What is Fitness Anyway?

The study of exercise physiology is to understand how the body responds to the various demands placed on it by exercise and life in general. Even within the health and fitness industries the term “fitness” is not universally defined. For this practice, we define physical fitness as the capacity of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and muscles to function at a high level of efficiency through out daily life and recreational activities. Are we living life through energetic vitality or are we drudging along from one coffee pot to the next?…

History of the Swiss Ball

The first swiss ball was originally made as a toy by an Italian plastics manufacturer named Aquilino Cosani, in the early 1960′s, and was called the Pezzi ball.  It was initially used in Europe as a tool by physical therapists treating neuromuscular disorders such as MS, cerebral palsy, and spinal injuries.

The term “Swiss ball” was coined after American physical therapists began using those techniques after witnessing their  benefits in Switzerland.  Since then these balls have been known by many different names such as balance ball, body ball, fitness ball, physioball, pilates ball, stability ball, therapy ball, and yoga ball.

To Practice, or not to Practice?

Many people believe that it is difficult to stick to a daily practice.  This is not true, because every one of us is already deeply ingrained in a daily practice.  We eat breakfast, brush our teeth, drive to work, avoid the boss, eat lunch at the same places, etc.  Human beings are creatures of habit.  Every aspect of the mind and body seek out patterns to fall into and what we call life is merely the combination of all of these disparate patterns.

So the question is not whether to practice or not, the question is what are you practicing right now?  We are always practicing something.   And as my high school soccer coach always said, “You play how you practice.”  If you spend your time practicing resentment you are going to be great at loathing everything.  If you spend your time practicing anger you are going to have high blood pressure and dysfunctional relationships.  If you spend your time practicing being a victim you are going to feel the weight of the world pushing you down in every situation…