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The Miracle of Flexibility: A Head-to-Toe Program to Increase Strength, Improve Mobility, and Become Pain Free

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Gain strength and mobility while living a pain-free life at any age using this revolutionary technique created by former ballerina, New York Times bestselling author, and star of PBS’s Classical Stretch, Miranda Esmonde-White.

The fields of sports and fitness are presently dominated by injury and chronic pain. Scientific studies are proving that the old philosophy of “No Pain, No Gain” is false and that pain and injuries are unnecessary biproducts of physical activity. For decades, former ballerina and New York Times bestselling author of Aging Backwards, Miranda Esmonde-White, has been developing a solution to the chronic pain produced by a lifetime of injuries and ageing, leaving her as spry later in life as most of us would dream to be in our twenties.

The secret to mobility, strength, flexibility, good posture, and peak fitness is a daily Essentrics workout. Miranda’s revolutionary technique is paving the way to create younger, stronger more mobile bodies without injury or pain. This trailblazing program rooted in science has delivered world champions and Olympic medalists by preventing injuries and healing pain. Now, for the first time, it is available in book form
-A large range of motion sequences to strengthen the entire musculoskeletal system
-Bonus posture workouts tailored for athletes, peak performers, and users who want to minimize back and joint pain
-Information and strategies to completely restore the body
-And much more.

The Miracle of Flexibility offers a blueprint for using this revolutionary range-of-motion-strengthening technique in your own home. With no equipment required, this method has been successfully taught around the world by thousands of certified instructors. It builds strength, increases range of motion, and assists in recovering from chronic pain and injuries.

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2023

100 people are currently reading
154 people want to read

About the author

Miranda Esmonde-White

12 books32 followers

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Heather.
798 reviews47 followers
March 29, 2023
Very interesting. It seems to be very similar to Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Easy to incorporate into workouts. Perhaps audiobook is not the best format for this book.
Profile Image for Ian D.
615 reviews72 followers
July 26, 2023
- Μα είναι δυνατόν, οδηγός ευλυγισίας;
- Γιατί; Όλοι πρέπει να σηκωνόμαστε από τον καναπέ χωρίς να πονάμε.
- Και μάλιστα σε βιβλίο;
- Γιατί, σε χάπι το ήθελες;
- Εικονίτσες έχει τουλάχιστον;
- Και εικόνες και ασκήσεις κι απ' όλα.
- Το audiobook, τι φάση;
- Για τη θεωρία, βρε! Δε θα σου λέει και πώς να τα κάνεις χωρίς όντιοβίζουαλ.
- Κανάλι στο ΓιουΤιούμπ δεν παίζει;
- Σου έχω κι απ'αυτό. Έχει και είδος προπόνησης που λέγεται Essentrics.
- Κάτι σαν αίρεση μου ακούγεται.
- Σκάσε, καλό είναι. Κάνει δουλίτσα.
- Ε, να δοκιμάσω τότε...
Profile Image for Healthypedia.
218 reviews10 followers
November 6, 2023
Discover the path to pain-free living and optimal mobility with our review of 'The Miracle of Flexibility'.

Scientific studies have debunked the notion that ‘No Pain, No Gain’ is necessary for physical activity, proving that pain and injuries can be avoided. With her background in ballet and study of various forms of exercise and movement, Miranda Esmonde-White, has developed a solution to chronic pain caused by injuries and ageing. She shared it all in ‘The Miracle of Flexibility: A Head-to-Toe Program to Increase Strength, Improve Mobility, and Become Pain Free’ – a massive and detailed work on healing movements.


Author’s background

Miranda Esmonde-White is a Canadian fitness expert, author, and television host. She is best known for creating the fitness program called Essentrics, which combines strengthening and stretching exercises to improve flexibility, posture, and overall body strength.

Esmonde-White developed the Essentrics method based on her background in ballet and her study of various forms of exercise and movement. She gained significant recognition through her work as the host of the long-running television program ‘Classical Stretch.’ The show, which aired on PBS and was later renamed ‘Essentrics with Miranda Esmonde-White,’ featured her leading viewers through a series of exercises designed to improve mobility, balance, and flexibility.

Operating from her base in Montreal, she currently works with professional athletes, Olympic competitors, celebrities, and teaches classes to a wide array of students worldwide. Despite being in her 70s and having arthritis visible in her X-rays, she enjoys an active and pain-free life thanks to the program she developed.


What is the book about?

In her book, Miranda Esmonde-White discusses the development of Essentrics, a full-body program that focuses on flexibility, pain relief, and overall well-being. The program is designed to stretch and strengthen all muscles in a balanced manner, enhance joint mobility, and promote healthy connective tissue. Scientific validation from reputable universities supports the benefits of Essentrics for maintaining strength, flexibility, and brain and digestive health.

The book includes a wide range of motion sequences that strengthen the entire musculoskeletal system, bonus posture workouts tailored for athletes, peak performers, and individuals seeking relief from back and joint pain, and also information and strategies for complete body restoration. These can be easily practiced in the comfort of your own home, requiring no special equipment.


Key takeaways from ‘The Miracle of Flexibility’

1. ‘No pain, no gain” motto is not always beneficial

Miranda Esmonde-White says that most fitness programs are not designed to keep people injury- or pain-free – instead, they are designed to push young bodies to the limit. We tend to reward men or women who display the strength and ability to keep going despite pain, and it’s not supposed to be like that.

“Throwing out the idea of ‘no pain, no gain,’ I spent years studying how we’re actually designed to move and creating a fullbody program that stretches and strengthens all the muscles in a balanced way, enhances the range of motion of every joint, and unglues stuck connective tissue.”

2. High-impact activities can permanently damage our bodies

The author acknowledges that high-impact activities such as running, team sports, and tennis offer enjoyment, social engagement, and physical exertion. However, these activities can also place significant strain on our bodies. To ensure a fulfilling and pain-free life regardless of age, it is crucial to safeguard our bodies from enduring permanent damage.

3. Without movement, muscles shrink and die

It is a proven fact that without regular exercise, muscles undergo atrophy, causing them to shrink, weaken, and eventually die. What many fail to realise is that atrophy is not only detrimental to muscle health but also leads to pain and disrupts the balance of surrounding joints and tissues. This pain often manifests in different areas of the body, such as the hips, knees, or ankles, and can exacerbate through a chain reaction of further muscle loss and increased pain.

4. ‘Sitting is a new smoking’

Occupational demands, whether involving prolonged sitting or constant standing, contribute to the wear and tear experienced by our joints and muscles. Sitting for extended periods can be highly damaging, as it contributes to disease, damage, and pain, with some experts likening its impact to that of smoking.

5. Sedentary lifestyle damages bones

Movement plays a vital role in developing and maintaining strong bones. Bones require stress and exertion to develop a robust skeletal structure. When we engage in physical activity, our bones experience varying degrees of force, prompting them to strengthen accordingly. Children, in particular, are vulnerable as their bones are still growing and adapting to the demands of their activities.

6. Weak muscles affect the whole body, including brain, cardiovascular and digestive systems

Atrophied muscles affect the entire body, leading to a slowdown in cardiovascular and digestive systems, weakened bones, damaged joints, and reduced nourishment for the brain and nerves. This, in turn, results in low energy levels and unexplained weight gain. The principle of ‘use it or lose it’ holds true when it comes to preventing muscle atrophy.

7. Poor posture destroys the musculoskeletal structure and other organs

Over time, poor posture has a detrimental effect on both the musculoskeletal structure and our organs. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognise the correlation between their changing posture and declining health, and even healthcare professionals may overlook its significance. While the effects of the posture epidemic may not evoke the same immediate fear as disease epidemics, its impact on our overall well-being can be equally severe.

Poor posture drains our energy and undermines the health of our joints. It also interferes with crucial systems such as our immune and circulatory systems. The consequences extend to weakened bones and a compromised ability to combat diseases like cancer and diabetes. Additionally, poor posture compresses our organs and disrupts hormone regulation, further compromising our resistance to illness.


Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

Strengths:
Offers customisable routines and targeted movements. The book provides detailed explanations for each movement, targeting various problems, including sports-related pain, workplace strain, and general issues in specific areas (e.g., back, shoulder, hips).
Suitable for different audiences: While particularly useful for individuals over 50 looking to improve balance and posture, the book also caters to athletes and individuals of all ages who seek exercises to address specific issues or enhance their overall well-being.
Visual Guidance: The book features photographs and illustrations that facilitate understanding and execution of the exercises. The bright lighting and clear visuals make it easy to follow along.
Wide range of demonstrations: The book showcases a diverse range of individuals, body sizes, and genders performing the exercises.

Weaknesses:
The book’s layout is not user-friendly enough. To enhance reader’s experience, it would be more beneficial to have each exercise’s steps fit on a single page. Additionally, the inclusion of concise one-page cheat sheets or lists summarising the movements once familiar with them would be helpful.


Quotes from ‘The Miracle of Flexibility’

“The human body is a marvel of engineering. When the bones of our skeleton are aligned, our joints move effortlessly because their designated ranges of motion are unobstructed. When our bones are out of alignment, however, our joints’ designated ranges of motion are blocked. I always use the example of a wedge jammed into a door joint, preventing the door from opening or closing easily. Obstruction inevitably leads to pain and structural damage.”

“The action of lifting the arms above the head stretches and strengthens all the muscles of the spine. Lifting the arms above the head helps reverse shrinking as people age, improves posture, slenderizes the waist, and reverses muscle atrophy.”

“Stretching can work only when you balance all the muscles of a joint. Muscle flexibility is the natural by-product of maximum range of motion. The opposite is not true: When an individual muscle is flexible, the full joint may still have limited range of motion. The greater the range of motion, the greater the muscle flexibility and strength.”



Final takeaway

In ‘The Miracle of Flexibility,’ readers are presented with a transformative approach to fitness and well-being. Miranda Esmonde-White challenges the conventional belief that pain and intense workouts are necessary for progress, offering a groundbreaking technique rooted in gentle movement and a deep understanding of how our bodies are designed to function. Through the Essentrics program, she guides individuals of all ages and fitness levels towards increased flexibility, strength, and pain-free living. This book serves as a comprehensive resource, providing detailed explanations, targeted routines, and visual guidance to help readers address specific issues and achieve long-lasting results. By embracing the power of flexibility, this book offers a path towards rejuvenation, enhanced mobility, and a vibrant, active life at any stage.
Profile Image for Online Eccentric Librarian.
3,400 reviews5 followers
February 11, 2023
More reviews at the Online Eccentric Librarian http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This is a balletic type of continual movement program designed to help with flexibility and pain relief. These movements are smooth, gradual and continuous, thus separating it from the static poses of yoga or the high impact aspects of aerobics. The author has a YouTube channel and so a lot of the exercises in the book can be viewed in motion in various locations, by the author and others. The strength of the book is to have the detailed explanations of each movement and have it targeted to problem areas; the weakness is that you will have to practice them quite a bit in order to memorize a complete routine.

The book is broken down as follows: Section 1: The Balanced Body, Redefining Stretching, The Musculoskeletal Trifecta, The Poor Posture Epidemic. Section II: Techniques And Positions, Neuromuscular Techniques, Essentrics Sequences (equipment, correct and incorrect placement, sequences), Essentrics Routines For Every Day (warm up, morning, evening, travel, walking the dog, stress relief, relaxation, increase energy, stimulate the brain, for the kids, etc.). Conditioning for an Active Life (beginner flexibility, upper body toning, quick posture routine, etc), Routines for Sports (cycling, hiking, golf, baseball, skiing, etc.), Routines For the Workplace (on your feet all day, at a desk all day, manual labor, flight attendants, hairdressing, housekeeping), Routines For Chronic Pain (back, knee, hip, shoulder, etc.), Routine for Better Posture.

The book is nicely photographed in bright lighting, making it easy to understand the exercises. Some are in black and white and others are in color. There are also many clean and clear illustrations to accompany the introductory material about the muscles and bones. Each type of movement has a photograph, so there are plenty - often 5-6 each page. Descriptions of the exercises are short and brief, making them easy to use. Extra points for the book pointing out how each exercise can be done incorrectly and how to make sure you are doing it well. It is easy to get to the routines you want to use for your particular issues.

The book has very targeted material: whether it is sports causing pain (e.g., cycling), workplace (e.g., hairdresser on his/her feet all day), or just general issues in an area (e.g., back or shoulder pain). This means that if you are having pain in an area or from an activity/job, you can easily find routines to help address the issue. Similarly, if you just have a sore back or hip, you can find routines to address those. Since there is a wide range of individuals/body sizes/genders photographed, you can see the program being done by all kinds of people.

I actually prefer the book over the YouTube videos but recommend checking the online version to see how this essentrics program works. What isn't obvious from the book is that you are in constant motion, very similar to Tai Chi (but with less poses). The youtube routines can be annoying at times, with a lot of endless distracting chit chat (I have to mute out the chatter of fascias or lubricating) and it can be hard to follow them online unless you practice a lot in advance (and even then, I sometimes felt like I wasn't doing them right when watching online). With the book, you get a more directed, comprehensive and focused overview of each exercise.

I think this is particularly useful for those over 50 who need to ensure they have good balance and posture. But athletes and individuals of all ages can find exercises to address issues here. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
Profile Image for Alicia Bayer.
Author 10 books252 followers
January 4, 2023
Where this book excels is in convincing me that I want to do the essentrics program, the gentle and fluid workout former ballerina Esmonde-White developed 25 years ago. She is in her 70s and says that even though X-rays show arthritis in her body she is active and pain free because of the program, which she developed after people in her yoga and fitness classes asked her to create a workout that didn’t make them hurt more afterwards.

The first chapters show why using all the muscles and joints in these ways keeps the fascia loose and flexible and our bodies strong and pain free. The program is taught internationally and the poses and exercises in the book are shown by an impressive and diverse group of doctors, nurses, athletes, instructors and retired professionals of all different ages, body types and ethnicities.

The program is sort of anti-yoga, with a focus on fluid movement instead of holding poses and the insistence that exercise should never hurt. There is a sort of “use it or lose it” mentality regarding all of the joints and muscles, with props and accommodations for mobility issues so those parts can still be gently helped. The exercises have a ballet and dance feel and also are reminiscent of just regular movements of all types that involve stretching, rocking, swaying, twisting and so on. They are precise though, so that your posture supports proper position and all muscles and joints are worked. This is where the book is less helpful for me, because even though all of the many poses and exercises are very well illustrated by the 11 models, it’s basically a hundred pages of photos of this pose going into this one and so on. It would work much better for me if all the steps of each fit on one page at least, and there were some one page cheat sheets of lists of what to do once you got the hang of them. I came away convinced I’d like to try to incorporate this into my daily routine but wondering if I should just find a YouTube series. I still highly recommend the book and am glad to have the new knowledge and tools it’s given me though.

I read a digital copy of this book via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Rachelle.
1,372 reviews
June 25, 2023
The Miracle of Flexibility... easy to follow essentric exercises, incorporating movement to lubricate joints and keep the body functional. Great explanations of muscle areas incorporated in each exercise, and a groups of exercises were combined into examples of what to do if you experience certain pain in areas of the body. focus on total body health and body weight training that can be done at home. Nice reference to look back on!
Profile Image for Neida.
353 reviews19 followers
November 6, 2023
There’s a qigong and ballet influence in this eccentrics movement. Strengthening the whole body including your joints, ligaments and fascia. Movements that ‘massages’ thus strengthning the spine. Consists of many graceful movements that gives you a good overall body stretch and mobility. My everyday routine!
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,134 reviews18 followers
August 4, 2023
All her books are exactly the same. If you watch her exercise program, you already have heard all the info contained in the program. Love classical stretch/Essentrics. I’ve been doing it for 15+ years.
Profile Image for Julia Capallupo.
2 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2024
Essentrics is a wonderful program. My doctor recommended it to me and I feel so much better! I love it when the authors read their books!
36 reviews
March 23, 2024
Miranda's work with the human body is nothing short of astounding. Try her video workouts! I call them the pain free workouts. After doing them, you feel like a new person.
Profile Image for Stephen.
70 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2024
Audiobook doesn't have the pdf section of the book. Good message though.
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