Publications

Bringing your body back to its natural balance

If you have ever thought that stretching was something you are “supposed” to do or only do as an afterthought think again. According to one world-renowned expert, it’s the fundamental foundation and key to a person’s total health and fitness.

Garry Nimmo is the founder of Active Balance and a specialist in Active Isolated Stretching (AIS), a technique developed over 40 years ago by its founder and developer Aaron Matte, which Garry believes has the potential to be life-changing for his clients.

He explained: “People think it’s ‘just’ stretching, but it’s much more than that – AIS can affect change in some of the deepest tissues in the human body.

“I believe that AIS is the most revolutionary form of stretching and even people who don’t believe it can work have seen the difference it can make.”

The unique approach of AIS is a physiological release of muscle and connective tissue in the way the human body is designed to function, therefore there is no aggravation of the natural protective mechanisms of our connective tissues.

It also increases blood flow to body tissue and increases lymphatic flow from the tissue. Garry says the result of this is an increase in nutrients, heat to the tissue and the removal of cellular waste products from the musculature, which helps maximise the healing process and reduces recovery time.

But it’s not just about doing stretches – it’s about doing the right stretches in the right way and that’s why Active Balance is run on the principles of “educate, inform and empower”. Garry aims to not just treat his patients during appointments, but to educate and allow them to look after themselves in a better way going forward.

The expert works with a number of local, national and world champion athletes and he believes he knows how to get them performing at their best and protecting their bodies, not just while participating in their sport of choice, but for their lives afterwards.

Garry said: “Any athlete, in any sport, at any level, has to be intrinsically unstable to perform at their optimum level.

“Being unstable means that they are able to move in a totally unrestricted three-dimensional manner, this optimises their performance and also reduces a predisposition to injury.”

This work has been introduced into the training programmes of the Aberdeen FB Ladies national performance u16 and u19 teams.

“In 2018 I treated a member of the U19s team, then one of her teammates and it carried on from there.

“I offered my services to the under 19s team because I am so impressed by women’s football.

“I now attend every training session and match, enabling me to treat players immediately on the side of the pitch.”

It’s his commitment to sport and athletes in the Aberdeen area that led him to sponsor the Young Sports Achiever category at this year’s Aberdeen Sports Awards.

This award will honour a sports performer under the age of 18 years, competing at the highest level of their sport, including Para athletes and athletes with disabilities, who has achieved significant success or improvement in their development as an athlete. 

The awards will be held on Tuesday, March 15, at P&J Live.

Find out more about Garry and his work at activebalance.org.uk.