Every year at Passover we tell the story of the Jews leaving Egypt. Whether you take that story to be a literal tale of a people moving from slavery into freedom, or a symbolic representation of a massive psychic shift of consciousness, in retelling the story it benefits us to look at our own lives, confront the issues that hold us back and find new ways to free ourselves from the self-imposed limitations that curtail our growth and impede our personal progress.
Ilana Arzt, founder and owner of Enerjoy Fitness in Scottsdale, is the perfect person to help you challenge those old limiting patterns. As a daughter of Conservative Rabbi Raphael Arzt, she grew up in Israel and found it curious that “Jewish people were always so focused on the mind and the spirit. It was like they tended to ignore the body, to negate its importance.” Ever since Ilana can recall, she’s been educating people about the body and inspiring others to move beyond the limitations they often set for themselves.
Ilana taught aerobics in Israel and was the Israeli champion in aerobic dance in 1993 and 1994. She represented Israel in the world championship in 1995. She also served in the Israeli Air Force and was a fitness trainer for combat soldiers. She had a good life in Israel.
But after attending a seminar by People Unlimited in Tel Aviv, she found a community of like-minded individuals who shared her beliefs about agelessness and wellness. So she packed up and moved to their headquarters here to Scottsdale.
Two years ago she opened her own gym, Enerjoy Fitness, to inspire people around her to move and stay healthy. “This belief that you have to slow down as you age,” counsels Ilana, “is simply not true. You actually have to speed up. But you have to be smart about it. I’m inspired to move. So my clients are inspired to move. We propel each other.” Ilana’s clients range from people in their 20s to octogenar- ians. She works with them on diet, exercise and overall well-being.
“There is a common agreement in society,” explains Ilana, “that once you hit 40 you start declining. But that isn’t inevitable.” She recognizes that the ac- cumulation of years and wear and tear on the body is real. But with the proper components, Ilana guides people to replenish their bodies and limit their discomfort from aging and disease. In fact, six of her “masters” (age 60+) competed in last year’s Natural Figure and Body Building competition in Mesa, AZ, an event attended by more than 300. Isa Parrault, 62; Cheryle Piatelli, 64; Sandy Felkins, 60; Christi Christians, 62; Christina Iriza, 71; and Sara Goldenberg, 66, donned string bikinis and brought the audience to its feet when they were introduced at Mesa Arts Center. Their beauty, vibrancy and confidence was overwhelming. Like Ilana, these women challenged the myths that insist growing old means looking old, feeling old and thinking old. “It’s unheard of for women in their 60s plus to look and feel this good,” says Ilana, “so we were excited to break new ground.”
“Physically,” says Isa Parrault, “I am in better condition than I’ve ever been in my life.” Christi Christians agrees, adding, “I want to give the mes- sage to people that we never have to give up, that we can be fit, beautiful and attractive at any age.” Ilana is proud of her masters team and the progress they have made. “I felt they could reach places they never dreamed of,” she confides. “I knew it would give them a feeling of being unlimited and not giving in to the way that people think about aging. I wanted them to experience a different reality – that as long as they choose to, and are willing to work at it, they can get better all the time.”
So this year, as you tell the amazing story of our ancestors’ exodus from Egypt, challenge whatever beliefs are holding you back and enslaving you. Believe that you can break free from your own limitations. Maybe that means physically challenging yourself, or at least challenging the myths that in some way hold you captive. As my father, alav ha-shalom, used to say, “You can do anything when you put your mind to it.”
Check out Ilana at enerjoyfitness.com.
