It was reported today that a new magnet school opened in Spartanburg, SC. Some might say it’s not a big deal, but The Academy of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine magnet program is like no other magnet - ever. What makes this school different? While most middle school students take PE for nine weeks of the year, these students will have it every day, for 45 minutes, for the entire school year.

 It makes  sense that a school devote itself to  the academic wellbeing of their kids as well as  their health and wellness. Administrators will tell you that the test scores for children in the higher BMI ranges (Body Mass Index) are systematically low or below average. Kids who are overweight are less likely to succeed in school, less likely to go to college, have a family or lose the weight.
 
 If we don’t treat the kids most affected by the skyrocketing incidence of adolescent obesity, we’ll pay for them later. I can tell you that after 7 years in the business of providing treatment to kids, we have learned that having engaged adults available to these kids is crucial. I look to one kid specifically in our Fit Club program that Louie’s Kids introduced this past summer at Mitchell Elementary. Her Mom, Dad and Grandmother are all supporting her – they’ve made their house a fat-free zone, they’ve encouraged her to wear her pedometer, asked her if she’s journaling as required, and the results are in –she’s lost 22 lbs since June 3.

Let’s join with Spartanburg and recognize programs like Fit Club, the Lean Team or Junior Doctors in Health as opportunities to turn around failing schools and support children’s health and their overall wellbeing.
 
Louis Yuhasz 

Charleston Magazine’s Giving Back Awards announced, Friday, Sept 5, 2008index.html

So the 2008 5th annual yoga marathon is coming together in Marion Square. Right now the line up of teachers looks like Kari Kim, Beth Thomas and Michelle Scarafile from Blue Turtle, Cameron Gunter from Phoebe Pember House, Andrew, Allison and B from Jivumukti, Brenton and John from From Seed to Tree and Lynn Tally.

We are still looking for the City’s most popular yogi’s to call sun salutations that day -give us a shout if you’re interested.

You can download a sponsor form and get started raising money for us here on the site. Scroll down on our blog and click on the link to the sponsor form and the poster -and pssst “tell your friends!”

Thanks for checking in!
Louis