Get To Your Core! » core training

How to “Trick” Your Core Into Action For Energizing New Stabilty

drsteve — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:44:44 +0000

This little trick that I call "Stick The Landing" in the "Reverse CPS Now!" Home Training Course will let you know real quick if you've developed what I call "Deep Core Amnesia".

It's a great little self test and like a lot of tests…it's also an exercise you can do to develop better awareness of your center!

Also…Enjoy the short history lesson because this episode was filmed near the place in the Ohio River where Lewis and Clark put their boats in the water to embark on what turned out to be a 3 year journey to the Pacific Ocean and back!

WOW…talk about a journey into uncertainty! We should all take that phrase as a lesson…"Journey into Uncertainty!"

Let me know if you were able to nail this one right away or if you had trouble…what was it?

LEAVE YOUR COMMENT BELOW!

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.

Core Training Secrets From Prague – Part One

drsteve — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:26:44 +0000

After an amazing 3 day course in Phoenix learning from a core stability genius in Dr. Pavel Kolar from Prague, I can now definitely say that most classic exercises you do in gyms and fitness classes have it all wrong and are actually creating a lot of damage.

Over the next week I'll be releasing a series of videos that reveal the amazing new breakthrough concepts from Prague that are emerging to create a whole new paradigm of pain relief, fitness, rehabilitation, performance training, and of course, posture correction.

This series of videos comes from Piestewa Peak (formally Squaw Peak) in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. Enjoy the scenery and the information and leave me any questions or comments!

What I reveal in this video is hard to believe unless you see and/or experience it first hand. The idea seems mysterious but really it's very fundamental infant development!

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!

Avoid Back Injuries With This Simple Functional Fitness Move

drsteve — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:33:32 +0000

One of the top fitness trends for 2010 that actually makes sense is "Functional Fitness".

This means training your body with movements that actually mimic real life situatations or "activities of daily living".

In this short but VERY impactful video, I talk about the most basic functional fitness move that you MUST incorporate into your everyday living or else suffer the eventual consequences of debilitating back pain, sciatica, and hip problems.

I have literally seen people die (one very recently) because of a back pain episode that caused horrible disability and depression.

So I honestly believe that this simple "hip hinge" move can literally save your life!

ALSO…after watching the video below, be sure to check out this previous video post I did that incorporates the hip hinge move during a highly effective stretch for sciatica, back pain, and hip pain. (13,127 views and 35 comments to date!)

YOUR QUESTION OF THE DAY…

What other questions about fitness do you have? I'm sure many of you have embarked on new or different exercise program as a New Year's resolution…right? What's your biggest concern or question about exercising? Leave your question by leaving a comment below!