Join us for a NEW addition to our ‘Move for Mental Health’ activities: Essentrics®!

Essentrics is a dynamic full-body workout that combines stretching and strengthening to build lean, flexible muscles.  The workout focuses on eccentric contraction—stretching a muscle while it is engaged.

Created by former ballerina Miranda Esmonde-White in Montreal, Canada, it treats the body as one connected system.

Here are the key details about how it works:

The Science

• Eccentric Contraction: Traditional exercises (like lifting weights) shorten muscles. Essentrics stretches the muscle while under tension.  This mimics the body’s natural braking system.
• Rehydrates Fascia: Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps around muscles.  Lack of movement causes fascia layers to stick together. Essentrics’ fluid, slow movements lubricate these tissues, making you feel less stiff.
• Full-Body Movement: Instead of isolating muscles (like only working your biceps), it uses the whole body. This prevents joint damage and protects against injury.

Top Health Benefits

• Relieves Pain: Many people use it to reduce chronic back and joint pain.
• Improves Posture & Shape: It naturally elongates the body, resulting in a toned, slender physique without bulky muscles.
• Increases Mobility: It restores full movement to stiff joints.

How to Practice

• Equipment-Free: It uses your own body weight and gravity to create resistance.
• No Impact: There is no jumping, kneeling, or heavy lifting.
• For Everyone: It is designed for all ages and fitness levels.

Classes are led by Joëlle Turcotte, a certified Essentrics instructor since 2019.  With extensive training and nearly four decades of professional experience, Joëlle’s current practice focuses on teaching dance, fitness, and wellness classes.  Well-being, self-awareness, and body awareness are the core principles that motivate her guiding participants of all ages and skill levels.

You’ll need to bring with you:

• a yoga-type mat
• a bottle of water
• wear comfortable clothes

Space is limited to a maximum of 12 participants.

$$ for all eight classes.

Register here!

Questions?

For more information about Essentrics®, please contact Verity, We Mind Mental Health Program Coordinator: 581-705-2149, or [email protected].