The Olympic gymnastics anomaly, Simone Biles, put on another spectacle of elite human performance at the recent Olympic trials. Events such walking along the balance beam with precise steps, like that of a dove hopping along a telephone line, seems as simple a task as brushing her teeth. As she bounces off the ground to …
Category: Hiking in Napa Valley
Jul 12
BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals)
“I have a few big, hairy, audacious goals.” These profound adjectives presented before the word “goals” caught my attention as I was meeting with a new personal training client. “I call them BHAGs. I use them as a tool to achieve my sales quota for my job. If I don’t set those goals for myself, …
Jun 01
Give Pain Your Full Attention
Hinges, knobs, handles, screws, nuts, and bolts are instruments used throughout our daily lives. We see them as we open doors to our homes and cars. Metal hinges held on by screws attaching doors to planks of wood ensure a door operates efficiently. Handles attached to our kitchen utensil drawers are fastened by screws. The …
Apr 22
The Art of Putting Socks On
They cover our feet. They prevent blisters. We even make an extra effort to wear the type that have cute cats on them. These soft, warm, protective layers of woven cloth are the next most worn object on our bodies, aside from underwear. We are talking about the trusty pair of socks that envelop feet. …
Mar 24
A Reminder for Sunny Day Physical Activities
Following the winter solstice a few months ago, we have the privilege to look forward to our longer hours of daylight. We get to experience the sun illuminating the ground sooner in the day and observe the sunset descends below the horizon later in the evening. Daylight savings time is a few days away. The …
Mar 08
Keep Exercise Routines from Getting Stale
Having time on your hands after a long career and a slew of grandkids can be a blessing. However, after those years of working hard are over, the mind can become complacent. Who needs exercises anyway? Perhaps you’ve proven that after a successful 40 plus year career without injury or illness, you know what you’re …
Jan 11
Posture Makes Perfect
“Is there anything you can do to help this pain in my neck.” This is a common request that comes from our newer personal training clients just starting one of our exercise prescriptions. This comment is usually paired with the participant turning around and showing me the spot that hurts. As they struggle to reach …
Jul 08
Knee Pain Relief
The simple tasks of traveling up and down stairs, stepping off curbs, kneeling down to get some extra gloves finally in stock on the bottom shelf at the supermarket are considered everyday tasks. Enjoying golf, a few games of Pickleball, or a hike in the beautiful Napa Valley shouldn’t take a second thought. We should …
Jun 09
Exercise Physiology Knowledge
Understanding the unique nature behind how muscles contract to create force during muscular interaction is beneficial to the human body. Muscle cells have two primary proteins called myosin and actin that act like Velcro, grabbing onto each other when the brain sends a message to move bones closer or further away from each other. These …
Apr 10
Staying Mobile during “Shelter in Place”
During holidays, we sit down with our families for a full day to catch up on a years’ worth of each other’s lives. 4-day weekends including holidays like Thanksgiving influence our culture to sit down, relax, and sleep in more than a usual day. As shelter in place restrictions influence society to stay indoors to …