Ester Albini - Myofascial Training: Intelligent Movement for Mobility, Performance, and Recovery

MYOFASCIAL TRAINING

Intelligent Movement for Mobility, Performance, and Recovery

Ester Albini

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Albini, Ester, author.

Title: Myofascial training : intelligent movement for mobility, performance, and recovery / Ester Albini.

Description: Champaign, IL : Human Kinetics, [2021] | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019052300 (print) | LCCN 2019052301 (ebook) | ISBN 9781492594703 (paperback) | ISBN 9781492594710 (epub) | ISBN 9781492594727 (pdf)

Subjects: LCSH: Fasciae (Anatomy) | Kinesiology.

Classification: LCC QM563 .A43 2021 (print) | LCC QM563 (ebook) | DDC 611/.74--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019052300

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019052301

ISBN: 978-1-4925-9470-3 (print)

Copyright 2021 by Elika Srl Editrice

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or in any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including zerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

This publication is written and published to provide accurate and authoritative information relevant to the subject matter presented. It is published and sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal, medical, or other professional services by reason of their authorship or publication of this work. If medical or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

This book is a revised edition of Allenamento Mio-Fasciale, published in 2018 by Elika Editrice.

Editing: Marta Viola Rustignoli and Julie Marx Goodreau; Layout: Claudia Peroni and Julie L. Denzer; Cover design: Sarah Bocconi and Keri Evans

Images: The images on : Kjpargeter/Shutterstock

Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The paper in this book is certified under a sustainable forestry program.

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E7992

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Each of us has a pair of wings, but only those who dream learn to fly.

Jim Morrison

I soar through the skies with the wings that I dream of having, to be a little closer to you, Dad.

I soar through the skies with the strength and power of my wings for you too, Gigi.

I continue to soar through the skies for everyone who has believed and continues to believe in me.

Thank you so much I shall never tire of flying.

For Jacob and Nicole: I wish nothing less for you than to spread your wings and fly freely.

For Guido, my pilot and flight companion who is by my side and always guides me back down the right path: I love flying with you to magical, unknown places and through the storms. The only thing that matters is that you are by my side. May our journey never end.

Thanks to my faithful students, who have been following me for years: Ugo, Loredana, Isabella, Simona, Novella, Benedetta, Paola, Anna, Susi, Cristina, Iva, Silvia, Luana, Monica, Francesca, Valeria, Antonella, Giovanna, Ilse, Sara, and Gigi. Many thanks to you too, because you are part of my journey.

Thanks to the fans of my training courses: to Nora, Isabella, Antonietta, Mimi, Laura, Carmen, Anna, Gisela, Sabina, Giovanna, Elena, Antonella, Michela, Agnese, Paolo, Daniela, and everyone who is following me.

Thanks to my great friend Jacky Klossner, who is far away and yet always close.

To Karin Locher, who opened my eyes to a fascinating world about myself: Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Finally, thanks to Elika, who had the patience to wait for my book.

INTRODUCTION

FReE: Fascial Real Emotion

FReE (Fascial Real Emotion) is much more than just movement. It is the key that will enable you to change the fascial clothing that you wear every day: You will instantly feel younger, more elastic, and more energetic. Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but now is the right time to change. What are you waiting for?

In this book I will offer a step-by-step guide, starting with simple movements. In order to change, serious commitment shall be required on your part to put the exercises into practice and follow my recommendations; otherwise you wont see the desired results.

The exercises proposed are easy to do and have a significant impact on the fascia, but it can be a challenge to repeat them day after day. If you have a goal, dont lose sight of it and the results will come. Shrug off your old routine and you will reach new heights!

The New Key to Intelligent Movement

Throughout my 30 years of experience, my goal has always been to make people feel good, with their body and mind together, inseparable, as they really are. That is why I have always looked to improve my understanding of all the various aspects of human movement.

I was a Les Mills, Reebok, Polar, and Airex BeBalanced trainer for many years, as well as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. I have attained qualifications in posturology (Bricot, Mzires), Pilates (Polestar, Balanced Body, Fletcher, Hermann, Locher), the functional method, kettlebell training (London, IKFF), and Gyrotonic, going to the Unites States every other year to consolidate my skills. Each of these courses added new strings to my professional bow and to my training. However, I was still me, just with a few more materials, methods, and professional contacts to call uponand a little more experience.

I first discovered the myofascia thanks to a book by Thomas Myers. To be honest, I didnt understand much of it, but I liked it. Things never happen by chance, but what matters, happens. This really is true! I followed my intuition.

I started moving from place to place, taking part in courses by Thomas Myers (USA, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands), by Michol Dalcourt (USA and the Netherlands), by Robert Schleip (Germany), and by Karin Locher (England and Switzerland). Each discipline does of course take time to be applied, absorbed, felt, and perceived. I entered the myofascial world on tiptoes, enriching it with classic Italian cheerfulness and light-heartednessand above all living it.

And that is where the magic happened. I dont know how else to explain it. In a random place, on an afternoon like any other, I was in Zurich, and I felt something change deep within me for the first time; it was as if a block that I hadnt been aware of had been removed from me. Can I admit that? I went from euphoria to amazement and then to fear and I cried.