What we can learn from animals..

Published: Thu, 09/24/15

Hi


We have a ball of fluff that lives with us and goes from sleeping to full speed in 0.5 seconds flat.

Her name is Indie and she is a Pug Zhu...


She has boundless energy ready whenever she needs it.

I know that dogs have a pretty easy life compared to the stresses and strains of ours, however, can we learn something from our furry friends.

So...how come Indie is so full of vitality?

  • she only eats real food
  • she drinks lots
  • she stretches lots
  • she breathes deeply and into her tummy (without the self consciousness of worrying about how big her belly looks whilst doing so)
  • she doesn't wear shoes
  • she runs whenever she can
  • she doesn't have any stress
  • she gets lots of love
Kelly Starrett, a leading Physical Therapist/ strength coach from the states has a strangely named book called 'becoming a supple leopard'....it is revolutionary!

The whole premise of the book is that WE should be ALWAYS ready for action just as a Leopard (or a Pug Zhu) is.

Making time to stretch, mobilise, rest and recover throughout our day can counteract even the most extensive day of sitting/ laptop action we have to endure.

Educating yourself on daily drills for mobility and posture correction will empower you to be ready for action whenever you need to be.

I'm not just talking physical effort...


...becoming pain free, with your body aligned means that your body can do the job it is meant to do and keep energy levels high, concentration maximised and all the organs and bodily systems in full optimisation.

The more you do this the less tight points, niggles and pains you will get. The less issues we have the better we can spot when things are moving off the ideal.

Some ideas you can implement straight away:

  • learn some basic anatomy, the BodyWorks app is excellent to get to know yourself from the inside
  • keep a tennis ball in the car to use as a back massager as you drive (cricket ball as you get more hardcore)
  • use a foam roller every day at some point. Calves and upper back are an essential if pressed for time
  • quit the sofa and stretch on the floor
  • get up every 35-45 minutes
  • think posture...always
  • try yoga or pilates
  • roll your feet about on a golf ball
  • have a golf ball handy in handbag, desk and at home. You can use this to massage ANY muscle in arms, legs, neck etc in a rolling/ circular action
  • try magnesium balm, epsom salt baths
***please be careful and if any muscle feels hot or inflamed when you try this stop and check with your doctor You are going for a 'sports massage' type feel which should instinctively be a 'good hurt'***
 
 We have never had more information and cutting edge knowledge as we do now.

Put together what we know from physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, personal trainers, Yogi's and physio- therapists we should be able to reduce the need for the surgeons knife drastically!

Release your inner Leopard..

J

James Chandler
Personal Trainer
07870 262741
www.eatwellandworkout.com


'To inspire, educate and support our clients on their journey to better health'