Shoulder injuries can be debilitating, hindering our daily activities and compromising our overall well-being. Mindful exercise methods like Pilates and the Gyrotonic Expansion System® are a helpful addition to physical therapy. Both approaches focus on strength, balance, breathing, stability and mobility. But they differ in their principles and techniques.

As a Performance Specialist at Activcore, I frequently get questions from my clients about bone density and ways to improve it (or at least maintain it). Building strong, healthy bones is essential for overall well-being and longevity. While traditional weightlifting has long been associated with bone-building benefits, Kettlebell training offers a dynamic and effective alternative.

We depend on our nervous system to help us interpret the world around us. Our autonomic nervous system is the part of our body that gives us ‘fight or flight’ or ‘rest and digest’ responses. Fight or flight responses are directed by the sympathetic nervous system, while rest and digest responses by the parasympathetic system. However, in our modern day world, this part of our nervous system is challenged in an unprecedented way...

I joined the Activcore Performance team in Atlanta, GA in April 2023. An Atlanta native and Juilliard trained professional dancer, I discovered Gyrotonic during my time in Chicago dancing at Hubbard Street, one of the preeminent dance companies in the United States. My dance career has also included performing in the cast of Hamilton. I now teach dance around Atlanta, and I am thrilled to be on the Gyrotonic teaching team at Activcore.

When I talk to my patients about the importance of cross training, the strength training component is typically what they are most nervous about. Understandably so, especially if it is a new type of exercise or if they are in pain. When pain is present, the last thing on our minds is picking up weights. However, strength training can actually help resolve pain, when performed under the guidance of a qualified physical therapist.

When you begin an exercise routine, it is helpful to develop a goal for yourself so that you stay on track. When making your goals, keep them simple and SMART. When goals are SMART, they give you the opportunity to make a concrete plan. SMART is the acronym for all components of a well-planned goal.

In my last blog, I talked about the importance of cross training to prevent injury. Now I would like to talk about two additional factors for improving exercise performance and preventing injury: sleep and hydration. ‍“Get 8 hours of sleep a night!” and “Make sure you are drinking enough water!” are phrases we probably hear more often than we can count. Yes, these are important habits to build and maintain for our overall health, but let’s talk about WHY they are so important.

I joined the Activcore Performance team in Atlanta, Georgia at the start of 2023. My mission has been to empower the mind and body to bring you closer to your super-powered human self. Here are 5 questions and answers, so that you can get to know me better:

I come from a baseball family and more specifically a family of baseball pitchers. My grandfather pitched for the Braves and the Yankees in the 1930’s and 40’s. He stood a lengthy 6 foot 7 inches tall soaking wet. My dad was a 6 foot 5 inch lefty pitcher from Portland, Maine who played one season with the Kansas City A’s. I was a pitcher in high school but an injury to my elbow ended my career before it even began.

This is one of the most frequent questions I get asked as a physical therapist. The short answer is: a little bit of everything. But let’s talk more about this concept. As we all know, a healthy and active lifestyle is important for both our physical and mental well being. Intentional movement of any type is a great way to maintain that lifestyle.