June 2017 Newsletter: Listening, upcoming events, and suggested reading
In the book, “Originals,” Adam Grant writes about confirmation bias, “When you have a preference, you seek out information supporting it, while overlooking information that challenges it.”
I am guilty of this, and I don’t think our internet culture helps. My Facebook feed is filled with people that share similar views on things like social issues and hot topics in the fitness and movement industry. Pandora tells me what I might like to listen to, and Amazon suggests books for me to buy based on previous selections. My world is surrounded by things handpicked to confirm my beliefs and opinions.
The trouble with this is it is easy to become pigeon holed into one idea, or methodology, or opinion. I realized about three years ago that what I believed to be right because of what I studied and the people I followed and looked up to wasn’t always right for the person in front of me. In fact, the more I talked with clients and asked questions, thoughtfully listening to the answers, the more I realized there are many, many different ways to help people move in a stronger, more coordinated way, ultimately reducing pain and increasing confidence. I forced myself to read different sources and study techniques I had previously written off because I didn’t think they actually worked. I became more open minded and much less judgmental. There is no right or wrong way to move, (or think, for that matter), and when things resonate with a person enough to instill confidence and strength, this is a really positive thing. The more you can challenge your perspective and really listen to opposing points of views, the better a practitioner and teacher you will become.
Suggested reading:
- “Originals,” by Alan Grant. A nice piggy back to the book I discussed last month.
- "The Power of Different," by Gail Saltz. If you work directly with clients, eventually you will work with someone that struggles with anxiety, depression, or other quirks. Why did these psychological quirks persist? Because they have very real benefits, argues the author, an M.D. (Forewarning- reading this, I found myself reflecting on my own personality quirks. This book definitely creates a strong sense of empathy for anyone struggling with mental health issues).
- "Wait, What? And Life's Other Essential Questions," by James E. Ryan. This delightful, short book was originally a graduation speech. "Just as asking "I wonder why?" will keep you curious about the world, asking "I wonder if?" will keep you engaged in the world."
- http://www.otpbooks.com/movement-as-health/ Great paper on movement as health.
- http://yogaforhealthyaging.blogspot.ca/2014/02/treatment-of-incontinence-physio-yoga.html I started a blog on this very topic. And then this was posted and was so much better than what I would have written. Worth a read.
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/well/move/childs-play-is-good-for-all-of-us.html?_r=0 The importance of play.
Upcoming events:
- Nature and Movement Retreat, Friday, June 2-4, Mayacamas Ranch Napa Valley
- Breath and Upper Body Mobility: freeing up the shoulders and the neck. Saturday, June 17 at Be Well Personal Training
- Hip Mobility and the Squat. Saturday, July 8, 9-10:30
All event information, including registration, can be found at http://www.bewellpt.com/events/.
Online learning opportunities:
- Training clients with non-specific low back pain, available for .4 NASM CECs
- Yoga classes: available at www.jennirawlings.com Use code BEWELL for a free month
- Online awareness, strength, and mobility classes available at https://vimeo.com/user18810932/vod_pages (New general mobility class will be up next week).