Moab Happenings Archive
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HEALTH & WELL BEING August 2009

Scroll down for all three August Healthy Happenings articles:
ABsolute Pilates, Awaken Salon, Grand County Hospice


Our Gem in the Desert
by E.J. Gore

Christine LanierWhether you’re here vacationing or lucky enough to make Moab your home, you’ve just stumbled upon a gem in the desert . . .

Six years ago I did. I’d just moved to Moab having worked with some of the top Pilates instructors in New England, when I heard about Christine Lanier, a well respected yoga and Pilates instructor living in Castle Valley.

Back then it was a two hour commute from my house to hers, but I know “world class” when I see it, so I made the drive.

Now, Christine, my gem in the desert, has a jewel of a studio - ABsolute Pilates - right in the middle of town.

And at 60 years of age I’m in the best physical condition of my life! My arms and legs are muscled, toned and cut, my core and back strong - something important for anyone at any age. And Pilates helps keep those couple of extra pounds from being a couple of dozen.

I work out with women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s all of us having a wonderful time together, because Christine who’s not only a multifaceted trainer also has a great attitude – which makes our work spirited, fun and inspiring.

Christine’s expertise originated in years of training with some of the world’s top Pilates Masters. And with her ongoing studies in the latest fitness techniques, she continually updates her work. She adds to and changes classes so that even if you take the same one, you’re never bored but always challenged.

Providing something for everyone as well as for every pocketbook, Christine offers a great range of programs – from standard Pilates to yoga, circuit training, balls and bands, trampolines and more.

What I find most remarkable is that Christine knows every body she works with so well, remembers each of our particular physical challenges and goals and incorporates this into whatever we’re doing.

E. J. GoreE. J. Gore is a professional life coach and writer. www.ejgore.com

Last week after class I chatted with a woman visiting from Chicago who’d seen the Absolute Pilates sign and dropped in. After hiking Arches, she’d hoped for a good stretch but had no idea she’d get such a great class, at such a low price. What really “blew her mind,” she said, was Christine herself. She couldn’t “believe there’s suchan amazing trainer, with this kind of energy! Here in middle of the desert.”

“Yep,” I said proudly, “she just sparkles, doesn’t she?” Our Gem in the Desert.

What is Pilates?
The Pilates Method is a form of exercise developed by Joseph H Pilates in the 1920's. It is a low impact body of work designed to enhance balance, strength and flexibility, improve alignment and posture, build concentration and coordination, and sychronize body and mind. There are several types of apparatus or equipment such as The Reformer and The Chair and ABsolute Pilatesexercise can also be performed on a mat. ABsolute Pilates offers individually tailored fitness programs in private sessions and dynamic group instruction in equipment classes and floor classes.

A combination of privates and classes is recommended to deliver dramatic results for a sculpted balanced body with a high degree of abdominal strength. Pilates can help with general physical conditioning, correcting structural alignment problems, and preventing injuries for a strong and supple body.


Awaken Salon

Awaken Salon - Look Good & Feel Good

Awaken Salon, at 55 East 100 South in Moab, is a lovely place. Erin Vail is the new owner and has worked in cosmetology for 8 years and would be happy to answer any of your questions concerning your beauty needs or getting that allusive perfect hair cut that is only a scissor’s clip away.

All of the products used or sold are all organic keeping both your health and beauty in mind. The services offered in Awaken Salon are reflexology for your hands and feet, styling, cuts, color, waxing, nails and facials. While you are taken into a quiet low lit room your facial is freshly mixed, which could include fresh fruit, teas, grasses and herbs that are all natural and beautifying. It is easy to see how refreshing and uplifting a little pampering can be. With soft music and Erin’s bubbly personality a visit to Awaken Salon will seem like a mini vacation from the bustle and heat of our daily lives.

Do you have a little princess at home and need to find a new idea for a party? Give Erin a call, at 435-259-7971 to book a princess party package. It includes dressing up in tiaras and boas, updos, fresh fruit facials, and having the girls nails done. Every girl at the party will get a vision of herself as the princess she truly is.
Come by to say hi or book an appointment today. We would love to see you.


Grand County Hospice – Service when it’s most needed

Grand County HospiceFacing end-of-life challenges and dealing with terminal illness can be a very confusing and unsettling time for an individual, their family, and their friends. Hospice is a program designed to provide specialty care to individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness or nearing the end of life as with advanced age. Hospice provides comfort and support to patients and their families. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of one’s life and to maintain the dignity of the individual during the end-of-life phase and to assist the family in caring for their loved one during this difficult period. Care is provided through a team approach of specially trained professionals, which includes physicians, nurses, social workers, certified nurse’s aides, clergy, and volunteers. Hospice care is, however, ultimately directed by the patient and their families.

Grand County Hospice is here to provide compassionate care and service as a patient and family advocate in their time of need. Grand County Hospice was started with a tremendous capacity to love and a vision of service to our community. This was the first Medicare certified hospice in Grand County, and merged with the All-Volunteer Hospice of Grand County at its inception. Grand County Hospice has been providing end-of-life care to residents of Spanish Valley, Castle Valley, and LaSal since its inception in 1998. It is locally owned and operated by Moab Valley Health Care, Inc. the not-for-profit community board that operates Allen Memorial Hospital.

The full benefit of hospice is not just provided in the final hours but over the final weeks or months of a person’s life. The earlier in the end-of-life phase that hospice is contacted the greater the assistance and peace of mind the family will achieve.

Some Hospice Facts:

Hospice is not a place; it is a service, which cares for patients with a life expectancy of 6 months or less.
If necessary, Hospice can be provided for more than 6 months
Your own family physician can continue to be in charge of your care
Hospice is a team of specially trained individuals who work together to provide medical care, and services
Hospice is a non-profit organization paid for by Medicare/Medicaid and most major insurances companies, HMO’s and PPO’s, or through charitable contributions.
Hospice offers bereavement and counseling services to families before and after the death of their loved one.
If a patient’s condition improves or they choose to discontinue hospice, the service may be discontinued at any time with no loss of regular Medicare/Medicaid coverage
Early election of Hospice when end-of-life is imminent is important for receiving optimum benefits hospice has to offer.
Spiritual guidance is offered through the Hospice Clergy, or the patients designated clergy of choice. Spiritual guidance may be accepted or declined all together.
Hospice is for any condition which is life-limiting, not just cancer.
Hospice is not euthanasia.
Hospice involvement does not require stopping treatments for conditions unrelated to the life-limiting condition

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