Sometimes, the gold standard of “a strong core” can be visualized as a picture of Brad Pitt’s abs in his appearance in the classic movie Thelma and Louise. After taking his shirt off in a display that swooned viewers who were observing a specimen with the muscular body, structure, and proportions of a Greek god, …
Category: Senior Strength Classes
Jan 02
One More Step Every Day
“I took a spill the other day,” commented my friend Marion. After a look of concern hovered over my face, Marion continued to say, “Not really sure what happened. I was taking my usual morning walk after I read the newspaper and, the next thing you know, I’m on the ground.” He pointed to his …
Dec 11
Maintaining Strength and Muscle with Age
Sarcopenia can be defined as the loss of muscle during the natural aging process. As people age, there are usually changes in their psychological, emotional, and physical health. Shifts in family life, interpersonal relationships, or career settings create stimuli that prompt people to adjust to various demands as we age. Along with matching the pace …
Dec 04
Good Posture-Keep Your Armpits Over Your Hips
Our brain is encased within the skull and sits atop the first vertebrae of our spine. Featuring the central command center in which all of the decisions to send electric signals down our central nervous system to our organs and muscles, the brain is arguably the most important part of our body. Without it, we …
Oct 31
Exercise and Enhancing the Journey as we Age
As the Earth circles the sun, it adds another year to its portfolio of time in its resume of existing in the universe. Humans on Earth enjoy the ride, experiencing everyday interactions with friends, family, and co-workers. Every year, we observe the weather becoming cooler or warmer, the sun rising earlier or setting later, and …
Oct 24
Testing, Practicing, and Training Your Balance
Humans function in dynamic environments and rely on the body’s automated responses to adjust to imbalances. The body’s internal wiring is equipped with a vast network of neuromuscular connections, granting the ability to immediately adapt to even the slightest indication of imbalance. The human body’s infrastructure functions as a central processing unit, with hard-wired connections …
Oct 02
Staying Active During the Less Sunny Months
As the Napa Valley enters October, we see a few leaves on the trees beginning to transition to shades of amber, brown, and yellow, and fall to the ground. Sounds of leaf blowers and rakes start to fill the air. The hills begin to morph into a darker green and brownish hue as the trees …
Sep 26
Shoulder Health and the SITS Muscles
The body’s connective tissue has structurally significant properties, enabling humans to function effectively throughout their everyday lives. Ligaments hold bones together. Tendons attach muscles to bones. Muscles act as motor units to move bones closer or further away from each other. Bones act as the internal framework that allows our body to move through various …
Sep 12
Sciatica and Low Back Injury Prevention Exercises
Lower back, knee, and shoulder pain rank among the top contributors to hindrances to functional movement and participating in physical activities we enjoy. Sitting at desks all day or mustering through routines of manual labor can cause us to ignore our body’s pain points. After logging off the work scene, physical pain from previous injuries …
Aug 07
Progressions in Balance for Everyday Life Activities
Balance can be defined as the ability to stand on one leg, regain one’s center of gravity after losing it, or walk in a straight line. Depending on specific circumstances, balance can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Sometimes, people in deconditioned states of fitness find the seemingly simple act of getting up from …