





Introduction to Essentrics for HCPs
Exclusively for Health Care Providers
Drawing on my 38+ years of nursing experience allows me to lead classes that improve strength, mobility, and well being. Experience Essentrics first hand and how your clients could benefit from this workout.
This is a dynamic, full-body workout that simultaneously stretches and strengthens while engaging all 650 muscles.
The muscles are stretched and strengthened in the elongated position which is effective for flexibility, mobility, and pain-relief, as well as injury prevention and recovery.
For men and women of all ages who are looking for a way to increase flexibility and get stronger at the same time.
Your introductory class will allow you to experience Essentrics for yourself. Register below or by calling 403-208-3307.
Monday 5:30 PM (HCPs Only)
$Free/ class
- Intro to Essentrics for HCPs
- December 4
- 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- Dalhousie Community Centre
5432 Dalhart Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3A 1V6 [Google Maps]
- More information available here
- Free for HCPs
- Free For HCPs
or 1 Public Drop-in Class
$Free/ for 1 Class
- If “HCP only” class does not work, HPCs can drop-in for 1 public class for free.
- October 30 – December 18
- Monday 9:30 am or Thursday 5:30 pm
- Dalhousie Community Centre
5432 Dalhart Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3A 1V6 [Google Maps]
- More information available here
- 1st Class Free To Try
- 1st Class Free To Try
Monday 5:30 PM (HCPs Only)
- Intro to Essentrics for HCPs
- December 4
- 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- Dalhousie Community Centre 5432 Dalhart Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3A 1V6 [Google Maps]
- More information available here
- Free for HCPs
- Free For HCPs
or 1 Public Drop-in Class
- If “HCP only” class does not work, HPCs can drop-in for 1 public class for free.
- October 30 – December 18
- Monday 9:30 am or Thursday 5:30 pm
- Dalhousie Community Centre 5432 Dalhart Rd NW, Calgary, AB T3A 1V6 [Google Maps]
- More information available here
- 1st Class Free To Try
- 1st Class Free To Try
Q & A
How does it work?
Essentrics™ strengthens and stretches every muscle in the body eccentrically, rebalancing the muscular structure in continuous rotational movements. It incorporates various techniques including PNF and isotonic movement while systematically working every joint in the body.
The basis of the workout is a dynamic combination of strength and flexibility exercises, designed to pull apart the joints by elongating the muscles and challenging them in the lengthened position. This full-body technique works through the muscle chains, liberating and empowering the muscles, relieving them from tension in the process.
While the technique is original in itself, it has been influenced by several disciplines. Essentrics™ draws on the flowing movements of tai chi which create health and balance, the strengthening theories behind ballet which create long, lean, flexible muscles and the healing principles of physiotherapy which create a pain free body.
With any type of exercise, it is vital to listen to your own body and move at your own capacity. If you’re new to the technique, have been sedentary for a while or suffer from any health issues—we do recommend you do our workout “loose like a ragdoll” until you begin to build strength in your muscles. If a movement ever feels painful or uncomfortable, it’s best to stop that particular movement.
It may be that you are pushing yourself too deep in that exercise. Try again another time more “loosely and gently” to see if this helps. Depending on your health issue, there may be certain exercises that need to be tweaked or eliminated from your workout until you begin to heal any existing pain or injury.
Incorporating Essentrics™ into your daily routine will allow you to continue to do the physical activities that you love to do—no matter your age—for the rest of your life. Reason being that this type of full-body movement will prevent muscle atrophy and cell death, and help slow down and reverse the aging process. It is a great complimentary or stand alone workout, that helps to improve overall performance in other activities or sports.
To heal an injury, it is necessary to increase the flow of blood into the injured area in order to deliver the healing properties of blood while removing the poison. Stretching is one of the fastest and most effective methods of delivering blood to specific regions, which is why it is so effective in injury healing. Healing also requires rebalancing and protection of the injured area. ESSENTRICS is a rebalancing program that strengthens and stretches all the muscles around the injury, giving it a chance to heal.
This technique strengthens the muscles around an injury such that these muscles can then take up the slack of the ones around the injured muscle, giving relief and time for the injured area to heal.
We recommend doing the Essentrics™ workout slow and gentle “loose like a ragdoll.” If a movement ever feels painful or uncomfortable, it’s best to stop that particular movement. It may be that you are pushing yourself too deep in that exercise. Try again another time more “loosely and gently” to see if this helps. Depending on your health issue, there may be certain exercises that need to be tweaked or eliminated from your workout until you begin to heal any existing pain or injury.
The technique is often used in conjunction with an athlete’s pre-existing training program—to help strengthen, stretch and rebalance the full muscular structure, as well as increase flexibility and range of motion. Essentrics prepares the muscles and tendons to both withstand the maximum demands of one’s sport and to rebound injury-free from unexpected twists, turns, and stresses.
For weight loss, it’s important to develop healthy eating habits, along with exercising on a regular basis.
Remember to try to do at least 23-30 minutes of Essentrics every day or at least 3-4 times per week to see the best results.
We say that about 75-125 calories are burned in a 23-minute workout episode.
If you wish to have an exact calculation, then it may be worth investing in a calorie counter that attaches around your chest. There are also all sorts of great new technologies that can help to regulate calories burned. A quick Google search will help you find what is best for you.
Follow these 4 STEPS to ensure you have proper knee alignment during pliés:
1 - Stand on the full flatness of your feet (equal weight on the front and back of your foot)
TIP: Don’t let your arches collapse!
2 -As you lower, keep your knees in line with your big toes.
TIP: Think about pushing your knees back!
3 -Keep your back straight (shoulders in line with the hips)
TIP: Don’t slouch!
4 - Keep your quads engaged on the way down.
TIP: Do it with a purpose!
EXTRA TIP:
If you have knee pain during your pliés, re-check your alignment and/or don’t go down as far.
For fun–lift your toes to check! Doing them properly will HELP the health of your knees.
If you ever feel pain during one of our workouts try to loosen the movements and keep your body very limp. Move back to the last position you were in that was painless and do all movements up until this point. You will find that with time and practice, you can comfortably push yourself even further.
When starting with the Essentrics™ technique, it’s very important to remember to move at your own pace and capacity. You may not look anything like your instructor when doing the workouts now, but with regular practice, you will become stronger, more flexible, and be able to follow along with ease.