Overcoming barriers to exercise
There is an excellent article by Len Kravitz, PhD in the January 2011 IDEA Fitness Journal, titled “What motivates people to exercise.” What drew my attention was a particular psychological factor in participation and adherence to exercise. “Self-efficacy is a person’s confidence in his/her ability to do exercise and be consistent with workouts.” This means that the exercise one is expected to do must seem feasible. That is, it has to be exercise an individual sees him or herself actually doing and maintaining dignity. “The more people think they can successfully do exercise, the more likely they are to adhere to an exercise program.”

Many of my 3-D Workout students have told me the reason they take up 3-D Workout is because it looks like something they could do. 3-D Workout feels good, it’s restorative, it’s bio-mechanically correct, it wakes up the motoric template in the brain. Done correctly, it is safe to do even for sedentary people who want and need to get moving.

Alternatives to static stretching
Recent research with runners recommends using pre-run preparations other than static stretching to maintain endurance (Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2010, 24 [9], 2274-79). I was interested to learn this and immediately thought of alternative exercises. The body integration material in 3-D Workout is great movement but it is best done indoors on a dry floor. So I began developing sequences that could be done in shoes, out-of-doors, in any weather. I hope to offer these to local runners in the near future. In the meantime, on Friday, Jan. 28, I’ll do a mini-workshop at the Running Room here in Oakville titled “better knees.”

ISMETA training for CMAs
CMAs who wish to earn the designation Registered Somatic Movement Therapist or RSM Instructor may study in a program offered by the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies. I am on the faculty of this program coordinated by Rachelle Tsachor, rachelle-tsachor@uiowa.edu. I offered Postural Muscle Assessment and Stretching last November and will teach Essential Movement Patterns in June 2011. Contact Rachelle for the full 2011 schedule.

Special thanks to Lesley Powell at Movements Afoot in New York City.
I taught at Lesley’s lovely studio in Chelsea the weekend of Jan 15-16 offering one day courses on lower-crossed syndrome and upper-crossed syndrome. These phrases are common in the fitness literature but there are few opportunities to learn how they affect a person’s posture and movement and what to do about it. I was delighted to be asked to teach this interesting material to a group of keen and well-trained professionals, most of whom were pilates instructors.

Travel plans
While in Italy in March, April and May I expect to do some teaching.

Intensive 3-D instructor Training for CMAs in Sicily, April 26-30.
Contact Alessio Romano for further information: alessiomaria.romano@gmail.com.

Lorella Rapisarda, CMA, will offer pre-requisites to Laban Movement Studies. I will assist with the Bartenieff Fundamentals portion of her course. For details: lorella_rapisarda@hotmail.com.

Upcoming workshops in the community
Anatomy of the Body-in-Motion at Andrea Soos Yoga Studio, Hamilton, ON.
Thinking about studying anatomy? Whether you are starting from scratch, interested for personal reasons, or are a movement professional boning up on your older knowledge, Anatomy of the Body-in-Motion will help you understand how anatomy and body movement work together. This practical, experiential workshop covers muscles, bones and connective tissues using a full-sized skeleton, movement observation and exploration. The first 6-hour workshop will include the head, neck, abdomen and back, with future workshops to be arranged. Taught by Dianne Woodruff, CMA, PhD
Friday, February 4 – 6:30-9:00 PM & Saturday, February 5 – 1:00-4:30 PM
$170.00 for 6 hrs. To register: www.andreasoosyoga.com. Text: Kapit and Elson, Anatomy Coloring Book (2002) 3rd edition, with colouring homework TBA.

Tune-up for 3-D Workout instructors
On Sat. Jan. 29 the 3-D Workout instructors in the Greater Toronto Area will get together at Counterbalance Pilates Studio for a practice and information session to review, share and learn new material. This is a great opportunity to keep certifications current, learn what other instructors are doing, share problem-solving ideas and re-kindle acquaintances.

Patricia Bardi
Distinguished innovator in voice and movement integration will offer
Embodied Voice in the Moving Body, April 2-6 in Toronto. These workshops have substantial early bird discounts. Go to vitalmoves@hotmail.com for further information.

Nadine Saxton, RSMT
Contact Nadine at www.nadinesaxton.com for a list of her Toronto workshops occurring throughout 2011including introductions to Bartenieff Fundamentals and to Laban Movement Analysis as well as developmental movement.