Many Americans have developed unhealthy coping mechanisms to combat stress and anxiety caused by the trauma associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of those negative behaviors include eating disorders and alcohol or drug abuse. This addictive pattern is true, especially for women. According to a RAND corporation study during the pandemic, “women have increased their… Read more »
Fitness
Returning to the Gym Safely
- By Michael K. Butler, BA;PTA;CSCS*D;RSCC*D NMT
- May/June 2021
It’s been a very challenging time for our world, especially when it comes to our fitness. Over the past year, individuals and businesses have been trying to adjust to ever-changing CDC recommendations and requirements and attempting to adapt to new and different situations and environments. Many of us have been in lockdown and unable to… Read more »
The Back Nine
- By Michele McCord, CPT, CMT, RYS-RYT
- May/June 2021
The importance of fitness training has become wildly accepted in the modern-day sport of golf. In past generations, there was a bit of stigma in the game with lighthearted teasing for “spending too much time in the gym and not enough time playing golf.” All golfers benefit from cross-training, especially seniors who need to maintain… Read more »
Slow Down Your Workouts
- By Arnel Sator
- May/June 2021
Is weight lifting only for the young? Not at all! Even those 50 and older can enjoy weightlifting, especially lifting weights in slow-motion. Slow-motion strength training involves 10 seconds of lifting and a 10-second lowering phase. The exercise’s ultimate goal is to gain momentary muscle failure. Slow-motion strength training is an example of a brief… Read more »
Fit at Any Age
- By Michele McCord, CPT, CMT, RYS-RYT
- March/April 2021
Legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham’s advice was, “Begin anywhere!” For baby boomers and seniors, staying limber, active and strong is the best medicine for maintaining health and living their best life. Anyone at any age can get started and improve their quality of life by safely improving their physical health. Studies show that people with chronic… Read more »
Virtual Technology: A New Form of Mental Training
- By Michael K. Butler, BA;PTA;CSCS*D;RSCC*D NMT
- March/April 2021
For years, seeing youth athletes on their phones or playing video games for endless hours just drove me crazy. I knew it set the tone for their mood swings, depression and other health-related issues proven to stem from too much screen time and playing violent video games with their friends. Then, there was a market… Read more »
Getting Every Body Moving
- By Lauren Del Sarto
- January/February 2021
There is a new non-profit in the Coachella Valley serving all of Riverside County by offering wellness and sport opportunities for those with disabilities. Palms to Pines Parasports (PPP) was founded in June of last year with the purpose of providing competitive and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities while instilling a lifelong passion for… Read more »
Keep Moving for Immunity
- By Michael K. Butler, BA;PTA;CSCS*D;RSCC*D NMT
- January/February 2021
These are trying times, not just for Americans but for the entire world. Since the first outbreak was announced in February of last year, many businesses have been shut down, and fear and uncertainty have placed millions at home, affecting most people’s mental, emotional, financial and physical health. With many gyms compromised or closed right… Read more »
As state health officials announced mandates requiring the closure of non-essential public spaces, including gyms, many people began to wonder where to look for inspiration with daily exercise. The fitness industry is certainly being tested in 2020. Going into the fall season, exercise centers in California are working within maximum occupancy mandates that allow less… Read more »
Tuning in to Health
- By Barbra Angel, PhD and Michael K. Butler, BA;PTA;CSCS*D;RSCC*D NMT
- November/December 2020
When it comes to pain and bodily dysfunction, there seems to be a positive shift from doctors’ visits for prescribed medications towards natural healing modalities. However, with so many alternative therapies on the market today, it is sometimes difficult to know where to start. And many would never think of turning to tuning forks. When… Read more »
Intentional Walking for Winning at Health
- By Kinder Fayssoux, MD
- September/October 2020
Walking is a simple way to increase your health and longevity with little effort. Here are five reasons you should do intentional walking at a moderate intensity (fast enough that conversation makes you a little breathless) for 30 minutes a day: Reduces chronic diseases. Walking at a moderate pace can decrease your risk for diabetes,… Read more »
Steadiness: The Gift of Consistency
- By Jayne Robertson, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500
- July/August 2020
“However the seed is planted, in that way the fruit is gathered” is a Buddhist saying which seems particularly pertinent to being steady in our practices. It’s about showing up consistently and it’s during challenging times, such as this global pandemic, that we become aware of what we have harvested based upon choices we’ve previously… Read more »
How to Avoid the Quarantine-15 and Sidestep Stress During Uncertain Times
- By Jay Nixon
- May/June 2020
Surely, you’ve heard of the Freshman Fifteen. Now the term ‘Quarantine Fifteen’ has been coined for the weight one may gain during the COVID-19 pandemic while staying cooped up inside without much to do except, well, eat. While gyms and group fitness classes have been closed or canceled for the foreseeable future, there’s no reason… Read more »
30 Minutes to Full Body Fitness
- By Michael K. Butler, BA, PTA, CSCS*D, RSCC*D NMT
- March/April 2020
In today’s fast-paced world, you really have to be on your game to get everything done and trying to fit in an exercise program can be a real challenge. How much time can you actually dedicate to an exercise program and then stick to it? And what is the right program for you? Some people… Read more »
There are multitudes of ways to exercise nowadays. New innovations appear in our local fitness facilities to keep us entertained while keeping us healthy, yet we often revert back to the time-honored ways of exercising and workouts of the past become current trends once again. The trampoline, otherwise known as the rebounder, is an example… Read more »
When it comes to competition, both professional and amateur athletes are always looking to gain an edge on their opponents. While strength, conditioning and core training are still essential in the daily regimen, recovery and injury prevention is now a primary focus. Over training can often lead to injury, and many pros are taking extra… Read more »
Providing Opportunities for Persons with Disability
- By Judy May and Michael Rosenkrantz
- November/December 2019
Imagine you are 8 years old and you and your friends are going rock climbing for the first time. One step at a time, you seek that sliver of rock that will hold you as you prepare for your next step. And in the blink of an eye you stand triumphantly, arms raised, at the… Read more »
Senior Golfers: Hips Don’t Lie
- By Michael K Butler BA; PTA; CSCS*D; RSCC*D NMT
- November/December 2019
For many years I have researched the most effective and biggest bang for the buck” exercises for golfers because I know time is always an issue. Having to arrive at the golf course early for an 8 a.m. tee time doesn’t give you much time for preparing your body for golf, so a complex golf… Read more »
Following is an excerpt from Jennifer Johnson’s book, An Awakening Walk, 500 Miles to Self-Love and Acceptance on the Camino de Santiago, which chronicles the incredible challenge she gave herself and now offers others. The first day is the hardest for hikers of the Camino de Santiago – the path is steep, almost sixteen miles… Read more »
Overtraining Youth Athletes
- By Michael K Butler BA; PTA; CSCS*D; RSCC*D NMT
- September/October 2019
One evening I was working with a group of young athletes from various sports, and one stood out because of the way her body wasn’t responding to the warm-ups. This fourteen-year-old was pale and appeared very sluggish and somewhat disoriented. I pulled her aside and asked how she was feeling. She told me that she… Read more »