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What is a 'flexologist' — and do you need to see one?

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What is a 'flexologist' — and do you need to see one?

The signs seemed to be proliferating around Los Angeles — along Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, in mini-malls on Pacific Coast Highway, on side streets in Glendale and Venice: StretchLab, Stretch Zone, StretchSPOT, StretchMed.

Deborah Vankin’s 50-minute stretch session included 13 stretches on either side of her body.

(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

I’d been curious about assisted stretching for a while. But I never thought to visit a studio. Sure, “recovery” is a growing trend in fitness — meaning rejuvenating muscles, tendons and the central nervous system between exercise sessions by focusing on hydration, proper nutrition, sleep and, yes, active stretching so as to maximize athletic performance. But I own three foam rollers — one smooth, one spiky, one padded — and even use them at home. I’m also far from an extreme athlete, preferring instead brisk hikes for cardio and basic strength training.

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Why would I drive to a mini-mall and pay someone to stretch me? What would that even look like — and was it worth it?

The questions rumbled in my head as I drove past yet another StretchLab recently — this one on Beverly Boulevard near Hollywood. So I called them up.

The StretchLab sign on its front door.

StretchLab has 15 locations in the L.A. area, including in Echo Park.

(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

Turns out StretchLab, which opened its first studio in Venice in 2015, now has more than 500 studios nationwide, 15 of them in the L.A. area. Its clientele are generally either serious athletes, older adults and desk workers who struggle with stiffness and want to work on their mobility, or those healing injuries and other conditions. They come to be stretched out more deeply, in positions they couldn’t possibly get into, physically, on their own. Many of them appreciate the intimacy and accountability of working with a practitioner, one-on-one. And it can be helpful to have a professional, with a trained eye, isolate asymmetries in their bodies and guide their stretching, especially for those who suffer from chronic pain or are healing an injury, says StretchLab‘s director of marketing, Gabi Khowploum.

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“We see a lot of people who say, ‘Hey, I’m having back pain,’” Khowploum says. “And they come to stretch it, but it might be they’re having issues with hip mobility — they just don’t realize it.”

Stretch therapists — or “flexologists,” as they’re sometimes called — are not doctors. Chiropractors, physical therapists and some massage therapists are trained in assisted stretching — but stretch therapists can’t do what they do. Stretch therapists don’t diagnose and treat injuries; they don’t provide spinal or joint manipulation, imaging such as X-rays or CT scans or massage. They focus, instead, on stretching muscles and fascia to increase flexibility and mobility. There also isn’t a national certification for stretch therapists, as there is for physical therapists and chiropractors, though most stretch therapists are certified in-house by their respective employers.

Dr. Jeremy Swisher, a sports medicine physician at UCLA Health, says assisted stretching can help increase range of motion and flexibility, stimulate blood flow, which aids healing, and help with posture, particularly for sedentary populations, as well as alleviate stress. Done consistently, long term, it can help with pain relief and stiffness and — possibly — prevent injuries. But it’s “not a cure-all,” he warns.

“It’s just a piece of the puzzle,” he says. “Strength training and other forms of exercise are equally as important, long term.” Swisher also warns that assisted stretching could exacerbate existing injuries “like an acute sprain or tear without being cleared by a doctor first.” And for those with hypermobility syndromes, meaning overly flexible joints, “it’s important to be mindful that increased stretching could lead to dislocations of the joints.”

On a recent Friday afternoon, StretchLab in Echo Park was busier than I would have expected. Several clients laid on their backs on what looked like massage tables as their flexologists rolled or twisted or pressed on their body parts — a limb over the shoulder here, a spinal twist there.

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A man and woman shown from behind looking at assessment scores on an iPad.

Flexologist Joel Badilla walks Deborah Vankin through the MAPS assessment process.

(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

My practitioner, Joel Badilla, walked me through the assessment before my 50-minute session (as a “drop in,” it cost me $125, but prices differ depending on the package and location). StretchLab uses a 3-D body scanning tool called MAPS, which TRX Training developed for them. It assesses mobility (range of motion), activation (quality of movement), posture and symmetry so as to isolate areas that are tight or imbalanced and customize a stretch program for the client. I did three overhead squats in front of an iPad before MAPS gave me a score in each area. (Scores far lower than I would have liked, the culprits being tight hips and “tech neck,” but such is the case with desk workers, I was told.)

Then I laid down on the table and Badilla lifted my legs and gently pulled them forward, toward him. It felt wonderful, as if my spine were elongating, all the stress draining from my back. He then put me through 26 stretches, 13 on each side of my body.

A woman lays on a massage table as a man tugs on her legs.

Joel Badilla tugs gently on Deborah Vankin’s legs at the start of her stretch session.

(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

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StretchLab uses PNF stretching (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation), Badilla explained, which is a “push and release” technique. The recipient holds the stretch for a set period of time, then pushes into resistance provided by the practitioner for a shorter period of time, then goes back into a deeper version of the stretch. We did this repeatedly for different body parts.

Afterward, I felt loose and limber heading back to my car — though the sensation didn’t last for very long after my car ride home. That’s because the benefits of stretching come from consistency, says Amber Donaldson, vice president of Sports Medicine Clinics for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

“Just stretching once isn’t beneficial,” she says. “You need two weeks, minimum, of consistency to see a benefit. These [assisted stretching] places — paying for a series of treatments may keep you consistent with going.”

That said, there are questions around the benefits of stretching, overall, in the sports medicine community, Donaldson adds. “It’s controversial. When should you do it — before or after a workout — and to what extent is it beneficial at all? The jury is still out.”

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A man stretches a woman's leg as she lays on a massage table.

Assisted stretching, if done consistently over many weeks, may help with stiffness, pain relief and even injury prevention.

(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

StretchLab is far from an anomaly in L.A. There are more than half a dozen dedicated assisted stretching businesses in the area — and the trend, which began to swell nationwide in 2017-18, only seems to be growing. In addition to franchises like StretchLab and Stretch Zone, many personal trainers offer assisted stretching, as do most physical therapists. Gyms such as Life Time in Orange County and the Los Angeles Athletic Club offer one-on-one assisted stretching now. Even certain massage outlets, such as Massage Envy, offer 30 and 60-minute assisted stretching sessions.

The basic concept of assisted stretching is the same, no matter where you go, but different studios take slightly different approaches.

Stretch Zone in Redondo Beach and Rancho Palos Verdes doesn’t use the PNF technique. Instead, the studio (which has almost 400 outlets nationwide) uses a graduated stretch modality that moves the client along an intensity scale of one-10. It starts at a three “right when you first start to feel the stretch,” owner Deborah Ashley says, “and seven is where you want us to stop.” They also use a patented system of belts and straps on a stretch table “to secure and mobilize one side of your body while we stretch the other,” Ashley says. “It acts like a second set of hands for our practitioners.”

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StretchMed in Glendale has only one location in the L.A. area (there are about 30 in the U.S.). It prides itself on not being part of an especially big franchise, says owner Carlos Rivera, adding that the studio takes a personal and data-driven approach to stretch therapy. It does use the PNF stretching technique but puts a good deal of emphasis on warming up before one-on-one stretch sessions. Toward that end, clients do 15-minute warm-up routines on so-called “stretch trainers,” which have tilted seats, leg pads and safety straps for stability. A video walks them through the routine, which includes gentle movement and is meant to stimulate circulation. “You want to warm up before you stretch,” Rivera says, “to get a much better benefit.”

Would I do assisted stretching again?

Absolutely — it was gentler than I imagined and I felt immediate relief afterward, particularly in my lower back.

Would I do it regularly?

Not for StretchLab’s membership rate of $320 a month, their cheapest monthly package of four 50-minute sessions (prices vary slightly by location). At Stretch Zone, the roughly comparable package of four 60-minute sessions is $400. At StretchMed, four 55-minute sessions is $216.

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But on this particular Friday, at least, I headed into the weekend feeling looser and, if nothing else, an inch or so taller. I’ll take it.

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'nWo' Logo Creator Never Saw Dime For Iconic Symbol, New Book Reveals

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'nWo' Logo Creator Never Saw Dime For Iconic Symbol, New Book Reveals

New World Order
‘NWO’ Logo Creator Never Saw A Dime💰
… New Book Reveals

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In Season 3, 'Squid Game' hasn't changed much — and that's the problem

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In Season 3, 'Squid Game' hasn't changed much — and that's the problem

Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun in Squid Game Season 3.

No Ju-han/Netflix


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After watching the third and supposedly final season of Netflix’s surprise hit South Korean drama Squid Game, it’s tough to remember why this show became such a genre-redefining hit when it first debuted in 2021.

That’s not because the show has changed. To be sure, all the elements that powered its success back then are still in place now. Most importantly, it has retained a striking visual aesthetic — one that transforms a space where people in poverty are forced to play deadly children’s games into a twisted vision of a playground-turned-nightmare.

And there’s the bonkers concept — wealthy VIPs secretly bankrolling what amounts to the most deadly reality TV competition in the world for their own amusement.

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But ultimately, even as Squid Game amps up the brutality and forces characters to make even more terrible choices, we have seen versions of this story before. And that familiarity robs the narrative of its impact – particularly when the show so often telegraphs what is coming for viewers well before it finally happens.

Jo Yu-ri as Jun-hee.

Jo Yu-ri as Jun-hee.

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The show’s second season expanded Squid Game‘s universe by introducing us to the world of the staffers who implement these horrific games, dressed in pink jumpsuits and masks adorned with a triangle, square or circle. In this new season, we learn why one of them seems so different from the others, pursuing a personal mission that requires infiltrating the games.

The main story of this final season concludes the quest of our hero, Lee Jung-jae’s Seong Gi-hun – aka Player 456 – a father and degenerate gambler who returned to the deadly games last season after surviving in the show’s first run of episodes, hoping to find a way to dismantle them from within.

Unfortunately, the new episodes mostly confirm a sad truth he learned last season – there are just enough people here warped by greed, addiction, selfishness and desperation, that stopping this lethally exploitative game is awfully tough to do.

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As the third season begins, Gi-hun is broken by his failed attempt to stop the game by leading a team of competitors with weapons to overpower the guards. It’s a constant theme in Squid Game – the heroic goals of some characters, often completely subverted or undercut by the failure of other, less heroic figures. This season reinforces that theme constantly, making it even bleaker and unpromising than earlier editions.

There are at least three stories playing out here: The efforts of the subversive staffer inside the organization, Gi-hun’s quest for renewed meaning inside the competition and, outside the game, attempts by a former police officer to find the island where it’s all going down. Turns out, the ex-cop’s brother is the organizer Front Man — played with chilling intensity by Lee Byung-hun — who always seems one step ahead of everyone trying to subvert the game.

Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man.

Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man.

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There is stuff in this third season that fans may love but pulled me up short. Too many plot twists were so obvious, I was distracted waiting for characters to catch up.

The show still draws its characters with a heavy hand — making sure we know who is virtuous and who is not — foreshadowing which players are destined for an honorable death and which are likely to go down mired in their own weaknesses. There are also way too many performances — particularly the English-speaking, mostly-white VIPs who chortle over the deadly fates of the contestants — that feel overwrought or too stiff or both.

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The larger ideas behind Squid Game are also spelled out in neon letters. We see a character who claims to be a shaman with special powers of perception draw in a desperate following. Surprise: it doesn’t end well – an obvious take on the dangers of blindly following deceptive blowhards. We endure moments when greed leads contestants to unspeakable acts – including a father turning his back on his child.

And we take in how the wealthy toss crumbs to desperate people, just to watch what extremes they might go through to snatch those crumbs up.

According to Netflix, Squid Game’s first season in 2021 is the streamer’s most popular original season of TV ever. There is no doubting the power and global influence of the franchise, which spawned Halloween costumes, a live experience and comedy sketches around the world – which makes me wonder if this really will be the show’s final season, particularly if the last installment proves equally popular.

Fans may disagree with my criticisms, and enjoy the heightened violence, extended world building and sobering, poignant conclusion of Squid Games‘ third season a lot more than I did. But I do salute creator/showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk for producing a TV series that helped wake up American audiences to the power of South Korean entertainment, ending its story with as pointed a critique of capitalism as I have ever seen on television.

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How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Victoria Monét

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How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Victoria Monét

Like most busy working mothers who struggle with work-life balance, three-time Grammy Award winner Victoria Monét cherishes spending time with her 4-year-old daughter, Hazel, who she shares with ex-boyfriend fitness trainer John Gaines.

Sunday Funday infobox logo with colorful spot illustrations

In Sunday Funday, L.A. people give us a play-by-play of their ideal Sunday around town. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.

Known for writing hits like Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next,” Blackpink and Selena Gomez’s “Ice Cream” and Chloe x Halle’s “Do It,” in addition to “On My Mama” from her debut album “Jaguar II,” the L.A.-based R&B singer-songwriter recently penned something for younger audiences: the heartwarming children’s picture book “Everywhere You Are,” due out June 24.

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In a recent interview, Monét revealed the inspiration behind her book. (She will discuss her new book at Malik Books on Saturday and the Reparations Club along with moderator Gabrielle Union on Sunday. Tickets are required.)

“As a parent, it’s hard to miss those pivotal moments,” she said of the separation anxiety that many children feel when their parents are working and unavailable. “It’s important for children to know that there is a purpose behind them. I wanted to offer assurance and relay an important message: Everything will be OK.”

Despite her demanding schedule, Monét always finds a way to make quality time for Hazel. In 2023, Hazel, then 2, became the youngest Grammy nominee in history when she was nominated for her vocals in “Hollywood” alongside her mother. And when Beyoncé kicked off her “Cowboy Carter” tour at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood last month, Monét took Hazel to her first concert. Their ideal Sunday in L.A., which Monét fondly calls “me time,” would involve playing outdoors, enjoying a visit to a family fun center, indulging in vegan sweet treats and reading “Everywhere You Are” to one another before bed. Here, Monét shares a joy-filled Sunday spent with her daughter.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

8:30 a.m.: Awake with gratitude

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On Sundays, me and Hazel wake up later than usual because we probably stayed up late the night before if I didn’t have to work. We normally start our day by doing our gratitude journaling, where she doodles and I write. Then we do our self-care, where we brush our hair and teeth. I will then go downstairs and make her character pancakes with chocolate chips or Fruity Pebbles cereal.

After that, we may make some art. She loves to draw, and we have a nice art section in the house featuring everything from crayons to markers, scratch-off art, watercolors and rainbow paints.

10 a.m.: Dance, dance, dance!

Hazel is active and enjoys doing things, but on the weekends, we have instructors come to the house for dance lessons. So far, she has taken ballroom dance, ballet and tap. She was in gymnastics for a while. We’re looking forward to taking ballet and tumbling at To The Pointe Dance and Pilates Centre.

She loves being outside and enjoys riding her bike or visiting the park. During the week, she plays soccer twice a week. She loves it because it isn’t serious yet. It’s more about giving them a chance to have fun. They do drills on how to kick and run at the same time. It’s hard when you think about it.

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12 p.m.: Indulge in fresh pasta at Uovo

Hazel loves pasta, so we often go to Uovo Pasta, which has several locations in Los Angeles. Their handmade al dente noodles are perfect — they overnight them from Italy. We would get the pomodoro and make sure that it’s not too spicy. Their cacio e pepe is great, but that’s a once-in-a-blue-moon thing for me because I’m [mostly] plant-based. Hazel usually gets what I get. When I was pregnant with her, I ate Flamin’ Hot Cheetos all the time, and now she likes them too. After lunch, I’d have to bring her home because she naps around 1 p.m.

2:30 p.m.: Jump for joy at Off the Wall

After her nap, we’ll hit Off the Wall in Woodland Hills. It’s trampoline heaven, where you can catapult higher than you intended to. There are rock climbing walls, an arcade and food. They have an air-filled basketball court that’s on a soft floor and there are birthday party rooms in the back. Hazel loves that place, especially the trampoline. She likes me to chase her, so I get a workout while we are there. I’ll literally be sweating when we leave.

4 p.m.: Sample sweet treats at Happy Ice or Magpies

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For a sweet treat, Happy Ice is a favorite. It’s the best-tasting slushy snow cone, especially during the summer when it’s hot. They have locations in Northridge and Hollywood, but they also have a truck [at Smorgasburg on Sundays in downtown L.A.]. For Hazel’s birthday party, we had the truck come to our house. I usually get the Rainbow Rocket, which is a mix of all their Italian ice flavors, and Hazel gets the same thing I do. She is happy to get anything, frankly. Magpies Softserve is another one of our favorites. Their vegan honeycomb soft serve is so good. Hazel likes their soft-serve pies.

6 p.m.: Tapas-style dining at Joey

Hazel is newly picky, but if she were to go out to dinner with me, she would love Joey in Woodland Hills, which offers a wide-ranging menu. They check off a box for everybody. I’m a tapas-style girl, so I like to order a variety of different dishes: guacamole, tuna and avocado crunch roll and Korean fried cauliflower. I’ll order the sake-glazed Chilean sea bass and pasta for Hazel.

We’re homebodies, so another dinner option would be spending time together at home, cooking and playing in the pool. We enjoy making veggie and tofu tacos together. Things you can eat with your hands are always fun with kids. That’s one reason they like s’mores so much. Occasionally, we’ll make something pescatarian like grilled salmon or other fish.

8 p.m.: Watch “Moana 2” … again

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At night, we would watch a movie and wind down with some Skinny Pop popcorn. Hazel would probably watch “Moana 2” again right now. We saw it in the theaters, and she goes through phases where she wants to watch different things, but she recently said that she wants a “Moana 2” party for her fifth birthday. I thought she’d like something else by then. But then, she thinks there will be 20 Moanas.

10 p.m.: Read “Everywhere You Are” before bed

Before bed, Hazel often asks me to read “Everywhere You Are” to her. She loves to read and enjoys being read to. I’ve read it to her so many times that she can read it back to me. She recorded a segment of the audiobook with me and was excited to hear herself when she recorded it in the studio. Reading the book to her, I realized that missing a parent is a lot like losing a loved one. You can still feel their presence even though they’re not around. Love binds people together despite physical distance. Even when they don’t see you, children need to know that you’re still there and that you’ll always be with them.

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