Articles

The long lunge is one of the primary stabilizing movements of the human body. It is a versatile delivery for pushing power and a fundamental posture for knee and back stability

The fitness industry has spent enormous sums of money marketing images to us of tight muscular bodies. The image of health has changed into a depiction of men and women reminiscent of statues rather than the reality of diversity and the illustration of life as we age.

The mind and body respond to stress imposed on them. Bones need gravity to stay strong. Muscles and connective tissue need to be stressed to remain strong and functional. The nervous system needs stimulation to stay alive. The mind needs the correct amount of stress to inspire perseverance.

The urge to hibernate is real. It’s cold. It makes you want to slow down and eat, to put on that insulation to stay warm. In our modern world, however, that goes against the trend. We are trained to “think thin” and be on the go, no matter what. Here in the Northeast where the climate is supposed to be cold in winter, animals nest and store fat. Some hibernate or only come out when they must. Why do we feel we are any different? 

Each of the four seasons affects us. During autumn the winds pick up, and it gets colder and darker earlier. These conditions impose different challenges to maintaining our health and fitness. Fall’s temperatures fluctuate as the precursor for winter

Many people think of exercise as purely physical. They associate it with strain and sweat. They associate it with pain-filled toil to produce rippling musculature or a way to fit into that dress or those jeans. It’s true, that is a part of it. It is also true that comparatively these are surface elements, even inconsequential, if you value your personal health above that dress and those jeans.

Health and fitness training has many components. People tend to focus on training the external and neglect training the internal. Internal training refers to what you can do for the health of your organs, muscles, connective tissue, and functional ability. External training refers to shaping our appearance and our ability to express what’s inside. I believe that there is too much emphasis on what our body looks like and not enough on we can do with it. 

I am sure we have all heard the words, or may have even said the words; “Sit up straight,” or “Don’t slouch.” Perhaps, on the other hand, we have received the compliment: “You have really good posture.” Why is it important and how can it be attained and maintained?

The push-up, contrary to popular belief, is not an arm exercise but rather a total body-training tool that emphasizes trunk stability and body alignment for pushing. It is physically impossible to push anything without being anchored to the ground (in most cases). The push-up strengthens all of the connections needed to push properly from any position. It is a very functional exercise.

Developmental movement patterns are taught and reinforced by childhood play. We learn the limits of traction, how to jump, and how to land. What we learn about our bodies and ourselves as children will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Modernization diminishes human physical activity. Amazing methods of virtual communication negate the necessity for actual contact. The video game is replacing our human games that centered on physical movement and human interaction.