Garlic: Consuming half to one clove of garlic daily may reduce cholesterol by nearly ten percent. As an antibacterial, garlic is often used to treat minor infections.

Cinnamon: Many clinical studies have linked cinnamon consumption to lowered blood sugar as well as improvement in total LDL cholesterol. Cinnamon is also thought to detoxify the system and stimulate brain function. Its antiseptic properties give it the ability to help fight bladder infections.

Curry: Curry contains turmeric with an active component called curcumin. This substance is associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor properties.

Star Anise: Star anise has been used in a tea as a remedy for rheumatism, and the seeds are sometimes chewed after meals to aid digestion.

Cardamom: Cardamom is the spice that gives chai tea its main flavor and is valued medicinally for its ability to increase circulation and improve energy. Considered an aphrodisiac in the Middle East, cardamom may also improve digestion, asthma, bronchitis, halitosis and even improve a bad mood.

Cloves: Clove has been used since ancient times in India to improve digestive function. You may chew on some to alleviate toothaches, sore throats, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Cumin: Cumin is thought to boost the immune system and also improve liver function, reduce flatulence, and aid digestion.

Fennel Seed: Fennel seeds help digestion in two ways: It stimulates the production of gastric juices and also soothes the nervous system, regulating the action of the muscles that line the intestine.

Ginger: Ginger may help relieve nausea, arthritis, headaches, menstual cramps and muscle soreness.

A word of warning: Always discuss with your physician before treating conditions with spices to avoid and adverse interactions and contr-indications.

We enjoyed a funfilled evening with a curious and fun crowd. The talk was informative and and educational. Thank you Dr. Stauber, Karen and Joanne.

We hope to do more health talks in the future- stay tuned!

We have brought together health professionals from three different modalities including nutrition, Chiropractic and Pilates. Each speaker will address the challenge of inflammation and how you can control and prevent it in your own body.
April 19th, 5:30-6:30 ~ Antioxidant appetizers and beverages will be served.
1235 Coast Village Rd. Ste I (upstairs)
805-565-7591
Call for more information.

Karen Barranco holds her M.A. in Dance/Movement Therapy. She has been working as a classically trained Pilates instructor for over ten years.  Karen specializes in helping individuals manage and alleviate chronic back pain, using regenerative Pilates as a cross training tool. Karen has found her work as a dance movement therapist transformed her life, and acts as an inspiration to help others develop a sense of body awareness and personal empowerment.

In this workshop Karen explores the foundation of building bridges between the seemingly oppositional forces of muscle strength and joint flexibility. She will also provide you with information to take steps towards moving through the cycle of chronic pain focusing on arthritis symptoms and inflammation of the joints.

Joanne Bolducholds her Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University and a certification in Sports Nutrition. Joanne is committed to supporting the health of our community through the volunteer work she does as a nutritional educator in the Santa Barbara high schools, UCSB, Girls Inc., Cottage Hospital and the local chapter of the American Heart Association. Recently Joanne has worked for the Santa Barbara Athletic Club and Santa Barbara Dance Arts as a Nutritional Consultant and Educator. She is also currently working with the UCSB Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences as an educator in the local middle schools. (This is through a 4 year grant for nutrition and meditation.)
Joanne counsels individuals on dietary changes to best achieve health and wellness. Her focus is on educating clients to take an active role in their own health by making healthy, nourishing choices. Joanne believes in encouraging clients to make gradual changes over time so that new ways of eating become lifelong habits.

Joanne will discuss how chronic inflammation can be the result of a dis-regulated immune response, and how the best way to rid your body of unwanted inflammation is to offer it the tools to protect and clear away the unnecessary and harmful bi-products of the immune response. She will offer a proactive approach to managing inflammation through lifestyle choices and diet.

Dr. Aaron Stauber is a board approved licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, with extensive special training in Upper Cervical Methods. His unique approach to health and healing has been formed from his years of research and life experiences. Dr. Stauber has worked in multi-disciplinary clinics in the US and Canada. Working hand in hand with medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, and traditional native healers, he understands the importance of a balanced approach to peoples heath care. Because the body is so dynamic and ever changing, our approaches to facilitating its’ healing require constant adaptation.

Dr. Stauber will describe how poor neurological function can trigger inflammation in the body.   He will link the structural components as related to the spine and the inflammatory response that ensues as a result of misalignment to the upper cervical spine. He will discuss possible symptoms and explain how his work aims to correct the structural problems that lead to neurological complications and ultimately poor health and function.

Magnesium citrate is made from a combination of magnesium carbonate and citric acid. It is considered one of the best forms for high absorption into your body.  This essential mineral is involved in protein, fat and nucleic acid synthesis. If you think of Calcium as the mineral that contracts the muscle, magnesium is the counterpart and is used to relax it.  It helps the body use glucose (sugar), and it is a key player in the body’s energy transport system. Magnesium is needed to inhibit muscle contractions and blood clotting.  By inhibiting this contraction it allows the muscles to relax and speed up the recovery time.  Most people don’t get nearly enough magnesium. Headaches, fatigue, irritable bowel, and depression are all common symptoms of magnesium deficiency.

For more information on dosage please stop by and ask.  If you have other questions regarding magnesium or health concerns just ask, or call 805-258-8734 for an appointment.

Centering is the main focus point of the Pilates Method. All the work starts from and is sustained through the center. Joseph Pilates called this center your “Powerhouse.” We work around the center line of the body. Two straight lines run through and perpendicular to this center line: one from shoulder to shoulder; and one hip to hip. We call this the frame or box. This framework centers the body in all actions.

 Concentration

To fully benefit from the workout, the exercises are executed with focused concentration. It is the mind that guides the body. The exercises are not done haphazardly or on autopilot. We center the mind with the body in action. We bring five aspects of the mind into the workout: intelligence; intuition; imagination; will; and memory.

 Control

When the work is done from the center and with full concentration, you are in control of the movements performed. We do not let habit- most often wrong- or gravity take over. Joseph Pilates called his method “Art of Contrology.”

Precision

The exercises were designed with a precise goal in mind to reach the full benefit of each and every exercise. You must pay the utmost attention to detail. All exercises have a clear structure, a precise form, and an optimal dynamic. Work with quality instead of quantity.

Breath

The exercises are done with the rhythm of the breath (and heartbeat). We inhale on the point of effort to send fresh oxygen to the muscles when they most need it. (However, this is not always a must.) We stress the exhalation; wring all the stale air out of the lungs, like you would “wring a wet towel dry.”

Flow

The full workout is a flowing succession of exercises performed with vigorous dynamics. There is a minimum of movement, especially in the transitions, for a maximum flow.

Today Pilates is offered in hospitals, medical offices, universities, health clubs and independent studios around the world. As both a rehabilitation and wellness program, Pilates is a wonderful complement to physical therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy and many other therapeutic or physical fitness systems.

Currently, Simpatico Pilates works in association with physical therapy centers and health care practitioners in the Santa Barbara area. They have found Pilates and Gyrotonic to be an effective, invigorating program and we have had great success with the patients they have referred to us.

1. How is Pilates different from other exercise programs?

Each exercise engages the core abdominal muscles, and the method emphasizes the strengthening of the ‘powerhouse’ region – abdomen, back, lower back, inner/outer thighs and buttocks. Strength is achieved through stabilization with a focus on movement and functionality. Pilates concentrates on lengthening, strengthening and toning your body, without adding bulk to your muscles.

2. Is Pilates done with machines only?

No. Joseph H. Pilates designed the spring resistance machines in association with a mat work program, and your complete workout might include exercises on a combination of the Reformer, Wunda Chair, High Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, Half Barrel, Cadillac and the mat.

3. Why are there so few repetitions of each exercise?

Less IS more! Each Pilates exercise has only 3, 5 or 10 repetitions. The exercises were designed to work your body with precision and effectiveness, making additional repetitions unnecessary.

4. Why is Pilates considered a mind/body conditioning program?

Pilates is a very intelligent form of body conditioning. Your mind is engaged throughout a specific program of exercises, rather than wandering aimlessly during a workout of repetitive activity. When you focus and concentrate on your body’s movements, you are performing a complete mental and physical workout.

5. How soon after beginning Pilates will I see results?

Although individual results will vary, most people feel better in just a few sessions. With consistent practice, you will gain increased strength in your ‘powerhouse’ and be well on your way to achieving true mental and physical fitness.

6. When I look at someone doing Pilates, it doesn’t seem vigorous enough for me.
Can Pilates give me a good workout?

When most people first start Pilates, there’s a lot of new information for the body to learn, so you probably won’t get an aerobic workout at the beginning. Pilates can be aerobic at intermediate and advanced levels when the movement patterns become more familiar. Also, Pilates combines stretching and strengthening, using springs and your own body weight as resistance, in a way that may appear easier than other forms of exercise, yet you actually work harder and more deeply through the muscles.

7. I have had many injuries and physical problems during my lifetime.
Can Pilates help me?

Yes, definitely. The Pilates method of body conditioning has a long history of helping people with previous and current injuries. Both physical therapists and chiropractors have collaborated with Pilates instructors to help heal soft tissue injuries and recover from various physical problems

8. How often do I want to do Pilates?

Pilates is similar to other forms of exercise. You want to be sure you give your body enough time to recover when muscles are taxed. Twice a week when you are just starting is good, leaving at least two days between workouts. As you get stronger with consistent workouts, increase to three times a week with at least a days rest. Remember to vary your exercises often, as the body loves to adapt.

So what can you expect from making Pilates a regular part of your fitness regime?
A longer, leaner looking physique, increased energy and stamina, and fewer aches and pains from the stresses of every-day life.
The concepts behind Joseph Pilates’ approach to physical and mental fitness can be employed for all ages, shapes and fitness levels. Once one learns these they can be incorporated into everyday activities such as walking down the street or standing at a bus stop. And, for the elite athlete, the improvements to their performance are tremendously rewarding.

So here it is 2012, what are your plans, hopes dreams and wishes? We hope to help you achieve them.

2011 was a challenging and fulfilling first year for us here at Simpatico. Our beloved Tara had her beautiful baby and continues to enjoy being a stay at home mom, although we do miss her here at the studio. We also said good bye to our team leader extraordinaire, Michelle, as she moved on to expand into her blooming career. We wish her every success and will miss her smile.

Our commitment to offer the highest caliber Pilates instruction available in Santa Barbara lead to some wonderful additions to our Simpatico Team. We are so grateful to have the very talented Jen Wood as part of our teaching staff offering both Pilates and GYROTONIC® sessions, her vast experience with people of all fitness levels and physical challenges has made her a huge asset and client favorite. We are also excited to have Allison Pollock and Kristine Linfoot join our team. Both of these instructors come to us from the Body Art and Science Institute and are currently doing group classes with a great eye for form and function and the ability to motivate a group to new fitness levels. Both Allison and Kristine are available for private sessions as well, be sure to check them out.

We also welcome our new office manager Julie Tomlinson. Julie is a veteran of the fitness industry and a BASI certified Pilates instructor. Julie brings her years of experience in marketing and fitness to our Simpatico family with hopes to help us grow and find new levels of success in 2012.

We are also very lucky to have Dr. Aaron Stauber on location. He is a doctor of chiropractic specializing in the cervical spine. He has been a wonderful addition, helping Simpatico be a “one-stop-shop” for full body wellness. Feel free to stop in and say hi and learn about how he can help put your head on straight.

We are offering new classes and monthly events this year so please be sure to friend us on Facebook or join our email list so we can keep you posted.

We look forward to 2012 being a year of growth with balance, harmony and integrity.