My body is very different than it was 5 years ago, or even from where it was 6 months ago. I have shed 60 pounds, remediated a foot problem that had hobbled me for more than 10 years, and made tremendous advances in core strength, flexibility, and stability. I have not accomplished all of that alone, and in fact all along the way I have availed myself of the services of experts in various fitness regimens. In short, I have assembled a team, known henceforth as “John’s Team”, and one of the purposes of my blog is to highlight those individuals who both currently and in the past have made valuable contributions to my progress.

I was looking forward to an appointment that I had with one of those team members, my body mechanic Donna Place from Long Beach Gyrotonic, for this past Monday, but she had gotten overbooked. Fortunately, though, she was able to squeeze me in for an appointment today. Donna knows the body inside and out; she knows what’s in there, how it all hooks together, and things that can be done to correct existing problems and prevent future issues. Donna has certifications in Pilates, Dance, and Gyrotonics. She teaches Kinesiology at Orange Coast College and also is a trainer of prospective Gyrotonic practitioners. Donna is a master of all things fascial, and I don’t mean cosmetics, but that stuff that holds your muscles together. Most importantly, though, she has the requisite “thumbs of steel”. And elbows, knees, or whatever it take to make an impression on stubborn tissues.

Long Beach Gyrotonic itself is a space shared by several lovely ladies who practice a variety of healthy arts, Gyrotonics, Pilates, and Rolfing among them; it is a full service body shop, well equipped with Pilates, Gyrotonic, and sundry other equipment. My philosophy about keeping fit is that it is important to invest in yourself. All too often I hear people balk at doing something like yoga classes because “it’s too expensive!”, but I think that  money spent on fixing myself is money well spent. It is well worth the investment to develop relationships with professionals who can get to know your body with all of its quirks to help you work out all the kinks!