Chair exercise at Fountain House has been enhanced with an opportunity to do gyrokinetic exercises from a seated position on Fridays at 11 a.m. in the mezzanine of the Wellness Unit.  Kathy Fiess from Development leads this unique series of exercises designed to increase strength, flexibility and balance in a series of continuous, flowing, dancelike movements  that are done from a chair at Fountain House.  Originally called “Yoga for Dancers,” this system of exercises was originated by Juliu Horvath,   a Romanian dancer dealing with personal pain and injury.  Gyronkinesis consists of movements guiding the body through a series of circles and spirals.  Horvath, who studied yoga extensively, believed that exercise should be a creative and playful experience. 

I have taken this class only twice, but I am always looking for ways to improve my balance and coordination.  It reminded me of tai chi with its fluid movements.  This class is a pleasant way to spend time exercising and would be appropriate for members of any age or physical condition.

This evening in the Wellness Unit a 16 week course sponsored by the Massage Therapy Foundation concludes with a survey and celebration.  Ms. L. Ruth Kalvert obtained a grant  for this project and conducted the course at Fountain House.   Ruth Parson, unit leader, and a group of Fountain House members participated each week.  The course was multi-faceted, including techniques of self-massage, massage, yoga and breathing.  Surveys were taken at the beginning,  midway and at the end to assess the effects of this course on participants’ sense of wellbeing and attitude towards their bodies and minds.  Ms. Kalvert gave each participant two full body massages as well as teaching techniques for self-massage using yoga, breathing and rubber balls of various sizes and textures.  Several sessions were also conducted in a space at the Breathing Project, a yoga school on West 23rd Street.  One session was conducted in a joint class with  the Yoga and Mental Wellness class by Elizabeth Plapinger at the Breathing Project.

We were encouraged to journal about our experiences and a mentor and friend of Ms. Kalvert interviewed us about our experiences.  Several times we massaged one another in a respectful and gentle manner, always getting permission to touch one another.  I felt more connected to my body and found a sense of trust with the persons I massaged or who massaged me.  I realized I am not touched enough and self-massage is available to me as well as courses at the Breathing Project.  There are so many different experiences offered to us at Fountain House and I am grateful for this opportunity to relax my body as well as my mind.  At the celebration this evening, I will report an improved sense of myself as a human being with a body that can be coaxed into relaxing and lifting my spirits.

 Colonoscopies are on the list of important medical check-ups for people over 50 years old. And, they may be the most dreaded and avoided of all the regular tests. The good news is we have met with a really terrific doctor at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital who gave us some wonderful information to make this test less stressful and more successful.

We thought that some background information about the reason for having a colonoscopy (co-lin-aws-cah-pee) and some basic information about the procedure would be useful before going into the preparation process. After some research we found an article that we thought described it very well. Excerpts from the website, coloncleansers.com, which we found through a Google search main is our source of information. 

“…There are many benefits to a colonoscopy” and since the test looks inside your colon, it can tell if there are any signs of concern …Your colon is your lower (or large) intestine. A colonoscopy is performed using a colonoscope, a flexible, fiber-optic cable connected to a small camera.”

“Your doctor may have several reasons for wanting to perform a colonoscopy.  Usually …it is used to screen for colorectal cancer.  You may be surprised to know that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of deaths due to cancer, with lung cancer being the most common.  This kind of cancer often starts in small masses of cells called polyps on the walls of your colon.”

“While the polyps are small and are just starting to grow, there are typically no symptoms to speak of.  But over time, usually after five to ten years, these tiny polyps can turn into a cancerous growth.  It is recommended that people who are over the age of 50 have a colonoscopy once every five years, whether they have any symptoms or not.  Through a colonoscopy, your doctor can identify, locate, and remove any precancerous polyps that could be growing in your large intestine.”

“… The more anxious you are, the more difficult it will be for the operator to perform your colonoscopy.  To ensure that you remain as calm as possible, it is likely that your doctor will offer you sedatives to keep you relaxed, but not asleep. You will be lying on your left side throughout the colonoscopy.” 

Now we will take a little breather, let you absorb this information and invite you to read the real news, the great preparation ideas for your next colonoscopy.

From AM New York–May 20, 2009

By Perrie Samotin

Slimming down is just one of those things that prompts people to believe what they hear – regardless of whether it works.

We spoke with Camille Chaterjee, health editor at Redbook, to get the skinny on which diet myths it’s time to ditch.

The myth:  Fresh fruits and veggies are more nutritious than frozen or canned.

The Reality:  “Lots of fruits are flash- frozen off the vine, which helps them retain nutrients, ” said Camill Chatterjee, who added that fresh fruit-after it’s picked-often sits in a box before it hits shelves, losing some of its nutritional value.  Some canned produce, such as tomatoes and carrots, is actually more nutritious than fresh – this is because our bodies absorb antioxidants such as lycopene and beta-carotene better when the foods have been cooked, said Chatterjee.

The myth:  You gain more weight in winter.

The reality:  “The idea that our bodies pack on fat in winter sounds like common sense,” said Chatterjee.   But the truth is, our metabolism actually speeds up to keep us warm in colder temperatures, which means we actually burn more calories, according to Chatterjee.  If we do pack on some pounds, it’s merely due to our behavior, not a natural reaction.  Even though it’s difficult, Chatterjee suggest pushing yourself in the winter to eat a balanced diet and get plenty of exercise.

The myth:  Weight gain is inevitable as women get older.

The reality:  This myth has a grain of truth to it, said Chatterjee, because belly fat does begin to creep on as we age, but it’s something that can be avoided.  It’s important for women to understand that’s not really weight that we’ve gained, but weight  that’s shifted due to hormone changes, childbrirth or weakening bones.  The good news, Chatterjee said is that incorporating strength training can help us avoid a growing ab area.  The sooner you start incorporating weights  with push-ups and sit- ups into your workouts, the easier it’ll be to keep your stomach trim.

The myth:  The more you work out,  the better.

The reality:  As with all things in life, overdoing exercise can be harmful to your body.  According to Chatterjee, working out seven days a week can weaken our immune system, strain our joints and tire us out.  That’s why it’s important, she said to take at least one day off a week and vary your workout routine to prevent burnout.  Another reason why it pays to take a break:  if you’re exercising with improper form due to fatigue, you’ll actually burn fewer calories than if you were exercising correctly, said Chatterjee.

Last month the Wellness School had a two session course on reading food labels and making healthier food choices, organized by Suzanna.  In doing research for this project, she discovered a web site that converts data on food ingredients into food labels almost identical to those available on store bought food.  A project for the Wellness Unit has been to create food labels for our breakfast and lunch choices.  The first items labeled have been our smoothies and carrot muffins.  We are able to calculate not only calories for each item, but complete nutritional information.  This information will be enlarged and laminated, bringing food choices at the Wellness Cafe to a new level of sophistication.  This information will also be very useful for menu planning.  This is another home run for the Wellness Unit.

sophistication,

Ruth Parson, Wellness Unit leader, recently referred me to a dentist Nettie Edwards had used and recommended.  This kind of referral is so useful because it indicates a health care professional who is likely to be sensitive to the needs of our members.  This morning I had my first appointment and I also was very pleased with Dr. Neal Fujishige from Union Square Dental.  I do not have Medicaid insurance but Medicaid is accepted at this facility.   I must self pay and then submit computer printouts to my insurance carrier for partial reimbursement.   Prices without Medicaid were standard for private dental care but the big advantage was courteous, sensitive and prompt treatment. 

My first visit a complete set of x-rays were taken of my entire mouth by a skilled technician who was friendly and tried to make me as comfortable as possible.  X-rays were developed immediately and then Dr. Fujishige examined me.  When he recommended a crown, he took a mirror so I could see the cracked tooth.  A treatment plan was developed for me and prices quoted immediately.  Next a dental hygientist cleaned my teeth and explained the need for a deep cleaning.  I requested novacaine for this procedure and she had planned that already.  I was given an appointment for the deep cleaning in three days and the entire mouth will be cleaned in one visit, which is very convenient for me.  After that, the crown will be worked on before the tooth cracks. 

Everyone in this office was friendly and efficient.  My first impressions are often very accurate and I have the advantage of a referral from the Wellness Unit.  Finding a good dentist can be daunting but I think I have found one.  Union Square Dental is conveniently located on 14th street between 5th and 6th avenues.  Samuel, the pleasant assistant who schedules appointments, can be reached at 212-989-5253.

· There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke.

· Short exposure to secondhand smoke can cause decreased coronary flow velocity reserves, damage the lining of the blood vessels, cause platelets to become stickier, potentially increasing the risk of heart attack. Other health risks are also increased such as lung cancer.

· A smoke-free environment is the only way to fully protect non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

· There is evidence emerging that secondhand smoke levels outdoors can approximate those that are known to cause serious diseases after regular indoor exposure.

· In outdoor stadiums the concentration and proximity of smokers to non-smokers can result in a significant exposure to secondhand smoke over several hours (if not less).

· Research has shown that outdoor tobacco smoke can be high during periods of smoking in locations where persons are near active smokers. For example, a non-smoker sitting a few feet downwind from a smoldering cigarette is likely to be exposed to substantial levels on contaminated air for brief periods of time.

· Outdoor tobacco smoke levels may be high in situations such as eating dinner with smokers on a outdoor patio, sitting next to a smoker at a sidewalk café, sitting next to a smoker on a park bench, or standing near a smoker outside a building.

· As one can see from the above commentaries and evidence, something as “innocuous” as standing next to a smoker outside a building can be deleterious to the non-smokers health. Therefore an appropriate distance restriction should be imposed in this circumstance. (e.g. 25 feet)

On Wednesday night this week we struggled to find enough yoga mats for our Stress Reduction Through Massage and our newly started Yoga class. Two big classes full of folks making a statement about taking better care of ourselves. Yeah! Way to go! We want to thank L Ruth Federman from our Chelsea neighbor, the Breathing Project and our own Anna Kuchinsky of Horticulture for bringing their expertise to FH!

The violet orchid was named Star. She lit up the 7 th floor at Roosevelt St Lukes Hospital. The orchid was given to me by  a wonderful woman named  Juana. The orchid cheered everyone up. She drank water le Delau. The new people would ask if they could see her. Star went from two to three to six blosssoms thriving in the attention and love of the patients. Now she resides with me at West 35 th St.