Essentrics® 101
ESSENTRICS® … WHAT IS IT?
Never have I been asked this question so much about something I do. Luckily, it has become one of my favourite things - and one of the easiest - to talk about. Developed in Montreal, this fitness program isn't as well known in the rest of Canada. Nevertheless, everyone I teach it to LOVES it and craves more. Why?
Each workout in the Essentrics program is designed to work the entire body and all its muscle chains using natural movements that mimic every day life, leaving your body in a balanced, harmonic state. And harmony feels gooooood. Students typically feel light and energized physically and mentally when they complete a session, and are left with a positive outlook on their physical health.
The program was designed with certain objectives in mind, including:
to increase flexibility and range of motion
to improve posture and body alignment
to dynamically lengthen and strengthen all 650 muscles of the body
to increase energy while decreasing pain and stiffness
to strengthen the circulatory, muscular and lymphatic systems, helping to cleanse and support the body through movement and regenerative growth
anti-aging and age-reversing effects on the body and mind
Like most fitness programs, results come over time; but, some feel relief from pain and stiffness after just one class! I still remember the first class I went to with my mom. It was full of people at least twice my age and I thought it was going to be a breeze. Well, was I wrong! Though the movements were slower and more gentle, the pace and full-body nature of the workout was not something I was used to. I was used to lifting weights, doing cardio, and working groups of muscles individually - not my whole body at once. But boy, did I feel awesome afterward!
About a year after my first class, I started taking regular classes in Toronto. They were offered at my workplace over lunch. It was perfect for me, since I was sitting in a chair all day long and really needed to correct my posture and open up my tight joints that were sitting idle most of the day. I was also quite fatigued and needed to get my strength back. I was shocked by how much I gained from doing one hour of Essentrics once a week!
I've been practicing for over 10 years now and have noticed major changes in my posture, flexibility, strength, and overall health. In addition to the benefits listed above, I've noticed many more have become apparent in my life. To name a few:
a more positive attitude and decreased levels of stress and anxiety
a craving to move my body this way every day, especially since I’ve entered motherhood
a deeper understanding of the body and its anatomy and physiology (I'm my own subject)
a stronger intuition about how I feel physically, allowing me to do as much or as little activity as I need on any given day and to know which type of movement is appropriate for me
a love and appreciation for my body and the way it moves
most importantly, freedom from fear that I would be immobile by the time I was 40 years old, which was roughly a decade away when I started practicing. Spoiler Alert: I’m almost 41 and feeling pretty freaking great.
Essentrics is a stand-alone workout, but I find it pairs nicely with other activities, especially because of its injury prevention benefits. It’s kind of like the backbone of movement, bridging the gap between a life without exercise and a life that includes regular sport.
Essentrics opens you up and makes you more mobile and strong in the most supportive places of your body, which prepares you to do other more intense activities safely. I used to do it at the same time as yoga and cycling, for instance, but it also pairs well with competitive sports and running.
Just like a wholesome diet filled with real food supports the body, so does Essentrics. It's fantastic not only for setting the foundation for long-lasting wellness, but also for getting you back to health and keeping you young. Essentrics changed my life in ways I never thought possible and I know it can and will do the same for you.
If you're interested in learning more, you can check out the official Essentrics website. Like and follow my Facebook page to stay connected and up-to-date with my class schedule and special promotions, and follow me on Instagram for real talk about how I use Essentrics to feel good in motherhood.
I'm currently running a Spring 2025 series and a Late Spring 2025 series for moms to strengthen in postpartum, no matter your stage of the journey. I’m also teaching the same class to a more general audience in May & June. All classes are in-person in Niagara Falls. Check out my currently class schedule here for details.
See you in class!
