BUZZ

Celebrating Volunteering at Hartford Hospital

Giving back to the community is something Sharon Sklar, Certified Advanced Rolfer, loves to do. In January, she celebrates 10 years of providing pet therapy with her dogs at Hartford Hospital’s Gray Cancer Center. Being a cancer survivor herself, Sharon chose to give back with her dog, Boscoboy. They underwent training with Pet Partners and were accepted to volunteer once a month. However, Sharon felt that was too little so for the last ten years, she also goes every other Wednesday with Bosco and her second dog, Spanky, until Bosco’s sudden passing in May. Spanky loves his “work” at the hospital and is happy to be coaching his new puppy brother, Sunny Boy. When he is old enough and passes therapy training, Sunny Boy will become a pet therapy team member as well. Besides her Hartford Hospital volunteering, Sharon is also a mentor in the West Hartford Public Schools and bakes and delivers lasagna for The Lasagna Love Project, and she is on the Development Committee at The Connecticut Humane Society as well. Combined with her passion for her work as a Rolfer in her 41st year of practice Sharon sleeps well, knowing she cares for others and gives back. In this new year, you are urged to give of yourself. If you have a dog, there is a huge need for pet therapy teams all over—schools, convalescent homes, hospitals, airports, and trauma teams—who show up when needed. If you don’t have a dog or if you think your dog can’t be trained, try helping refugee resettlement, mentoring kids in schools, or helping to feed the hungry—it’s all about reaching out with love and compassion. Be the action, take a stand, give of yourself! Start the New Year off with a bang—there is a never-ending need. You’ll be the prize!

Sharon Sklar is a Certified Advanced Rolfer®. State licensed and the only Rolfer in Central CT, Sharon works with direct manipulation of the soft tissue of the body and movement re-education over a ten-session series to help her clients feel freer, get more balanced and reduce chronic pain. Great for athletes, children and adults recovering from injuries, stress or the traumas of life. Inquiries are encouraged! Call 860.561.4337 for more information. www.SharonSklarRolfing.com. See ad on page 17 >

Improve Your Health with Stretch Therapy

Over the last several years, there has been a steadily growing buzz in Connecticut about stretch therapy. You may have heard someone say they are “going to go get stretched” and wondered what that meant. In assisted stretching, a therapist helps their client work with range of motion and flexibility through stretch techniques. This can help prevent injuries by increasing stability and lengthening soft tissue. Stretching increases blood flow to the tissue, which in turn increases oxygen and nutrients. That extra flow will help decrease muscle soreness as well, making it ideal post-workout! It also can improve posture, and the long-term benefits of the increased range of motion and flexibility can’t be understated. When you couple massage techniques with assisted stretching, the benefits are significant. It helps the therapist work more effectively by warming up the muscles, allowing them to do deeper work faster while also preserving their bodies, as it is less taxing on them. Personally, I carry a lot of stress and tension in my neck and shoulders. When my therapist stretches my upper body, it helps release so much of that tension. Add to that a great massage and wow, is it impactful! Best of all, this is not just for athletes—it is for everyone!

Elisabeth Johnson is the Campus Director of Cortiva Institute in Cromwell, CT. Cortiva offers a robust Massage Therapy and Esthetics program as well as CEU courses for advanced training. She can be reached at 860.667.1886 or at elisabethj@cortiva.edu. See ad on page 17 >