Exercise
Why are my hips so tight?
Do you ever notice that your hips feel tight? Or maybe you notice it’s uncomfortable to squat during a workout, to pick up your child, or even to grab a pen off the floor, something doesn’t feel right? A feeling of tightness across the hips comes from tension around the hip flexors. The hip…
Read MoreHow to get through Christmas on a Healthier Note
While Christmas is known as “the season to be jolly,” it can be a significant source of stress and pressure for many of us. Some people can feel overwhelmed by the excess, expectations, and exchanging of gifts at this time of year. Furthermore, Christmas is notoriously a time to indulge, but we have some great…
Read MoreDeskbound? Professional tips to keep strong & active
In a typical working week, desk workers spend on average 5 hours and 41 minutes per day sitting at their desk. In a recent study, nearly 70% of employees surveyed did not meet recommended guidelines for physical activity. (1) The findings also showed that increased sitting time was correlated with: More likely to be sedentary…
Read MoreMade to Move – Functional Movement
Week Three of Shape Up Month Dr. Manisha has teamed up with Personal Trainer Malcolm Toeaiga from CenturionFitness in Porirua to go over Functional Movement Exercises As humans, we are designed to move. Everyday exercises may target certain muscle groups, whereas functional movement exercises train movement patterns and are designed to mirror how we, as…
Read MoreUpper Body Strengthening Exercises
Week One of Shape Up Month Dr Matt has teamed up with Personal Trainer Andrew Grimwood from BodayLean in Mana to go over some Upper Body Strengthening Exercises Upper Body Strengthening Exercises Upper body strengthening exercises can be often neglected within normal workprogrames but are hugely important to include as it has numerous benefits on…
Read MoreThe Perils and Panaceas of Sedentation
Photo credit: http://www.fitnesshealthzone.com/healthy-living/harmful-effects-of-physical-inactivity/ The Dangers of a Sedentary Lifestyle & Examples of How to Overcome It Wake up. Get ready for work. Sit in the car during traffic for 45 minutes. Arrive at work. Sit at desk, check emails and do some work. Move to conference room and yawn your way through an hour-long meeting.…
Read MoreWalk Your Way to Wellness – The Benefits of Walking
If you want to add a few years to your lifespan, set aside 20 to 25 minutes for a daily walk. This simple habit, which can also arguably be one of the most enjoyable parts of your day, has been found to trigger an anti-ageing process and even help repair old DNA.[1] Individuals who engage…
Read MoreMovement During Lockdown
While I have been in lockdown I have found it very helpful to establish some sort of morning routine that involves movement to energise and uplift me for the day ahead. Yoga does more than burn calories and tone muscles. It’s a total mind-body workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation. There are more…
Read MorePerfect Posture Month – Week Two – Lower Limb and Spine Stretches
Lower Limb and Spine Stretches The strengthening of your lower back can help alleviate and prevent back pain. Studies have shown that stretching can be a useful tool to increase the body’s range of motion[1,2].It can also play a key role after injury during a rehabilitation phase to help realign the muscle fibres for optimal…
Read MorePerfect Posture Month – Week One – Neck and Upper Limb Stretches
When the neck and upper back muscles become weakened, the head sags forward and increased stress is placed on the cervical spine, which can lead to neck pain. Strengthening these muscles can help improve posture and get the head closer to neutral position (with the ears directly over the shoulders). Like with any other part…
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