CHRISTA LUDWIG In My Own Voice: Memoirs
Page 54
Singing Around the World
This crazy city has become something of a second home to me, and I love it. But New York, is of course, a lot more than a city. New York is a philosophy of life. I feel rejuvenated there, the living is easy, and no one looks to see how you are dressed, or if your handbag matches your shoes. Miracles can still happen in New York, although perhaps no one goes from newsboy to millionaire these days.
But I know someone who succeeded in New York for whom I have the greatest respect. Many years ago when I sang in Jerusalem and gave a master class with the encouragement of Isaac Stern, I was tormented by a nasty neck sprain and migraine. Someone recommended a physical therapist to me named Shmuel Tatz, and he worked wonders. Already after the first treatment I felt a lot better. A few years later, Shmuel called me at my hotel in New York, and told me that he had come to the city because his wife was studying piano at the Juilliard School. They wanted to stay, so he was looking for new clients, and I was the first person he called. Of course, I was really pleased to find this extremely competent man again, and he immediately came to my hotel with his massage table folded under his arm. I recommended him to others, and slowly he built up a list of clients. At first he could only rent a tiny studio (without a window!) in the Carnegie Hall building, and he worked there all day long, in the truest sense, with only his own two hands. Always when I come to New York, the first person I visit is Shmuel, my physical therapist. In just two years, his knowhow and diligence paid off. He now has a big studio, even assistants, and he is well-established in his profession. Only in New York could this happen!
Marta Podlesnik at seven years old is always the youngest person in the Body Tuning studio. "The other people stare at me," she says, her eyes lighting up to shown that she enjoys the attention. In many ways Marta is a typical seven year old, except that she has learned at an unusually early age how physical injury can get in the way of doing what you want to do.
Marta has been playing the piano since she was three. She says her favorite composers are back and Bartok. Her grandmother is a music teacher wand the whole family has followed her musical development with great enthusiasm. But Marta's progress was seriously hindered when she suddenly began to experience sharp pains between her third an fourth fingers.
Continue reading.
"The thing that separates Shmuel and his staff from chiropractors and physical therapists is the way they treat your body and your problems as an individual case."
Twenty-seven year old Julian Levene is professional dancer. He is energetic and vivacious and has the stamina to study ballet 15 hours a week on top of working over 40 hours a week in a hair salon. But when Julian came to Body Tuning he was at the end of his rope, having suffered from chronic pain and immobility in right shoulder for three years.
Continue reading.
by Sheila Weinstein
My physical therapist has an office in one of the studio towers at Carnegie Hall that houses people in various artistic professions. His name is Shmuel Tatz. He is world renowned for his magical work, which he calls ‘body tuning,’ with famous dancers, pianists and musicians of all kinds. Finding him is a great blessing in my arthritic and muscle aching life. His studio is unlike any other. I open the door and enter a peaceful world. Irina, a serenely beautiful assistant sits at her desk... the only sound... classical music playing in the background. Lights are dimmed, talking is at a minimum between Shmuel, his staff and patients.
Continue reading.
A Healing Story
by Jill Siegel
The day that I became injured is still very clear in my mind but unfortunately even more clear in my body. I had gone to a chiropractor that I had very little experience with due to the fact that my long time chiropractor in New York City had moved to California a few years ago. Since this new chiropractor was a few blocks from my home, I thought I would give him a try. Unfortunately, something terrible happened while lying on my back on his treatment table. He grabbed one ankle and pulled very hard – I screamed in pain – but without even a hesitation he then grabbed my right ankle and again pulled very hard. I heard an audible pop sound and again the pain was excruciating. But this time my heart sank, because something felt very wrong in my foot and ankle. All the energy seemed to drain from my foot and leg. When I returned home the ankle began to swell and it felt very much like a severe sprain.
Continue reading.
by Hattie
I realize that this title is rather vague…what could I possibly be referring to? Well, here goes…the answer:
I have been plagued by severe shoulder pain for decades, seeking advice and treatment from friend and foe alike. I tried acupuncture, physiotherapy, chiropractry, aromatherapy…even a cortisone shot!
Nothing helped.
Continue reading.
