Sanctuary Body

Over the past few months, I’ve faced the worst pain of my life—pain so severe it brought everything to a halt. A 30 year old back injury flared up on Thanksgiving, leaving me unable to walk without help.

My recovery has been possible thanks to a phenomenal team of experts, starting with Gabriel Ewing, a Rolfer at Sanctuary Body. After just one session with Gabriel, I started to feel some relief. Over the following weeks, he and Ray Allen (another Rolfer at Sanctuary) worked to release fascial tension and realign my body. They also connected me with a chiropractor, who's expertise made a tremendous difference in how I felt.

I ultimately needed surgery to relieve the pressure on my nerves. The wait felt much longer than it actually was, but Rolfing and chiropractic care provided essential pain management and kept my body as balanced as possible. When the time finally came, an excellent surgeon operated on my spine, and the results were immediate—my nerve pain disappeared, and I was walking the same day.

This experience reinforced why we take an integrated approach to fitness and wellness at Sanctuary Body. A custom blend of personal training, Pilates, and bodywork gets better results for our clients in less time. When injuries or surgeries occur, each member of the team can contribute their expertise to help clients manage pain, minimize the damage, and recover more smoothly.

Our bodies are complex, and wellness often requires a team. I’m so grateful to mine for helping me through this journey, and can’t wait to get back to supporting my clients!

Happy New Year from the team at Sanctuary Body. Wishing you peace, good health, and new possibilities in 2025.

"And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been." — Rainer Maria Rilke

"Until the early 2000s, doctors believed fascia was just packaging for more important body parts. Since then, researchers have discovered that the connective tissue plays a vital role in how we function and is key to flexibility and range of motion." See the comments for a link to the New York Times article about fascia and health.

Emerging research supports the fundamental premise of the therapy known as Rolfing: "Caring for your fascia may help treat chronic pain and improve exercise performance and overall well-being."

At Sanctuary Body, we're fortunate to have Rolfer Gabriel Ewing on our team. Gabe works with clients and their trainers to create personalized Rolfing programs that address pain and movement restrictions, helping clients move more freely, prevent injuries, get better results at the gym, and enjoy a better quality of life.

Rolfing combines movement and hands-on manipulation to release tension in soft tissues, promoting proper alignment and reducing pain. You can expect noticeable benefits from your first session, with ongoing progress over several sessions as Gabe treats your whole body and helps you build awareness of how it moves.

If pain or lack of mobility is diminishing your exercise routine or quality of life, Rolfing is for you. Contact Sanctuary Body to schedule a consultation with Gabe.

Between the colder days, longer nights, and a 24-hour news cycle that just won't quit, a lot of us are feeling overwhelmed. This is a gentle reminder to anyone who needs it: Self-care is NOT an indulgence! It's vital to living our best lives, showing up for our loved ones, and contributing our best to the world.

Numerous studies have shown that massage can help reduce anxiety and depression, boost mood and self-image, and even improve sleep. Our massage therapist, Jennifer, can customize a fantastic massage just for you, or a series of treatments to help keep stress at bay.

We also offer acupuncture, which has been proven to increase feel-good brain chemicals like seratonin while decreasing stress hormones in the body.

And of course, there's nothing like a work-out to boost your mood and make you feel empowered.

Don't wait for the crash. Give your body, mind, and spirit the care they deserve. Visit our website (links in the comments) and schedule a massage, or whatever service will help you feel your best.

By prioritizing self care, you’re taking charge of your own well-being AND building the resilience to keep up with a world that needs your unique perspective and passion.

Introducing the newest member to the Sanctuary Body team, Jennifer Stephens. Her expertise includes prenatal and postpartum work, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy. She's also certified to practice Thai Folk Medicine including prenatal Thai bodywork, and has completed training in Ayurvedic techniques and applications.

Jennifer is passionate about finding sustainable solutions to opportunities, not only with her clients, but also in the community. To her, sustainability is achieved through self agency and accessibility, and her life's work - both on and off the table or mat - is dedicated to facilitating these concepts.

She's very enthusiastic about joining the Sanctuary Body team, and we are fortunate to have her! Visit the links in the comments to learn more about Jennifer and book your first treatment with her.

No pain, all gain! This is what it all comes down to for us - helping clients get more out of their bodies and their lives, and feel great doing it.

"I absolutely love this place. I’ve had pretty intense knee and right shoulder pain. I haven’t been going for a ton of time but in the last four sessions I can feel my body getting stronger and I can honestly say that the regular knee pain has completely melted away. New parts of my body are firing, I’m way more supported, and I’m excited to keep going. Mostly worked with Pete and Brandon. Legends. ✨"

Twelve years ago this month, Sanctuary Body opened for business in Fells Point. Twelve years!! We've grown our team, updated our brand, survived COVID, and fostered new partnerships as we continue to innovate and grow.

Some of our first clients still train with us today, while new ones are joining all the time. From dedicated athletes to older adults looking to stay mobile and fit for life, our clients have one thing in common – a commitment to making a long-term investment in their health and fitness. It's an honor to serve you all, and your positive feedback and support have helped us to become one of Baltimore's best and most loved gyms.

Thank you for twelve great years, Baltimore! Here's to many, many more.

Your body is buzzing with crosstalk after your workout, as fat cells and muscle cells communicate about how to keep you fit and strong! This article from the New York Times (link in the comments) does a great job a breaking down the latest research, which sheds light on how weight training contributes to fat loss for up to 24 hours after your workout!

Our bodies are utterly fascinating, and so complex.

Yoni Rosenblatt of True Sports Physical Therapy has the inside scoop on how injured Orioles players are recovering, and when we can hope to see them back on the field. We're honored to share our studio with Yoni and his team, nobody is more knowledgeable when it comes to sports injury recovery.




https://www.youtube.com/live/HDNi9RTcPis

MLB Answering Your Questions & Orioles Injuries Updates

Sanctuary Body is hiring!

We're seeking an experienced Contemporary Pilates Instructor to join our studio. We offer:

- A beautiful, inspiring workspace in the heart of Fells Point with state-of-the-art equipment, amenities, and off-street parking

- Autonomy in your practice and support to grow your client base

- Collaboration with a team of skilled fitness and wellness professionals to achieve optimal results for your clients

- Competitive compensation reflecting your experience and expertise

If you're a knowledgeable, dedicated instructor who is passionate about the power of Pilates to transform bodies and lives, we’d love to have you on our team. Click the link in the comments to learn more.






[COMMENTS ONLY: www.sanctuarybody.com/about-us/join-the-team

Now hiring Pilates instructors!

Are you a highly qualified Contemporary Equipment Pilates instructor looking to build your business in Southeast Baltimore? We want to hear from you!

Sanctuary Body provides personalized, one-on-one Equipment Pilates training to clients who are committed to investing in their long-term health and well-being. Our instructors stay busy because we’re one of the most highly regarded gyms in Baltimore, with dozens of 5-star reviews!

Serve your clients in a serene and inspiring space that they’ll look forward to visiting again and again. Click the link in the comments to apply.

What's the most impressive sport in the Summer Olympics?

The Olympic Games showcase the absolute peak of human physical potential. While most of us definitely shouldn't hold ourselves to these standards, we can learn a lot from Olympians - and their trainers - about how to maximize results from our workouts. Some of America's top athletes shared their secrets in a recent article from Men's Health. Surfer Griffin Colapinto's tips on developing balance were especially insightful - plus who has more fun training than surfers??) https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a60948193/fitness-tips-of-summer-olympians/

Wow we had a blast today for our first 4th of July session. I appreciate you all for coming in and building memories together. 💪🏽

Time in the outdoors is extremely therapeutic, but in intense summer heat, there are some serious safety considerations to keep in mind. Despite June's spiking temperatures (the heat index has topped 100℉) we still saw folks running and exercising outside. Please, only do this if you're acclimated to the heat, well hydrated, and in good health. Most importantly, know the signs of heat stroke and be prepared to take immediate steps to address it - for yourself and for others around you.

When in doubt, exercising inside is safest. If laps and stairs at the mall don't sound appealing, of course our trainers have much better options for you! 😉

FIRST COMMENT: This guide from the Mayo Clinic has some great tips for enjoying the outdoors safely in summer.

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayoqahot-weather-exercise/