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Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to stretch several women, ranging in ages from as young as 14 to as old as 59, all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels. It has been a great learning experience to work on these women. Every time I work on a new client I learn more about the human body and how tension and stress affect us way more than most of us realize! However, the one thing that has shocked me the most is the number of women who have shown up for a Fascia Stretch Therapy appointment and were scared or nervous that it would hurt and be painful. This is a therapeutic treatment ladies! It is meant to be restorative and relaxing. The beauty of this technique is that you gain amazing results in your range of motion and flexibility instantly WITHOUT pain! One thing I like to do is show people how quick I can gain range of motion by doing a series of stretch waves and PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation). So far every woman who has been on my table has walked away more relaxed, more flexible, and feeling better.

On a side note, I would like to make a few recommendations in preparing for a session.
1.Drink plenty of water before the treatment AND afterward.
2.Wear long cotton exercise pants. (sweat pants or yoga pants would be best)
3.Don't put lotion or oils on your legs (just above and around ankle area). It makes it hard for the therapist to do “traction”, which is my favorite part of the therapy next to the “sack of buns”!

As for me and my goals, I took another certification class this past Saturday in Fascia Stretch Therapy. This one was focused on self stretching in a group format versus private assisted stretching on a table. It was good for me to do 4 hours of stretching while I was learning the group fitness format for this technique. But I really like the fact that now I can utilize these self stretches by implementing them into my personal training sessions with my clients and for daily maintenance for my stretch therapy clients. I start teaching a weekly 30 minute Fascia Stretch Therapy class this Thursday, which will force me to do stretch therapy for 30 minutes every week. I also had a private Fascia Stretch Session earlier today and have a massage scheduled later this week. Slowly but surely I am taking years and years of built up tension and stress and releasing it from my body for good. Words really can't express how you feel after a treatment, you'll just have to experience it for yourself.