Julius “Honeybun” Edwards: A Wise Basketball Veteran Who Has ‘Seen It All’
We recently spent a few moments with Julius “Honeybun” Edwards (seen at left), referee for the Adult Men’s Basketball League at the 92nd Street Y May Center for Health, Fitness and Sport. With 40 years of organized league experience, Edwards has a wealth of knowledge to impart. On being a good referee, he told us that knowledge of the game is a given, and a smart referee needs a “...good feel for the game,” while understanding “how to regulate the flow of the game without taking away another team’s earned advantage.” Read more from Edwards and the 92Y Adult Basketball League on their facebook page.
92Y Adult Basketball Captain Scott Green on the court at 92Y
Watching Captain Scott Green’s A-Division team pull out a 97-96 victory last week at the 92nd Street Y May Center against a very athletic opposing team Green himself admitted, “we were not supposed to beat,” draws strong parallels between Team Green’s performance and how his background of preparation and determination has served him well on and off the court.
If you’ve been outside lately, you might have noticed that New York City is experiencing a cycling renaissance, with bike lanes being built up and down Manhattan. While that can be fun for a leisurely ride when no one else is around, (ha, good luck!) it’s difficult to find the time or space for a peaceful and effective exercise routine atop your bike, sans the potholes, vehicular traffic and honking horns. To say nothing of what seems like five months of winter. That might explain why Spinning classes have become so popular. “These days,” The New York Times wrote, “any health club worth its sweat offers cycling classes...a high-energy workout and an efficient way to melt calories.”
92Y offers a special Teen Spin class over eight sessions that run for one-hour in an environment suited for teenagers. Participants are encouraged to contribute up to five of their favorite songs to be played during the workout. Teen members of the May Center get to take advantage of an incredible offer; it is only $40 for eight sessions. Non-members also get a great deal; $120 for eight session. Classes are held each Tuesday at 4:45 pm beginning October 19; you can sign up here.
Those of you who work and live on the Upper East Side have likely seen the latest ad campaign for the 92Y May Center. The ads, on phone booths and bus shelters from Madison Avenue to Second Avenue, between East 86th Street and East 94th Street, feature not models, but real members of the 92Y May Center.
Manhattan news site DNAinfo reported on the ads yesterday, and noted one in particular, featuring “Rob the Physician,” has received a disproportionate amount of attention. Stacey Eisler, deputy director of the May Center, was quoted as saying: “The doctor is our version of McDreamy.”
How’s your exercise regime? Do you do a little stretching before work, or maybe go for a run? How about Pilates? Well, we’ve got just the thing for you then! Our newest How To video features 92Y May Centerpersonal instructor Alicia Principe offering beginner instruction on how to use the Pilates Reformer machine.
This May 11 and 12, we invite you to the 92Y May Center for The Perfect Fit, a two-day free fitness event** where you can check out our fitness classes, mini-training sessions with the pros and so much more!
Bring your friends and family, no matter the fitness level, from fitness firsts to fitness fanatics, our staff will be here to help and assist you.
In a segment on increasing your health, broadcast on ABC 7 this past Tuesday and filmed at the 92Y May Center for Health, Fitness & Sport, the newscast began:
From avoiding heart attacks to helping keep your mind lucid and clear, there are easy steps that you can do at home.
Exercise isn’t the fountain of youth, but it may be as close as we can get. That’s in the two new reports, which say exercise will keep your brain younger and may prevent your early death.
Dr. Jay Adlersberg explained: “One of [two] new studies found just moderate exercise - brisk walking, yoga, swimming - can protect memory in 80-year-old individuals.” Read the full story here.
At the end of the segment, ABC 7 reminds their viewers to visit the 92Y May Center for an Open House, but that was Tuesday so don’t come by tonight!
You can however join author Dr. Barry Sears‘, (The Zone, Toxic Fat), on Jan 19 as he explains why America is in the midst of a “Perfect Nutritional Storm” and its implications on any envisioned savings coming from the current health-care reform debate.
Dr. Barry Sears‘, creator of The Zone diet, explains in his newest book, Toxic Fat, why America is in the midst of a “Perfect Nutritional Storm” and its implications on any envisioned savings coming from the current health-care reform debate.
We asked Dr. Sears some questions about these topics over email. The Q&A is below:
What is “toxic fat” and how can we avoid it?
The scientific name for “toxic fat” is arachidonic acid. This natural fatty acid is the building block for a wide variety of very powerful inflammatory hormones. You need some toxic fat to be able to mount an inflammatory response to microbial invasion, but too much toxic fat causes the body to begin attacking itself. In other words, you have to keep toxic fat in a zone that is not too high, but not too low. There is no drug that can reduce toxic fat levels, but recent changes in the American diet have caused a significant increase of its levels. I term these dietary changes as the Perfect Nutritional Storm. With this increased toxic fat has come a corresponding increase in inflammation that is the underlying cause of the development of chronic diseases, including obesity.
In Dr. Barry Sears‘ The Zone, a No.1 New York Times bestseller, and in his most recent book, Toxic Fat, he explains why America is in the midst of a “Perfect Nutritional Storm” and its implications on any envisioned savings coming from the current health-care reform debate.
“In the past 30 years,” says Sears, “America has been caught in a perfect nutritional storm that dramatically increased inflammation in Americans due to growing diet-induced hormonal imbalances. It is this increased inflammation that is the underlying cause of our current epidemics of obesity and diabetes and acceleration of chronic disease. Health-care reform must ultimately begin in the kitchen because of the hormonal impact of food and how those hormones can affect our genes. We need to reverse the current pro-inflammatory trend with anti-inflammatory diets. Today’s primary health-care concerns, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s are ultimately driven by dietary-induced inflammation.”
Dr. Sears believes that, “obesity is not a consequence of sloth and gluttony,” but instead can be traced to the radical changes in America’s food supply, such as government subsidies for corn and soybean crops that have created an abundance of cheap refined carbohydrates and vegetable oils which are consumed in great quantity.
On Jan 19, Dr. Sears will be at the 92nd Street Y to discuss the relatively simple dietary interventions necessary begin to reverse these trends in your own diet. How to reduce the “toxic fat” creating an inflammatory situation that can spread throughout the body, resulting in obesity, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
If you have any questions for Dr. Sears, leave them below in the comments, and they will be considered during the Q&A.
The 92nd Street Y’s David Simmons, One Of New York City’s Top Trainers
Time Out New York found New York City’s seven best trainers, and the 92nd Street Y’s very own David Simmons was anointed as one of the best. Holding a 6th Degree Black Belt in Karate who has been a Karate Instructor for over 20 years, David is a Fitness Coordinator for the 92Y May Center for Health Sports and Fitness. He teaches classes and private clients, and tells TONY:
“I do functional training with my clients: developing core strength and stability, having people use their own body to emulate what they do in real life—climbing stairs, playing with their children, putting groceries away—and making those things easier. We set little goals so you can get a sense of accomplishment.”
TONY also noted some classes available at the 92Y May Center, highlighting our Pilates Mat / Ballet Barre class led by a professional ballerina, and the Yoga Pump class: “...where strength training using hand and ankle weights and body bars is bookended by the traditional stretching, breathing and body positioning.”
On Jan 12, 92Y May Center is holding an open house, which is a prefect opportunity to come see our facilities, meet our staff, and try us out. We will have drop-in classes, fitness demos, prizes and more, including our biggest membership discount of the year. You can view the full schedule of events here (PDF).
New Year’s Resolution: Hitting the Gym Twice a Week
Woo boy! 2009 is turning a page, and with it a full decade. We’ll be celebrating with “The Royal Family of the Guitar,” for a champagne concert.
After that, no more procrastinating, it’s time to embrace 2010 and any resolutions made. Staying fit and healthy is usually on many lists, which should make our Open House at the May Center a popular spot on Jan 12. We will have a full day of activities and events, with drop-in classes, fitness demos, prizes and our biggest membership discount of the year. Further, we will offer three free months to the first 50 people who join the May Center at our Fitness Open House!
So go ahead, make that resolution, and let us help you keep it. Browse the day’s activities, (see the full schedule here [PDF]), sign up for May Center Open House, and start the New Year’s off right...with a resolution you’ll probably end up breaking by February. But if you are of the first 50 people to show up and join the May Center, at least your first three months are free!
Share Your Story™: The 92nd Street Y Saved My Life!
In the latest Share Your Story™, watch as Aaron talks about moving to New York City with his wife after 32 years in Westport, CT. (They chose the area to be near us!). Aaron is 82, and gives credit and thanks to the health facilities at the 92Y May Center for Health and Fitness, which he visits three times a week, for keeping him healthy and happy. Aaron went on to say: “The 92Y saved my life.” We are humbled by your thanks, and offer thanks to you Aaron, as well!
If you would like to add exercise and fitness to your own schedule, you can sign up for a free trial workout. The 92Y May Center boasts 125 pieces of exercise equipment; a 25-yard pool; over 100 weekly exercise classes; basketball and racquetball; a wellness center and certified professional staff.
We also have a wide berth of classes and events at 92Y for seniors. Take a look here.
Attaining and maintaining beauty is an increasingly challenging task, particularly as our changing environment wreaks havoc on our skin. “This is not your ancestors’ environment,” says Dr. Dennis Gross,
board-certified dermatologist and author of Your Future Face. “In today’s world, the reality is that our skin is bombarded daily with external environmental pollutants and impurities. We must combat these aggressors to achieve our healthiest, most vibrant skin.”
Dr. Gross cites tap water as a leading environmental aggressor. Impurities such as iron, calcium and heavy metals are not filtered out of our bathing water, leaving collagen-destroying, cancer-causing free radicals on our skin after we shower. High levels of chlorine, used as a germicide, are also harmful. In addition to heavy metals, we inadvertently come into contact with a wide range of airborne and water pollutants, often made more damaging when they interact with the sun. According to Dr. Gross, carbon monoxide can cause skin redness and rashes, ozone in the air from pollutants depletes antioxidants in our bodies and causes free radicals, and nitrous oxide depletes sebum, the naturally occurring layer that protects our skin.
So, besides wading through the myriad of skin care products available everywhere from drugstores to dermatologists’ offices, what can people do to maintain healthy skin? Not surprisingly, exercise and good nutrition play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin. “There is no better combination than that of a healthy diet and exercise,” says Dr. Gross. “The combination of the two can help reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone.” He recommends reducing high-impact exercise or alternating routines to incorporate both high- and low-impact exercise in order to reduce the amount of pounding that can cause collagen breakdown. Also, simple yoga moves increase circulation and get blood to the head and face.
As for nutrition, Dr. Gross says, “What’s good for the heart is good for the skin.” Foods high in fatty acids, such as avocado, salmon, eggs, cheese and other dairy products can be beneficial. The astaxanthin in salmon improves skin elasticity and reduces the propensity for wrinkles. Protein helps repair cells that have suffered free radical damage. Eggs, a complete source of protein, also contain biotin, an essential vitamin that protects against dry skin. “Eat vegetables that have a lot of color, like red cabbage, green lettuce, and carrots,” says Dr. Gross. “Nature colorcodes vegetables for us. The more colors you eat, the better.”
When it comes to supplements, Dr. Gross believes that applying vitaminstopically is the most effective means of preventing aging and treating existing skin conditions. “Applying ingredients to our skin early on can make a significant difference in preventing premature aging,” he says. Sleep is also a powerful skincare remedy. “The most important thing we can do to change our skin for the better is to get more sleep,” says Dr. Gross. “This is number one. Sleep helps our skin with immunity and regeneration.” And, he adds, use a satin pillowcase to reduce friction on the face while sleeping.
Hip fracture, broken wrist, sprained ankles, broken pelvis—these are all injuries we have treated at Back to Sports Physical Therapy that occurred as the result of a fall. Falls are the leading cause of injury and deaths among older adults and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. Nationally, more than one third of adults age 65 and older fall each year. Not surprisingly, given our fast-moving lifestyle, falls are an even more common occurrence in New York City, particularly the Upper East Side. Fall rates and fall-related hip fractures are more than 20% higher in our neighborhood than the average New York City rate. Several factors contribute to falling: weakness, poor coordination, reduced vision, rushing and drug interaction. But there is hope and falling does not have to be a normal part of aging. Most of the factors that contribute to falls are modifiable, if not preventable:
Lower body strength can be greatly improved with a good exercise regimen, providing a strong base of support.
Our internal position sense, or proprioception, can also be greatly improved with practice.
Working to negotiate challenging obstacles, curbs and uneven surfaces improves coordination and control.
Maintaining regularly scheduled vision examinations helps identify issues with depth perception and the ability to judge
potential tripping hazards.
Keep current with physician consultations to review updated medication lists.
In some cases, falls can be related to inner ear deficiencies of the vestibular system, which give the brain information about proprioception. A deficiency in this system may result in vertigo, especially after turning the head or rolling. This can be checked during an exam by a physician or physical therapist and is often cured with a series of specific head movements and follow-up exercise program.
At Back to Sports, we treat balance deficiencies with a three-pronged approach: a thorough assessment, a home exercise prescription and individual training. An accurate balance assessment is crucial.
We have recently acquired the BIODEX Balance System SD™— a premier assessment tool that, in as short as 15 minutes, will generate a Fall Risk Assessment that will flag individuals who are at high risk for falls. Following the objective assessment, a plan is developed and implemented. Frequently the plan will include strengthening exercises, challenging balance tasks and/or a visit to the pool for aquatic therapy. Research in The Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy found individuals in pool programs improved their balance 30% faster than those working on land alone. Proactively attacking a balance deficit is the best way to prevent falls and maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. For more information or to schedule an assessment, call 646.707.0400.
Back to Sports Physical Therapy has been invited to join the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery Rehabilitation Network, representing an important endorsement of our commitment to excellence at the 92nd Street Y.
We Didn’t Quite Hear You, Can You Repeat That Please?
“Researchers found that exposure to subway noise levels for two hours or, at one 102.1-decibel-loud station, as little as two minutes a day could damage hearing."–L Magazine: Subway Noise is Making You Deaf.
“Noise is the number one complaint to the City’s 311 citizen service hotline, currently averaging nearly 1,000 calls a day."–CityMayors.com: New York Mayor in fight against noise pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Noise Abatement and Control was defunded in 1982. The Noise Control Act of 1972 and the Quiet Communities Act of 197: “...remain in effect today, although essentially unfunded."–EPA.gov
Living in New York City is a privilege people all over the world fantasize about. It can also be challenging and stressful, particularly when dealing with the noise. Noise is not only a nuisance, as the information noted above shows. Studies have also shown it is a hazard to our physical and mental health.
To learn more about these issues, and new strategies to preserve and improve hearing for life, join audiologist Craig A. Kasper on Nov 17 for Healthy Hearing, Healthy Life. Explore the link between healthy hearing and overall well-being. May Center Members will receive more than %50 off ticket prices when calling 212.415.5500 to purchase tickets.
We recently spent a few moments with Julius “Honeybun” Edwards (seen at left), referee for the 
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Time Out New York found New York City’s seven best trainers, and the 92nd Street Y’s very own 
Dr. Gross cites tap water as a leading environmental aggressor. Impurities such as iron, calcium and heavy metals are not filtered out of our bathing water, leaving collagen-destroying, cancer-causing free radicals on our skin after we shower. High levels of chlorine, used as a germicide, are also harmful. In addition to heavy metals, we inadvertently come into contact with a wide range of airborne and water pollutants, often made more damaging when they interact with the sun. According to Dr. Gross, carbon monoxide can cause skin redness and rashes, ozone in the air from pollutants depletes antioxidants in our bodies and causes free radicals, and nitrous oxide depletes sebum, the naturally occurring layer that protects our skin.
