improve mobility – Resilient Edge Wellness

How To Improve Faster and Easier – In Every Area of Your Life

May 2, 2012kvanness01

As I continue my rehab and recovery from knee surgery, I literally make progress every day.

While injuries can slow us down, they are also badges of honor, the inconvenient fruits of a life lived with gusto.

Problem is, these old (and newly) injured areas – and our bodies in general – can make themselves felt more frequently, the older you get. In fact, I can feel a few places whenever the weather changes.

However, you can’t let these aches and pains hold you back. Nope, the key is to keep moving and keep improving.

I’m feeling more enthusiastic than ever these days because I have been able to increase the intensity of my training and do more each week. But I’m also trying to be smart about how I approach my rehab and training. And one key thing has really helped me to recover more quickly than most people would expect: I place so much emphasis in my own health regimen on breathing and dynamic energy exercises.

This type of approach can help you too. It provides you with a springboard, a boost, for getting back into shape – like I’m doing now – or ramping up the intensity of your current fitness program.

I’m pretty young – in body, mind and heart – for my so-called “age”. But I know (from painful experience) that I operate and progress best when I alternate “hard” with “soft” days.

For example, today I did a pretty hardcore workout. High intensity, good tempo, lots of focus. I kicked butt. It felt great!

But I know I will feel this workout a little by tomorow morning. As I get older, I’ve noticed that I can still do just about everything I did before…but the recovery takes longer.

So, tomorrow I will do a “softer” workout. That can mean many things, but for right now in my progression, it means I focus more on flexibility, stretching and breathing.

In fact, I’ll be doing the exact series of mobility and flexibility exercises I teach in “Dynamic Flexibility: The Secret To Healthy, Pain-Free Joints, Limber Muscles and Maximum Mobility”.

The important part about training in a way that helps you recuperate and helps your body improve even more quickly and effortlessly, is knowing how to stretch and rejuvenate the muscles and connective tissues.

For example, using my Dynamic Flexibility method only takes about 15 to 18 minutes to fully, completely stretch your entire body, including all the major joints and muscles. I sometimes take longer, though, because I enjoy the routine so much. It’s a wonderful break from work.

There is a natural cycle of work or struggle followed by rest and reward. You see it throughout nature. For example, the love of my life is the gardener of the family, with some help from our son. The two of them till, plant, fertilize, water and weed for weeks or months. The reward is a beautiful array of flowers and shrubs around our house and back porch, as well as delicious fresh vegetables the entire family can enjoy. They reap….we all sow.

You can see this cycle throughout history, going back to biblical times. The Hebrews wandered for 40 years in the desert before they were allowed into the “promised land”. God worked for 6 days and rested on the 7th.

You may see this in your daily life as well. For example, you work hard on a project, plugging and pushing away. At times you feel like you are making minimal to no progress.

Then, you relax and let up a bit. You put the project aside for a spell. And you suddenly receive the idea or the inspiration that helps you finish the damn thing…without stress, strain or pushing.

Same thing goes for your body – and mind and spirit, for that matter.

Push yourself and really go for it at certain times. But allow yourself to relax and refresh at other times.

You can successfully apply this cycle to exercise, to eating better, or to taking virtually any type of action that will improve your health or your life. So, as you plan your day or week, build in times to work hard and push yourself. Alternate these with times when you relax and reward yourself.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much more quickly and enjoyably you finish those projects and start hitting your goals.

You Can Do It!

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!”

www.BestBreathingExercises.com

Best Supplement for Super Joint Health

March 11, 2012kvanness01

As I mentioned in my previous tip, last Friday I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee.

Going through the recovery process has prompted me to get back onto a supplement I used to take – and have begun to take again.

You have probably heard about Glucosamine and Chondroitin, supplements that support joint health. There has been quite a lot of attention paid to these two supplements, especially as the Baby Boomer generation begins to hit their 60s. They have been popularized as treatments for osteoarthritis.

About five years back, there was some controversy about Glucosamine, and some backlash against its depiction as a sort of “wonder drug” for joint health and arthritis sufferers.

At the time, a couple of studies showed glucosamine was no better than a placebo in improving joint health.

However, numerous subsequent studies, as well as years and years of “empirical research” – meaning people who have used it and benefited from it – support the use of Glucosamine – Chondroitin.

Based on all the evidence I have reviewed, as well as my own experience as an athlete, I believe that Glucosamine and Chondroitin, taken together in supplement form, can indeed support joint and connective tissue health and repair….which is vitally important as you age, AND if you engage in an active lifestyle.

By the way, glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation is not only for older people. It most definitely can work to help you build a stronger body, regardless of your age.

Why is Glucosamine so important? And how does it work?

Connective tissue is one of the most prevalent substances in your body. Cartilage, tendons, ligaments, intervertebral (spinal) discs, pads between joints, and cellular membranes: all are made up of connective tissue.

All connective tissues have two common components. One is collagen. Collagen is the most common protein in the body.

The other component is proteoglycans (PGs). PGs form the framework for connective tissue. The principal component in PGs is comprised of 50% glucosamine. Collagens and PGs must “get together” during the production of new connective tissue. And glucosamine is the single most important substance in the synthesis of connective tissue.

Over 30 years of research on glucosamine have proved that ingesting purified glucosamine helps the body produce more connective tissue.

But, just to make sure, I asked my orthopedic surgeon and my physical therapist what they think about it.

They both said absolutely to take it – not just during this recovery period, but from now on.

So….I’m back to taking a supplement I knew was good for me, but which I didn’t sufficiently appreciate at the time.

I discuss Glucosamine and Chondroitin, plus several other key supplements that help restore and maintain healthy, pain-free joints, in “Dynamic Flexibility: The Secret To Healthy, Pain-Free Joints, Limber Muscles and Maximum Mobility” (go to http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_flex.html for more info or to order a copy).

The proper use of targeted supplements, along with the approach and specific exercises I teach you in this program, help you easily and enjoyably improve your flexibility and joint health…leaving you limber and pain-free with the investment of only a few minutes per day.

Prior to undergoing surgery last Friday, my orthopedic surgeon told me that, despite old injuries and newer trauma to my knee, both knees are remarkably free from arthritis, and are actually way more functional than they “ought to be”, given some of the wear and tear they have experienced.

I credit this to the functional, effective flexibility and strengthening exercises I have done over the years. I learned long ago that it’s not just about static stretching, how far you can stretch, how long you hold a stretch, etc. — which is the standard stretching fare typically offered in most martial arts and fitness studios.

The important thing is the way you stretch, ensuring that your movement and breathing and method are all integrated into an approach that supports limberness in your soft tissues, such as muscles, with flexibility and strength in your joints and supporting structures.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!” http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

Knee Surgery and Crutches

March 7, 2012kvanness01

Hey there [firstname]!

I’ve been involved in athletics just about my entire life. Played basketball and softball through high school, basketball and a season of track and field in college….

Martial arts as a kid and again as an adult – including teaching, full contact kickboxing, and teaching breathing and energy principles along with good old fashioned martial techniques….

More recently I’ve enjoyed teaching my son Miguel how to play soccer, throw and catch a ball, and throw some mean punches and kicks.

All those years of activity (some at a pretty high level) and I never had to have surgery on my knees…until now.

This past Friday I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee. It seems that years and years of wear and tear, and a few specific injuries from my martial arts days, had taken their toll. So I concured with my orthopedist that it was the time to take care of this.

I’ve had other injuries and other surgeries over the years, and comparatively this one was not that bad. The tricky part is that I have to be on crutches for 6 weeks.

Six weeks!

So, I have two challenges facing me:

(1) Have the patience to slowly and surely rehab the knee without getting ahead of myself, dinging it and being sent back into surgery and more recovery; and

(2) Ensuring that I figure out the optimal combination of breathing, dynamic exercise, and more traditional fitness exercises to maintain my vital capacity, muscle tone and overall good health.

I think this information could be quite helpful to you as well, whether you are facing some health challenge, or simply looking to take your fitness to the next level. So, with your permission, I’ll be devoting some of my forthcoming tips to my progress and approach as I rehab my knee AND experiment with some different exercise and breathing regimens.

A couple of “good news” items are inherent in my experience:

Good News Item #1: I have already begun to use this time as an opportunity to get in better touch with my body. I’m taking more time each morning to stretch and breathe than I normally do – and I love it!

If you’ve read my stuff for any length of time, you know that I’m always encouraging my dear readers to take a little time for themselves, first thing in the morning if at all possible, to breathe and stretch and visualize. It’s the perfect time to relax yet energize as well as plan for a great day.

And I practice what I preach. Whether I’m at home or traveling, one of the very first things I do each morning is my breathing and energy exercises. Now, I’m leveraging this “event” in my life as justification to take even more time each morning. It’s been wonderful!

Good News Item #2: My orthopedic surgeon told me that, despite the old injuries and newer trauma to my knee, both knees are remarkably free from arthritis, and are actually way more functional than they “ought to be”, given some of the wear and tear they have experienced.

(If you’d like to learn more about this approach, go to http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_flex.html.)

So at least I know that, with proper healing, I have many more years of funnin and gunnin with my two knees.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!” http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

Do You Know About This Natural Pain Relief Method?

March 1, 2012March 1, 2012kvanness01

Did you know that painkillers – both over the counter and prescription – are some of the best-selling drugs on the market?

Says a lot about our modern society, doesn’t it? Not only do we run ourselves ragged…but we are encouraged to medicate our pain away.

Some painkillers, such as aspirin, are touted for their benefits.

Aspirin does offer benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in men. It”s less clear whether women enjoy the same benefit relative to the risks.

But aspirin can also cause risks. It thins your blood, and makes your blood slower to clot. It can make stomach or digestive problems even worse.

And, if you are a Type O like me, you should probably avoid aspirin, because our blood tends to clot more slowly anyways.

Aspirin is a drug, just like many others. So I say use with caution.

It also scares me that new parents are encouraged to give their kids Tylenol, even if they aren’t in pain or don’t have fever.

I can’t tell you how many times a friend, or even my own mother, told me to give my son some Tylenol to help “settle him down” when he was a baby and toddler.

Yes, I know it works in a lot of kids. But do I really want to give my two-year-old a drug if he doesn’t need it? Why would I do this to him when I almost never take an aspirin or Tylenol myself?

Here’s the larger issue in my mind: the heavy use of aspirin and other painkillers in our society. Why do people have to take so many painkillers?

One reason is they don’t know how to relax and de-stress. Most headaches, backaches, joint aches and muscle aches are caused by stress and tension.

If your muscles and joints are tight, you are less resilient and resistant to the stress of modern living. It attacks you in your weak spots – your muscles, your joints, and your aching back.

This is one reasons why I created my “Dynamic Flexibility: The Secret To Healthy, Pain-Free Joints, Limber Muscles and Maximum Mobility”.

Most people don’t stretch enough, because the way they have been taught to stretch is boring, or because they don’t think they have the time for it.

But if you follow what I show you in Dynamic Flexibility, you’ll discover that improving your flexibility, joint health, and ability to relax can be rejuvenating, invigorating AND enjoyable.

I want to share with you a little habit that I developed over the years:

Every so often, even during the busiest work days, I take a minute or two to move and stretch. Sometimes I stretch in my chair; more often I stand up and stretch. And it makes all the difference in the world!

You see, I get a lot done during the course of a day, and I truly believe that my habit of stretching here and there during the day is a big reason why. It keeps me more relaxed and on an even keel, even during stressful days. And it allows me to keep on plugging away when most folks would have already turned off their computer.

Here’s a quote from Dr. Joyce Brothers, psychologist and advice columnist:

“No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could just find ways to relax for at least 5 minutes every hour, you’d be more productive.”

When you coax your body into relaxing and becoming looser,your nagging aches and pains naturally dissipate. And you have a vital reserve to help you better cope with life’s challenges and stressors – without resorting to painkillers.

It’s natural stress relief. AND it’s natural pain relief.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!” http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com