In last week’s entry we have discussed the different unique elements of fitness. We have outlined that strength; flexibility and cardiovascular
endurance among others are all part of good and vibrant health. Recently I have met a colleague of mine, Pilates teacher from a local gym, for a quick chat over a cup of coffee. We were discussing health, fitness, physical injuries and body’s anatomy, and then of course I have posed one of my most favourite question: ‘’WHAT ELEMENT OF FITNESS IS VITAL FOR YOU?’’ 
The answer came quicker then I have either expected: ‘’ACHIEVEMENT.’’
‘’Achievement? ‘’,I asked. And then he goes on explaining that since his main fitness practice is combination of Pilates and Ballet, he is highly driven by an idea of constantly performing better and tougher ballet’s positions that are putting an extreme toll on his body. (NOTE: This is a guy who suffered with very bad fall few months back and has injured his cervical spine and since then he is experiencing chronic pain in his neck and upper portion of his spine).
Now I think I will be stating the obvious, but my colleague might benefit from at the moment more than anything is a good rehabilitation
programme that will move him away from physical pain and rebalance his body, so he will no longer suffer from agonizing aches.
And this leads me to sharing with you the last outlined element from previous week’s blog-LONGEVITY. (you can read the entry by
clicking here: http://dagmarkhan.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/the-different-elements-of-fitness)
The definition of ‘Longevity’ states that it is a word used for ‘’long life.’’ It also says that the easiest way to increase longevity is through living a healthy and balance lifestyle.In order for us to sustain healthy and energy driven body, we need to exercise it and approach in a ways that are often unconventional, so we are able to connect to those body’s tissues that were perhaps neglected or overused for very very long time.
EXAMPLE 1: A runner who’s training intensively 3-4x week suddenly starts to experience growling pain at the front of his shins. This is quite common condition amongst runners which is called ‘SPLINT SHINNS’.Yoga Tune Up Balls,that we successfully use with our students placed and rolled along the Anterior Tibialis(muscle located on the front side of shin responsible for dorsi flexion of the foot) might be a self-care tool this guy will find very beneficial, as it will release the muscle adhesions and refresh the tissues with streams of freshly oxygenated blood.
EXAMPLE 2: Super-flexible Yogini practicing her favourite stretches several times a week begins to feel sciatic pain down her right leg. Totally confused where her practice has taken her,she reached to an experienced Yoga teacher,who clearly states her verdict: Micro-tears in her muscles due to extensive overstretching. This student will be taken on a wellness programme that will be a mindful combination of strengthening exercises to help heal her tissues and stabilize her joints along with proper time to cool down and elongate her body after her muscles were rapidly contracting.
Both of these examples show a mindful approach to body,one that honours and supports it in the most appreciative way, so we can indeed start to live better inside of ourselves for longer. Thus if you look back at all the elements of fitness from previous week-such as strenght,agility,power,flexibility,cardiovascular
endurance,coordination and balance it is good idea to check with your body where does it stand and from there take on a curious approach and ask yourself
few questions:
- Are you competitive athlete who needs to enhance
it’s flexibility? - Are you 50+ suffering from bone loss?
- Do you want learn to do push-ups?
- Are you on medications with chronic lower back
pain?
Knowing answers to these questions will give you a solid idea about your body.The more answers you ask, the better it is, because it
draws a clearer portrait for you to act on.The beauty of Yoga Tune Up is that in fact it combines all elements of fitness into one conscious corrective exercise method. It challenges your body from every conceivable angle,literally changing the nature of the tissue at the area being addressed. So take a leap and give your body a gift of programme that honours it like living and breathing organ. Our autumn class schedule starts on the 6th September 2011 and it would be our
pleasure to teach you how to live better in your own body. For full classes schedule,click here:http://www.dagmarkhan.com/
Let the Yoga Tune Up® party begin!
