Pursuing ways to wellness

Via Vita Chiropractic

Location: 128 W. Bell St., Sequim

Owners: Ryan Iskenderian, DC/Kat Parks

Phone: 683-4989

Hours: Mondays/Fridays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m.; Tuesdays/Thursdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-7 p.m.

See website for yoga classes schedule.

Articulate and passionate about their new wellness and chiropractic center, engaged couple Kat Parks and Ryan Iskenderian, both 27, welcome the public to the opening day of Via Vita on Monday, Feb. 2, at 128 W. Bell St., Sequim.

Parks, a 2006 Sequim High School graduate, and Iskenderian, a native Californian, met in college and pursued courses of study in the healing arts — both earned psychology degrees and he further advanced his education with a certification in applied kinesiology in 2011 and a doctor of chiropractic degree in 2013.

“I grew up in California but I wanted a change. I wanted this type of environment,” Iskenderian said, with Parks quipping, “You can’t get a small-town feel in Orange County.”

Via Vita means “the way of life” and that’s more than just a catchy name to the pair.

“It’s not one lifestyle choice but all your choices combined that make up your lifestyle and affect your health,” said Iskenderian. “There’s no time like the present to take your own health and your family’s health and make them your No. 1 priority. There always are ways that you can better your life. We’d like everyone to know we’re here to help.”

Regarding numerous other wellness centers in Sequim, Parks said, “We really believe we are really different from anyone else here.”

Iskenderian said what inspires him is helping people to function at their most optimal level.

“I am a chiropractor and an applied kinesiologist, (the latter) which entails utilizing manual muscle testing to access each system of the body. That allows me to access the structural systems, emotional systems and biochemical systems of the body,” Iskenderian explained.

“Each organ, gland, muscle and meridian — every system has different patterns throughout the body and I can easily identify specifically where this pattern is emerging from. When we talk about dysfunction — pain — in any system of the body experience, it all arises from an imbalance within the body. What I’m able to do is localize exactly which system of the body is the ultimate cause of this imbalance throughout the rest of the system. It’s a very holistic approach.”

Iskenderian noted that to address biochemical or nutritional deficiencies, he recommends supplements that are geared to what a person’s individual systems require and helps clients release detrimental energetic charges by identifying specific emotions and associated patterns throughout the body.

“The thing we enjoy most is when we look at the body’s structural aspects (traditional chiropractic care). However, oftentimes our structure — posture, daily activities and movements — is ultimately dictated by our thoughts, emotions, nutrition and other lifestyle factors,” Iskenderian said.

“When we’re able to truly impact the system as a whole, we can localize exactly where in the body we need to focus, what we need to do to help and in what order works best for that individual.”

A yen for yoga

Parks has been a certified yoga instructor for the past 10 years and yoga classes, from beginning to advanced, will be a predominating therapy at Via Vita.

“I will teach eight yoga classes a week and also Reiki, an ancient healing art. I think what we have here is very different as far as yoga. I’ll offer classes at times for busy professionals as well as for anyone who wants to get into shape throughout the day,” Parks said.

She’ll also give private yoga lessons, small group sessions, Yoga 101 for novices and partner yoga for couples.

“Through different poses participants gain strength and there’s also a huge philosophical part of yoga — being a good person, doing no harm, being a generous human being — all of that is part of yoga,” Parks said.

“I’ve trained in Vinyasa flow yoga which is linking different poses together in harmony and breath. I also do heat flow, slow flow and restorative yoga, so there’s something for everyone. All my classes are open to all levels and every body — you can be any body type in yoga.”

Focusing on families

“One thing we love the most is working with entire families because it can really influence the communication between one another and enhance each individual’s true potential,” Iskenderian said. “When one family member begins to feel better, that leads to a cascade effect where we start to see the entire family functioning exactly as they were designed.”

Iskenderian also will work with couples before, during and after pregnancy “to ensure that the birthing process happens as easily and efficiently as it can” and with children from birth to age 7 during their most crucial time “in terms of development, sensory perception and cognitive expansion.”

Iskenderian stressed, “With chiropractic care for kids, it’s very safe, gentle and specifically done. I enjoy being able to see kids develop, explore and be nurtured in a way that allows them to optimally interact with the environment and the people that surround them. I’ve worked on kids as young as 1 week old and adults as young as 93.

“Especially for infants, the two primary areas we look at are the upper cervical and area and the sacral area and in doing so, we’re able to ensure proper nerve flow and transmission so that they can develop exactly as they need to. It’s not a ‘sick’ baby treatment — that’s the wellness approach that we take. We are proactive in terms of a holistic wellness approach rather than being reactive when symptoms are present.”

Via Vita will not file insurance but will provide a “superbill” for each patient to file. Many companies do reimburse for chiropractic services.

“We want to give people tools to truly enhance their own lives and make it so they choose to come in to see us,” Iskenderian concluded.