Adherents of Essentrics, a full-body exercise program being taught in Pacific Beach, say it’s a healing process that works wonders.
Essentrics dynamically stretches and strengthens every muscle in the body, rebalancing the muscular structure in continuous rotational movements.
“People feel like you have to kill yourself to get in shape — and you don’t,” said Alesia Stanford, a certified instructor who teaches hourlong Essentrics classes three times weekly at Dancing Together Studio, 2180 Garnet Avenue. “This is a program that not only helps you stay in shape, but it heals your body.”
Stanford noted Essentrics was started by Miranda Esmonde-White, a former ballerina who developed the physical training regimen after sustaining an injury that curtailed her career. After her injury, Esmonde-White began experimenting with different fitness practices, which she eventually blended into her new hybrid training style.
“She started incorporating ballet principles, tai chi and physical therapy into it, which is why it’s such a healing process,” said Stanford, who first became acquainted with the program watching it on “Aging Backwards,” a TV special shown on KPBS.
Stanford said Essentrics is cutting edge because it “uses all the muscles in your body, not just a few.”
“When you’re stretching up like this (demonstrating), you use every muscle on that side of your body,” Stanford said, adding, “What this does is it opens up your whole body to use all 600-plus muscles. You use muscles you didn’t even know existed. You work on whole muscle chains rather than isolating and working on particular muscles.”
Many who’ve tried Essentrics swear by it.
“I can put my pants on without sitting down,” said Pacific Beach resident Sarah Chipman who along with husband Scott has been participating in Essentrics workouts for about a year.
“I’ve had two shoulder surgeries, three back surgeries and, a year ago, double-hip replacements,” said Scott Chipman. “This dynamic stretch helps me keep limber, regain flexibility and improve muscle tone. I’ve found it very helpful after my initial physical therapy, and I continue to improve.”
“I have been exercising with cardio and weights for more than 20 years, but I realized as I grew older that I needed stretching,” said Paulina Gilbert during a recent class with Stanford. “That’s more important for an older body than anything.”
Gilber added Essentrics is good because it stretches rather than shortens the muscles, enhancing flexibility.
Teri Newlee of La Jolla, a former runner, said Essentrics is just about the only physical workout she’s tried that she has enjoyed and can stick with.
“I wanted to lengthen and look taller, and honestly, I think it’s working,” said Newlee. “And I enjoy it so much.”
Newlee added she likes Essentrics workouts because “you don’t do anything too long so you never get bored, and it’s always changing.”
Olivia Gonzalez, 69, who has suffered from a heart ailment since she was young, said Essentrics has helped her to “feel more energy.”
“I feel healthier. I feel more flexible. I use all my muscles in this class,” Gonzalez said.
Stanford’s small-group classes are composed mostly of women but are open to — and have just as much benefit for — men.
“This could be why the Montreal Canadiens NHL team use it as part of their mandatory training for their players,” Stanford said. “In the three years the team has been undergoing Essentrics training twice a week, they’ve gone from the most injured team in the NHL to the least injured.” “Essentrics is new to San Diego, so most of the success we’ve had has been word of mouth. Once people try the class, they love it, and they come back,” concluded Stanford.
Stanford teaches Essentrics classes three times a week at 9 a.m. at the Awareness Center in Pacific Beach and in the Dancing Together studio. She also teaches at 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays at the La Jolla Community Center.
For more information, call (323) 828-9337, email [email protected] or visit essentricssandiego.com.