I was practicing my tai chi long form on 4 April 2012. Lately, I have been focusing keeping the head suspended while lengthening the spine and sinking into the ground. I have been emphasizing these points by practicing the form with a book on my head. Practicing the form in this fashion encourages activation of … Continue reading Martial Arts Kata and Core Stability
Category: Fitness
Fitness is the condition of being physically strong and healthy, encompassing the ability to perform daily tasks with vigor and energy, and to enjoy leisure activities without undue fatigue
Posterior Chain Activation
Click this link - Introduction to the Posterior Chain series The hip joint and the shoulder girdle are critical to the functionality of the posterior chain musculature. The musculotendinous attachments at the hip joint and at the shoulder girdle are important to engaging the core and stabilizing the spine. Because the spine connects the hips … Continue reading Posterior Chain Activation
Core Exercises
Despite what you may have heard, core exercises involve more than simply “activating your abdominals” and crunching. The core reaches far behind the abdominals. Pilates is a great way to strengthen the core musculature, but Pilates instruction often overlooks the activation of the pelvic floor musculature, which is crucial to developing a strong core. In … Continue reading Core Exercises
Yoga and your knees
We can use the practice of yoga to maintain the health of our knees.** The gentle, continued practice of yoga is suited for many of the issues that we face due to the condition of our knees. Knees are strong: they support nearly the entire weight of the body. However, many people in modern society … Continue reading Yoga and your knees
Move it or Lose it
Moderate-intensity aerobic activities, like brisk walking, are generally safe for most people, yet so many of us are inactive. Why is this so? With the advances of modern technology (cars, washing machines, dishwashers, remote control televisions, computers, and etc.), we have less time each day to break a sweat. We have sadly become more and … Continue reading Move it or Lose it
From the waist, extend your chi.
The root is at the feet. Jing is generated by the legs, controlled by the waist and expressed by the fingers. From the feet to the legs to the waist must be one unified Chi. When moving forward or backward, you can the catch the opportunity and gain the superior position. The waist and the … Continue reading From the waist, extend your chi.
Weightlifting is not just for men
I was recently standing in line at the airport when I overheard two women talking about how heavy their carry on luggage was. One of the ladies mentioned that her bag weighed almost 60 pounds, "too heavy for a woman" she said. Her comment irked me and got me thinking about the myths I've heard … Continue reading Weightlifting is not just for men
Take a deep breath today . . . for the rest of your life.
And the Lord GOD formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Gen. 2:7 In today’s society, there is little time to experience anything other than the rush of rushing. As we run from here to there and from there … Continue reading Take a deep breath today . . . for the rest of your life.
Shoulder Strength – Scapular Mobility and Stability
Can you raise the roof? Scapular mobility and stability are important components of a strong and functional shoulder girdle. Mobility and stability must go hand in hand for this joint to be functional. As the scapula is stabilized in place, the shoulder is given a stable base from which to enact the various arm movements … Continue reading Shoulder Strength – Scapular Mobility and Stability
Tell me More About the Core
The core is the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex, thoracic and cervical spine. It is where the body's center of gravity is located and where all movement begins. The major muscles of the core are the diaphragm, pelvic floor muscles, multifidus, rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, internal and external obliques, erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus, and the trapezius. … Continue reading Tell me More About the Core
Ab-Sutra Wellness and Fitness 