YiJinJing is a set of ?hard? qigong exercises which strengthen the muscles and tendons, nourish the internal organs, as well as unblock qi stagnation/blockages and improve its intensity and flow.

WITH the coming of the new Year of the Dragon, it is perhaps appropriate for me to reveal to you the fascinating account of my initiation into the Shaolin YiJinJing Qigong clan. I had hesitated to relate this story earlier because the details may offend some people.

Firstly, this style originated from the Buddhist temples, and my late grandmaster was a Buddhist monk. After the Islamic religious authorities here declared yoga as haram for Muslims, they might be suspicious of qigong too, since it is practised by many Shaolin Buddhist monks, although nowadays most exponents are lay people.

I am a devout Muslim, and I avoid any elements forbidden by Islam in my practice of the various qigong styles that I have learnt.

Secondly, part of the preparations for my initiation required me to be stark naked in front of my sifu (master) and his assistants (all male) for my qi to be charged and balanced.

Being a medical doctor (also a gynaecologist) for over 30 years, I am very familiar with the need to examine naked patients. However, this time, I was the ?patient?. The necessity for this will be explained below. Please note that today?s article is rated ?R?.

YiJinJing is a set of ?hard? qigong exercises which strengthen the muscles and tendons, nourish the internal organs, as well as unblock qi stagnation/blockages and improve its intensity and flow. These exercises also improve the body?s flexibility, balance and strength.

While most other qigong exercises I practise and teach are gentle, smooth and performed while smiling, the YiJinJing exercises require intense concentration, and much effort.

The history of Yijinjing is vague. There is the popular version that it was devised by the sage Bodhidhamma, who was from India and taught at the Shaolin Temple.

Then there are other versions that attribute its origins to others. What is certain is that it became popular and was widely practised, especially by the Shaolin monks, to keep themselves healthy, fit, and also for self-defence. It also gave rise to other simpler versions like Baduanjin.

Over the years, many different sets of exercises have evolved from the original set that was taught by the originator. It is not my intention to describe the exercises here. What I would like to share is my introduction to the style, and what it can do.

Grandmaster Xuan Kong

Grandmaster Xuan Kong died recently at age 93. He combined qigong with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to diagnose and treat patients, and was particularly good at bone-setting and healing neuro-muscular problems. Because of his remarkable achievements in healing, he was called a ?miracle doctor?.

He lived in Anhui Province, China. People came from all over the world to learn from him, and also to get treatment for their health problems. The last time I was in Anhui was to learn the teachings of Confucius (Di Zi Gui) in the small town of Lujiang (see thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2008/11/2/health/2429651sec=health).

Master Jiang Feng

My sifu is Master Jiang Feng, the 97th generation in our lineage. He is only 47 years old, but was chosen many years ago to be the Grandmaster?s successor. Among the disciples, he was not the most senior, but he had the most potential and the best aptitude.

So for many years, Grandmaster groomed him to take over the lineage. From what I know about his power, he is indeed worthy of that task.

Master Jiang Feng can easily burn paper using the qi from his fingers. He can send qi into a bottle of water to make it instantly sweet. He can even send the qi to a group of people and make their saliva taste sweet within a few minutes.

I have experienced drinking the sweetened qi-energised water and have had my saliva sweetened by his qi several times. But these are just ?showtime? demos to show that qi is real, and that the physical effects of qi can be observed, experienced and scientifically recorded and tested.

Many years ago, a top martial arts exponent challenged him to a duel. He refused, saying that his powers are only to be used for the good. The man insulted him in the hope of making him angry enough to agree to fight.

Finally, Sifu relented, but suggested that the man fight one of his disciples first, and if he won, only then would Sifu accept his challenge. The man agreed.

During the fight, Sifu?s disciple jammed the opponent?s energy system and then sent a massive bolt of qi that paralysed him. He collapsed, and upon recovering, paid homage to Sifu. That man never fully recovered from his injuries till today.

Qigong masters can not only manipulate their own qi, but they can also manipulate other people?s energy system. You cannot fight the YiJinJing masters because they can jam your energy system from a distance; they can shoot you with qi-laser that burns; and when there is contact, they can zap you with intense qi that can kill.

The top masters can jam the energy systems of animals (even a big cow), and Grandmaster Xuan Kong could transfer qi from one animal to another, and from an animal to a human (to boost the qi in an emergency)!

However, they only use this immense power for self-defence and useful purposes. What is most important is that this powerful art can be used for healing.

Sifu is a qualified TCM physician and combines qigong healing with herbs and cupping. Over the years, he has helped and healed thousands of people from across the globe.

Master Jiang Feng has visited Malaysia several times and many locals have had the opportunity to witness or ?taste? his qi-transfer. He has also helped heal many people who sought his help.

Becoming a disciple

Let me describe what I went through before I was accepted to become his disciple. Sifu does not accept just anyone to become his disciple. You must have the sincere desire to learn, and have the required aptitude, the discipline, and the commitment to practise as well as the humility to honour the rules of discipleship.

First, Sifu diagnosed my health and qi level/balance by checking my pulse (at the wrist) and inspecting my tongue. Then he gave me an experience of his qi. He held my hand and then brought out his qi from the lower dantien (main energy centre below the umbilicus), up to his middle dantien (solar plexus area), and then out in a burst to my hand.

I felt a surge of electric current over the entire arm. Wherever the other hand touched me, there was also an electric buzz. The sensation was similar to what I had described when I went through electric therapy in Beijing several years ago (see Buzzing in Beijing, www.superqigong.com/articlesmore.asp?id=79), except that this time it was electric-qi, and not a current coming out of an electrical device.

Then Sifu asked one of his disciples to do the same exercise on me, to test his ability.

Sifu and his assistants used their qi to direct the toxins in my body to the back of my knees (popliteal fossa). Then Sifu stabbed the area with a sharp sterile instrument. Blackish blood with gritty contents dribbled out. Fortunately, being a doctor, I was not scared, and it was only slightly painful.

For those who have health problems, the detox process would continue with the toxins being gathered over the back. The cupping method will be used to extract the large amount of toxins.

While pins or scalpels are used in conventional cupping to break the skin and initiate bleeding, in the qigong method, qi is used to break the skin and start the bleeding.

Qi-balancing

I was required to lie naked, face up, while Sifu and three assistants analysed the state of my qi. They transferred their qi to me while manipulating and balancing its distribution and flow. Since qi is also sexual energy, they evaluated the adequacy of my qi by checking the strength of my erection!

In fact, prior to the session, I had to ask my wife to be ready at home because after being charged with qi to the brim, it must be discharged. And the best way to do so is by having sex.

Indeed, after the charging/balancing session was over, I had to rush home to my wife who was dutifully waiting in bed. I had to drive while having a Grade 4 erection throughout the journey. Fortunately, it was only a 30-minute drive.

I have written many times that if your qi level and flow are good, you will have good erections. Qigong masters are famous for having hard-rock erections that enable their penises to lift weights and even pull trucks. Qigong masters can have multiple orgasms without having any refractory period in between.

Some doctors out there may not believe what I am saying, but you can always ask our partners for confirmation!

The mark of YiJinJing

The last thing Sifu did to me, which he did not do to any other disciple, was to directly shoot his qi into my middle dantien (just below the xiphisternum). The qi came out like a laser beam from his middle finger, while he was sitting about five feet away from me.

It burnt my skin and I felt like screaming. For one week there was a blister. When it dried and healed, a scar with a beautiful pattern emerged. The scar is only about 1cm in diameter, with centrally radiating marks as if it was made by a laser beamed from a computerised laser machine.

The scar is still there, although the pattern has gradually faded. I often proudly show this scar to people to tell them that I really know qi exists ? I got burnt by it!

The initiation

After Sifu was satisfied with my preparation, a formal initiation ceremony was held. The traditional paraphenalia were placed on a small table, and a small banner proclaimed the official arrival of this lineage of YiJinJing to Malaysia.

I was proclaimed the ZiXiong (Big Brother) of the 98th generation here in Malaysia. My two Malaysian XiTi (Younger Brothers) were initiated before me in Anhui.

A third XiTi is an Arab who came to me from the Middle East to look for the most powerful qigong, so I brought him to Sifu instead.

Because it is intense, YiJinJing is not for everyone. If you are dedicated and want robust health, strength, power, endurance, flexibility and martial arts versatility, then you can try this art. You need not worry about having to be naked or have your leg stabbed, because ordinary students need not go through what I did. But if you aspire to be a sifu, that?s a different story.

#9632; Dr Amir Farid Isahak is a medical specialist who practises holistic, aesthetic and anti-ageing medicine. He is a qigong master and founder of SuperQigong. For further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

Perhaps you have seen them in the neighborhood–a group of fit, suprstar moms pushing baby strollers at a brisk pace only to stop for a quick set of push-ups or for a post workout stretch on a grassy field while baby lies on a blanket right next to mom. These ladies, determined to make fitness a part of their daily routine, may be members of Stroller Strides, a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies.

#13;

Founded in 2001, Stroller Strides has over 1,200 locations and more than 150,000 participants nationwide. Taught by certified and specially trained fitness instructors, Stroller Strides is a great workout for any level of exerciser. Workouts include power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment.

#13;

Meanwhile songs and activities are mixed into the routine and are designed to entertain and engage baby, while moms are led through a series of exercises specific to her role as mom.

#13;

Shelly Hernandez, a local Stroller Strides instructor, made the decision to become involved with Stroller Strides out of a need to be a healthy mom.

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“The decision was almost completely based on a desire to be an active mom and model a healthy and fit lifestyle for my new family,” Hernandez said. “I am a very typical mom–I am not a gym junkie in any way, but I value taking the best care of my health that I can, but doing it in a realistic way. I hope that other moms can relate to me in that way.”

#13;

In the Los Gatos and Campbell area, the Stroller Strides groups meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 11 am Rain does not stop these groups of ambitious moms as they simply take their workouts indoors to the local mall.

#13;

“Our classes are a ‘moving class’ and our workout consists of power walking (and optional/occasional running) with strength training exercises at stops along the way,” she says. “Additionally, we interact with our babies/toddlers whenever possible by singing songs and playing with them (tickling, etc.).”

#13;

In neighboring Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, there is yet another program named Baby Boot Camp which resembles Stroller Strides and in Morgan Hill and Gilroy is a similar program, Motherhood Fitness.

#13;

Not only can participants bring their babies–instructors can bring their little ones too! Hernandez has one child, Olivia, who is just over 2 years old.

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“Olivia has been going to Stroller Strides with me since I began teaching classes, so its very much a part of her routine and her life,” she says. “Im also expecting in September, so soon I will have two little ones with me at Stroller Strides.”

#13;

This unique program also provides moms with the opportunity to meet other moms and to form lasting friendships. Stroller Strides is designed to give mothers the strength they need for the tough job of motherhood.

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“The thing that I would want moms to know about Stroller Strides is that in addition to being an exercise program, its also a fantastic group of moms that offer support and encouragement to one another,” Hernandez says. “When women have a baby, it changes their life in ways they could not have imagined and thats why its so good to get out and talk to other moms, which Stroller Strides provides!”

#13;

Workouts may vary in intensity, but she is proud to give women the opportunity each day to get outdoors, get some sunshine and move and stretch their bodies–with their baby.

#13;

“We love for moms to come check us out with no obligation.” Hernandez says.

#13;

If you are interested in Stroller Strides and don’t have one in your immediate area, why not start one yourself? Stroller Strides is proud to be one of the fastest growing franchises in the country. It has created a low-cost, turnkey business that allows you to work from home and yet make contributions to your community and your family. For more information, go to StrollerStrides.com

His daughters treatment for her cystic fibrosis was something David Day used to dread.

Like the 9,000 or so other people with cystic fibrosis in the UK, four-year-old Alicia has to breathe into a tube for up to 10 minutes each day to stop mucus gathering in her lungs and digestive system.

As he saw her undergoing the boring and painful daily exercises, the University of Derby lecturer realised he might be able to harness the expertise of his colleagues to ease her suffering.

Now they have developed a range of computer games to help Alicia endure her treatment, which he hopes could benefit other children with the condition.

The games involve a device which connects breathing tubes to the computer so children can control characters and shapes on screen by exhaling at a certain pressure.

Cry and scream

Dr Day said, despite the importance of the treatment, sitting his daughter down for it had been getting increasingly difficult.

There were a lot of tantrums. Every evening she would cry and scream and run off and it was getting progressively worse the older she got.

By MIKEL TOOMBS

Singer Adele canceled her June concert in Seattle, complaining of laryngitis. Now we have a good idea why.

Friday night (Aug. 12) in a sold-out show at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre, the British neo-soulstress, who doubles (triples?) as a gay icon and plus-size role model, did more than exercise her powerful voice. The North Londoner also chatted incessantly, often cattily, between songs, accenting her rapid-fire, often-impenetrable commentary with one of the most wicked laughs imaginable.

Adele’s delightful personality (“I’m trying to be a lady,” she said at one point, “but I’m not really enjoying it”) helps explain the phenomenal global success of her second album, “21? (“19? was her first; she’s 23 now). Its Wikipedia entry lists 17 countries where she charted at No. 1, including Brazil and Croatia, as well as offering an analysis of its “song structure and lyrical themes.”

And, yes, her lyrical themes (well, theme) seem yet more instrumental to her triumph. Her intensely personal lyrics struck a resounding chord Friday with a singalong version of the piano ballad “Someone Like You,” even if the otherwise deeply affecting song suffers from a remarkably clunky chorus.

South Burlington, Vermont – August 16, 2011

You can expect to hear a lot of noise in the skies over the Burlington area next week.

The Vermont Air National Guard is conducting a special training operation, which will mean more planes and helicopters in the area.

The operations will begin Tuesday, Aug. 23 and will run through Thurs., Sept. 1.

All flying will occur between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm

Similar exercises will also be conducted in New York and New Hampshire.

WCAX News

CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwire – Aug. 16, 2011) – Challenger Deep Resources Corp. (TSX VENTURE:CDE) (Challenger or the Company) announces that, through its wholly owned subsidiary, PT Bestindo Energy, (Bestindo) it has exercised its previously announced option to purchase an additional coal project in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. In exercising this option, Bestindo has entered into a Conditional Sales and Purchase Agreement (the CSPA) with the shareholders of PT Pelangi Kertanegara (PT Pelangi) for the purchase of 100% of the issued and outstanding securities of PT Pelangi.

PT Pelangi is a privately-held Indonesian company that holds the coal exploration rights to the property which is located in the Mahakam river basin in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, known as the Pelangi Project. PT Pelangi has no other assets and has conducted no business other than holding their interest in the Pelangi Project.

Challengers decision to exercise the option to purchase follows a successful program of initial due diligence conducted on the property. The due diligence program involved field mapping, surveying and limited sampling. The results of this preliminary program have encouraged Challenger to move to the CSPA stage for the property.

The acquisition of the Pelangi Project is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Pelangi Project

The Pelangi Project is an IUP application stage property with an area of approximately 4,000 hectares located approximately 10km south of Challengers Tabang Coal Project. The Pelangi Project covers the Balikpapan formation which is prospective for coal in this area. The Balikpapan formation is known to host large resources of coal in the general Tabang area.

A program of advanced due diligence is still continuing and includes reconnaissance mapping, further sampling and analysis.

The property lies on the Balikpapan Formation, which typically has coal in the CV 4,000 6,000 Kcal/Kg Adb range.

To date exploration covering 20% of the area has discoverd 26 coal outcrops indicating multiple seams with thicknesses varying from 0.25 to 2.6 meters. These are minimum thicknesses in most cases as the full exposures of the outcrops have not been established. The coal quality can be seen in the following table and indicates coal quality charcateristic of upper to middle Balikpapan Formation.

The Pelangi Project is immediately adjacent to and abutting the Pt Bumi Alam Raya property where exploration has reportedly delineated commercial quantities of coal. The limited exploration to date on the Pelangi Project appears to confirm that similar coal geology extends to the east and into the Pelangi Project area. Challenger has not independently verified coal quantity or coal quality on the adjoining property.

Pelangi Project Coal Samples

PYONGYANG, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) — State media of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday issued commentaries to condemn the joint military exercises held by the United States and South Korea.

The official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in a bylined commentary on Tuesday that the Ulji Freedom Guardian exercises were little short of openly declaring that they would escalate military confrontation on the Korean Peninsula.

The exercises starting Tuesday were proved to be a drill for an all-out war against the DPRK and largest-ever nuclear test war in terms of means and scale, the commentary said.

State-run newspaper Minju Joson said in its commentary Tuesday that South Korea made no scruple of plunging all the Koreans into a war disaster to realize their ambitions for invading the DPRK in collusion with foreign forces.

The exercises clearly proved that the dialogue touted by the South Korean authorities was nothing but a cynical ploy to mislead the public opinion, the commentary added.

The DPRK was ready for both dialogue and war, the commentary said, stressing that South Korea and the United States should immediately stop the joint military exercises.

The Panmunjom Mission of the Korean Peoples Army demanded last week the cancellation of the 11-day exercises.

Related:

S Korea, US launch annual military exercise

SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) — South Korea and the United States launched Tuesday an annual joint military exercise aimed at enhancing their interoperability in defense.

The 10-day computer-assisted command post exercise, dubbed Ulchi Freedom Guardian, will be joined by 530,000 troops from South Korea, the US and seven United Nations Command sending nations. The drill is to take place on the Korean peninsula and at US military headquarters in the Pacific and the US, according to the Combined Forces Command (CFC) here.

Full Story

Overnight military exercises conducted at McEntire Joint National Guard Base August 14-17 might arouse the concerns of surrounding communities. The Eastover base has issued advance notice to its neighbors and areas as far away as Camden that increased air traffic and noise are likely to accompany the special training.

The South Carolina Air National Guard base is hosting soldiers from Fort Benning’s 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, as well as Army and Air Force special operations units from Florida and Kentucky. To make the exercise as realistic as possible, participants will use training ammunition and a number of low-flying rotary and fixed-wing aircraft during late-night and pre-dawn combat scenarios.

This is a routine exercise, conducted periodically to maintain high levels of readiness for the military personnel involved. Thorough safety surveys and risk assessments are conducted before and during exercises of this nature.

Brigadier General Scott Williams, commander for McEntire’s 169th Fighter Wing, said, “We are proud to be one of the few military installations with the ability to host such important training for our Army and active-duty Air Force colleagues. We also are extremely sensitive to the concerns of our neighbors and have taken every measure to reduce the amount of noise generated overnight. We appreciate the understanding and support of the surrounding community during the exercise.”

The 75th Ranger Regiment is a lethal, agile and versatile special operations force that conducts forcible entry operations and special operations raids across the entire spectrum of combat. Tough, realistic military exercises help provide a decisive edge during real-world missions.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Rangers manager Ron Washington was relieved that Nelson Cruz didnt have any tightness in his left quad when he arrived at Angel Stadium on Tuesday. And the skipper was glad that Cruz spoke up late in Mondays game when he thought he might have some tightness.

It was just a false alarm, Washington said. He tested it and its strong and hes good to go. Im happy that he said he felt something instead of trying to play through something.

Washington preaches to his players to speak up and not let what they think might be an injury linger and get worse. Hed much rather a player pull himself out as a precaution than play through it and cause more damage.

You dont want to put the team in jeopardy and certainly not put yourself in jeopardy, Washington said. He said he felt something. He said something and we got him out.

Washington said despite Cruzs history of hamstring and quad issues, he doesnt get nervous when he comes to him wanting out of the game like that.

I hope they know they can be honest with us and tell us when something is not feeling right and not take chances, Washington said. Hes showing that hes growing up by doing what he did last night. I hope thats a message that can be sent to every one of those guys when something isnt feeling right.

Washington put it another way: You cant help the club if youre sitting in the tub.

And youre more likely to be in that tub if you dont speak up as soon as you think you feel something.

Other notes:

* Adrian Beltre was doing some light jogging Tuesday. He said hes jogging at about 40 to 50 percent and doing some exercises with Rangers strength and conditioning coach Jose Vazquez, including getting on the treadmill.

It felt OK, Beltre said. Im going to go day by day and see how it feels and do what I need to.

* Washington had Neftali Feliz warming and ready Monday but didnt have to use him as Mark Lowe finished the game. He said that wont keep him from using Feliz tonight if needed.

Theres a difference between warming up and throwing in a game, Washington said. He can go if we need him.

* Yorvit Torrealba is slated to catch the final two games of this series with the Angels.

In reality, a lack of activity usually creates more problems, said Morrow, an American Council on Exercise-certified personal trainer for six years who specializes in helping older adults get back into shape, even if they are dealing with issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease or are simply trying to prevent these often age-related chronic diseases.

They know major changes are starting to take place, he said of boomers. They want their energy level back because they want to be able to chase the grandkids or be able to play ball with them. They want to travel and be able to walk around and see the sights. There are a variety of reasons, but basically they want to feel better and live longer and enjoy that time better.

Morrow, an independent contractor based at The Forum fitness center in Lexington, said about half of his clients now are 50 years old and over. A 63-year-old baby boomer himself, Morrow said hes just part of a larger demographic trend that is changing the face of personal training.

When I started in this six years ago, there wasnt much of a market here for personal trainers, he noted. People had heard about Hollywood stars and football players having personal trainers but not people like them. They assumed it was something they couldnt afford.

But Morrow, who became a certified personal trainer in 2005, now has a steady client list and has added additional certifications from ACE in areas such as posture analysis specialist to address the needs of older adults.

Cited by ACE with a Passion to Profession award for his new career, Morrow recently became a national spokesman, one of about a dozen, for the nonprofit educational organization that offers a variety of certifications in personal training and group fitness. He was featured in the AARP magazines May issue in an article titled Older Personal Trainers in Demand. He was quoted on fitness in general in the July edition of Southern Living and on the Womens Day website. He was just interviewed for an article on Exercises After 40 for Females for an upcoming issue of the in-house magazine for Massage Envy, a massage therapy franchise chain.

Morrow also holds certifications from the IDEA Health and Fitness Association, National Exercise Sports Trainers Association and International Fitness Association, and takes continuing education courses with these groups as well as ACE. He is also a member of Exercise is Medicine, a relatively new organization aimed at linking health care providers with fitness experts to encourage exercise as preventive medicine. Endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association, Morrow said the idea is to encourage physicians and other health care providers to prescribe appropriate exercise for their patients.

With health care costs and health insurance premiums spiraling, Morrow said emphasis on disease prevention and wellness is the future of fitness. He noted obesity is related to many preventable chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

Morrow, a Lexington native, said his career change to becoming a personal trainer in his 50s evolved over a period of time. A West Davidson High School graduate and Marine Corps veteran, Morrow worked as a Davidson County Sheriffs Office deputy and Emergency Medical Technician before moving to Nevada to work as a blackjack dealer and then casino surveillance agent. But he returned home when his mother fell and broke her hip and needed some assistance. He joined Golds Gym, now The Forum, and worked out a few times a week. He said had worked out regularly most of his life except when he was out west and essentially had a desk job monitoring casino activity on computer screens.

When he rejoined the gym, Morrow also helped a friend who was struggling to get into shape on his doctors advice. He then helped the friends wife, and it just kind of snowballed from there. As his friends improved with his expertise, he started considering becoming a personal trainer.

To be credible, Morrow put himself on a fitness plan and lost 40 pounds in four and a half months.

I felt like if I was going to talk the talk I was going to have to walk the walk, he said, noting he began taking online courses and preparing for certifications, the first of which he received in 2005.

Morrow said he views his role as an educator, not a drill sergeant.

I enjoy the process of educating people, so they can make their own self-sustaining progress, he said. Its not my goal to work with the same person three times a week for three years.

I want to launch them in the right direction, get them started out on the right foot and not hurt themselves, then teach them the next step and send them out there.

Morrow said he typically gives several free Welcome to Fitness talks to new Forum members that are general in nature, but newcomers to gyms and those whove been out of the loop for a while tend to need some individualized attention.

A lot of people come in and wander around, doing things they dont need to be doing or not doing what they need to, he said. You can work hard and still not see results.

Morrow said he offers an affordable minimum package of personal training that includes an initial fitness assessment of blood pressure rate, heart rate and body-fat ratio as well as whether the client has diabetes, joint and pain issues or heart disease. After discussing the clients specific goals, Morrow then designs an individualized plan that encompasses strength training, cardiovascular training and nutrition counseling. Over four one-hour sessions, Morrow shows clients how to properly begin their fitness regimen in the gym.

We go over form, breathing, tempo, how to set the weights on the equipment, he said. Its important to get it right from the beginning so they dont hurt themselves.

In addition to teaching others what he knows, Morrow said he likes to keep up with new trends such as corrective exercises and posture analysis, which borrow from physical therapy techniques. He noted he was able to teach a 75-year-old who was considering knee replacement some exercises for her flat feet, which had helped put her knee out of alignment, that relieved her joint pain to the point she has been able to avoid surgery so far. He said stretching and strengthening exercises can often release the kinks in the body that can put alignment off and cause a chain reaction of joint pain all the way from the feet to the head.

Morrow said he wishes such success stories were common, but commitment from clients is key to having his work help people reach their goals.

You have to have consistency you cant work hard one week and then slack off the next week, he noted.

But for clients who follow through, Morrow said he feels fulfilled in helping people feel and look better.

Its very rewarding, he said. You look across the gym and see people walking like theyre 6 inches taller and looking 10 years younger.

Vikki Broughton Hodges can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 214, or at vikki.hodges@the-dispatch.com.