I am a former competitive swimmer and water polo player. Over the last 15 years or so I have kept myself in very good physical condition with weight training, high intensity cardio, and regular stretching routines. I am proficient in both yoga and Pilates.

About 3 months ago, shortly before my 61st birthday, I found your daily PBS program and began to do the workouts 5-6 times per week in addition to my other training. Your method works and is the best thing I have ever done. What I enjoy most is that your movements flow and never remain static. My overall muscle and skin tone has dramatically improved. The workouts truly release tight muscles and increase flexibility. You are absolutely correct when you say that you just feel good after doing your workouts.

I have told everyone that I know to start doing Classical Stretch/Essentrics. Anyone of any age can benefit from your method.

Thank you for creating this technique.

M. Fuller

In an article a fellow master skier recommended your Classic Stretch video. This what he wrote;

“How do you balance your muscles? I found a great program on WYCC broadcast tv (read that ‘free tv’ for you cable folks) calledClassicalStretch.com . Miranda Esmond White is the instructor and she is a former ballerina who has learned how to balance the 600 muscles in the body in order to be fit in a healthy way. I love her 20 minute easy daily workout! My posture has improved and I have greater mobility and balance. As a 60 year old XC racer (who went through the fantastic CXC XC Coaches US Ski Team certification process) I am excited about the prospect of healthy joints enabling me to continue to enjoy the thrills of racing.

” I see a few choices of DVD sets on your website and wonder which David may have been referring to. I’m 58 and exercise a lot but have never stuck with a stretching/ mobility program. Looking to improve and stay more agile as I age.

Dan

Essentrics helped bring me back into the game after near retirement. My body was unable to function, injured and in constant pain. After the first session with Miranda I felt the pain disappearing. I really believe that this program has something in it for everyone; whether you’re looking to relieve pain, improve your sport or change your body, Essentrics is it.

Jonathon Power
Former World Squash Champion

My name is Jacqueline and I just want to tell you I’ve been doing your workout almost every morning for about 2 years… I’ve been doing obstacle course races and the last race I did I came in 1st for women between the ages of 45- 49 (I’m 48 yrs old)… Thanks to your awesome workouts, I’m able to combine it with my daily strength workouts.. I feel stronger and more flexible than ever… Classical Stretch workouts are the best.. Thanks again and I will continue to recommend it to my friends, family and teammates.

Jacqueline
Bronx, NY

NHL- Montreal Canadiens Magazine Article Excerpt February 2013 Vol. 27.1

Part of the way the team has committed itself to spending more time on the ice and less time in the clinic this year is the addition of mandatory dynamic stretching sessions after practices. “That was something we had been thinking about incorporating for a few years,” explained Canadiens strength and conditioning coach, Pierre Allard. “The medical crew and I got together as a group when we saw how compressed the schedule was and knew we needed to be smart about what we were doing off the ice to keep guys in peak condition. “Sahra [Esmonde-White] and her group at Essentrics developed a new technique that works stretches through the entire range of motion,” he added. “It’s not like Yoga or Pilates; it’s very sport-specific.”

What started as a way to limit the inevitable groin injuries that would come during an intense, shortened training camp has blossomed into a routine the players have incorporated into their daily training regimens.

“Even on the road, sometimes we’ll rent a conference room and bring the guys in there to go through the stretches,” mentioned Allard. “I see guys warming up before games and practices using those exercises. They like it because it’s working; they wake up the next morning and feel a difference, so they’ve bought in completely. If it works, guys will enjoy doing it.

Pierre Allard
NHL MONTREAL CANADIENS Strength & Conditioning Coach

As a hockey referee who does over 100 games a year, I will confess that your stretching techniques are a gift from the heavens! Without them, I would not be able to give my all to my students at school, or to my two daughters at home (while giving my all on the ice). Thanks for providing this knowledge to the masses.

Warren B

Stronger, leaner and more flexible to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro – Olympic fencer Bas Verwijlen about his training with Sabine Parent

It was a few months before the Olympic Games when I came in contact with ESSENRICS and Sabine, and in my view Sabine stands for ESSENTRICS. At first I trained together with Sabine. After a few sessions my girlfriend (also fencer) Ludovica joined us on Saturdays and on occasion I took twofold Olympian Rea Lenders with me to the workout. Just before we left for New York my Estonian sparring partner also experienced the workout and like me they were immediately excited about ESSENTRICS.”

“As an elite athlete, I am always looking for innovative and better training methods, and for me especially the possibility to achieve more range of motion, length and flexibility. Within fencing ‘reach’ is vital, therefor being able to gain a few centimeters in both shoulder and arm is a bonus. Thanks to ESSENTRICS and the training from Sabine, I am stronger, leaner and more flexible. This specific way of training lifts the old fashion way of stretching, as I know it to a whole other level. It makes me move more easily, not only in the Olympic arena but also in daily life. If you want an example of the effect of ESSENTRICS, just take a look at Sabine! Athletic, strong and lean.”

“The workout is programmed in a way that time flies. Every muscle group is being addressed accompanied by good music. I especially liked the coaching from Sabine because I believe that good coaching leads to better and faster results. She was also able to customize the work out to fit my wishes and preferences. For instance, when we trained on Monday after a heavy tournament and a long trip home, release and restore was more emphasized. While the training was more intense after a quiet weekend.”

“Finally, in Rio de Janeiro when I stayed in the Olympic Village I practiced the workout using Essentrics TV. I liked it a lot although it was hard getting used doing Essentrics without Sabine coaching me. To me Sabine is a real Essentrics ambassador. Her catching enthusiasm is very motivating and I’m very grateful she helped me getting in top shape on my way to the Olympic Games 2016.

Bas Verwijlen
Triple Olympian

I am a recreational cyclist who is in training (off and on) to do a 100 mile event. For various reasons, the 100 mile event never seems to workout. Last summer I got a knee injury, but I don’t know how. Maybe doing yard work. My knees have not felt right for a while. I happened to see your video for the first time on PBS fundraising efforts, and I found the series for sale on Amazon as well. I purchased the videos a few weeks ago. Yesterday my bike coach remarked how much stronger my bike workout was. I was easily able to complete a demanding interval workout for the first time in 4 or 5 months. Actually, I even threw in an extra interval for good measure. My workouts are intense as I get my heart rate way up into the 170 range. Yesterday my high end HR was 173. Maybe there is hope I will complete a 100 mile event in 2017!

Theresa Ziolkowski
Recreational Cyclist

I have been a very active/athletic woman. I belonged to Orange Theory, ran 1/2 marathons, was a competitive body builder in my 20’s and 30’s. My point being I loved to exercise. I started doing your Classical Stretch about 3 years ago. I quickly realized I should have started long ago! I grew tired of beating my body up, not paying attention to it and nurturing it. But I made great strides while doing them. Unfortunately, I suffered 2 strokes this past June. A vertebral artery tore in my neck and caused a stroke, then I had another stroke a week later after that. My vestibular system was affected, so my balance, vision and hearing were affected. I lost hearing in my left ear and about 20% in my right ear. I suffer from vertigo daily. I am in the process of reclaiming my life and have restarted your program. I feel so healthy and strong after I do them, but I struggle while doing them. But I know that I am where I am in my recovery journey because I had incorporated your workouts. My vestibular therapists tell me how strong my core and legs are and these will really help me in recovery. I am so grateful for your workouts and knowledge and encouragement, and that helps get me through a workout. It can be frustrating for someone like me who has been faithfully exercising since I was 16,to struggle through one of your workouts (because they were tough for me even pre-stroke!)because my balance is so affected. But I will continue these workouts and I know they will really help in my healing journey. I have had to learn to workout in a very different way, but I am so happy to be able to do them! Thank you very much for listening to my story and for helping me reclaim my life!

Nicole

I joined Essentrics online about 6 months ago. I had tried some of the DVD’s first to see if it was what I was looking for in an exercise regime. I am really enjoying it and feel it has been very beneficial to “shaping” my body, improving my posture, toning my muscles. I like the variety of videos offered and the fact that I can choose to them when I want to-no need to drive to a class! I have really enjoyed the recent new offerings and have tried them all and done them multiple times depending on my day’s activities. I find Essentrics compliments my other physical fitness activities well.

Anonymous

I have been athletic most of my adult life, mostly running, biking and weights. Until I started Classical Stretch religiously, I didn’t recognize the importance of full body stretching. It’s taken almost two years for my lower back pain to almost disappear and my arthritic big toe is straightening. My balance is 200% better and generally, I simply feel better. The most important thing I have learned is: not to push it, just go at a natural pace.

Robert

THANK YOU! I am 66 years young and in better shape and with better balance, strength and flexibility than ever before because I do my 22 minute workout at least 4 days a week (other days I walk, swim and bike). So today I did a ropes adventure course and completed two segments (admittedly the easy ones) and I know my strength and flexibility are due to my dedication to Classical Stretch. I am thrilled, tired and elated. Thank you for the only exercise routine I’ve stuck with, and my body is leaner and more defined than ever before! My gratitude is overflowing…keep up the great work!

Lillian

I’ve only done 4 workouts – and I already see visible differences! Yes, visible because even my husband sees it. I’ll explain…I stumbled across your book at a second hand store and scooped it up right away. When leafing through the pages I knew the book and concept was what I was looking for, but didn’t know I was looking. I am a very fit 47 year old who is active at the gym, and also enjoy hiking, cycling, and rollerblading. When I read the book I completely understood what I was missing. I quickly saw that Miranda’s Essentrics workouts needed to become an important part of my regular fitness. I then did two of the workouts from the book, one on each of the next two days. Then on the third day I did a 13 minute intro video on the website. This wasn’t enough for me – so I ordered videos and was super impressed when they arrived within only a few days. I then did one of the 23 minute workouts. That’s all – so far a total of 4 workouts. This is what is visible to both me and my husband: I can now touch my fingers to the floor when bending over. I could never do this before, but not just with my fingertips…but I actually see my finger bend over onto the floor. This is amazing! I am assuming that my hamstrings and hips were too tight to do this in the past. NEVER could I have done this before. I also like to sit cross legged on the sofa, and in the last few years find that I need to ‘creak’ up and off the sofa to stand up. Now I just spring up and go. No creaking into standing! Cross legged sofa sitting and touching my fingers to the floor are the visible things only after 4 short workouts! By the way, my husband is also a very fit person who runs and does yoga. He absolutely sees the benefit and sense of implementing these workouts into our plan to be fit as we grow older together. We already understood about imbalances because of some injuries we have experienced. But we didn’t know what to do to keep our entire bodies in balance and prevent the injuries in the first place. Thank you for these workouts! I am excited to make them a big part of my regular routine. In fact, I am so excited that I want to share this with others and have even considered becoming certified. For now, I’ll hold off and enjoy the workouts.

Cathie

I have been doing Classical Stretch and Essentrics almost daily for several months. I am generally a trail runner and XC skier and have found the increased range of motion and light workout to be a great warmup. One particular exercise – crossed leg crablike on the mat seems to have loosened up my tight lower back. I was encouraged to try your routines after being diagnosed with hormonal and digestive problems. I needed to put less stress on my body. Now I am healing and will keep the Essentrics routine as I age. Thanks to my 84-year-old father in law for getting me a gift of Classical Stretch. When I see him, my wife and I do it together. I am ready for the trails!

David

Dear Miranda, I wanted to let you know that I believe your Classical Stretch program has made a huge difference in my life. At age 49.5 I just tested for my black belt in taekwondo (after classes for over 8 years). I completed the test along with a 13 and 16-year-old and was told by the judge’s panel at how inspiring I was. I had been doing Classical Stretch for 8 months prior and felt that it improved my karate skills as well as kept me injury free. I am thrilled with the results and tell everyone about the program (I have read your books too). I plan to practice Essentrics/Classical Stretch the rest of my life. Thank you!!!

Anonymous

I have been following Classical Stretch programs for three years. I am an avid downhill skier and swimmer. I have never really stretched since high school, but following your program; it has been absolutely priceless for me. It helped me prepare for and complete the Hellespont Swim (6.5 km from Europe to Asia across the Dardanelles) in August 2015 and I skied 51 days in 2015-2016 and 40 days this past winter. Injury free and strong! Recently, I spent 18 hours in a car over a 48-period. I was in pain. I completed a workout the morning after the car ride (Season 8; a seated stretching workout) and I was renewed! Mobile, feeling great and rejuvenated! I am a true believer and share your program with everyone who complains about getting older (I turn 58 this June). My Mother’s Day wish list contains a request for seasons 8 and 9 on DVD so I can do your workouts and stretches anytime. I follow you every day I can on PBS. Fondly and thank you so very much! You are an inspiration to me!

Lisa N

I realize that I am long overdue in thanking you for your program. I have been doing Classical Stretch and Essentrics for probably 6-7 years and have read AGING BACKWARDS. I’m a yoga teacher (and retired RN), and I find your program much more helpful physically than what I have been teaching in my classes. I do at least one class daily, and feel energetic, young, even graceful, in spite of hip and hand arthritis. I just enjoy feeling good. Thanks so much,

Sally L

WE LOVE ESSENTRICS!

We call it Strip and Stretch– we walk the dog at 5:30 a.m., come home and strip down to work-out- appropriate clothing, set up the video– and off we go to somewhere gorgeous with Miranda. In half an hour we feel like we’ve been to our masseuse and just returned from a vacation…Never once do we hurt or fear ripping something– it’s only healing. My husband laughs at the fact that he now does “ballet” moves. However, his golf partners are not laughing as he burns them right off the course. His flexiblity in every joint has never been bettter. We both have years of hard, pounding exercise on our bodies that we are starting to unwind. He was a pro volleyball player- and rode moto cross–and downhill skier. I lifted weights 6 days a week, ran and finally did a bootcamp at age 58 for two years. So we have a lot of miles on these joints. Miranda, you have delivered us from being sore, achy, and tired all the time. I wanted so much to improve my posture- so I joined a gym and never went. It just wasn’t right…and then I saw Aging Backwards. BINGO! I am taller, my digestion has improved and, best of all, my bum is shaping up! We love to spend our early morning with you and will never stop. We are in this to the end. We laughingly call ourselves Essentric-evangelists…we can’t help but share the good news of a new body and wonderful information. Much love and many thanks,

Dave and Cynthia H

P.S. I took my Ipad to work and put on a video in a conference room. A coworker joined me–in her skirt and boots, no less. Floor work and all. She was just glowing afterwards and asked me to bring it back. I will be sharing this wonderful exercise program with my other coworkers who all need it

I am a 48-year-old average athletic male (two workout gym visits per/week) who last year started to feel old. A lot of stiffness, knee pain, back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and blood flow issues. I play hockey once a week and was dreading the start of the season as I didn’t feel strong and flexible. I had that feeling of an injury waiting to happen. Then at that time I came across the Essentric’s program advertised on TV with Miranda Esmonde-White. Not being one of those types of people that buy things from TV advertisement, I decided to watch the short workout 4 min videos on YouTube. I was enjoying the non-weight bearing workouts and was noticing an improvement in all of my ailments. I decided to purchase the full video DVD package. Since then I have never looked back. It’s the best thing I ever did. My hockey game has really improved where I feel stronger with more stability and agility. Most importantly having more confidence on the ice resulting in enjoying playing again. In addition I am skiing with confidence like I was 20 years ago! Now I can see why the Montréal Canadiens hired Essentrics to help with their workouts!! My wife is also on-board with the program and I have introduced it to some of my friends who are also enjoying the benefits. I am a huge strong believer in this new dynamic way of working out. Results are quick and noticeable. After years of attending workouts at the gym I never had the same results. In addition, it save’s me time by not going to the gym and just working out at home. For me it’s as simple as 20 minute, 30 minute, 40 minute or 60 minute workout-it’s all good. Thank you Miranda and Sahra as you have changed my life.

Cheers,

Brian

Hello Miranda!

I am 62 and have been doing this program for about 6 years. Recently My husband and I walked across England (110 miles) and I made it ibuprofen free! I attribute that to this wonderful program. I feel great and now my husband is doing the exercises with me. He saw how pain free I was during the walk and wanted the same results! Can’t thank you enough Miranda

Sue Cronin
Iowa City

A friend told me about Classical Stretch a few years ago. I have Season 9 and 10 and do them faithfully. As such, I have promoted this program to well over 1000 people, including friends, church friends, and family. Also, I am a park supervisor and send out a newsletter in which I mention the program. I am also an assistant coach with a Master’s swim team so I tell all the swimmers about it too. I can’t seem to help myself, but I tell everyone I get in contact with who mentions anything about being tight, sore, would like to be more flexible, needs a warm up, needs a cool down, or wants a way to unwind; I mention Classical Stretch. I absolutely love this program.

I know the classes will be fabulous. 🙂 Have a great time here in Southern California.

Hello, Miranda,

I came across Classical Stretch DVDs many years ago on Amazon.com – I bought 2 that are now part of your Vintage Collection. I was amazed at how logical, easy and effective the exercises were, and being an ex-dancer I had no trouble following them. And the classical music at the background – it cleanses your mind at the same time as you do the workout. Pure bliss! I had been dancing since childhood (ballet, folk and jazz), done tai chi and yoga for 2,5 years – and now I had found a perfect blend of them all!

But the true value of Classical Strech I discovered this spring, when after 2 years of being forbidden to do any excercises at all, I started recovering from a severe case of gallstones (which I successfully dissolved with the help of Chinese Medicine). By summer, I was able not only to return to my great love of the past 5 years – Argentine tango – but also to participate in an extremely intensive tango festival (6 to 10 hours of dancing a day). It would not have been possible without your videos! I am still doing the Classical Strech and Essentrics exercises 3 to 6 times a week and have found that they help greatly with my tango stamina. I´ve also taught some excercise sequences to my mother who now feels younger, more loose and backpain free.

So thank you, Miranda, for this amazing techique! I am so lucky to have found you! 🙂

Katrin / Europe

Hello Miranda,

I can almost echo Alice’s comments on the first page I clicked to for success stories. I have been a dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher for more than 40 of my 68 years. I have no major health problems that I am aware of and I can move as well as (if not better than) most average 40 year olds. However, a few years ago I had noticed a small decline in my balance and joint and muscle strength and stability. Nothing alarming, but something to pay attention to.

I, too, happened upon Classical Stretch on PBS in the early morning just over a year ago. As a yoga teacher and massage therapist, I could immediately see the benefits of this program from a health and movement perspective. I love the flow and grace of the movements, the full range of motion and the essentric challenge. After working out with the TV for many months, I bought two of the PBS series, and the Core Workout so I would not miss a day of practice. I, of course, still love and teach my yoga. I have incorporated some of your movements into my classes, promote your name and your program to my students and have allowed interested students (who can’t manage the 6 a.m. PBS time slot) to borrow a DVD to sample it for themselves. And, I have restored my sense of balance, improved my core strength and the muscle tone of my limbs all the time enjoying the grace and flow of your program….satisfying my inner dancer!

P.S. My sister, to my surprise and pleasure, recently commented on my well formed arms when she saw me recently in a sleeveless top.

Thanks to Classical Stretch (and my commitment to staying strong and healthy)!

Marilyn D.

I’m pretty fit for my age. Lost 35 pounds in 2016-17 by changing my diet and am trying to lose 15 more and keep it off. But I have some vulnerabilities in my knees and lumbar spine that I have to take care with. I have made exercise a part of my life for many years. I cross train, doing weights, elliptical, swimming and walking and of course, my classical stretch DVDs and Essentrics on TV. Classical Stretch really helped me gain flexibility, and as I age, I think it will become a bigger part of my exercise routine. I’ve been a massage therapist for 36 years, and I see clients from all around North America. I encourage them all to find your program and practice it regularly. I even sent it to the ABMP (professional massage) magazine as a suggested client tool: http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/918051-january-february-2018/20 Thank you, Miranda for all your wonderful help! I encourage virtually all my clients to us the TV series Classical Stretch by Essentrics, which has aired on PBs stations around the country for 15 years and is wonderful for all body types. It’s stretching, strengthening, and education tolled into a 22-minute workout, six days a week. The host is a well-educated former ballet dancer who explains movement and kinesiology in lay terms. If all my clients used this tool between massages, they’d be so much better off. It has helped me tremendously.

Susan Stone
LMT, Owner Hired Hands Massage, Las Vegas, NV