GET FIT FOR LIFE PROGRAM & SHIN TORA DO SYSTEM
Get Fit for Life Academies ©
Top Four Fitness Academies ©
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Sports & Fitness, Aqua Yoga Tai Fitness
Get Fit for Life Sports Rehabilitation
Shin Tora Do MMA & Self-defense Classes
Qi Gong Tai Chi Classes & Education, Certifications,
through the WMARA Assoc. USA / EU
Children - Youth - Adults
Individual Treatment
Classes - Seminars - Courses
Research & Programs
by
Sensei
Anthony von Sager
Lic. Sport/rehab fitness trainer, coach DSB, Olympic College GER Licensed Martial Arts instructor for Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Boxing, Fitness training & Licensed Sports Coach, Specific strength training - DAKV, DBO, DSSV, DSB, WKA, Head Instructor & International Examiner for Qi Gong Tai Chi with the World renowed WMARA Assoc. Intern. Motivational Speaker & Author
Get Fit for Life
Looking down the streets of our towns and cities, into super markets, shops, gyms, fitness clubs, schools, universities, offices, theatres, cinemas…you hardly ever see people with handicaps, disabilities, restrictions and limitations. Therefore, you might think, these individuals belong to a quite small minority. But that is not the case! In North America, for example, close to 15 million of the 350-million-population are handicapped meaning, every 5th person is affected! And there are countless men, women - and children - around the world, not just fire-fighters, police officers, members of rescue teams, soldiers and employees of security agencies, who have to cope with the consequences of accidents, catastrophes, wars and violent assaults for the rest of their days, who were ripped out of their normal life heavily marked, adding to the numbers of disabled people may it be from birth or by a disease. It surely is not easy for a ‘normal’ person to imagine just how far reaching these negative impacts really are.
Those fine individuals have the same dreams and wishes, have the same feelings and emotions, the same needs as anybody else: They want to go to school, train for a job, find a partner, get married, have friends and lead a happy fulfilled life just like you and me. So, where are they all? Shouldn’t we come across them everywhere? Shouldn’t we have handicapped neighbours, colleagues, acquaintances, and friends? *
Despite our modern sophisticated technologies providing easy access to plenty information, despite medical achievements, health care systems, despite many organisations, institutions, government rules and regulations for equality, the acceptance and acknowledgement of handicapped and heavily marked people in cultural/social life and in the world of work still is on a comparatively low level. A fact that makes it difficult if not impossible for those people to find their place within our societies. Lack of acceptance and acknowledgement is one aspect.
The other is the fact that a large number of people with limitations are not safely brought or brought back to their full potential. Not surprising. The expenses-factor seems overwhelming: Continuously increasing costs in the health sector with millions of uninsured citizens worldwide seem to make effective long-term treatment with real results for people without sufficient means at their disposal a fairy tale; only too easily and quickly they fall through the net of government health care.
More or less left to fend for themselves, they are not able to reach a higher level of independence and self-reliance through more mobility, flexibility, confidence and self-esteem, and they can’t develop their abilities, can’t find a suitable job, and can’t live a ‘normal’ life. Integration or reintegration in a social environment and the world of work is largely denied and the situation can be seriously worsened by depressions and other health problems.
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Living the life of a 100 % handicapped person (partial paraplegia through cerebral palsy) I have been able to gather plenty of personal experiences on a private as well as professional level; and the feedback of many people (children, youth, adults) with disabilities and handicaps I came across through my of work as therapist, teacher, instructor and trainer in sports and rehabilitation in Europe and the U.S. tells just the same story:
There is a huge demand for efficient long-term rehabilitation programs in the field of physical as well as mental disabilities, limitations and injuries that are NOT just aimed at certain disabled or injured parts of the body or at specified mental or psychical conditions, but address the whole person - even taking into account the aspects of personal history, background, social environment and living conditions.
For rehabilitation programs that trigger the development and/or build-up of physical and psychical/mental abilities and capabilities and lead through to long-lasting results promoting integration or re-integration into social as well as professional life. Moreover, these programs have to be affordable even for people with lower income additionally providing sufficient guidelines and advice for continued training at home or in a suitable place, so that costs can be reduced even more.
Get fit for Life Systems ©
Rehabilitation
There is no such thing as a hopeless case, improvement is always possible - no matter the difficulties, problems, restrictions, limitations, no matter how the chances may seem.
For more than 25 years of continuous training, further education and research, the Get Fit for Life systems have been constantly developed, extended and enriched proving their effectiveness in countless cases. They contribute to close the gap between ‘disabled’ and ‘normal’ people; they build a bridge from hopes and dreams to reality, from visions to achievements.
Treatment
Introductory conversation about the patient’s/student’s subjective view on personal history, personal life in general, condition, constitution, present therapy if any, result expectations
Introduction to Get Fit for Life Systems
Thorough evaluation and assessment of present range of motion, large and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, balance abilities, flexibility, muscular strength, movement abilities. Establishment of target heart rate, resting heart rate, re-covering heart rate, max. pulse, resting pulse, re-covering pulse and blood pressure
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Creation of an individual, customised rehabilitation-/trainings-plan establishing an optimal timetable with short- and long-term goal projective. Continuous monitoring of heart rates, pulse and blood pressure, well being and progress is understood as well as repeated adjustment and modification of the rehabilitation plan to the patient’s/student’s requirements to ensure maximum results
Rehabilitation plan components
Physical
Stimulation of the nerve-system to re-open and rebuild nerve-pathways within the muscular support system, connective tissue and spine, do to, Qi Gong Tai Chi, Meditation
Build-up / strengthening of the muscular support system, tendons, ligaments
Restoration of the muscular balance / improvement of the muscular ‘teamwork’
Improvement of motor skills and hand-eye-coordination
Extension of range of motion
Improvement of overall condition and strength
Methods:
Traditional far Eastern Martial Arts healing/rehabilitation exercises-techniques
Traditional Martial Arts strengthening exercises and movements
Isometric, negative and positive resistance training
Modern physic/therapeutic rehabilitation exercises and techniques
See video: “Get fit for Life” © / book: “Power from Within Bushido”. Even in cases of paraplegia it is possible to re-build muscles and re-open nerve-paths through stimulation of the nerve-system and the muscle memory by these specific exercises and so experience close to full recovery. I have been able to successfully demonstrate this rehabilitation process with many cerebral palsy and paraplegia patients over time and effort.
Mental
Build-up and improvement of inner independency and self-reliance.
Build-up and improvement of self-esteem and confidence.
Stress relive – promoting of self-esteem.
Achievement of inner calmness, serenity, promotion of inner peace.
Methods:
Aqua Yoga Tai Chi – Get Fit for Life System & Physical Therapy
Qi Gong Tai Chi & Isometrics, Meditaions
‘Inner Eye’ meditation and energy movements.
Breathing exercises.
Meditation.
Relaxation techniques.
Physical
Therapy
Nutrition such as; Inflamation reduction Foods, and Nutrition in gerneral, see short list.
Advice and recommendations for daily food to enhance.
Rehabilitation progress.
Overall health.
Muscle growth
Weight adjustment &
Weight management.
Provision of information materials.
Social
Conversation sessions.
Exchange of experiences.
‘Open Ear’.
‘Find problem solutions.’
‘Single & Group sessions’.
Sportive games and activities within a group.
Get fit for Life Systems ©
Projects
Seminars on suitable, fully licensed and insured premises like dojos, gyms, and fitness-clubs throughout the U.S. and Europe to reach a larger number of people avoiding possible long distance travel for handicapped and therefore restricted. Motivational speeches aimed to inspire and especially motivate those with physical as well as mental barriers, and to help them making necessary changes in their life in general and lifestyle in particular for improvement of living conditions.
Compilation of the specific exercises used and their physical as well as mental effects as a guideline and reference for therapists, instructors and trainers for save rehabilitation of handicapped and/or injured people. Establishment of a solid foundation for continued research within a rehabilitation center to be initiated. Filming of Anthony von Sager Script Born to Fight ©
Get fit for Life Systems ©
Research
It is intended to further investigate, record the effects of the systems in order to. Create rehabilitation programs customized for an extended range of conditions like. Spina bifida, multiple sclerosis & cerebral Palsy, etc Prove the thesis that the muscles within the muscular support system can regain. their original capabilities and functions and that nerve-paths can be re-opened even. In paralysed areas of the body given time and continuous training.
However do to a host of possibility’s recovery weary on a case to case basis, like; Age, training effort, conditions, Nutrition, Motivation especial by Spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, partial paraplegia & cerebral palsy and many others.
The goal is to provide further long lasting solutions and to enable and speed up the. Integration or re-integration of even more restricted people in social life in general and. in working life specifically. As a result, costs can be reduced for long-term and partly heavy medication, especially.
Pain-killers that have health endangering side effects causing other conditions to be; treated in many cases, as well as the immense costs for aid equipment like wheelchairs, walking aids, counselling and help with day-to-day necessities like eating, cleaning, dressing etc.
Cloud Dancer Media is currently pressuring Gov. Grants and Foundations for more. Funding for Mr. Sager research, barrier breaking programs, methods & open Fitness rehab facility.
Sport Rehabilitation and Muscle Strengthening
Plan for Athletes with post-traumatic injury © 88/98
For Board of Examiners of Germany Sports Assoc.
Anthony von Sager
Anthony Martin von Sager started Martial Arts in 1978 under Grandmaster Geert J. Lemmens in N. Germany. Due to his personal handicap and therefore the large obstacles he needed to remove from his path Anthony devoted a major part of his time to helping injured and handicapped athletes and anyone in need to be in a better place in life from the beginning of his Martial Arts journey. In 1986 he was voted into the position of Sports Referent for handicapped youths and athletes within the German Sports Association (DSSV, DSB) (86 - 93)
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Most athletes, especially pro-athletes have many enhanced sports capabilities at their disposal. This in mind the following recommendations are addressed to athletes who suffered physical traumata caused by accidents during sportive activities or work. They show how to safely rehabilitate them to avoid short term physical disability.
For illustration a case example is used: An athlete, let’s call him Bob.
During a competition Bob heavily injured one of his knees. He was in hospital for two weeks after surgical treatment of his cross-tendons that stabilized the knee’s structure. Now, the functional capabilities and range of motion of Bob’s knee are extremely reduced, and its surrounding muscle group heavily atrophied. Affected are the ischio curale and the vastus lateralis (quadriceps), also known as knee stretcher that controls the depression of the knee-joint. At the same time the biceps femoris (controls the elevation of the lower foot) is mildly inflamed.
Bob needs a sport-rehab program that addresses the knee’s structure as well as its functions to be synchronized and implicated for pain-free use. In order to prevent chronic tendonitis the static posture of the knee needs to be re-integrated in the surrounding support muscle group and its tendons, which have to be rebuilt and strengthened. As form follows functions, the program will increase the specified and selected capabilities of the athlete in his field of sport and ensure his safe and soon return. As a result Bob will be physically and mentally balanced. A part of the program will include as well nutrition and food supplementation recommendations to enhance his internal healing as well. The program’s duration is 8-14 weeks, 2 - 3 sessions per week, each session 45 minutes.
Sport Rehabilitation and Muscle Strength Plan for post-traumatic injury, part 1
1) The first exercise is a slow bending of the knee and therefore as well the stretching of the hamstrings. A goal is to activate involvement of the patient, if necessary with a knee brace, and for eliminating the pain ice packs. Depending on the degree of injury and pain this should not be done longer than 10-15 minutes in one session, no more than two sessions a week within the first two weeks after injury, and not to be increased until mobility and free movements improve and the pain decreases.
2) After stretching is completed, the mobility of the knee has increased and the pain decreased. The mobility and strength of the surrounding muscles have improved, (quadriceps as well hamstrings) and come to a balance. We will now introduce increased resistance / isometric training. This will condition Bob’s muscle tone and increase his lost muscle mass. At this point we start to educate the client about recovery enhancing nutrition: A higher protein intake will increase muscle growth, and healthy Carbohydrates will improve endurance and strength.
3) Kneeling or standing before the client the therapist holds the injured leg on his shoulder or in his hands (depending on height) and bends it slowly and carefully into the bodyline. The client’s back and hip must fully rest against a wall as the therapist reaches the knee and brings it over his shoulder. Above the knee joint the same sided arm stretches and stabilizes the lower leg and so prevents it from snapping out of its designated position so that it is not overstretched! “Attention reader and therapist”: You need to be extremely careful (especially at the beginning) not to overstretch the injured leg’s cross-tendons and hamstrings etc. This rehab-exercise is continued at least 10-12 weeks and done to both legs to create more balance
4) The next exercise is the so called ‘air bicycling’: The client lies on his back resting his hands (palms to body) comfortably underneath his hips, lifts his legs in a right angle, knees slightly bent, and moves them as if riding a bicycle. “Attention”: Make sure the client does not have an arched low back, adjust the angle of the legs if needed until the back rests on the matt to protect the low back.
5) After successful performance of the first 3 exercises Bob will relearn to use his ligaments and to stabilize his tendons like the meniscus as well as the strengthening of his hip flexors with this exercise: Bob rests on his back; the therapist, kneeling in front of him, elevates Bob’s leg, then holds it by the ankle and asks Bob to push it against his hands; as he pushes in, Bob pushes out. The same routine is applied the other way: Bob pushes in as the therapist pushes out. These two exercises should be done at least 12-15 times in 2-3 sets each leg, unless the patient experiences pain or discomfort, and if so the treatment should be stopped momentarily. There is the option of so called negative resistance work with “rubber band” instead.
Sport Rehabilitation and Muscle Strength Plan with post-traumatic injury, part 2
In the past 3 - 4 weeks of Bob’s rehabilitation his knee should have become more stabilized and strengthened. If that is hopefully the case, we will be able to proceed to the next step…
6) Which will be a combination of fitness-, rehab- and strength-training. In most cases (like my own) only resistance or even negative resistance exercises will be possible at first, until the pain in the joint is manageable. Often it will take 1 - 2 weeks before the patient is able to move to just resistance and very light weight with negative motion (meaning the therapist helps to elevate the weight) to strengthen the injured muscle groups (like hamstrings or quadriceps) and to re-build injured muscle fibers. This will lead to a re-programming of the injured muscle groups, and therefore the so called ‘muscle memory will kick in and take over. Eventually these muscles will work smoothly and normally again; and in a later stage the muscle groups will work 100% efficiently, all muscle fibers and tendons combined. This rehab-exercise should be done 2 -3 times a week, 3 sets each.
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When the patient is ready we will extend the strength-training to 3 times a week. The following exercises are to be performed for the next 4 - 6 weeks.
7) - a Leg extension station: At the beginning with help of the therapist on the positive way and with none or very little weight on the machine. This exercise will be done between 10-12 times each leg, 3 - 4 sets each.
7) - b Leg curls station: At the beginning same procedure with help of the therapist on the positive way and with low or none weight at all, just correcting motion and form. The routine has to be done with at least 10-12 reps at 3-4 sets each leg.
“Attention reader/therapist”: We have been told for a long time that the back should not be arched in order to help with the exercise and/or to perform it with heavier weight (which would be a cheat). This is completely wrong as long as the exercise is done correctly and with accurate body posture, the back (especially the low back) even has to arch a little in order to ensure a successful contraction of the hamstrings! By this the patient also keeps away stress from the lower back.
8) Bob is ready for the next challenge: Stationary or static squats. Standing with his legs double shoulder width apart, he bends his knees slowly to squat down between 10 – 25 % depending on fitness and injury.
For his safety several measures can be taken; the first: Have a bench or chair behind your client so that he can sit down if necessary; the second: Stand in front of your client and hold his hands when performing this exercise.
Sport Rehabilitation and Muscle Strength Plan with post-traumatic injury, part 3
9) Bob should now work with the 45 degree leg press as soon as possible, but also with total help from the therapist. Like negative resistance strength training, this exercise should be done in 3 sets/10-12 repetitions with low or no weight, 1 - 2 times a week (the carriage on its own weighs 20 kg).
10) The final treatment should include a physiotherapeutic evaluation and a combination of massage and a mental training like Tai Chi. I would also recommend meditation to ensure not just Bob’s physical healing process but also his mental balance. It will prevent the build up of mental barriers which would negatively influence his performance as athlete on a professional level. In many cases athletes suffer post traumatic stress or performance syndrome.
Finally I would recommend a nutrition-plan for the next 3 - 6 months to ensure and speed up the healing process and to elevate him to a higher level of personal performance and success.
As well fresh fruits how are high in Enzymes to counteract with the Body inflammation: Papayas, Mangos, Pineapples, Orange, Wild Cherry, Broccoli etc.
The well balanced nutrition-plan includes a high amount of complex Carbohydrates and protein, many vitamins and minerals (salads and corn – products) such as a high weekly dose of vitamin E (500-1000 mg), F, B6, and B12, vitamin C, Calcium and magnesium. (Please be advised that this is a recommendation. Only a dietitian or MD is able to prescribe a nutrition plan). After completion of this rehab plan with physical as well as mental training and nutrition guidelines Bob should be back in top form (after successful operation and treatment) and therefore return highly motivated to his pro-sport in less than 3 - 4 months (depending on heaviness of injury and possible complications). Good luck Bob and we see you soon back in action with hope for a successful next season.
Translated & notary by: M. Waschkia 9-16-1997 (lice. State of TX 98)
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Power from Within Bushido © & Get Fit for Life vol. 1 (DVD) ©
Anthony Martin von Sager, Cloud Dancer Media ©
ISBN: 978-0-615-26172-0 / (DVD) ISBN: 978-0-9822603-0-2,
Contact, also see contact page, bio or call; Alice Dykeman Assoc
www.getfit4yourlife.com, (00) 1-800-544-3615
