The Winterfest “show” will go on either way, as there are also many activities that don’t require snow, such as archery, exploring the Conservation Center’s trails, making a birdfeeder or house, building a camp of pine branches, or enjoying a hotdog lunch. All of the activities are free and open to the community.

The “Ikes” welcome this chance for you to see what their group has to offer, with 39 acres, Armstrong Creek, a pond, cozy clubhouse, and folks committed to preserving our natural resources. This chapter started in 1927, with hunters and fishermen as “defenders of soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife.” The nonprofit continues with these issues and also kids’ need for nature. This event is free, but they always appreciate donations for their projects involving schools, education, workshops, and outdoor activities.

The League invites you, your friends and especially children to enjoy the fun from 10 to 3 p.m. at 5641 Myers Lake Ave., on January 28. If you would like to be involved as a volunteer, perhaps on the sledding hill, in the kitchen, or anything at all, please call Georgia Donovan at (616) 773-2850 or e-mail to georgia.art@att.net.

Can’t tell which one is happier, Fred Meijer or Squire reporter Nancy Hill. Picture was taken in 2008 at a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for a Meijer funded paved extension of the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail from Rockford to Sand Lake.

Last Tuesday afternoon found us at Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to attend a visitation and pay our respects to a man we had personally come to know as one without equal – Fred Meijer.

We were not there as reporters to cover Fred’s passing but rather as two of thousands, that afternoon and evening, who felt compelled to gather and reminisce with one another and Meijer family members about the life and times of Fred and the role he played in all of our lives.

The “six degrees of separation” theory refers to the idea that everyone is on average approximately six steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person on Earth. That theory did not apply to Fred Meijer. In Fred’s case, it was more like one degree of separation.

Is there a person in West Michigan that does not have a Fred story to tell? Certainly everyone present last Tuesday could attest to that. So much for computer-age social networks, Fred accomplished much the same with countless thousands of peoples in good old-fashioned face-to-face conversation.

In this 2009 photo, former Rockford Mayor “Chi-Chi” Rogers awaits Fred Meijer’s autograph in her copy of his book, Fred Meijer – Stories of His Life, during a book-signing event held at North Rockford Middle School. Also pictured (far right) is Pam Kleibusch, who at that time had been Fred’s personal assistant for 52 years!

Fred was a man of the people who had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. If you crossed paths with him, he was always graciously approachable. In conversation, you became his new friend. He learned your name, what you did for a living, and how you felt about things in general. Both parties were enriched by the encounter and parted ways having learned something new and possibly, at the same time, enjoying a good laugh, oftentimes at Fred’s expense. Is there another billionaire anywhere who has freely made himself available to his fellow man more than Fred Meijer? We think not.

Your reporters, the Hills, had the good fortune to meet Fred numerous times in covering events where he was present. Sometimes, also, it was just happenstance. It could have been at Meijer Gardens itself, where we are members, or it could have been at one of the local Meijer stores while we were shopping.

Two occasions that stand out in our minds occurred while we were covering local events for the Squire where Fred was the focal point. On one in 2008, Fred was the guest of honor at a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for a paved extension of the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail (FMWPT) from Rockford to Sand Lake. Fred loved the trail systems of West Michigan and was a major financial benefactor in their continued growth. Indeed, he had provided much of the monies for engineering and paving of major portions of the FMWPT. He loved the out-of-doors and wanted the linear trail experience to be available to families and especially children.

We took great delight that afternoon when Fred, grinning from ear to ear, agreed to pose with his arm around Nancy in a photo-op. We forwarded that same photo to Fred and sometime later he replied in a letter, “You know, that is a great picture of you (Nancy) and I! We do look like grinning kids with just a few years on us!”

On another occasion, we were present November 18, 2009, when Fred was on hand for a Rockford Area Historical Society sponsored book-signing event (Fred Meijer – Stories of His Life) at North Rockford Middle School. The few hundred people that showed up that evening were not disappointed when Fred personally autographed their books while swapping stories with each and every one.

In addition to signing our book we asked Fred to also autograph the picture, of the above-mentioned trail event, that we’d also brought that evening. Here, much to our delight, is how he signed it: “Happy Trails to you Nancy and Cliff, Fred Meijer.”

Now we don’t know exactly how that inscription popped into his head. It may have been because the picture depicted a trail event or it could have been that Fred had often been seen and heard singing that very same song. Or maybe simply, Fred was thinking of the almost 600 penny pony rides that are available in the 200 mid-western Meijer stores. From his book we learned that Fred realized many years ago that a penny doesn’t begin to cover the cost of electricity and maintenance for each pony ride. The ponies, always named Sandy, were there for the children (and an occasional adult) and were the last thing the child remembered on the way home.

Fred Meijer was laid to rest last Wednesday morning under a beautifully sunny and cloudless blue sky on the grounds of Meijer Gardens. Fittingly, the modest black wrought iron fenced site, is adjacent to the Gardens replicated farmhouse of his beloved wife Lena’s childhood home in Amble.

Happy trails to you Fred, as you journey on.

As many people know, the Rockford Area Historical Society believes that the preservation and presentation of our history is important. A major goal of the group is to help fund a museum to display our history and to educate all ages as to what has happened in our area over the years. Right now our society, with the help of others, is working to create a major change for our area. We need lots of help from people, organizations and businesses to make a positive impact on our history.

Members of the Rockford Area Historical Society along with many other people in our community continue to work toward moving the Rockford Area Museum (RAM) from its present location to the vacant portion of the Rockford District Court building. Fundraising has been going on for about three months, and we have received many pledges and money toward the project. We have also had offers of help with the cost of construction from several businesses. As of December 1, 2011 we have commitments for close to $120,000. This is about one third of what we projected to the city of Rockford ($340,000) to be needed to finance the move.  Because of the offers of in kind help, the total cost should be lower than the $340,000.

Fundraising brochures, which explain our project and show how to pledge or donate, are available at many local businesses including the Rockford Squire, Herman’s Boy and Antor Travel and by contacting the society (Terry Konkle 616-866-0530). It has been brought to our attention that the partial Michigan tax credit  for donations to groups like a museum will NOT be tax deducible in Michigan after this year, so donors should be aware of it when making donations (make them before the end of the year). The Rockford Area Historical Society and the Rockford Area Community Endowment are both 501 (c) (3) non profit organizations.

The society has a fundraising event planned for Saturday, February 18, 2012 when Mark Randisi will bring his outstanding Frank Sinatra show,”THE SOUND OF SINATRA” to the Rockford High School Fine Arts Auditorium. Publicity and ticket sales information is in place and tickets are already being sold on line at www.ramshow2012.com and at the following area locations: Antor Travel-Northland Drive and12 Mile, Double Take-Rockford, Rockford Squire-Rockford, Creative Concepts-Rockford, Dish Network-Plainfield south of 5 Mile, Rockford Ambulance-10 Mile and Shaner, Courtland Township Offices and Algoma Township Offices. Posters and other handout material on the show are being placed in many businesses all over the area at the present time.

Another fundraiser that the society is working on is an auction sometime in the spring of 2012. The details are being worked on, but anyone who may have something that we can auction whether it be an item or something else can contact the society (Terry Konkle 866-0530).

In the last couple of months, several people have given things to the society and told us to sell them and put the profits toward our museum funds. We appreciate the donations and encourage others to contact us with items like this.  We are and will definitely continue to sell/auction some of these on line.

Please step up and help us and share in the pride we feel because we are going to have a new museum!

Ezra Hogg, son of John Hogg

Over 10 years ago on September 11, 2001 almost everyone can recall where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news of the terrorist attack on America. On December 10, 2001, John Hogg remembers where he was at and what he was doing when he was informed that his son, Ezra Hogg, was killed during a traffic accident on his way to school that day. The tragic events of 9/11 changed America forever; the death of John’s son changed his life forever.

Ezra was 17 years old when he died. He was senior in high school, a member of the National Honor Society, an Eagle Scout, lifeguard, and played hockey and rugby. He died five days before John’s birthday, 11 days before Ezra’s 18th birthday, and 15 days before Christmas.

John Hogg, with a broken right leg, is being lowered down 13,808-foot Gannet Peak, Wyoming, by climbing partner Rob Hall.

John was emotionally, physically and spiritually devastated. “The outpouring of support from family and friends was critical during those first few weeks after he died,” stated John.

Later, two scholarships were established in Ezra’s memory, and a staff cabin at Gerber Scout camp in Michigan where Ezra worked during the summer was named in his memory. A group called Compassionate Friends, which helps parents who have lost a child, also provided much needed emotional support.

Despite all the initial support, as time passed John continued to struggle with his son’s death. As the months passed, John read in the Bible that when men had powerful life-changing experiences, it was usually on top of a mountain or in the wilderness. Moses on Mount Sinai, Elijah on Mount Carmel, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, Peter, John and Andrew on the Mount of Transfiguration‑all had life-changing experiences. John decided he was going to the mountains and wilderness to find healing. He set a goal to summit the highest point in all 50 states in memory of his son.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Ezra’s death. John has successfully reached the highest point of 48 states in the last 10 years. From the very beginning it has been a spiritual journey to come to terms with the grief of losing his son.

The first state’s high point John achieved was Michigan. It is here he learned a valuable lesson about how he was to depend on God to help achieve his goal. He buried his Jeep up to the bumpers in mud and dug for three hours. He was in a very remote area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Finally he gave up and sat down and prayed to God for help. Within five minutes several guys driving ATVs drove up and helped him pull his Jeep out of the mud. This experience taught John that if he was going to successfully reach his goal he was going to have to depend on God.

Over the years, John traveled the country going to the highest summit of each state. Reaching the high point of each state has always been a spiritual experience, coming to terms with his son’s death. It has not been an easy journey. In North Carolina, he drove over a log after a hurricane had blown through the area, which ruined two tires. An icy winter climb of Mount Marcy in upstate New York forced him to hike with crampons for 15 miles, which resulted in ripping the flesh off each of the heels of his feet. In Wyoming he broke his leg 20 miles from his vehicle. It took him two-and-a-half days to climb and hike out of the mountains.

During 2011, John successfully made the summits of Hawaii, Washington and Oregon. He saw firsthand God’s providential powers working in his life, reaching the high point of Hawaii. John miraculously got a roundtrip flight from Denver to Kona, Hawaii for $279‑the average price usually around $1,000. He saved a large amount of money by staying at a condominium with a friend and an executive board member of the Santa Fe Trail Boy Scout Council, who he works for in Kansas. A trip that should have cost him several thousand dollars only cost him several hundred dollars.

Later in the year, John climbed 14,410-foot Mount Rainier in Washington. He teamed up with a Scoutmaster named Kent Brotten from Seattle who has successfully climbed Mount Rainier over 30 times. John read about him in a magazine back in 2006. Not only was he a Scoutmaster, but he was also an Eagle Scout. John only climbs with Eagle Scouts when he attempts a state high point mountain in memory of his son.

Mount Rainier is one of the most difficult mountains to climb in North America. Most mountain climbers must make several attempts to reach the summit. John successfully reached the summit on his first attempt.

One of the most amazing ways God has helped John on his spiritual journey was in Oregon. After he climbed Mount Rainier, he drove to Oregon to attempt Mount Hood, that state’s highest mountain peak. However, this time he was going to attempt a solo climb. This was a dangerous way to climb the mountain‑over 130 climbers have died trying to reach the summit.

At 2:30 a.m., John was standing in the parking lot ready to start his climb. He looked up toward the mountain and said to himself, “God, this is really a dangerous mountain for me to be climbing alone.” Right after saying this to himself, a guy drove up and asked if he could climb with him. John asked him if he was an Eagle Scout. To his amazement the guy said he was an Eagle Scout from Michigan named Gary Morgan.

Gary climbed with John until a blinding snowstorm developed and Gary turned around because his fingers were frozen. John continued up the mountain, knowing he had to find an opening in the snow-covered rock face called the Pearly Gates to reach the summit. The opening was only about three to four feet wide. John only had about 10 feet of visibility in the whiteout condition so there was no one to see the opening. He asked God to help him find the opening in the rock.

John continued to climb for almost an hour and then suddenly looked up and he was standing dead center, looking straight up into the rock opening and went to the summit. There is no doubt in John’s mind that it was the hand of God that led him to that opening.

The final mountain John attempted to climb this year was Granite Peak in Montana. This was his third attempt to climb this mountain. Unfortunately, he severely injured his toes and could not climb the last 900 feet to reach the summit. This was very discouraging to John. However, after his toes began to heal John decided to go to the gym to continue to work out and stay in shape.

The first day he decided to return to the gym, he was walking up to the door of the gym and a guy rode up on a bike, got off and left it by the door. John looked at the bike and on the bike was printed the words “Challenge Granite Peak.” John never heard of such a brand of bike, and took a picture of it with his cell phone. He took this incident as a sign from God to not be discouraged.

John stated, “Someday I will summit Granite Peak when God is ready for me to make it.”

Despite these challenges, every state’s summit mountain peak has been a spiritual experience.

“I really feel the presence of God when I am standing on the highest mountain peak of a state,” said John.

Over the years, God has helped John deal with his son’s death. He knows it is a grief he will carry with him the rest of his life. His state high point adventure has helped keep his son’s memory alive. John’s goal is to reach the highest summit of all 50 states, write a book about his mountain-climbing adventures, and help parents deal with the death of a child. John only needs to summit two more states: Montana and Alaska. He is confident that someday he will summit all 50 states, but as he learned from his first state high point summit, as long as he depends on God’s providence he will succeed in reaching his goal.

John Hogg is the CEO/Scout Executive of the Santa Fe Trail Council in Garden City, Kansas, and Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch in Walsenburg, Colorado.

Ribbon-cutting attendees at Crickets Crop Shop in Grattan on October 5, 2011 include Mike Verdun, Chamber vice president; Terry Remelts, Chamber Board member; Jodi Paulsen, Chamber staff member; Dianna Force, proprietor; and Michelle Krick, Chamber member.

Several members of the Belding Area Chamber of Commerce along with Chamber staff member Jody Paulsen recently participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a new business venture in Grattan. Crickets Crop Shop opened in June to serve scrapbook enthusiasts.

When asked about how she decided to open the store, owner Dianna Force commented, “I was at a scrapbooking retreat with some friends last winter and we were discussing the availability of scrapbook supplies in our area. Both of the scrapbook stores in Greenville had closed, so if we needed anything we had to drive to Grand Rapids. Someone jokingly said to me, ‘You should open a scrapbook store, you have plenty of room.’ Thus the idea for Crickets Crop Shop was born.”

Force is excited to see increased patronage recently, as she explained, “Our grand opening was held the end of June. Business has been slow, but is starting to pick up since the kids have gone back to school. The store carries a good variety of cardstock, paper, adhesives, embellishments, sew easy supplies, inks, stickers, ribbon, cutting tools and much more! New items are arriving all of the time, and we also have a couple of tables set up for cropping right in the store.”

The store is located at 11768 Old Belding Road NE in Grattan, just across from the general store. Store hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cash and checks are welcome, with plans to accept credit and debit cards in the near future.

For additional information about Crickets Crop Shop, please contact Force at (616) 826-1872 or Belding Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Mike Verdun at (616) 794-1300.

by BETH ALTENA

The town of Gibraltar existed before the town of several dozen homes was renamed Childsdale after the paper mill was purchased by H.B. Childs. The town began as the village surrounding a sawmill at the same site as the paper mill. The sawmill was built by Zenas G. Windsor in 1848.Childsdale Papermill is in the process of rezoning for new use.

Henry B. Childs ran his paper mill with great success for a time. The well-known resident of the county had a penchant for purchasing property and soon owned most if not all of Childsdale, historic accounts tell. Fire destroyed the first mill on July 28, 1868. It was rebuilt and in 1889 Henry deeded half the mill to his youngest son, Horace. Horace had a vision for the plant and introduced new machinery when he became partner. On August 22, 1898 the mill was again destroyed by fire and rebuilt.

Old newspaper accounts describe activity of the mill. “May to September the hillside north of the mill is covered with large squares of paperboard with boys running, turning them and loading them back into the plant. If you happen along when a storm is approaching you will see the greatest activity among field hands. The boards are gathered up and carried under shelter. As soon as the sun has had time to dry the grass the boards are carried out and spread in the sun once more.”

Part of the success of the company over the years was the result of innovation. The original mill made paper which was shipped to Chicago’s slaughter houses and used to wrap meat. The paper was hauled to Grand Rapids by oxen and shipped from there by train to Chicago. In 1867 the railroad from Grand Rapids to Rockford was built. Later paper prices fell and the mill began to make paperboard, mostly for folding packaging.

A claim to fame was the invention of a superior form of cardboard used for egg cartons. The mill workers used a process of combining a layer of straw paper with wood pulp and sulphite. It was far superior to the process of making crates other mills used. When the cartons were ready to hold the eggs, a 200-pound man could not crush them.

The current White Pine Trail was formerly a train track. Pictured here is a photograph of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad train on the track passing Childsdale. The track running to the east connected the paper mill to the main track. The original train track ran through the village and across the Rogue River but was later relocated to higher grounds because of flooding problems.

Another secret to success may have been the way the Childs family paid their employees. They didn’t. Employees could live in the two-dozen homes of the Childsdale village and shop at the company store. For pay they were given scripts with which they could pay rent or purchase food or goods at the company store. Should they choose to shop during a trip to Grand Rapids or elsewhere, they used their scripts and the store charged that amount to their Childs credit.

Horace was a prospect as a successful businessman known for his flowing hair, black fedora and Prince Albert coat. He married Frances Lockeby and the couple built a three-story, 30-room mansion overlooking the village. The couple were so proud of the ornate woodwork on their fancy domicile they refused to have the home painted.

In 1903 Horace fell in love with the postmistress, Maude Maynard. His enraged wife kicked him out and he moved into an apartment over the company store. The following decline of the Childs legacy has the hint of a morality tale to it, as financial difficulties followed. The many property holdings of Horace caught up with him as he was unable to pay taxes for his properties in Childsdale and elsewhere in Kent County. He never returned to the mansion on the hill and Francis took the children and moved to Grand Rapids. In 1934 at age 82 Horace Childs died and a month later the mansion burned to the ground.

Despite investment, paper mill fails repeatedly

The rest of the history of Childsdale lacks the excitement of the first 100 years. After Horace Childs lost his fortune following his romance of a woman not his wife, the village began to disappear. In 1933 three men from Muskegon purchased the paper mill. In 1986 the dam that existed downstream of the mill was destroyed by flood. For the first time in 100 years, salmon and steelhead could swim up to as far as Rockford where a dam blocks their upstream progress.

In 1987 the mill was sold by PRM Board and Carton Corp. to Converters Paperboard Company. At that time the plant discharged fluids not into the river, but into the sewage system, where the flow helped keep things moving. The volume was a help to the system, equipped with extra large pipes because of the mill, although Plainfield Township Manager Robert Homan characterized the discharge as “pretty strong stuff.” In 1998 the mill closed for a final time, costing 70 workers their jobs. In interviews to newspapers at the time, workers said they did not see the closure coming. The contents were auctioned in 2006 and the property remained for sale ever since. The definitive book on Rockford by Homer Burch is From Sawmill to City. For the “Childsdale” papermill, the story may well turn out to be “From sawmill to church.”

Michigan is experiencing a heavy outbreak of forest tent caterpillars (FTC) this year, particularly in areas around Gaylord, Cadillac, Traverse City and Petoskey in the northern Lower Peninsula, according to the Department of Natural Resources, (DNR).

Widespread outbreaks of FTC occur at intervals of 10 to 15 years. These outbreaks last for two to five years, with most running their course in two to three years.  FTC epidemics commonly begin over large areas simultaneously.  This is caused by favorable weather conditions preceding an outbreak.  Population buildups often follow periods of unusually warm, dry springs. Fortunately, FTC outbreaks eventually subside as caterpillars succumb to parasites and other insect natural enemies.

Defoliation begins in early May in the northern Lower Peninsula and late May in the Upper Peninsula.  Defoliation can be dramatic and becomes noticeable by early to mid-June.  However, cool weather slows development and feeding, extending the duration of outbreaks.

“Defoliation from FTC normally does little damage to the tree,” said Roger Mech, forest health specialist with the DNR. “FTC infestation will reduce the vigor of the tree, but the tree usually recovers within a few years, after FTC infestation dies down.”

Mech noted that most trees will develop a second set of smaller leaves around mid-summer, after the initial loss of leaves from FTC. He added that trees rarely die from FTC infestation alone.

Native flies play an important role in natural control of FTC, but fly populations tend to increase as a result, and can create another nuisance for the public. The DNR can provide technical advice to landowners and landowner groups experiencing FTC infestation. Landowners interested in technical advice should contact their nearest DNR office.

Aerial applications of pesticides may help reduce caterpillar nuisance during an FTC outbreak.  Applications must be made at the appropriate time and by licensed experienced applicators.  Once caterpillars are full grown and defoliation is nearly complete, pesticides are not effective.  The DNR can help homeowners determine whether aerial spraying will be effective.

When spraying is warranted, the DNR recommends the use of a biological insecticide called Bacillus thuringiensis (also known as Bt). The DNR recommends the use of Bt because of its environmental safety.  Bt is a naturally occurring bacterium that is effective only against caterpillars and is registered as an insecticide by several companies.

Only caterpillars feeding on leaves sprayed with Bt are affected. Spraying Bt on caterpillars will not harm them.  It has no effect on other insects, birds, people, and other animals.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

ChiroHealth Rockford

Everyone is talking about the mind-body link and the mind-body connection. Recent scientific discoveries have placed this phenomenon at the core of the wellness movement. Educating yourself on the mind-body connection can make a big difference in your family’s health.

The Mind-The home of the mind is the brain. According to the February 1997 issue of Life Magazine, “This three-pound organ stores 100 trillion bits of information over the course of 70 years. That is equal to 500,000 sets of the Encyclopedia Britannica, which stacked, would reach 442 miles high. A fully formed brain contains 100 billion neurons, or nerve cells.” Wow!

While these numbers are staggering, what’s even more impressive is how these neurons function to originate thought and supply information to the body. This is what chiropractors and other holistic health professionals refer to as “innate intelligence.”

Your innate intelligence, within you, is the life energy that keeps you alive, heals you when you are sick, and enables your body to perform the extraordinary amount of work, effortlessly, that keeps you functioning at your full potential. It is important to keep your mind clear and sharp for it to be effective in the mind-body connection.

The Body-The performance of your body is extraordinary. “Breathing one pint of air 17 times a minute, we take in 78 million gallons in an average life span, enough to fill the Hindenburg airship one-and-a-half times. The average person takes one billion steps in his life and walks about 77,000 miles, landing on each foot with a force triple his body weight. Eight million new red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow every second.” Amazing!

What do you think will happen if you only take care of your body when it is broken? Unfortunately, there are many people who grew up with the mindset, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” These people ignored pain and did not participate in wellness activities. They are paying heavy prices today.

Just look at their posture. If people look bent over and crooked on the outside, how do you think their bodies are on the inside? Rather than commit to a wellness lifestyle, they cover up their problems with drugs and keep on going, functioning at much less than their full potential. Wellness is a much better choice, don’t you think?

The Connection-This connection has been written about since Hippocrates wrote, “Look well to the spine for the cause of disease.” Thomas Edison said, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”

The spine, spinal cord and nerve system is the vital link in the mind-body connection. Chiropractors have always understood the importance of this connection in relation to the well-being of the whole person.

When healthy, impulses travel over this system at up to 325 miles per hour. Research shows, however, that when the spine is injured from the birth process, or any other mental, chemical or physical stress, “neurons die in a domino effect.” This causes interference that affects every aspect of your well-being, lessening the expression of your innate potential.

What do you think would be the effect on a child if the link going to their ears was damaged? What if your stomach, kidneys or heart were compromised? How do you think interference in the link would affect your energy? If you wait until you “feel it,” the damage may already be occurring.

By removing interference to this critical link, chiropractors ensure the integrity of the mind-body connection. Babies should be examined immediately after being born. Children at every stage of growth and development should be checked.

Adults, with the stress of life and daily activities causing pressure on their spines, must keep their nerve systems functioning without interference, at all times, to have any chance of approaching the human potential.

When you consider the wonders of the mind and the capacity of the body, along with the power of the intelligence within, it’s no wonder the mind-body connection has become the most important health issue of our time. You must take care of your spine and nerve system, your connection, for you to stay healthy and reach your full potential.

Doctor in health & physical education

Personal trainer/owner

Many people are unrolling their yoga mats and polishing their poses to find flexibility and sanity amid the financial chaos. Last month I read an article from  New York news that said fitness experts say gym memberships are holding steady or rising and yoga classes are thriving.  What I really think is that a yoga practice becomes a refuge from the negativity of an economic recession, and the studio kind of becomes the sanctuary.

Yoga uses movement and postures to strengthen the body and breathing techniques and meditation to quiet the mind.

People who take yoga class, “take a break” from whatever else may be going on in their lives. And at the very most, a practice can become a transformational experience that reenergizes and rejuvenates you. These days, especially when faced with any crisis, devotees are eager to cite the tranquility they have found by regularly participating in yoga.
Often, people get hurt because they assume that yoga is simple and that anybody can pretzel himself or herself on demand. At the same time, others see yoga as a practice originally conceived to help people achieve inner peace and tranquility, as a way to get a vigorous workout. More than five times as many people take yoga classes at health clubs today as did a decade ago, and enthusiasts have devised all kinds of variations found appalling to purists: hip-hop yoga, disco yoga, power yoga, not to mention other different controversial yoga branches.

When some people think of yoga, they imagine having to stretch like a gymnast. That makes them worry that they’re too old, unfit, or “tight” to do yoga. The truth is it’s never too late to improve flexibility.

The series of yoga poses called asanas work by safely stretching your muscles. Yoga increases the range of motion in joints. It may also increase lubrication in the joints. The outcome is a sense of ease and fluidity throughout your body.

Yoga stretches not only your muscles but all of the soft tissues of your body. That includes ligaments, tendons, and the fascia sheath that surrounds your muscles. And no matter your level of yoga, you most likely will see benefits in a very short period of time.

Some styles of yoga are more vigorous than others. Practicing one of these styles will help you improve muscle tone. But even less vigorous styles of yoga, which focus on less movement and a more precise alignment in poses, can provide strength and endurance benefits. Many of the poses build upper-body strength. This becomes crucial as people age. The standing poses build strength in your hamstrings, quadriceps, and abdominal muscles. There are also poses that strengthen the lower back. When practiced correctly, nearly all poses build core strength in the deep abdominal muscles.

With increased flexibility and strength comes better posture. Most standing and sitting poses develop core strength. That’s because you’re counting on your deep abdominals to support and maintain each pose. With a stronger core, you’re more likely to sit and stand “tall.” Another benefit of yoga is the increased body awareness. This heightened awareness tells you more quickly when you’re slouching or slumping so you can adjust your posture.

In essence, the bottom line is that the human energy system is a profoundly subtle and nuance system. When we experience anxiety or intense stress, our system is signaling to us that it is time to review and adjust the way we are managing our energy. The yoga system is comprised of poses well-known for their ability to restore, replenish and strengthen the nervous and digestive systems, leaving you feeling more focused, a greater sense of calm, and an evenness of the mind and emotions. As yoga combines several techniques used for stress reduction, it can be said to provide the combined benefits of breathing exercises, flexibility, meditation practice and guided imagery in one technique. However, for those with great physical limitations, simple breathing exercises, meditation or guided imagery might be a preferable option and provide similar benefits. Yoga also requires more effort and commitment than taking herbs for stress reduction.