When you live as far north of equator as I and all the rest of Maine does, you have to learn to both roll and contend with the winters that accompany it. During this time of year the days steadily grow shorter and darker, and despite all the shifts that are coming with climate change … Continue reading WHY YOU SHOULD DITCH THE TREADMILL AND GO OUTSIDE
Category: Health and Wellness
IF YOU WANT TO HAVE BETTER BALANCE, STOP TRYING TO BE SO RIGID
Balance is a concept that is often very misunderstood in our culture, especially by those looking to have a bit more of it in their lives. And it seems that those folks make up the majority these days… As it applies to your steadiness, balance is talked about in fitness and wellness magazines, books, blogs, … Continue reading IF YOU WANT TO HAVE BETTER BALANCE, STOP TRYING TO BE SO RIGID
IF YOUR KNEES BOTHER YOU, FOCUS ON YOUR FEET AND SEE WHAT REMAINS
If you were to walk into a local group exercise class, or watch a video online where something similar is being mapped out for the masses, if there is some squatting, lunging or jumping going on then you would likely hear some pretty unhelpful advice. "Don't let your knees go forward" "Don't let your knees … Continue reading IF YOUR KNEES BOTHER YOU, FOCUS ON YOUR FEET AND SEE WHAT REMAINS
HOW TO GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD WITH STRENGTH TRAINING
Very commonly I will be helping someone work their way through some basic movement, and a common problem comes up… They do not know if they are "doing it right". And while they do not always say it in that manner, what I do tend to hear is… "Should I keep my knees from falling … Continue reading HOW TO GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD WITH STRENGTH TRAINING
WHY STRETCHING WILL NOT HELP THOSE STIFF AND ACHING HIPS
Stiff hips are a pretty limiting thing, and when you are in possession of one or two of them you know very well how small the sandbox of your daily possibility can become. Now there are always situations that are the exceptions to the rule, but by and large the situation of a hip that … Continue reading WHY STRETCHING WILL NOT HELP THOSE STIFF AND ACHING HIPS
WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID MIRRORS WITH EXERCISE
Prior to opening my own private practice I worked in a few difference settings, and each of those settings helped me learn what I sensed a space needed to be for folks to thrive in. Unfortunately, as it often is the case a great deal of these lessons where also what I learned a space … Continue reading WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID MIRRORS WITH EXERCISE
HOW SCREENS TEND TO MESS US UP AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
You know, despite all of its comforts and leisure, first world living can pretty rough on us. The human body and brain has not evolved very much beyond what it has been for the last 50,000 years, regardless if the First Industrial Revolution occured 250 years ago, and the Third barely 50 years from today. … Continue reading HOW SCREENS TEND TO MESS US UP AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
WHY A MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS IS TERRIBLE
It has been said that our loved ones often know us better than we often know ourselves. Yes, we are all very much isolated in our own heads, bodies and most especially our perceptions…but the significant others in our lives have a vantage point of us that we will never have privy to. And we … Continue reading WHY A MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS IS TERRIBLE
WHY FLIP FLOPS TEND TO MESS US UP
Over a decade ago my wife and I hiked a portion of the Maine Huts and Trails. It was early March I believe, and there was plenty of snow on the ground. so since neither of us had, or really knew how to cross country ski, we opted to snowshoe it. Yes, I know that … Continue reading WHY FLIP FLOPS TEND TO MESS US UP
DEGENERATION IS NORMAL AND NOT ALWAYS A PROBLEM
You know, progress at times can be a double edged sword. Probably the best example of this would be the effects we can observe from all the progress in technology we have had in the last 150 years. In the case of our bodies, progress in western medicines understanding of the inner workings of our … Continue reading DEGENERATION IS NORMAL AND NOT ALWAYS A PROBLEM
WHAT TO DO ABOUT THOSE STUBBORNLY STIFF SHOULDERS
Shoulders get tight and achy for a lot of folks. This is for a lot of reasons, including that fact that our shoulders are a place that many of us hold stress. Since our modern world doesn't ask us to reach very far away from our body, the problem can go largely unnoticed until it … Continue reading WHAT TO DO ABOUT THOSE STUBBORNLY STIFF SHOULDERS
WHY ALL EXERCISE IS JOINT FRIENDLY
All exercise is potentially joint friendly. No single approach or exercise can truly make the claim to be more joint friendly than any other. Why? Because cartilage has no blood vessels, and instead relies on diffusion for nutrition. Sponging…also known as Load and Motion.
HOW TO STOP SPRAINING YOUR ANKLES
It truly is a blessing to live in a place like New England with all that it offers throughout the year. And while time outdoors is an absolutely wonderful thing, we may find ourselves occasionally a bit challenged navigating the uneven and unpredictable ground that is New England as it moves through the four seasons. … Continue reading HOW TO STOP SPRAINING YOUR ANKLES
YOU ARE BUILT TO COMPENSATE IN SOME VERY PREDICTABLE WAYS
A little over a decade ago a book came out that not only had a catchy title, but it also made some compelling arguments that questioned a lot of common assumptions around both shoe wear, and the limits of the human body as it relates to endurance. It was called "Born to Run", and while … Continue reading YOU ARE BUILT TO COMPENSATE IN SOME VERY PREDICTABLE WAYS
WHAT GARDENING CAN TEACH US ABOUT OUR BODIES
During the warmer months here in New England, a lot of us tend to enjoy getting our hands dirty in the garden… and with that at times comes aches and pains from all the prolonged awkwardness that gardening seems to ask for. After all, it is not like it is very realistic to expect anyone … Continue reading WHAT GARDENING CAN TEACH US ABOUT OUR BODIES
HOW TO FIX WRIST PAIN
With wrist pain there are often some very simple underlying factors that are feeding into the problem, and if they are addressed a chunk of the time the wrist pain is sharply reduced. If not eliminated…