Move Aligned with Ramona Pittman

10/03/2018

Yes!

09/07/2018

This comment was from a participant in the last session of "Gentle Yoga for 60+" at The Yoga & Meditation Centre of Calgary
We move, we learn, we laugh, we have fun together!
Next session: Monday mornings, Sept 10-Dec10

09/05/2018

by Baxter Nina recently shared with me some fascinating information about Jane Fonda, who has lived many lives, from actor to fitness ...

08/31/2018

I'll be teaching this class Sept 10 - Dec 10. If you (or someone you know) is interested, you can contact Yoga MCC directly!

We have a few spots left in our Registered Gentle Yoga Class for 60+. Could it be for you? It starts Monday, September 10th.
Click here to register, or call us 403-251-9642.
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=38016&stype=-105&sTG=28&sView=day&sLoc=0&sTrn=100000106

07/25/2018

In case you were wondering, I'm still here! The days have been flying by, and it seems I've now been pretty much absent from Facebook for the past few weeks.

Summertime activities are keeping me away from technology, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I've decided it's such a good idea, that I'm going to mostly stay away from FB for the rest of the summer, although I may share some info now and then.

I will tell you, though, that some exciting developments are in the works. I'm even planning to change the name of my business!

Starting in September, I'll be teaching weekly classes again AND I'll also be offering workshops in the fall: some popular workshops will be repeated, & I’ll also be delivering a completely new workshop!

I’ll definitely be posting news here at end of August.

Until then, I hope your summer includes lots of outside movement, lots of days enjoying the warm weather, and plenty of time spent in your favorite places with your favorite people. (Photo is me with my family. I ❤ being with my guys.)

06/21/2018

❓Have you raised your arms above your head today?
❓Have you twisted side to side?
❓Have you stretched the scrunched up muscles at the back of your neck?

⭐️ If not, try this little sequence. You can do it while sitting (IE: at your computer) or standing. If standing, just be mindful to keep your pelvis facing forward.

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1️⃣ Raise one arm into a gentle arc, allowing your shoulder to soften
2️⃣ Lift your torso up and over into a crescent shape while touching the opposite hand to the floor
3️⃣ Turn your shoulders toward the floor hand
4️⃣ Lower your raised arm
Hang your head for a couple of breaths.
5️⃣ Reverse the order: Raise your head, raise your arm, turn shoulders forward, move torso upright, lower arm.

✅ Change sides
✅ Repeat as desired. 😊

06/11/2018

Strengthen your lateral hip muscles (& your foot muscles & your posterior chain & your walking muscles & your balance).
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Keep your hips stacked over your ankles when standing. (If you can lift your toes your hips are probably far enough back)
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If you feel unsteady, rest one hand on a wall, chair or counter.
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Try to keep your pelvis level & your shin vertical with each movement. In the "figure 4" move, you'll have to move your butt far back to keep your shin vertical. Try moving your arms way forward to counterbalance.
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You'll notice in the side view that my shin isn't quite vertical, although it improves at the end. Practice, practice, practice.
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Did you know that strength & mobility of your lateral hip muscles has a whole lot to do with keeping an arch in your foot?

05/24/2018

When you improve how you stand & sit, and even how you lie on the floor, your body & brain naturally take those improvements into all of your movement, whether you are walking, or practicing yoga, or participating in a sport.

When the effort of your movement is shared amongst more of your 640 skeletal muscles, you reduce the likelihood of overusing some muscles, underusing other muscles, & creating stress within your joints.

Join us for this weekend's workshop, & feel the difference in your body!
Learn simple alignment improvements you can practice anywhere.
Practice simple exercises you can do anytime to help your muscles regain their natural mobility & strength.

Sunday, May 27, 1-3pm
At Heart and Mind Yoga in Discovery Ridge SW
heartandmindyoga.com/events

05/17/2018

How does your knee move when you get up or down with a lunge-type movement? Does it deviate toward midline? Or does it track in line with your ankle and hip?

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Does it matter? It might, if your knee always deviates medially, because that could create a circumstance of imbalanced loading of the joint, repetitive strain and/or less stability (Notice how there is more wobbliness in the first video, and more stability in the second video)

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What helps to stabilize your knee? To a large degree, it's lateral hip strength, which not only helps to support knee position & movement, but also helps you to balance better, & walk better, to name a couple of uber important things.

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How do you improve knee movement & cultivate lateral hip strength?
You could start by observing how much medial deviation and wobbliness you have with knee flexion and extension - (for instance, when you're walking up stairs, or lunging), & trying to wobble/deviate less.
In standing-based movements, you can practice stacking your lower leg to feel more of your weight in the center of your heel, rather than over your forefoot or toes.
And you could work on lateral hip strength & mobility. Coming soon: some lateral hip movements!

I regularly post movement info on Instagram. If you want to check it out, my IG name is "ramona_pittman"
You don't have to have an IG account to access; you can just go to www.instagram.com/ramona_pittman and view in your browser

05/09/2018

Moving for even 10 minutes a day makes you HAPPIER!!

Can you find 10 minutes to walk or dance or stretch or roll around on the floor today? How about 5 minutes once or twice or even three times?

Happy moving today! 🙂

People who work out even once a week or for as little as 10 minutes a day tend to be more cheerful than those who never exercise.

04/26/2018

The foot bone's connected to the hip bone!

Well, not literally, of course. BUT, did you know that strength & mobility in your lateral hip & glute muscles is a VERY important component of foot function, & a factor that contributes to 'flat feet?'

YOU can improve mobility, strength & function of your feet (& your hips) with simple changes & movements.

Learn this, & so much more at this weekend's FIT FEET WORKSHOP!
Sunday, Apr 29, 1-4pm
At Heart and Mind Yoga
Registration: heartandmindyoga.com/workshops