Exercise

Exercise Recommendations for Long Term Health

It should come as no surprise that one of the questions I field most has to do with how much exercise one should be getting. Truth be told, it’s actually a fairly complicated question to answer. It involves figuring out what the individual’s goal is,...

Demystifying the Eight Limbs of Yoga

In Yoga • by Melissa, October 3, 2018 •

Yoga as a Western practice and yoga as a traditional practice are typically quite different. The majority of people walking into a Western yoga class are looking for the asanas to help with their flexibility, strength, or in some cases rehabilitation. And while there is...

2-2-2 Format for Planning and Flexibility

In Planning and Programming • by Melissa, September 19, 2018 •

As anyone who has been around here will tell you, I like to take a whole life/whole person approach to exercise. While this approach allows for a lot of flexibility, it also breeds a heck of a lot of confusion. I use what I call...

Benefits of Strength Training

In Planning and Programming, Strength Training • by Melissa, September 12, 2018 •

I gotta be real, I am actually a little surprised to need to be talking about why strength training is awesome, for everyone, in 2018. Seriously. When I started working as a personal trainer (possibly before some of you were born), this was a conversation...

An Integrated Self

In Yoga • by Melissa, August 15, 2018 •

In addition to talking about training goals and planning, I have written a bit about Dimensions of Wellness. The National Wellness Institute has a wonderfully researched model, and it has made its way into “pop” culture via Hal Elrod’s Level 10 Life. While I enjoy...

Seeing the Six Pack

In General Fitness, Strength Training • by Melissa, July 25, 2018 •

You want six pack abs? Of course you do. I know you do, don’t try and brush it off like you are above it. I do, I can admit it. We all like to see the results of our hard work in the gym. But...

Staying the Course

In General Fitness, Planning and Programming • by Melissa, July 18, 2018 •

Today’s post is going to be a shorter one. Hopefully leaving you more time to go and practice what I’m about to preach. I pay a lot of lip service to training goals, but anyone who knows me knows that no matter who I am...

Yoga… For the Rest of Us

In Yoga • by Melissa, July 11, 2018 •

Yoga has many benefits. And I don’t necessarily mean the just the asanas. Breath work, meditation, and the practices of non-violence and self-study are hugely beneficial. But only if you practice yoga. And if you happen to be one of those yogis who can discuss...

A Non-Traditional Yoga Instructor

In Yoga • by Melissa, June 27, 2018 •

I teach yoga. Sort of. I am adjunct faculty on a college campus, so I teach yoga as a college course. That being said, my main goal with my students isn’t necessarily to see who can make the most impressive flexibility gains or do the...

Rest and Recovery

In Planning and Programming, Safety • by Melissa, June 21, 2018 •

I have previously written about getting the most out of both cardio and strength workouts. That’s a lot of work, pun intended. So, today, let’s switch gears and talk about rest.