Health

Spine Health and Awareness Part. 2

Spine Health and Awareness Part. 2

In our previous blog ‘TSTM monthly challenge: spine awareness’ we discussed some of the main functions of the spine from a movement perspective and common problems associated with them as seen with the general population. We then explored how we address spinal health from a movement perspective with health and longevity in mind. Using the cat/ cow segmentation exercise for you to self-assess, self-manage and begin to regain control of your spine.

If you have begun the practice you most likely found the process to be challenging and tedious to say the least. In this blog I will share some more exercises to help you develop the practice. but first i wanted to bring you in on a personal reflection of mine when it comes to spinal health and another reason why being able to control all movable joints of the spine is important to me.

Lower Back Pain Lifting Weights

Lower Back Pain Lifting Weights

At some point in life, we all suffer from back pain.  For many, it is only a short term problem. But for some, it can be a crippling ongoing issue.

Lower back pain is a growing health problem worldwide affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. Back pain is the single leading cause of disability, preventing many people from engaging in work as well as other everyday activities. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives. Lower back pain can be categorised as acute, sub-acute, or chronic. Several risk factors have been associated with it such as occupational posture, obesity, depression, sleep, breathing abnormalities and the list continues. What is important to bear in mind is given these facts it is likely that the spine will be at a greater risk of injury within the training room if it shows movement limitations which is generally the problematic area for the majority.

High Intensity Cortisol Monkeys

High Intensity Cortisol Monkeys

If your training goal is to destroy your hormones, bring on adrenal fatigue, and wreck your body with high volume, high-speed low-quality movements, you should find your closest "so-called HIT class" and eat a low-calorie diet.  If your goals are to build strength, increase mobility, prevent injury, improve hormone balance, build lean muscle, shift some body fat, increase energy levels, and improve your quality of life, you should start training and eating smarter than the average cortisol monkey. 

On sustainability

On sustainability

I'm going to get straight to the point I was going to make at the end: sustainability is a lifestyle. It's not about embracing a diet, a training programme or a mindset for a month. It's about making a choice to be healthy to approach the future with energy and vitality, making small manageable adjustments in the right direction. We are not going to stop global warming in one day. One day is not enough, nor is a year, nor ten: sustainability for the environment implies consistency of effort. We are not different. It's about the habit of making better daily choices, not about being seeking perfection and giving up on it blaming unattainability. Perfection is not sustainable, it doesn't fit our lifestyle. Managing stress for mental serenity, eating thoughtfully, moving playfully and sleeping deeply are all factors that can add to our base of health to improve all aspects of life.

One of the best supplements

One of the best supplements

There is no such thing as a free lunch, and just by taking a supplement you can never balance out a bad diet, your nutrition is important, just like exercise and sleep.   We’ve spent years learning about health, fitness and nutrition by listening to experts, continued the study, asking questions, reading and researching to build our own opinions, you should do the same. There are many conflicting views in the nutrition industry, and we need to find what works for us. We like to practice what we preach, and we never take one person's word as fact.  Do the research, and everything you hear is bullshit until you can prove otherwise….