Beverly Stegman began incorporating ballet barre with her yoga techniques several years ago and one day last summer had a unique vision. “What if there were multiple levels of bars, which would use and maximize leverage, gravity and bodyweight for resistance,” Stegman pondered the implications.

 

She calculated the precise distances for each level of the strategically placed bars, based on countless hours of developing varying yoga techniques and utilizing supported postures, and had the barre structures built to her specifications. Thus, Raising the Bars Yoga – The Stegman Method ℠ was born. In developing this unique method of multiple-level barre yoga, Stegman asserts that the techniques challenge one’s core stability and balance, and increases flexibility, strength, and endurance in ways not typically achieved by traditional yoga or through other therapeutic exercise and treatment.

 

“Multi-level barre medical yoga can lengthen and strengthen the spine,” explains Stegman. “It can improve posture and body mechanics, prevent and/or manage back, shoulder, neck, and hip pain, improve breathing capacity, as well as strength and flexibility.” Stegman says these unique techniques can even prevent progression of scoliosis (lateral curve of spine), the progression of kyphosis (excessive rounding of upper spine), and prevent and reduce forward flexed head.

 

 

Who can benefit from Raising the Bars Yoga℠? According to Stegman, individuals with back pain, neck pain, hip pain and/or shoulder pain, to include those suffering from arthritis, and fibromyalgia; those with such postural abnormalities as scoliosis, kyphosis, excessive or reduced lordosis, forward flexed head, and sciatica; and people with balance and/or posture issues. “This one-of-a-kind method can help individuals with special needs such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Downs Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, asthma, Reactive Airway Disease, COPD, etc.,” she asserts. “I’m interested to see how we can help athletes utilizing this method, focusing on injury prevention and sports performance enhancement with specific protocols for various sports like running, soccer, softball, baseball, golf, and so forth.”

 

Raising the Bars Yoga – The Stegman Method ℠ is available in three conveniently located Atlanta area locations, as small group (3-6) classes or private sessions for focusing on individual issues and needs. Those interested may contact Stegman 404-435-5052 to schedule an initial, complimentary consultation.

 

As owner/administrator of Foundation Therapy Center since 2001, Stegman is intricately involved in the specialized protocols and services offered by the Center, which include physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthopedic therapy, neurological rehabilitation, pain management treatment, massage therapy, reflexology with use of medical grade essential oils, yoga for medical conditions and overall health and wellness, diabetes rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, TMD/TMJ rehabilitation, weight loss exercise, and – relatively new to the Center – trigger point dry needling. For nearly 30 years Stegman has gained extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, alignment, sports medicine, injury first aid, and medical terminology. She works closely with the certified therapists she employs, as well as numerous physicians, surgeons, clinicians, and medical practitioners.

 

Foundation Therapy's Comprehensive Neuropathy Treatment Center offers a ground-breaking, multidisciplinary, natural approach to neuropathy treatment. Also unique to FTC is its newly structured The Parkinson’s Place for Rehabilitation.

 

Numerous times throughout the year, the Foundation Therapy offers complimentary free lectures to local senior communities and local businesses, as well as balance/fall risk screenings, and injury/pain consultation. Each month Stegman hosts The Better Breathers' Club at Foundation Therapy, with presentations by local medical, health and wellness professionals for patients with lung disease and associated symptoms like shortness of breath. Complimentary pulmonary rehabilitation consultation is also offered by Foundation Therapy. "Better Breathers Clubs offer the opportunity to learn ways to better cope with COPD while getting the support of others who share in your struggles. These support groups give you the tools you need to live the best quality of life you can," states the American Lung Association.