My Eccentric Journey

Depending on how you pronounce it, the word “eccentric” has two meanings. I’ll let  you look it up, but you are either talking about a weird or off-beat character or characteristic, or you are talking about a type of movement. While either definition may be applicable to me, the  latter definitely is.  I started in late 2017 on a journey to become certified to teach Essentrics®  This is a fitness program designed to re-balance every part of the body through simultaneous stretching and strengthening of all 650 muscles. It also lubricates all 320 joints to keep them supple and moving well. Did you know you had that many muscles and joints?

The program name uses the “soft c” pronunciation, with a different spelling: Essentrics®–tweaked by using part of the creator’s name: Miranda Esmonde White. Miranda is a former member of the National Ballet of Canada, and since developing this program more than 20 years ago, she has become a TV personality, author, much-sought after speaker, and of course, she is still teaching at age 70!

Miranda Esmonde White    

I’d been watching Miranda’s PBS program “Classical Stretch” for many years, and it continues to draw huge audiences. The program seems to be geared more to Baby Boomers, and younger generations wanted this type of strength and stretch program, but  with a different name. So Miranda and her daughter Sahra developed Essentrics®, which is now taught around the world.

After doing the exercises by myself, either watching “Classical Stretch” or working out with a DVD, I introduced the program to friends, and we’d do it together. Then I decided to become a Certified Essentrics® Instructor. 

That’s where the “weird” or “offbeat” part of “eccentric” comes in.  Many people will tell you that I have an eccentric sense of humour. Telling myself that I could become a fitness instructor at age 65 might be the funniest joke of all!  Yet, here’s the thing: I knew I had the support of family, friends,  a great group of Essentrics® instructors, and the Essentrics® training team, so I knew I could do it. No joke.  I am now a Certified Essentrics Aging Backwards® instructor. I love it! I love sharing this program with even more people. I move more easily. My posture is better.  I am almost pain free from my fibromyalgia and other chronic issues and I look and feel younger! Check my Essentrics Classes page on my website to find out why you’ll love this program.

I  want to, as Miranda and many others are  clearly doing, “age backwards.”

Please join me as I continue on this eccentric/Essentrics Aging Backwards® journey.

24 comments

  1. Buttons

    There is nothing to stop you and age is only a number. What a great way to acknowledge and celebrate a milestone birthday. I look forward to being part of your journey and I do know it works. You go girl. Hug B

  2. Christine Peets

    Thanks, B. It’s fun having you along for the journey, and thank you for all of your support.

  3. Doreen Pendgracs

    I’ve seen Miranda’s presentation on PBS and think the Classical Stretch program looks interesting. Wishing you luck and success with this, Christine.

  4. rkenny2014

    Hang in there Christine. A while back I’d have joined you but other health problems took over so that I could not even endure Ti Chi. I just had my 87th. But with God’s grace Doris and I still live in our home.

  5. Heather Wright

    Wishing you every success and lots of fun along the way! Go for it

  6. lillienormile

    Any program that keeps us active as we mature. I can’t bring myself to say as we age,lol. It will be fun to participate in the program.

  7. Christine Peets

    Thanks for your support, Lillie. Keeping active as we mature is so important, and it helps to “age backwards.”

  8. Christine Peets

    Thanks, Heather. It’s fun to keep challenging myself. I know you set, and meet many challenges, and have others thrown at you, and you keep going, which is very inspiring.

  9. Christine Peets

    That’s wonderful that you and Doris are able to still live in your own home, Roy. Movement can be painful, even gentle movement, and just moving around your house is good for you. Keep going.

  10. Christine Peets

    Thank you, Doreen. Classical Stretch/Essentrics is indeed an interesting program, and one that you might enjoy. The support from my friends is so very much appreciated.

  11. Juliette moroze

    If I was closer I would certainly try it out. All the best and keep us posted!!!

  12. Christine Peets

    Hi, Juliette, It would be nice if we lived closer to each other, and it’s so great to have your support.
    You can try Essentrics online. There are some short videos on the website, http://www.essentrics.com. There are also DVDs, which I’ve used because our PBS stations are coming in anymore, and when they did, the Classical Stretch program was on at 6 a.m.–too early for me! I will be posting more notes about this journey, so stay tuned. Cheers, and Happy New Year!

  13. judy lawless

    As I sit here having one of my major pain days, I think that this would be just what I need! I’ll look into it when we return in the spring. Good for you for taking on the challenge of getting certified. Look forward to following your journey.

  14. Christine Peets

    This program is perfect for pain relief, Judy. Once I am certified, I’d be able to set up a class for you and some friends. Thanks for your support.

  15. Sheri Burge

    Wonderful blog! I’m excited to follow you on your journey to becoming an Essentrics Instructor.

  16. Suzanne

    What a great idea! Congratulations. I look forward to reading more about your journey as an instructor with this program. Sounds like it will benefit both your students and you!

  17. Suzanne

    Wow, I just tried the video and I admit I find it difficult. I have herniated back discs, fibro (not as bad as many people) and arthritis. This definitely helped to stretch my muscles. Thanks for the link!

  18. Christine Peets

    Thank you, Suzanne. I hope I not only continue to improve my own health, but do indeed help my students improve theirs. The wonderful thing about this program is that it can be done by anyone, of any age, at any fitness level. Thanks for coming along on the journey with me.

  19. Christine Peets

    Yes, following workouts with Sahra is more challenging. I have a tough time keeping up sometimes and the Level 1 pre-choreographed workout I have to learn is led by her. Following her mother Miranda is easier, and there are videos showing some pain relief exercises you might like. You’ll find them on the Essentrics website, http://www.essentrics.com

  20. Lora Gorton

    Christine I too am about your age and very recently discovered Eccentrics. I hope to start doing it daily to help this old body. I’m a caregiver and have one client who has fibromyalgia. I’ve been reading Aging Backwards and telling her about it. Even talked to her physical & occipital therapist also it. Could you explain more about how it’s helped with your pain so I can share it with my client. Maybe I should also look into their training. Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring me to at least think about it.

  21. Christine Peets

    Hi Lora. Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your comment. I absolutely love this program and find both of Miranda’s books, “Aging Backwards” and “Forever Painless” to have a lot of useful information in them–including great exercises. Essentrics has helped my fibromyalgia pain by relaxing the muscles, and allowing me to move more freely. Simply put, when the muscles are not as tight, there is not as much pain. This is especially true for the muscles surrounding my hips, my hamstring muscles, and the upper arm muscles. Those are the places where the fibromyalgia pain is worse. I just find that when I can move more easily, it is then easier to keep moving and doing these exercises daily. Sometimes I have to slow down the pace, but I keep moving. I hope you will find the same for yourself, and your client. Keep going.

  22. judy lawless

    Obviously I forgot about this when I came back last spring! Hope to find out more this spring. I know that movement is my best friend. That’s why I have fewer bad days when I play a lot of pickleball in Arizona. Warm weather helps too 🙂

  23. Christine Peets

    The warm weather definitely does help, Judy. The woman who teaches an Essentrics class I attend in Bath mentioned this morning that we all seemed to be moving a little easier. I’d be happy to come up if you can pull a few friends together for a class. As I am still an apprentice I can’t charge, but a “good will offering” to help cover the gas would definitely be appreciated. We’ll see what works out.

  24. Losing–and Finding–My Passion – With Humour and Hope

    […] I had a new passion: learn this program well enough to teach it. As I moved along on my Eccentric Journey I became more enthusiastic. The Essentrics® program evolved and there are now two tracks for […]

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