A couple of weeks ago I gave a presentation to the Arthritis Foundation at the U of A campus on Posture & Balance. I really dislike public speaking and giving lectures but I had the most wonderful experience with these people. I spent some time researching a few facts and made up a little hand-out for the folks to take home with them. The talk/presentation was only supposed to be an hour long but we got to goin' & I was there from 10:45-12:20. The building was already locked up by the time we left! They had questions and I gave the best answers I had. If it was out of my scope I apologized and said so.
I'd asked for some tape to be set on the floor so they could do some minor activities to test and exercise their balance as well as showed them a few other pieces of portable equipment that could challenge their balance.
Did you know that 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 falls? And that falls are often, easily preventable? Balance can be improved but not by thinking about it, action is required.
I showed them how to effectively attain acceptable postural alignment and explained that the 2 do go hand in hand.
I don't know about you, but I've been tweaked on the back of my head, slapped between the shoulder blades and smacked in the butt by parents & teachers alike and told to stand up straight but no one ever told me how! I thought I had been standing straight so it would get very frustrating for me. Finally in the middle of a ballet class in my mid-30's I discovered the key. The " DIVA" position was born. Anyone whose taken my classes since has heard me say, " be the DIVA." It totally helps get you there. Gentlemen = Demi-gods!
As for getting to posture, you have to start with the feet, your foundation. Most of us don't walk, stand or move as we were designed. I know for myself, being flat-footed, I'm a mess. But I've learned how to move and work my foot bi-mechanically to improve my movement. I'm no longer being asked why I limp. By the way, I didn't know I was, it was a compensation made over much time & mis-use.
By the way, I did get to go to jury duty. Oh my heavens sake. I understand why the government is so broke now. Sadly, I don't think justice was served here at all. Three days at court for a DUI & BAC trial that ended up deadlocked 5-1 guilty. The 1 holdout was making up scenarios and "what if's" like there was no tomorrow. It was so frustrating. He never really dealt with the facts, evidence or the law. Therefore, mistrial. I had questions but when looking at the law * evidence the questions were answered. We even sent a question to the judge that I had. Oh well, it was an experience. My duty is done, I hope. But if there is anything you want to know about the Breathalizer 8000, let me know. Good grief!
My whole week of plans for my b-day were fouled up. Oh well, gotta roll with the punches, eh? The 1 thing that did work out was my dinner with my family Monday night. It was delicious. Many of my friends sent b-day salutations which made me feel fabulous! I thank all of you for that. I'd been a bit depressed 'cuz my bud D. couldn't afford to leave town overnight. I wanted to go to Rio Rico and visit Tubac for the day, brunch plans with my sis got smeared somewhat but salvaged beautifully, my housecleaning plans got botched by the maid service company, thats another entire blog in itself but I won't go into it and finally being called into jury duty on my final day off that I had taken and the next 2 days to boot! Really universe? See, I hate the 9's!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I'm back to work today. Lets see the fun in store for me.
Dinner: Last night I had a hankerin' for my pasta sauce I had the stored in the freezer. I'd made it some time ago. But I didn't want pasta, instead I roasted some brussel sprouts w/olive oil, heated up some sauce, mixed it all in a bowl, grated some Romano cheese onto it and YUMMMMMMM! I didn't miss the pasta at all. I doubt I invented it but I just thought of it when I looked in the fridge. Give it a try with your favorite veggies.
Exercise: Have you tried a "graviton?" I love it. It actually works opposite of weight machines. It's for your back & triceps, much like a dip or pull-up machine. However the more weight you put on the machine the less you're lifting. The weight counter-balances your own body weight. Give it a try sometime. It looks daunting but it really isn't.
Keep moving everyone, and live!
I'd asked for some tape to be set on the floor so they could do some minor activities to test and exercise their balance as well as showed them a few other pieces of portable equipment that could challenge their balance.
Did you know that 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 falls? And that falls are often, easily preventable? Balance can be improved but not by thinking about it, action is required.
I showed them how to effectively attain acceptable postural alignment and explained that the 2 do go hand in hand.
I don't know about you, but I've been tweaked on the back of my head, slapped between the shoulder blades and smacked in the butt by parents & teachers alike and told to stand up straight but no one ever told me how! I thought I had been standing straight so it would get very frustrating for me. Finally in the middle of a ballet class in my mid-30's I discovered the key. The " DIVA" position was born. Anyone whose taken my classes since has heard me say, " be the DIVA." It totally helps get you there. Gentlemen = Demi-gods!
As for getting to posture, you have to start with the feet, your foundation. Most of us don't walk, stand or move as we were designed. I know for myself, being flat-footed, I'm a mess. But I've learned how to move and work my foot bi-mechanically to improve my movement. I'm no longer being asked why I limp. By the way, I didn't know I was, it was a compensation made over much time & mis-use.
By the way, I did get to go to jury duty. Oh my heavens sake. I understand why the government is so broke now. Sadly, I don't think justice was served here at all. Three days at court for a DUI & BAC trial that ended up deadlocked 5-1 guilty. The 1 holdout was making up scenarios and "what if's" like there was no tomorrow. It was so frustrating. He never really dealt with the facts, evidence or the law. Therefore, mistrial. I had questions but when looking at the law * evidence the questions were answered. We even sent a question to the judge that I had. Oh well, it was an experience. My duty is done, I hope. But if there is anything you want to know about the Breathalizer 8000, let me know. Good grief!
My whole week of plans for my b-day were fouled up. Oh well, gotta roll with the punches, eh? The 1 thing that did work out was my dinner with my family Monday night. It was delicious. Many of my friends sent b-day salutations which made me feel fabulous! I thank all of you for that. I'd been a bit depressed 'cuz my bud D. couldn't afford to leave town overnight. I wanted to go to Rio Rico and visit Tubac for the day, brunch plans with my sis got smeared somewhat but salvaged beautifully, my housecleaning plans got botched by the maid service company, thats another entire blog in itself but I won't go into it and finally being called into jury duty on my final day off that I had taken and the next 2 days to boot! Really universe? See, I hate the 9's!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I'm back to work today. Lets see the fun in store for me.
Dinner: Last night I had a hankerin' for my pasta sauce I had the stored in the freezer. I'd made it some time ago. But I didn't want pasta, instead I roasted some brussel sprouts w/olive oil, heated up some sauce, mixed it all in a bowl, grated some Romano cheese onto it and YUMMMMMMM! I didn't miss the pasta at all. I doubt I invented it but I just thought of it when I looked in the fridge. Give it a try with your favorite veggies.
Exercise: Have you tried a "graviton?" I love it. It actually works opposite of weight machines. It's for your back & triceps, much like a dip or pull-up machine. However the more weight you put on the machine the less you're lifting. The weight counter-balances your own body weight. Give it a try sometime. It looks daunting but it really isn't.
Keep moving everyone, and live!
RSS Feed