“A healthy person has a thousand wishes, but a sick person has only one” Indian Proverb
by David Welch: When Dr. Zazulak first reached out for a possible review of her new book, Master Your Core, a science-based guide to achieving peak performance and cultivating resilience to injury, I was intrigued, as I have always been athletic, and once made my living as a Hollywood Stuntman. I used to push my body to the extremes. Now, having long crossed the threshold of 60, I am even more interested in keeping my body in top physical condition.
I had a strong feeling this book could also serve as a guide to furthering my goal of not merely living a long-life, but one that is injury-free, disease-free, and full of energy. I would like my health span—the period of one’s life that is healthy—to be younger than my chronological years.
Call me a dreamer, but I want to continue living the life of a man who would be in his biological 30s or at least his early 40s. And now that I have finished reading Master Your Core, I find that I am all the more encouraged by that possibility. If you plan to live a long life in a healthy and happy body, this book is essential reading.
Master Your Core is a well researched, evidence-based, and all around useful guide to understanding and strengthening your primary core. Dr. Zazulak gives you the tools and information needed to holistically integrate mind and spirit, protect your physical body, while enhancing your ability to function at your peak performance.
It is written by someone who clearly loves her work and sees it as her mission to empower and improve the lives of those that read it. The fact that she emphasizes the necessity of attaining wholeness within body, mind and spirit is paramount to its success.
“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit.
When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distraction,
the gates of the soul open.”
B.K.S. Iyengar
Besides being a research scientist, Dr. Zazulak is an elite athlete. Her commitment to discovering the reasons why so many women get injured, and to then developing science-based solutions is inspiring. Master Your Core is written with careful attention to detail so that we come away with a clear understanding, as well as the inspiration and resolve to take action toward our own holistic health.
Master Your Core is a valuable contribution for everyone—regardless of age, gender and level of athletic ability. The book culminates with the core flourishing phase, which includes detailed illustrations and instructions around various practices, such as Pilates, Yoga, Martial Arts, dance, music, laughter, biking, walking, being in nature and others, so as to develop and sustain optimal health. It is presented in an inspiring and useful manner, so that everyone can be masters of their own health.
In Dr. Zazulak’s own words:
“Throughout my decades of clinical and investigative experience, I have learned that the foundation for injury prevention, recovery, and overall wellness is based on four fundamental principles of a healthy core BASE that each person must learn and incorporate into their life to truly flourish:
Breathing deeply with dynamic stretches to align and awaken your inner core. Without proper breathing habits, you will never maximize your core strength and stability.
Awareness of your mind-core connection through meditation, kinetic learning, and nervous system training with scientifically-based core exercises for activation, strength, coordination, and control.
Stability of your core as the control center of your body, developed through a dynamic core stability arsenal of exercises for your core to function properly and protect you from injury.
Empowerment of your core through alternative philosophies and activities that will help you make core stability part of your lifestyle. You’ll be able to use your own unique interests and skills to achieve core empowerment while having fun and enjoying new adventures and challenges.“
I highly recommend this masterfully written book. You will come away with the knowledge of how to master your core and develop a fully integrated and balanced physical body, mind and spirit.
Founder/Chief Editor
