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YOUR BODY AND YOUR MIND

difference in their quality of life. Stretching has restored simple functions, such as maintaining muscle and reducing fall risks, Susan said.

The process is gradual. Clients stretch out on a specially made bed, equipped with patented straps that allow the client to relax fully and the practitioner to immobilize areas not being worked on, to properly isolate and target each muscle group.

A routine has been set up to assure the client that the stretch won’t go too far. The methodology is called 3, 5, 7.

“We tell them, when they first start to feel the stretch, to say 3,” Susan said. “Then, we release the stretch and tell them when they feel it stretch a little more, say 5. We release, and then go for a deep stretch, when they say 7. It’s important for them to know we’ll never reach a 10 during a session. We work every major muscle … You are in control of your stretch.”

This procedure was developed to help stretch practitioners understand each client’s level of discomfort, and to not push past that. Each practitioner is certified through a national board, and all have previous experience in body care, from personal training to chiropractic.

WHO CAN BENEFIT?

The short answer is everyone can benefit from stretching, according to Susan. Perhaps the people who need it most are those who stand on their feet all day (health care workers, hair stylists), push their bodies to the limit (athletes) or find themselves repeating the same motions day after day (working at a desk, on computers, etc.). Golfers, pickleball players and athletes, from high school to professionals, see huge gains in their range of motion, improvements in their game and a reduction in injury risks.

“I used to work with a personal trainer who’d stretch us afterward,” Susan said. “I never developed soreness, thanks to stretching. I’d work out because I wanted to get stretched. A lot of the testimony we hear is from golfers who say how it’s helped improve their game.”

Among the benefits are: pain relief from sciatica and plantar fasciitis; balance can be strengthened; poor posture can be corrected. Improvements in these areas often can prevent surgery.

PHOTOS BY RED BARYL PORTRAITS

Studio Manager Brandon Nix with Susan Black.

assessment is made, and a plan is developed to address each individual’s needs. Insurance isn’t accepted, but payments from health savings accounts are welcome. The cost of each visit is comparable to a copay for a physician. Susan wants to work with corporate clients as well, to bring health and wellness, and to help employee retention.

Susan opened her first Stretch Zone in Woodstock in March 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down everything. Despite that, her business grew, and now she has eight franchises. The company has 200 locations nationwide, averaging two to three new stores a week. Brand ambassador Drew Brees has eight locations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

“It’s not a trend, and it’s not boutique fitness,” she said. “It’s the one void in health care that’s never been addressed. There really is a need.”

470-499-3539

Scan here to register for a FREE stretch in Woodstock.

1426 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 100 Woodstock, GA 30189 www.stretchzone.com/locations

WOODSTOCK | ROSWELL JOHNS CREEK | KENNESAW ACWORTH | PEACHTREE CITY

Must be a local resident and over the age of 14. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by legal guardian.

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Woodstock Home Among Preservation Winners

History Cherokee (HC) held its annual Historic Preservation awards banquet on Aug. 18 to honor the preservation successes in Cherokee County from the past year. HC honored six historic sites: 1. The Grogan-Holcomb-McNeal Home in Woodstock. 2. Goshen Baptist Church in Salacoa. 3. The Grande Tea Room in Ball Ground.

4. The Hickory Flat Gym in Canton. 5. Conns Creek Baptist Church and School in

Ball Ground.

6. Bennett’s Store in Waleska.

“The award winners this year represent a diverse type of historic properties found throughout Cherokee County. Four properties are community landmarks - churches, a country store and school gym. The other two were built 30 years apart but exhibit the same craftsmanship found in many historic residential buildings such as the tongue-and-groove walls,” HC Executive Director Stefanie Joyner said.

In addition, HC presented two awards to individuals in the community who have volunteered their time and resources to further HC’s mission of collecting, preserving and sharing Cherokee County history. JoEllen Wilson, Canton City Council member and longtime community figure, received the Volunteer of the Year award for her work on the Capital Campaign to help build the new Cherokee County History Center (set to open in November), and she currently volunteers on HC’s standing Development Committee.

The Judson W. Roberts Lifetime Service award was presented to Rebecca Johnston. “Rebecca has been a treasured volunteer for over a decade and has worked tirelessly to preserve Cherokee County’s history,” Joyner said. “In addition to publishing numerous history books, she has led our Capital Campaign efforts to build the new History Center. Under her leadership, we were able to raise over $4.3 million.”

History Cherokee will continue to support historic preservation in our community through the Preservation Awards Banquet next year. To learn more, visit historycherokee.org/support.