There is a buzz in the aquatic fitness industry and the buzz is growing louder.  The buzz is all about AquaStretch™, a ground breaking aquatic technique created by George Eversaul primarily as a fitness and wellness modality, which he developed in a university wellness center.  AquaStretch started going main stream after George trained six nationally know aquatic therapy instructors after speaking at a national aquatic therapy conference in September of 2010. Within a year, these experienced professionals all independently confirmed the breakthrough nature of AquaStretch as an aquatic exercise and wellness service and integrated it into their respective practices.   They also started doing AquaStretch demonstrations at their continuing education courses.

One of the fitness leaders trained by George was Laurie Denomme, co-founder of Exercise Elements, an aquatic fitness education company based in Sarasota, Florida.  Laurie developed AquaStretch™ Foundations, an 8 hour continuing education course for fitness professionals in order to expose more professionals to this unique stretching technique.

And why is this technique so unique?  AquaStretch is an aquatic myo-fascial release technique utilizing assisted stretching to take advantage of your body's ability to get into and to sustain positions in the water often not possible on land. The simple, AquaStretch 4 step technique, "Play, Freeze, Pressure, & Move, if you feel the need to move", is repeated all over your body to free fascial adhesions that restrict your flexibility and may cause pain on movement.  The result is significant pain reduction and movement freedom.

The testimonials seem to be pouring in.  People who participate in AquaStretch sessions are reporting some pretty astounding results.  What exactly can you expect?  Below are six benefits that can be experienced from participating in AquaStretch sessions.

1.  Restore flexibility that may have been lost due to muscle imbalance or injuries
2.  Decrease muscle soreness / tension resulting from activities of daily living (ADL), muscle overuse / overtraining or intense exercise
3.  Increase training efficiency by optimizing movement
4.  Help people relax more efficiently, comfortably and effectively
5.  Improve sports performance by optimizing range of motion
6.  Improve general well being (i.e. increased relaxation response, better sleep, reduction of chronic aches and pains)

• So, if you are an aquatic fitness professional, should you get professionally trained in AquaStretch?  Well, that answer depends on your current or future career objectives.  AquaStretch is primarily designed for one on one applications in the pool.  If you are currently working one on one with people in the water, then this is a must.  Or, if you are looking to expand your career horizons and want to establish a one on one business, then this would be ideal for you to build your practice.  “Because AquaStretch reduces pre-existing chronic pain problems, and because the technique also motivates people to start and more importantly maintain new exercise programs, this then increases the income of aquatic exercise professionals,” says Laurie Denomme who offers one on one AquaStretch sessions in Sarasota.

However, if you are only interested in teaching aquatic group exercise classes, pursuing training in AquaStretch may not be for you, unless you want the training for your own knowledge.  The AquaStretch technique simply is not designed for use in group exercise

According to Laurie, interest in the groundbreaking AquaStretch technique is growing rapidly.  “It has been my privilege to teach fellow professionals how to use the technique that has helped my clients overcome plateaus and achieve results quicker then ever before, says Laurie.  “My goal was to put together a course that was accessible, affordable and allowed course participants to have the confidence to immediately implement AquaStretch.” 

Laurie’s goal has come to fruition with the AquaStretch Foundations course. This course is 8 hours in which at least 50% of the time is spent in the pool. Courses are limited to 12 participants to ensure guided practice and skill development. The course fee includes a copy of the top selling AquaStretch™ Foundations Manual, which Laurie co-authored with one of Canada’s premier aquatic fitness leaders, Connie Jasinskas. The manual includes detailed descriptions and color photos of each of the 10 AquaStretch procedures taught in this course. Laurie says she has hosted seven courses this year and has eight more scheduled.

Good news!  AquaStretch™ Foundations will be an affiliate AEA program in 2013.  This means that the course will be taught by select AEA Trainers and widely available at AEA weekend events next year.   Chomping at the bit to get into a course this year?  Consider registering for AquaStretch at the California Regional Conference in October.  This event will be posted for registration in early July.  If you are interested in bringing AquaStretch to your facility in conjunction with an AEA weekend event, please contact Dee Yeats at AEA corporate:  dee@aeawave.com

For more details on AquaStretch Foundations, please visit www.aquastretchfoundations.com or to see if there is still a spot still available in one of Laurie’s remaining events in 2012, please visit: www.exerciseelements.com.

If you are interested in hosting a course, please contact Laurie directly through the website.

So is AquaStretch™ taking the industry by storm?  Read the testimonials below and decide for yourself.

On Tuesday morning, my 68 yr old client with kyphosis & scoliosis came in for our regular aqua personal training session.  She was eager to have me perform AquaStretch with her. When she came in she was hunched over and had a limp in her gait, due to the tightness in her hips.  At the end of the session, she was walking completely erect and with a smooth gate.  She felt awesome and begged to go try her regular swim laps in the cool water. Last week she labored through 4 laps, but this week, she swam with ease and grace.  It was beautiful to watch.  As she exited the pool, she was crying with joy, gave me a huge hug! 4 days later … The hits keep coming.  In a total of 10 sessions (2 one hour, and 8 demos) members of my 2 gyms are signing up for aqua personal training packages left and right.   I think this is a hit! I love what I do for a living. – Holly, Aquatic Fitness Trainer

The ball is rolling! I have done seven maybe eight clients and they all want more! One woman is a snow bird who is about to leave for the North and she said that she might send her husband home and stay here to be close to me. She had her first good nights sleep in three months immediately following her AquaStretch session with me. And she is telling everyone. -  Debbie, Aquatic Fitness Trainer.

I am having amazing results on people! A couple of examples: a woman who had a brain aneurysm 10 years ago and who has stopped stuttering! Another one who has had a pain in her back for 3 years that was improved after one treatment who had seen a chiropractor with no results! – Joyce, Aquatic Fitness Trainer.

I just received this comment from a client after one session “feet felt better than usual, especially my left foot. Legs feel good. Stood up while making coffee and cat’s breakfast (usually sit on walker). When’s my next session?!” – Mary, Aquatic Fitness Trainer.

It sounds like Aqua Stretch is a hit!  Stay tuned for details on this as an affiliate course offered by AEA in 2013.