Get To Your Core! » core stability

Core Training Secrets From Prague – Part 2 “The Core of the Core”

drsteve — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:37:06 +0000

The key concept from the new paradigm of posture and core training from Prague unfortunately kind of kicks Pilates in the teeth…YIKES!

Now don't get me wrong, I love Pilates for it's emphasis on "lengthening out" into good posture. But in this video you'll learn the critical difference in the way you should switch on the "core of your core".

And it has nothing to do with "pulling your belly button to your spine"!

"Abdominal hollowing" as it's called, has actually been proven to take you OUT of good stability.

So try the self test in this short video (it's only about 2 and a half minutes) to see if YOU can properly activate the core of your core"!

See you at Piestawa Peak!

P.S. I'm getting excited to re-open the Core Wellness Institute coaching course to the public in the new year.

The trial group is on module 6 of 12 this week (I post a new module each week) and so far I've been getting awesome feedback from the participants who are using the unique posture and lifestyle action steps to enjoy less pain, more energy, and the ability to finally get back on track with their health.

I'll be making an announcement soon about how to get on the early notification list for when the course re-opens.

Balance Test – Is Your Nervous System Still Coordinated?

drsteve — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:39:40 +0000

You might be surprised at the results when you take this simple balance test. If you don't have good balance, you start avoiding movements that require it. And you know what that means!

If you don't use it….YOU LOSE IT!

That's a major reason for unhealthy aging. You quit moving how you used to move "when you were younger".

Plus you definitely run a much higher risk of getting injured or having a traumatic fall where you break a bone or a near fall where you "catch yourself" and pull a muscle which can put you on the sidelines of life for a long time.

I pulled this test out of the new Posture Transformation and Functional Fitness Online Course so you can get an idea of what to expect when we open enrollment.

If you haven't seen the full introduction to the course yet, you can check it at www.CoreWellnessInstitute.com and be sure to let me know how you do on the test by leaving a comment!

3 Must Have Tools To Accelerate Posture Correction

drsteve — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:06:42 +0000

RESOURCES!

(I will have a store on my site soon so you can get everything from one place. But until then, here are some of my resources)

Foam Roll From OPTP

Gymnic Plus Exercise Ball from OPTP

Therabands (Black/Green/Yellow) from Amazon (they didn't have the gray/silver one I'm using in the video for sale individually. So Black is the substitute as it's still a very strong band)

Thera Loop Door Anchor From OPTP

Rocker Board From Fitter First (Optional but AWESOME)

We also have 3 boards in stock that one of our clients make. It's got the same dimensions as the fitter board but only costs $60 vs the almost $100 you pay for the fitter board with shipping. Sorry, we're not yet in the shipping business so you can only grab them if you're local Email rebecca@gettoyourcore.com if you want one.

Posture Transformation – The Posture of Spirit

drsteve — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:20:12 +0000

(See if you can pick out the "magic phrase" in the video that our new "Posture 2.0" coaching program is based on and put it in the comments below! And let me know what you think about it…I'm curious.)

So many people make posture correction so complicated when it's really very simple.

All you have to do is be 100% at peace and constantly feeling the feeling of growth, renewal, and expansion!

Simple Right???

Yes, except for the fact that the many stresses of the modern world keeps you from ever feeling that feeling of bliss!

So what actually happens to your body when you perceive mental, physical, or chemical stress?

Your body responds by jaw clenching, chin poking, shoulder shrugging, chest breathing, hip closing, and on and on.

When you do this, you create joints that are way out of balance and alignment. And guess what signal this gives to your brain and central nervous system (CNS)? MORE STRESS!!

And what happens when the CNS perceives stress? The stress hormone, cortisol, is released that:

- Tears down muscle and turns it into fat (nice, huh)

-Undercuts your immune system (colds, flu, or allergies, anyone?)

-Demineralizes your bones (ever wonder why they say never to get more than 3 cortisone (synthetic highly concentrated cortisol) injections? Because it eats away your bones!

-Signals your body to use SUGAR instead of FAT for fuel (that means the next size up on your jeans and more INSANE CRAVINGS!)

-Causes decreased amounts of sex hormones to be produced (anybody got any Viagra? or something for these hot flashes?????

-Theres' LOTS more, but that should be enough to get your attention!

I was just talking to a client this afternoon about how amazing it was that just by changing your posture so your joints and muscles are in their most perfectly aligned state, you can make HUGE metabolic changes in your body so you start burning more fat, having less cravings, having better sex, and lots of other wonderful things that make life MORE FUN!

But my point in the video above is that

It ALL starts with your INTENTION.

Are you holding an intention of peace or an intention of stress?

Your body knows. Just look in the mirror.

Remember, it's all just programs in your brain that are just waiting to be "released and rewired"

It's your choice, you can reprogram your mind, remodel your posture, and completely change your life!

(If you want more information about the new paradigm of posture transformation and how to "release and rewire" the damaging patterns of stress that are dragging you down, CLICK HERE to get on our mailing list and receive our FREE "Reverse CPS Now!" video series to reverse the Crossed Posture Syndrome associated with unhealthy aging!)

Computer Posture – Part 3: How to Use an Exercise Ball Chair and Create a Standing Desk…Plus “Ball Surfing”!

drsteve — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:22:44 +0000

What's the best way to avoid chronic pain and strain from sitting in a chair all the time?

GET RID OF IT!!

The tips in the video above will hopefully give you some ideas as to how to make your computer or work station environment more ACTIVE!

Lots of people are starting to use exercise balls chairs but if you choose the wrong size you could be doing more harm than good!

The video squares that away for you right off the bat!

The standing desk station is my favorite. I stand on a rocker board so I can keep my central nervous system engaged and my posture balanced. It's very difficult NOT to stand in good posture when you're balancing on a rocker board!

PLUS…you get to burn some extra calories in the process!

And as far as the exercise ball surfing at the end…well that's obviously advanced core training and I do NOT suggest you go and try that one just yet.

So let me know what you think about these tactics for reducing strain at your computer work station and let me know what helps YOU the most to avoid strain while you work!

Another question if I may…If you sit on an an exercise ball chair or use a standing desk workstation, has it helped you??

How To Lift and Carry A Child (or anything else)…SAFELY!

drsteve — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:18:34 +0000

A few episodes back I got some good suggestions for future videos and today I respond to Maggie May who wanted to know the best way to lift and carry a child.

Young mothers (and fathers, and grandparents) should ALL watch this video so if you know anyone who's regularly lifting a child (or anything else for that matter) everyday…share this with them!!

Remember…"little hinges swing big doors"! And today's "little hinge" is a very important one for saving millions of backs and necks across the world!!

Be sure to leave a comment to let me know what you think of the video and also let me know what activity of daily living YOU would like to see covered on an upcoming episode!

Until next time…Happy "pulsing"!!

Back Saving Snow Shoveling Advice – Part II

drsteve — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:49:06 +0000

Pay really close attention to this video because it helps you avoid the most toxic movement program ever…"The lift and twist" with a flexed or "rounded" spine.

Snow shoveling is a classic example of a disc blowing maneuver that can put you on the road to be grumpy, disabled, and eventually a burden to everyone around you!!!

AND NOBODY WANTS THAT!

Remember…The most important exercise you'll EVER do is LIFE!

Every moment of every day can be a highly effective, pain relieving, spine sparing exercise if you pay attention to…

HOW YOU DO WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU DO IT!

Leave me a comment if you've been getting any benefits out of these videos or if you've got a movement pattern or question you'd like me to cover in an upcoming episode!!

(And if you haven't got your "Reverse CPS Now!" FREE video series to help get you on track with the whole Core Wellness school of postural thought…Click Here or on my picture to the right!)

REFERENCE MENTIONED IN VIDEO HERE

5 Moves in 5 Minutes To Keep You Young and Vital

drsteve — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:23:55 +0000

As you join me today for my morning movement ritual with the geese at Perrin Park, you'll discover the 5 moves I do when I didn't make time fdon't have time for anything else (although I didn't show sun salutations on this video, which I normally do as a warm up).

I'm always amazed how just a few minutes of good functional movement can

reignite and reconnect the neural circuits in your brain.

It's amazing. If you just do these 5 moves every day without fail you'll be amazed at how your brain and body will feel as well.

One caveat: What I did NOT do in this video is speak of the subtle things I'm doing with the INTENTION in my mind that you're NOT seeing!

You must ALWAYS have the INTENTION of "pushing away from your support points" and

breathing into your core, which are fundamental prerequisites to ANY move!

You can learn more about these fundamentals in the FREE "Reverse CPS Now!" video series you can get by clicking on my picture on the right of the page.

Do these moves and let me know how they make you feel in the comments!!

How To Climb Stairs Without Making This Harmful Mistake

drsteve — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:59:55 +0000

Today's video brings to light something most people NEVER even consider when it comes to protecting and preserving you spine, hips, and knees from debilitating pain syndromes.

This subtle little "movement pattern adjustment" will make a world of difference when you apply it to your stair climbing, ellipticals, and especially if you're doing any kind of step aerobics!

Let's face it…if you want to continue to soak up all the amazing things life has to offer, it's going to be a HECK of a lot easier if you can bound up a flight of stairs! While you're at it…why not take TWO at a time!

You'll also learn about the excellent self test called "reversability" taken from the infamous Moshe Feldenkrais.

ENJOY and LEAVE ME A COMMENT telling me what other movements you'd like to see broken down and done in an efficient and strain free manner so you can start living life with more energy and less strain!

How To Activate Your Anti-Gravity Posture System

drsteve — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:51:04 +0000

When you grasp this whole concept of "Anti-Gravity Posture Training", your whole life will change.

This morning a client told me "Dr. Hoffman…by learning about my core, I finally feel hopeful and more in control of my healtlh!"

So I thought I would share some of her training and education with you.

This whole concept of "Deep Core Amnesia" described in the video below is just as rampant as the "Crossed Posture Syndrome' epidemic (see upper right sidebar) because they are in direct cause and effect relationship!

Both happen as a consequence of stress induced unhealthy aging so you better check yourself NOW before you end up stiff, old, and grumpy!

Enjoy the video and make sure to grab the free video series by either clicking on my CPS picture in the upper right or entering you name and email in the fields below the video!