Understanding the cerebellum and the critical role it plays in movement What makes the cerebellum so interesting? The cerebellum plays a vital role in coordinating movement, maintaining balance, learning new skills, and fine-tuning motor activity. It is because of this “little brain” that activities like riding a bicycle or swimming become second nature to us.…
If you haven’t yet read Part 1 of our PD series, you can find it here. Although there is currently no way to correct the brain changes that cause Parkinson’s disease, we know that exercise can help fight the disease and that staying healthy can help reduce setbacks that make living with PD more challenging.…
According to the World Health Organization, “Disability and death due to Parkinson’s disease are increasing faster than for any other neurological disorder. The prevalence of PD has doubled in the past 25 years. Global estimates in 2019 showed over 8.5 million individuals with PD.”i Many people, including Pilates and movement professionals, are unaware of this…
The surprising truth about the fat you’re avoiding: A discussion with Dr. Julia Segal, ND Canadian and American government food guidelines have long shaped our ideas of what and how we should eat. The age-old “food pyramid” may come to mind for many of us. As new studies and data emerge, however, much of what…
Low back pain and the importance of putting first things first According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 85% of working people can expect to experience low back pain (LBP) at some point in their lives, and in a six-month period, half of all Canadians suffered LBP1. The statistics are similar across the industrialized world: for…
Five ways to help jaw pain Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw bone to your skull and is a common area of dysfunction. Your right and left TMJ must work together, rolling and sliding as you move your jaw bone to perform basic functions like talking and chewing. Jaw tension and pain are common…
Why a “killer” workout in the time of COVID-19 might be misguided With memes on social media about the “quarantine fifteen” appearing alongside advertisements for fat-burning workouts you can do at home, you may be wondering if now is the time to adopt a strenuous exercise routine. Many of us are snacking more and moving…
Want to sleep better? Are you looking forward to spring and more sunshine? I sure am! In places like Canada that observe daylight saving time, “springing forward” means that warm, sunny days and long summer evenings are just around the corner. As a non-winter person, I’ll gladly pay the price demanded by the switch to…
What does “arm bone in socket” mean? Let’s admit it: Pilates and movement instructors are known for saying things that seem pretty cryptic to the uninitiated. This is particularly true in a group class setting, where instructors may not have the opportunity to fully elaborate on certain cues or expressions. The exhortation to “get arm…
Understanding tonic and phasic muscles Tonic and phasic muscle theory originated in the late 1960s with Dr. Vladimir Janda, a Czech neurologist and physiotherapist. Using electromyography (EMG), Dr. Janda found that some muscles are practically always active and seemingly resistant to fatigue, while others fatigue easily and are only active when deliberately called upon. Dr.…
How to build core strength “Core” has been a buzzword in the yoga and fitness world for years. Everyone thinks they understand its meaning, but the term is seriously misunderstood. The most common misconception is that a strong core means you’re always holding your stomach in. Core is far more than just abdominals and doesn’t have…
Help heal an injury Gone are the days of lying immobilized on the couch, wasting away your summer waiting for that pesky sprained ankle to heal. The previously prescribed approach to healing injuries known as R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) has now widely been replaced by M.I.C.E (movement, ice, compression, elevation). Sounds simple enough, but…
Pelvic floor health Pelvic floor health is a hot topic. More and more physiotherapists and instructors are specializing in pelvic floor issues as research shows strong correlations between poor pelvic floor function and many health conditions and postural misalignments. Yes, pelvic floor function affects both men and women, and faulty mechanics can contribute to back…
Are you sabotaging your workout? Sometimes in our quest to get strong, we can get a few things wrong. Except for bodybuilders or extreme athletes, most of us work out to develop bodies that are highly functional. Meaning, we have the necessary strength and mobility to do what we want, when we want, with as…
What is Naturopathy? When I first heard of Naturopathic Medicine, I had no idea what it was. Part of me thought it was some energetic voo-doo method that helped people by getting them to simply think themselves back to health and by taking lots of expensive supplements and vitamins. They also avoided medical intervention and…
Have you ever felt like you needed a little nudge to help make good food choices around the holiday season? Well, consider this your nudge. Today I’d like to help you with your snacking. The idea of snacking is so prevalent that we almost never question it. “Eat every hour or you’ll die!” “Snack to…
You might think inflammation is only about pain. But inflammation is actually the culprit behind many different health concerns such as depression, digestive discomfort, fertility issues and even auto-immune diseases. Once, after moving to a new home, my wrist started to throb. Soon after, I ate some food I wasn’t supposed to eat, and the…
Q: I am a Pilates instructor in Australia and seem to be suffering from Piriformis Syndrome. I taught 6 classes last week, 2 more than usual and am wondering if too much side leg series work, bridges etc could cause this? I’ve been doing the usual stretches and rolling to relieve it but wondering if…
In Part 1 of How to breathe better and decrease your stress, I discussed the anatomy of the respiratory diaphragm and how it works. Your diaphragm not only helps you breathe, but also affects your circulation, blood pressure, posture, digestion and stress response. Today, I’ll teach you some simple, effective ways you can condition your…
Many years ago, after fainting unexpectedly, I found myself in the back of an ambulance, speeding through the streets of Toronto headed to the nearest hospital. I was awake and lucid and could see the monitor that showed my vital signs from my position on the gurney. As I relaxed in the thought that I…
