Catherine A
January 3, 2025.
About 2 years ago, I was fortunate to see an offer for a free exercise class at SolCore Fitness. I registered and went to a class. I have been going ever since, 3 days a week, and I cannot say enough about it and about Ekemba Sooh who is the owner and instructor.
As an instructor, Ekemba guides the class with specific and effective movements that have given me increased mobility, reduced joint pains, and greatly improved my posture. I feel taller, have greater body awareness, and look leaner. Part of this improvement is because during the entire class, Ekemba walks throughout the space, correcting and watching to make sure you are getting the most out of each exercise by tweaking your specific movements.
As a Physical Therapist, Ekemba is extremely gifted and truly understands how the body works. Recently I developed lower back pain and very bad sciatic issues. After 3 therapy sessions with Ekemba and following up with the exercises that he prescribed, I am no longer in pain.
If you are reading this, my advice is to take on of the free trial classes and see for yourself.
Katy G
December 4, 2024.
I have had back issues for a decade and have done lots of body work, culminating in surgery. SolCore Fitness is very healing and has provided the most improvement of anything I tried. It is easy to sign up. Ekemba Sooh did a thorough diagnostic. He provides hands on adjustments. Classes are challenging and worth it. My pain is reduced, I am more flexible, and better able to engage in previous activities. I am making improvement and will continue
classes because it is beneficial.
Cindy G
January 12, 2024.
I am a 68-year-old woman interested in posture and longevity and have been going to Solcore for the past 7 years.
Before going to Solcore I did not have much of an exercise routine. I attended Zumba classes for a couple of years that I enjoyed mostly because of the participants and the music. The instructor emphasized the dance aspect and not the exercise component. My niece then convinced me to attend her weight lifting gym which I did for a little over a year. I benefited from the warm up exercises at this gym but did not like the weight lifting. It felt very awkward and unnatural to me. I was also concerned that I was not always doing the exercises or weight lifting correctly and feared either hurting myself or creating bad habits.
I chose Solcore because a friend recommended it, and I attended a free class. I appreciated the individual classes and the close observation. In a very short time, Ekemba knew where I needed to focus and even noted some structural concerns, such as scoliosis. I did not come into the class with any pre-existing problems or injuries that I was aware of.
My biggest goals were to improve body awareness and maintain good posture. I was aware of many people in my age group who were bent over, and I did not want that. I was active and enjoyed hiking, and I wanted to keep an active lifestyle as long as possible.
Upon starting, I felt very welcomed. I was observed closely, corrected as needed, and encouraged to do more when appropriate. It is surprisingly difficult doing the stretches and exercises, but I seldom feel discouraged. Ekemba encourages us to do more but without any overt competition. I don't feel awkward or upset when I get something “wrong.” Maybe that's what makes it work for me. There are ways to improve, but it never feels like you have really done anything wrong.
It is honestly hard to pinpoint one specific result. I attend very regularly, which tells me that I actually enjoy going. I leave with a feeling of accomplishment and feel overall really good, if occasionally sore. I know my posture is better, and I find myself feeling like I'm moving with purpose and mindfulness. During class, I find myself really focusing on the exercises. This is required, and it is so helpful for my mind as well as my body.
I am still growing older, I still have a stubborn 10-15 pounds that I should probably shed but I feel good about my body and I feel capable of physically doing most activities. I really notice it when I am gardening, one of my favorite activities. I feel like a superwoman out there!
I feel strong and I feel flexible and am grateful to have this program.
Amber
November 16, 2023.
"For two decades I maintained a committed Hatha Yoga practice which ultimately led to issues causing severe back pain. I was dealing with this pain for a solid two years before I found SolCore. Given that my yoga practice was at least in part the cause of my problems, I tried everything but yoga to cure it: rolfing, chiropractic, acupuncture, diet modification. It was undoubtedly Ekemba and the SolCore method that finally broke my cycle of looking for something that helped long term. My biggest hurdle was really just finding the right method. The things I tried gave me temporary relief but didn’t provide the lifestyle change- the change of incorporating a truly effective, anatomically aware method- into my daily life. A trusted friend of mine, who had also tried literally every method for their pain, told me Ekemba was the absolute best and urged me to try out SolCore. There is nothing easy about the process, but Ekemba is extremely precise and attentive and there is no room for cheating. It is a fascinating method because it is accessible to everyone- I could see any age and any fitness level benefitting- and at the same time there is always more precision, alignment and growth potential. Nothing worth it is ever “easy” and the more committed to SolCore, and the difficulty of making an effort I have been, the better my body and life is. My back pain eased by a solid 80%. I can’t even express what that feels like because it is so profound. My pain is mostly gone which improved my daily experience by leaps and bounds. It has been difficult to accept that I can’t practice yoga in the same way I once had, but that is a good lesson because I now have a mentor whom I trust and respect 100%. Ekemba is learned, and kind and committed and I know I will never get hurt at SolCore- which should be a given, but with the abundance of methods and teachers out there, it is not."
Michele B
November 3, 2023.
"Before I started with SolCore Fitness It had been years since I took an exercise class. I’ve always tried to create my own exercise routine using YouTube for yoga and other classes. But now I love getting out of the house for an 8:00 am class and I like the community of people that I’ve met there. It’s also good to know someone is watching and correcting me if I am doing a pose/stretch incorrectly. I go to class at least 3 days a week and always leave feeling invigorated and ready to start my day. It was actually my doctor who suggested I try out Solcore Fitness because I was having a lot of pain in my hips. When I first started going to the classes I found most of the stretches very difficult. Many of the stretches are still difficult because I have very tight muscles. However, now I am noticing that I think about my posture throughout the day, I can sit up straighter to meditate. That is something I always had a problem with. I know that these stretches are helping, and I even do some of them on days I don’t have class. Solcore Fitness has become a part of my life. I am a full-time artist and my posture while standing at the easel had previously been a strain. Now I am cognizant of how I stand and hold my body while painting. Many of the hand and arm exercises in class are helpful as well for my painting hand."
Ashley
September 9, 2022.
“ Before I came to SolCore Fitness, I was very active. I hiked, camped, and did gym workouts. I enjoyed exerting myself and loved staying active, but I wasn’t getting the results I wanted, and I was starting to accumulate aches and pains. When my husband and I, both concert musicians, first started, we were blown away by how comprehensive the program was. It's not only ELDOA (a technique I sought out Ekemba for) that is used at SolCore Fitness but an extensive array of Holistic Osteopathic exercises that he puts together in different programs. It is definitely not easy as you are working on areas that you normally don’t, but the outcome is amazing. All the aches and pains I develop in my life go away, and I feel stronger, more mobile, and just plain good! This program is one that I will keep up with for the rest of my life because I want my body to keep up."
Dexter
October 1, 2021.
"Five years ago, I landed at the SolCore Fitness Center on the recommendation of a friend. I was suffering from a chronic knee injury that was very painful and unresponsive to treatment. I met with Ekemba and was introduced to ELDOA. It took a bit of persuasion since none of the previous modalities I tried gave me the result I expected. I agreed to give the training a try and moved forward with the assurance that with commitment and dedication I could attain a level of physical well-being unlike anything I experienced before. Within a month the knee pain diminished significantly and eventually went away. I also discovered that the discipline of working out 3-4 times a week was having a positive impact on my personal and business life. I am more efficient and focused with less mood swings. My body is stronger, my mind is sharp and I am proud to endorse Ekemba. He has set the fitness bar at a level far superior to any other fitness program that I’m aware of. As I enter my 7th decade I can proudly state I have found my fountain of youth. I possess all the energy I need to accomplish whatever tasks I set for myself. Give yourself the gift of a lifetime and become an ELDOA participant today!"
Denise J.
April 29, 2019.
"I have spinal stenosis which impedes nerve pathways resulting in pain and discomfort. Through the ELDOA’s and strength training I have learned how to manage my discomfort quite successfully. In addition I have learned how to increase strength and flexibility thru proper alignment, focus on technique and adhering to my homework."
Brian D
March 3, 2019.
"I struggled with debilitating back pain that would sideline me for 4-6 weeks at a time. At first, I thought I could push through it, but as the pain became unbearable, I tried everything—yoga classes, workouts, even a 10-pack of Rolfing sessions. Nothing seemed to help until I found SolCore Therapy and Fitness. Now, my back pain is pretty much non-existent! I feel so much more aware of my body and significantly stronger. The exercises, like the Frogs and the wall stretch, are challenging but incredibly beneficial. I always feel great right after I do them. I truly appreciate the personal attention I receive and can confidently say that this program works. My advice? Keep coming back and do what you can each day. If you put in the work, you'll see results. I’m excited to continue getting stronger and enjoying more freedom in my body!"
Amy W
January 26, 2019.
"I am Amy Weyhrauch, and I came because I have ankylosing spondylitis, which is arthritis of the spine, and If I don't move my spine could fuse. When I came in here, I could barely move, and Ekemba, with patience, got me through the stretches. It was hard, but I'm glad I stuck with it because now I can move I can ski I'm about ready to go back to tennis. It's changed my life. I found an exercise program that keeps me in my life. I encourage anyone with any back problems or chronic pain to join because you will see fantastic changes. SolCore fitness has changed my life."
Jennifer
November 10, 2018.
"My name is Jennifer, and I recently moved to Santa Fe. I had been struggling with severe neck issues, arthritis, and a rotator cuff problem for the past several years. Despite trying various treatments—including manipulation, physical therapy, medications, and even contemplating seeing a neurosurgeon—the pain was overwhelming, and I was desperate for a solution. Then, I discovered SolCore Therapy and Fitness. I started with the goal of simply improving my core strength, not expecting much for my neck. To my surprise, within a month, I experienced a remarkable transformation! I regained full range of motion, the cracking and popping in my neck stopped, and I have had very few days of pain since starting. While I’m still working on strengthening my left side, as I had favored my right for so long, the progress I’ve made has been incredible with minimal effort. I attend classes two to three times a week, and I’ve noticed that I can now enjoy activities like golf and tennis again! My quality of life has improved significantly, and I’m excited about what the future holds. I’m committed to continuing my journey at SolCore for at least a year, as I can’t wait to see how balanced and strong I can become. Thank you, SolCore, for helping me love life again!"
Janette
February 10, 2017.
"When I started with Ekemba at SolCore a year and a half ago I was suffering from chronic back pain, constant migraines, and numbness and weakness in my arms and legs. I had tried chiropractics and physical therapy with no improvement. The spine specialist told me that spinal injections were going to be my only pain relief. So I kept searching and was blessed to find SolCore. Thanks to Ekemba and SolCore (and those eldoas!) the numbness and weakness is gone, the chronic pain is under control and I'm back to doing the things I love. Thank you Ekemba and SolCore!"
Michael B.
April 29, 2013.
"During those three months, I found my sciatica pain gradually improving, and I felt an overall sense of rejuvenation and accomplishment after each class. The classes are skilled and highly motivational, and I enjoyed the camaraderie with the other class members."
