As of this writing, I’ve tried the Chocolate Pomegranate Truffle, which was amazing. Even I couldn’t manage to finish the Chocolate Monkey Bar, but soon, I promise. (note: I ate the monkey bar on the drive home, so no photo. It was good, but I’m not a coconut fan, so it wasn’t great. Obviously I didn’t realize it had coconut when I bought it.)

Lunch on Sunday was at 24 Carrots, a place I remembered from last year. No photo there either because I bumped into someone from class and we ate together. A reminder that this is a small world: Even though she was from Vancouver, she first discovered LifeStretch when she was visiting her mother at the same country club where I used to work! From the same instructor that I go to once a week.

All in all, a fun and productive weekend, though driving to Arizona and back alone within two days is not my favorite thing. I love adding new tools to my toolbox, and I know that LifeStretch really is a life-changer for people who go to the class.

Have you heard of LifeStretch? If not, I really recommend finding out more about how LIfeStretch and Fascial Stretch Therapy can benefit you.

 

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My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!

Sunday Blog Hop with Jenn
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie 
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Anything Goes with Marilyn
Bonnie, the Pin Junkie
Tip Tuesday with Debbie in Shape
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Michelle, Sarah, and Angelena Marie
Wednesday Wisdom with Nanna’s Wisdom
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Suz, Lora Marie, and Me!
The Blogger’s Pit Stop with Kathleen
Let’s Get Real with Karen.
Friday Fitness with Jill
Fitness Friday with Miranda