Your Chair as a Movement Tool by Tom Myers (webinar)

Your Chair as a Movement Tool Webinar, by Thomas Myers of Anatomy Trains

Tom Myers is a widely respected teacher of anatomy and manual therapy. He is a fascinating storyteller and a gifted therapist. A student of Ida Rolf, he developed his own approach, called Anatomy Trains, which emphasizes the ways our muscles and fascia are interconnected as body-wide systems of tension and movement. This webinar is great for the therapist, trainer, or anyone who is serious about understanding how to sit better and how to use the chairs in our lives as an exercise tool instead of a slouch and back pain tool. About an hour long, it features easily understood discussions of anatomy--especially of the pelvis and back. He makes things easy to understand and is a gentle, gifted teacher. Check it out! About $30.

https://www.anatomytrains.com/product/chair-movement-tool-webinar-v2/

Dynamic Aging by Katy Bowman

Katy Bowman is a biomechanist and movement specialist. She is funny, knows her stuff, and communicates in a way that the general reader can relate to easily. This book is a real treat—and I have many of her books. It is one I keep in my lobby and regularly recommend to my clients. Co-written by four of her long time students, all around 79 years young now, they each have wonderful stories to tell of how they used these exercises to overcome real issues with their feet, hips, and backs. These issues were keeping them from hiking, walking the beach, and enjoying their golden years but now they all experience much more ease of movement: “I can cross a log 6 feet over a rushing river and I am 79 years old!” exclaims one of the co-authors. 

This is the book they wish they had when they were 20—but it is written with the older reader in mind. Give it a look. It will educate you about important concepts you need to know to stay healthy and will teach you easy, helpful exercises you can use to stay mobile as you age.

http://amzn.to/2t00UQx

Shoulder exercises by Mary Bond

Shoulder exercise videos by Mary Bond

Your shoulder’s secret—stretching the coracoid corners. These video show effective and easy ways to stretch out your chest and anchor your scapula better. This is important for correcting the “sitter’s slouch”, because this area is often the one pulling the shoulders forward and as a result our scapulae become “winged”, creating an unstable foundation, restricted movement, and shoulder pain.

Secrets of the Shoulders

https://youtu.be/hJmXNay-n7s

Shoulder exercise for healthy posture

https://youtu.be/-57zUtfR10g

Shoulder release

https://youtu.be/yeBMM3iwkeM

Front shoulder stretch

https://youtu.be/pEtVxmeNkRU

Book Review: The New Rules of Posture by Mary Bond

Mary Bond: The New Rules of Posture

I highly recommend Mary Bond’s writing and videos. She thinks the way I do. As a structural bodyworker and movement specialist who is focused on the average person rather than the advanced coach, clinician, or athlete, she knows how to speak in a way that makes sense and is friendly and helpful. Mary Bond is a wonderful soul with advanced training in dance and Rolfing. She is an experienced movement educator and structural bodyworker and has been helping people feel more aligned and move more freely for over 30 years. She knows how to explain your body and how to teach you simple exercises that will have a deep effect on your posture. Posture for Mary is, as it should be, not about a single fixed position. It is about being present and moving with grace and confidence. This book is full of gentle explanations and helpful illustrations that allow the reader to grasp the anatomical concepts and exercises they need to make meaningful changes in their physical bearing in the world. This book is not too much more than $10 on Amazon and comes in a Kindle version as well. I keep one in my lobby for my clients to look through and highly recommend it!