My Movement Project

I'm committed to the active life, one that includes the real possibility of moving with ease, strength and balance every day in all I do, throughout the rest of my life. I want to keep moving as I grow older. And I'm willing to do what it takes to support that desire. I’ve been an avid whitewater raft guide, hiker and backpacker for decades. My daily movement practice includes a short set of joint mobility exercises and lots of floor-sitting and spontaneous stretching. Add to that weekly strength training. And I walk (a lot) and paddle a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard), which is amazing for balance and upper body strength.

I teach Restorative Exercise and Qigong classes each week and will resume individual coaching online beginning January 2024.

I've overcome some challenges to get here. And I bet you have, too. My daily movement practices contribute greatly to my physical and mental resilience. Here's one story to, hopefully, inspire your movement project... 

The second time I broke my leg...

This is my left knee after surgery in 2014. I crushed and broke my tibia in a rafting accident. It just happened. Nobody and nothing to blame. I had a great surgeon and a wonderful physical therapist, yet months later, I was still experiencing pain, weakness and imbalance. A friend recommended Katy Bowman's book, "Move Your DNA". As I read her philosophy and approach to movement, I realized I needed to learn from her directly.

"You must become aware of all the ways your preferences reinforce the former version of yourself and allow your state of health to perpetuate." - Katy Bowman

I started with the Calf Stretch...

As a result of being on crutches, not being able to use my left leg for several months, over-using my right leg in poor alignment, I developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot. Katy Bowman had a "movement prescription" for that. It's the same corrective exercise that I teach my clients on the very first day. The Calf Stretch works to lengthen the muscles in the backs of the legs, which are shortened due to the ways we sit most of the day, as well as the shoes we wear. Calf Stretch, along with adjusting my stance allowed me to redistribute the weight of my body in a way that strengthened my legs and supported my spine. Within three months, I was free of plantar fasciitis. 

Not long after I was walking again on both legs, I began my transition to minimal shoes. After a another year or so, I was often walking barefoot with ease, no matter the terrain.

Now, I'm moving better than ever.

I retired from a 38-year-long career as a public radio journalist with plans of becoming a movement educator. For 18 years, I practiced and taught Tai Chi and Qigong at Body Balance Academy in Grass Valley, CA. In 2018, I completed my training as a Nutritious Movement® certified Restorative Exercise Specialist. In 2019, I attended the first ever 50+ MovNat Level 1 Training and passed my certification. I combined all my movement training with a life-long love of teaching to create Your Movement Project.

Your movement goals may be different than mine. Learning Restorative Exercise and natural movement is a good step towards better movement habits for life-long health. Like many changes, it's simple, but not easy. Let's do it together.

Sign up fo weekly qigong classes and coaching sessions online. Join the Aging Well Book Club to read and learn together. Click here to register.