George Russell, M.A., D.C.
Rock the Ellipse
Before I tell you how to get the most from Elliptical training, I want you to know about the great classes that I'm offering in the next few weeks. I'd love to include you!
The Art of the Moment: Got presence? Are you able to roll with what's happening in your life? On March 13th from 10-1, Doug MacKenzie and I are teaching a simple body sense based class called The Brilliant Body Toolbox©: Gateway to Presence. It really will help! http://www.artofthemomentnyc.com/schedule/.
For the Bodyworker:
Postural Analysis on the Table. Monday, March 8th 11-2 PM, $60.00. office@georgerusselldc.com.
The Psoas. Swedish Institute, Sunday, March 14th, 1-5 PM http://www.swedishce.com/product_info.php?products_id=593
"I have experienced many talented body workers and teachers. George is, quite simply, the most gifted and intuitive student of the body I have ever met. To those considering working with George, I say: try it. Just try it once. You will never think of your body the same way again."
- Andrew Simonet
Rock the Ellipse
The elliptical trainer is great exercise-it offers a low impact, but vigorous workout. And if your machine has moving arm bars, the contra-lateral movement (leg-arm opposition) balances and builds coordination in the nervous system. Here are some tricks that I do to make elliptical training more interesting and challenging:
  1. Keeping your hands on the bars, close your eyes. When this feels safe, take your hands off the bars, keeping them close so you can grab (or you can open your eyes) if you feel like you're going to fall. You'll discover where your dominant side is-that is, the side that takes the lion's share of your weight, and the direction you tend to fall. If you feel tipsy, it's OK to peek, but stick with it for a time and feel the imbalance. You'll start to notice how our unconscious minds and intuitive bodies work to balance us. It's cool!
  1. Keeping your shoulders and hips facing forward, ellipse on one foot. It's OK to decrease the resistance level and speed-you're actually burning more calories, and you're getting that ridge in the triceps that you'll love come T-shirt season.
  1. Once you can do 1 and 2 without screaming like a hormonal teenager on the Cyclone (or me, on the merry-go-round), return to two feet, and raise both arms overhead, keeping your elbows straight. Keep your weight forward at first-that way if you lose your balance, the bars are right there for your hands.
  1. If you can tolerate one more challenge, try slowly turning your head from side to side and tipping your head toward one ear and then the other. Warning: Your ear bud may fall out during the climax of Chaka Khan's "I Feel for You".
Whether or not you try these things, remember to Keep Your Heels Down. Because we have tend to go through our days like we're on a hamster wheel (which the elliptical is disturbingly similar to, but forget I said that), we try to push the speed by leaning forward. Don't do this. It tightens your calves; takes your awareness out of your back-body, which is where your height and power come from; and it louses up your posture. Research shows that people with bad posture have no friends, and hate candy.
Brief Encounters with George
For established clients, I will now be offering a fifteen-minute treatment. My standing appointment is still a half hour, but if all need is a "quickie", you can call the office to schedule a fifteen minute appointment with me. The fee is $75.00.
I am teaching Movement for Actors at the Atlantic Theater Conservatory/NYU, so I'm switching to a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday work schedule. And my office is available for sublet Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. If you or a friend are looking to rent one or two days a week, come have a look! Call me.