"Alignment"

Thanks to my wise father, growing up we were always told, “Don’t slouch, you’ll have a bad back”. Little did he know that I would take that and run with it. I mean there’s much more to it than just slouching, but the principle is definitely there. So thanks daddio for keeping me in check in yet another area of my life.

I just read an article written by Katy Bowman, if you don’t already follow this woman, you’re missing out. Her theories on movement are on point! Anyways, it pertains to the whole posture idea and I thought what better topic to cover as we head into the more active time of year.

When I say ‘Posture’ what does that mean to you? What does it evoke you to do?? Does it make you want to lift your head and pump up your chest? 

Now what about if I choose to use the word alignment?? Does it make you think about whether you’re physically staked through your spine? Or does it bring awareness to where your muscles may be imbalanced? I personally love the idea of alignment over posture as it encompasses the overall balance of the body.

One of my favorite things that Katy Bowman states in her write up is this:

“Health and non-exercise movement have been getting more coverage than usual. While there is so much advice we all get about the optimal types of exercise—cardio, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), resistance training—those with the healthiest hearts in the world are constantly active but not intensely active. And they hardly ever sit.”

Let that sink in for a moment………

I’ve spoke about this before, where the overall movement in your day is so, so, so important. You cannot sit for 8-12hrs a day and workout 2-3x/week for 30-60mins and expect your body to have resiliency to aches, pain and limited strength. It most definitely helps build the strength and mobility, but the overall alignment and balance in your body is not present.

Now, I also want to note that I understand people have jobs that require them to be located in front of a computer for an extended period of time. Honestly, kudos to those that are able to have that much concentration and focus (it’s not in my genetic make up ).  It’s about moving and playing with the positions you’re in throughout the day. There are some really great resources and recommendations out there. 

Most importantly be creative with how you move, do you always have to sit in a chair?? Do you always need to sit on your couch?? How about hang out in a deep squat, sit cross legged, or lay on your stomach and elbows……..get the idea?? Build your bodies alignment!

“Because our bodies were made to move people!!”

Why Core and Pelvic Floor?

It has been almost 6 years since I gave birth to our little girl. She was apparently hardheaded and strong willed from the get go. My ma keeps reaffirming the importance of raising girls to keep this spirit within them. The taxing labour and delivery our darling put me through and a lack of knowledge, was one of many lessons I was going to learn about my body. I would soon become fully and completely in-tune with my body on such a deeper level. And for that I am thankful!

Rewind a bit, before I was even pregnant with our first I had worked alongside with the wonderful Alison Gray, whom is a Registered Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist. For those that are unaware of what this is, it is physiotherapy that specializes in pelvic floor. So when it comes to postpartum and overall female function, it’s absolutely key in your healthcare. Oh and for those wondering, a pap smear is not the same thing!

Okay, going forward here...So in all this becoming a mom and enduring the physical portion of it, I decided I needed to educate myself further. As this journey of learning progressed, I couldn’t get past the complete lack of knowledge and resources for women in general, let alone pre and post natal. As I went, the more I learned, the more I felt compelled to dive even deeper.

I’ve now discussed the core and pelvic floor and integrated it into my work for 5ish years. Not really that long in the grand scope of ‘learning’ but here are a few key reasons why I value the function of our ‘piston’ so much:

1. It’s the center hub, the middle, the glue, the appendage holder. I often say, if your core isn’t firing properly nothing else will move as optimally. It’s pretty hard to control your shoulder mobility if you can't hold your torso upright. Or getting a strong knee drive tends to be difficult if your hips don’t have those deep muscles to drive the force.

2. SEX. Yes I said it. Nothing to be ashamed of here. A proper functioning core and pelvic floor significantly help with having enjoyable sexual interactions. As a side note, for those that aren’t aware, men also have pelvic floors and can also suffer from dysfunction. Just know that if sex is painful, there are so many solutions and options to help! Starting with a pelvic floor physio!!

3. Organ stimulation. Say what?? How does my core have anything to do with organ function?? Well my friend, heard of how muscles help with blood flow? Same goes for this area of your body. If we can help stimulate your ‘piston’ muscles, this will increase the blood flow to your abdominal cavity.

So just 3 for today, but I hope those 3 help to give you enough motivation to take of your ‘piston’ (aka core/pelvic floor).

Also to note, for all you ‘6-pack’ chasers, this is not what I advertise as CORE. I’m referring to the deep down, true, full functioning core. I almost dislike utilizing the word ‘Core’ for the fact that the fitness industry has completely butchered it. If that picture of the sweet ‘6-pack’ is the result of becoming stronger, then sweet deal. I just feel we shouldn’t put too much pressure on ourselves to have that as the ‘end’ goal.

As always, I am all ears. Have any burning questions or topics that you would like to see me cover?? Shoot me a message and I’ll do my best to fill you all in.

My Mission Statement

When I was little and people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I responded how the typical sports driven child would, “Go to the Olympics”. I remember having the conversation with my parents and telling them proudly that I wanted Adidas to be my sponsor. Because what child didn’t have a sweet matching striped sweat suit. I also had my ‘lucky’ sweat bands to boot (Thanks Aunt Joan xo). Ya ya, I know you’re all fairly jealous of my sweet style you’re currently envisioning. But in all seriousness when is it that we loose that assertiveness and the ability to truly ‘believe’ in ourselves and our dreams.

I’m about finding what feels good and how to reconnect with our bodies the best way possible...through MOVEMENT!

Fast forward a few years, as I was soon to be graduating high school, I was approached by a few schools to compete at the collegiate level in my athletic career. Cue in my wise parents, they had the abrupt conversation of what education program I was going to complete?? Hmmm.......I sat on my Ma’s bed and she said what do you feel yourself wanting to learn about? What career can you see yourself doing?? I responded as I had as a young child, I want to run and play hockey. Her response, “Well Mandi you’re not likely going to be able to make money doing that.” My sponsorship with Adidas wasn’t looking real promising. So we ruffled through the program books and again with wisdom, “Well you like to be active right?”. “Yep, sure do!”. The rest as they say, is history. I completed my post secondary career at Lake Superior State University with a BSc in Exercise Science and an Associates in Health Fitness. But that really is what I would like to think as just the start on my education.

I felt that one of my biggest crossroads at this point in my life was choosing to continue with hockey or running.

Where am I going with all of this??? I have grown as an individual since then, both mentally and physically. Change and growth is a good thing!! I have gone through waves of self-doubt, letting the ‘negative’ get the best of me and loosing sight of who I truly am. The great thing is that no matter what ‘crazy’ dreams I have had, my foundation of support continues to be there. They lift me up when I need it the most, my family!!

So my MISSION will always be that when you step through the Studio’s doors, I hope you feel nothing but welcome. I hope that it is a space where you too, get to grow and change. I’m not about the scale and measurements. I’m about finding what feels good and how to reconnect with our bodies the best way possible.......through MOVEMENT!

“Because we were made to move people.”

So as my vision of “What I want to be when I grow up”, unfolds in all it’s glory, I want to say thanks! Thanks to every. single. person. that has come through the doors and supported me. It’s not quite the Olympics but it’s a pretty damn good career if you ask me!