Category: MELT

June 12, 2024 MELT

Keep up with your routine this Summer!

Routine this Summer, MELT roller on holiday

Finally, Summer has arrived and with it the anticipation of holidays, longer evenings and for some people a break from routine, especially when the school holidays begin. In this blog I’m encouraging everyone to keep on keeping on, and continue with your routine this Summer.

Summer can be the time when we take up something new or return to old hobbies.  Many people get inspired to try tennis again after Wimbledon, or rowing following the regattas.  Or some people return to old hobbies such as gardening or walking with the (hopefully!) improving weather. All these extra activities are fabulous but can take a toll on our bodies, so it is more important than ever to continue with MELT throughout the Summer months.  I have been teaching fitness for over 23 years and there is always a lull in the Summer months, which means it is often more difficult to get back into a routine when September arrives. As we enter my favourite months of the year, I can’t encourage you enough to continue with your routine this Summer.

I have just returned from a much needed holiday in Ibiza.  It was a glorious week away, but I’ll let you into a secret; sitting on a sun lounger and sleeping in a different bed, did mean I felt more stiff than usual. So it was more important than ever to continue with my routine, even whilst I was away. Every morning, whilst my husband swam, I did a MELT session and I felt so much better for it.  We also both did our hand and foot MELT treatments every day as we were doing lots of walking and when these treatments take less than 10 minutes to complete, there is really no excuse.

One really exciting change for me this year, is that now Jo, is working with me, we can continue to run all our classes over the Summer months.  This is a first for me, and it means that when I’m off in the Summer, the classes can continue, so again, no excuses to lose your routine.

The benefits of keeping up your regular MELT sessions speak for themselves and with my flexible booking and payment system, remember you don’t pay for the classes you can’t attend and you can mix and match your classes.  If coming to a face to face class is a challenge, especially in the school holidays, you can swap to one of my online classes. Remember that if you are here over the Summer, please take advantage of the 7 for 6 credits.  This will not only mean you get a class free, but you will have consistency as your classes will be booked in advance. A win-win! Maybe it is an opportunity to try perhaps the Advanced MELT class or my Cardio, Strength and Conditioning class on Saturday mornings. The other class we have added to the timetable is a Men’s Only class every Tuesday evening. You can view my latest timetable of classes here.

I love how MELT lets me do all the activities I love to do and I know a lot of you feel the same, so let’s keep your routine going. Experience has shown me that sometimes a break in routine, means you fall out of a routine, which then makes it harder to get back into a routine come September.

Let’s make MELT part of your summer regime and allow you to continue to all those activities that help to make summer so special. Let’s all keep on keeping on and I look forward to welcoming you to my classes so that we can all continue with our routine this Summer!

April 22, 2024 MELT

MELT and how far I’ve come

MELT, Lisa Hill Balanced Fitness Sign

Over the last 2 years, I have been loving teaching MELT and I am now a Level 5 instructor and I am so pleased with how adding MELT to my repertoire has really helped me grow my business and reach more people.  This blog shares more about MELT and the way I’m now working.

When I first started teaching MELT, no-one really knew what it was and my clients were intrigued by what I was teaching and how I was using soft balls and rollers in their sessions.  Some of my clients were hooked immediately, but for others it took a little longer for them to feel the true benefits of MELT.

One of the things I love about teaching MELT is helping my clients feel so much better when they leave a class and in fact my favourite part of the class is the Rest Reassess at the end of the session as everyone relaxes into the mat.  Clients cannot believe how they feel from when they start a session and finish a session.  “How can I feel so different?”,  “What is this magic you’ve just performed?”, “Wow, my neck no longer hurts”,  “My back is now less arched on the mat”,  “I can get my legs straight on the mat, that has never happened before.” These are statements I hear every week and it’s addictive.

I now teach on average 130 clients a week and the word is spreading! Clients are telling their friends and family and in the first 2 months of the year, I have seen 39 new clients, with most of them either starting in my Beginners classes or having 1-2-1’s with me.

So in answer to these questions, what does exactly happen during a MELT class?  Well, if you are suffering with chronic pain, MELT can help you restore the stability systems of your body and get your natural healing mechanisms back on track.  If you’re not suffering with chronic pain, you learn how to avoid chronic pain by addressing the missing link to pain-free living using small balls and a soft roller.  You also learn how to improve performance by restoring sensorimotor control and learn what inhibits proper stability pathways from functioning properly.  In fact, I have recently had two elite athletes come to see me as they have heard about MELT and they are already seeing the benefits.  The word is definitely spreading.

Every week, I teach a class, my clients see and feel more changes in their bodies.  As it is a self-care technique, most of my clients then continue to do the moves at home and then make even more changes to their bodies.  Some of my clients are now doing activities, that weren’t possible before they joined my classes as they were either in pain or felt stiff.

As the MELT gains more momentum, I am now running monthly taster sessions one Saturday per month.  This is a great way for people to come and find out what MELT is all about.  I also offer 1-2-1’s and I’m so pleased to now be working with Jo Borgia, who has recently qualified as a Level 1 instructor and is now teaching my Monday evening and Friday morning Beginners classes.  I also teach one Beginners class a week on Fridays at 11am. All the Beginners classes are in my studio with a maximum of 6 people, so Jo and I can really get to know our clients and help them with the MELT moves.

We are lucky to have three MELT instructors in the area and as well as myself and Jo, Barbara Gornall, a craniosacral therapist, is also a Level 1 MELT Instructor and we work well together, as Barbara teaches her patients the basics and then hopefully, they will then come and join my classes.  It’s a win-win for everyone.

I am so excited as to how far I have come in 2 and a half years and I can’t wait to see how this year goes as it definitely feels as though MELT is only going to get more bigger and bigger.

If you would like to find out more about MELT, you can either call me on 07760 176348 to book a 1-2-1 or visit GymCatch to book onto a MELT Taster session. I’d love for you to join a class to discover how you can benefit from MELT.

Here’s just some of the feedback I’ve received from my clients:

“At 52 I have never been so fit, strong and in shape. That includes my core. The introduction of MELT has been a game changer and I now do some form of MELT every day for general physical maintenance and relaxation. MELT also enables preparation and recovery for pre and post workout which is spectacular.”

“After going to Lisa’s MELT classes I am amazed at the improvement in my performance on the golf course! I make sure to warm up with a half-hour home MELT session before I play, and the difference it makes is remarkable. I’m playing the best golf ever, and my handicap is falling.”

As someone who lifts weights, swims, walks and does yoga, I was often feeling like something was missing as my body often felt stiff and in pain and no exercise relieved this until I found MELT! I have suffered for nearly 20 years with physical pain in my hip from a labral tear and recurring plantar fasciitis and physiotherapy and massage therapy haven’t helped with pain management. But I am pleased to say that after a few weekly sessions with Lisa, MELT has provided me with pain relief I haven’t felt in years.”

“Late summer last year I fractured a shoulder and ripped tendons in both upper arms, which rendered me practically useless. Four months later, although I had made good progress, I was still stiff, uncomfortable and restricted in my movements. One full-on MELT session with Lisa loosened everything up and enabled me to continue with MELT and I am now moving much more freely and feel Lisa and MELT have given me back my active life.”

“MELT has been a revelation for me. I’m so grateful for Lisa’s expertise in teaching MELT.  I have a connective tissue disorder which means chronic pain in all my joints. The pain can be alleviated with a few MELT moves, I sleep better at night, my mobility has improved, I feel like I’m walking properly, my joints are more stable and I feel stronger!”

“MELT has also helped to alleviate pain in my ankles and neck. I feel great after every MELT session.”

“I have never slept so well! I’ve definitely noticed increased fitness, stability and flexibility over the years.”

“I have had no knee pain for a couple of weeks now. Squats are easier and I am walking further and faster than I have done for months.”

“The power of MELT! I walked up a really steep hill this morning and my core kicked in straight away whilst my glutes and knees hardly felt it.”

 

Want to join us? Then please do get in touch.

 

 

 

September 12, 2023 MELT

Making the most of Strength Training

Strength Training and MELT
As a Personal Trainer, I have always known the importance of strength training for both men and women. Many of my clients are women over 40 and they are often told about the benefits of strength training as they head into the peri/post menopausal stage of life. However, a lot of people aren’t aware that going head first into a strength training plan can create some issues for our bodies, as this is a time of change for us. It is not unusual for injuries to occur, which means that we get despondent and stop exercising. This blog looks at how we can make the most of strength training.
Step 1
I believe the best way to make the most of strength training is by combining MELT and strength training and is in fact one of the reasons why I became a MELT Instructor. By performing MELT exercises before we begin the strength training section of the class, it prepares the body which ensures that we are using the correct muscles when performing any strength moves / lifting weights. Through MELT compression, lengthening techniques as well as neurostrength moves (all MELT terms) we can prepare our bodies and get ready to perform the moves correctly, allowing improved results. In addition it means that we are not trying to exercise with stiff, immobile bodies which creates compensation in our bodies which could lead to injury.
Step 2
The middle section of the class concentrates on the strength moves, once are bodies are properly warmed up and fully prepared for strength training / lifting weights.
Step 3
We then finish the class with more MELT moves, because quite often, my clients are surprised how they have more tension in their backs and necks, once they have lifted weights. By adding in some MELT moves at the end of the class, it means my clients leave the class feeling stable and strong.  My clients are always telling me that the MELT/Strength classes are a game changer for them, which makes me very happy indeed!
 
One of my clients recently told me that her preferred exercise is aerobic/high intensity classes which also means high impact, “So joining Lisa’s MELT/Strength classes didn’t seem like my cup of tea. However I am pleased to confess that the MELT and Strength class is perfect for rehydrating tissue whilst preparing me for the weights/strength work as well as ensuring that my body positioning is correct.  Love it!”
My Strength and MELT classes run every Friday morning at 9.30 at The Pavilion, at Crowthorne Tennis Club on Nine Mile Ride. After each class, you receive a recording so you can repeat the class in your own time. If you’d like to find out more, or have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch via admin@balancedfitness.uk. You can find out more about MELT here. You can find details of all of my classes here.
Strength Training and MELT Class
March 6, 2023 MELT

Balanced Wellbeing and working with other Therapists

Balanced Wellbeing, joining of hands
I feel very lucky to be able to say, that I really do love my job. However, as the famous quote from English poet Jon Donne says “No man is an island.” I believe that is true of the work I do. I’d like to share the way I work with some other local therapists for overall balanced wellbeing.


As a MELT Instructor, I am able to help clients lead a more active and pain free life. I love seeing the changes that can be made to both my client’s bodies and their wellbeing.  However as we always say, MELT is not a cure and sometimes my clients will need to see other healthcare professionals to achieve the best outcome for their bodies and I am very privileged to work with many talented and experienced healthcare professionals.


When I first see a new client for their introductory 1-2-1, we will go through their medical and health history and this gives me the opportunity to talk to them about how MELT works, but sometimes, it can become apparent that the client may need help from another healthcare professional. This is the time that I can then recommend the most suitable person for them.


It is also very rewarding to know that a number of my clients are also healthcare professionals who come to my classes and will also refer their clients to me  for balanced wellbeing. By having clients who understand the science behind MELT, it does mean that once again clients really do get the best out of all of their treatments.


One of my clients, Barbara Gornall is a Cranial Sacral Therapist and I asked her how she feels MELT fits with her work. She told me “I absolutely love MELT! It has been life changing from being stiff achey and compensating for dysfunction in my body to being able to move better. I also feel it is the missing piece of the jigsaw when it comes to my clients. As a Craniosacral Therapist, I see lots of clients with tension and dysfunction in their body. I release that tension and improve function during a treatment, but it is important for clients to be able to help themselves between their treatments and I often recommend MELT. In fact, I am so passionate about how MELT links so well with Craniosacral Therapy, I am taking the MELT training, so I can teach these techniques to my clients.”


As well as Barbara, I also work with Sharon Cole, a massage therapist and EMMETT practitioner. Sharon is a great advocate of MELT and has referred some of her clients to me. She told me “combining MELT and Emmett, is the best of both solutions. By releasing the tightness and re-tensioning the whole body, it helps to alleviate pain and mobility issues.”


It’s great to have a directory of professionals who care as much as I do about the health of the people they treat.  Other therapists I work closely with include Sue Harrod, a scar tissue therapist.  Some of my clients who I have referred to Sue have seen greater results from their MELT practice as a result of Sue’s amazing work.  Sometimes, a client will require a hands on treatment and Amanda Waters of Back to Motion and the Wokingham Chiropractic Centre are always my first place to refer clients to.


I love the fact that I have a network of great people at my finger tips and it’s great to know that if I can’t help someone, I know someone who can. If you are wondering who I work most closely with, here are their details:-


Barbara Gornall – Cranial Sacral Therapist https://www.craniosacraluk.com/
Sharon Cole – Massage therapist and Emmett Practitioner – https://thelodgesmassagetherapy.co.uk/
Amanda Waters – Chiropractor – https://www.backtomotion.co.uk/
Wokingham Chiropractic Centre – https://www.wokinghamchiropractic.com/
Sue Harrod – Scar Tissue Therapist – https://www.sueharrodtherapies.co.uk/
Amanda Morris – Massage Therapist and Reflexologisthttps://amandamorrisholistics.co.uk/
Camilla Chawner-Davis – Holistic Therapist – http://www.barefoottherapies.co.uk/


How great to be able to offer clients a balanced approach to their wellbeing. If you have any questions or would like to find our more, then please get in touch.