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I found this interesting article on MassageMag.com which says that posture also has an affect on thoughts  - it says "body posture can affect not only what others think about us, but also how we think about ourselves". . . . . . . .

I love the New York Times - their articles on health and fitness are second to none.  I've just read this really interesting article on reasearch done into exercise and the immune system .....

Ever wondered what some of the more obscure bodywork and complementary therapies are all about?  Then look no further.........

 

I spend many a happy hour browsing for free podcasts on the i-tunes store.

I recently came across a video podcast called self massage for athletes.  They say athletes but don't let that put you off if you aren't one.  These massage techniques will benefit everyone. . . . . .

Regular readers of my blog will know that I regularly expound the virtues of group exercise.  I can never understand people who do the same gym circuit over and over again, sometimes never increasing their time or reps.  What's the point? .........

Did you know:

"The culprit for delayed muscle soreness is not, as some people used to think, the buildup of lactic acid, a byproduct of exercise that dissipates from the muscle tissues within an hour. That kind of soreness is considered acute. As soon as someone stops exercising, or shortly afterward, the burn goes away" . . . . . . .

I find exercising without music really difficult. Often, if I'm doing a long run I'll run to the half way point in silence and then reward myself by putting in my headphones and feeling really motivated for the last half of the run .....

In our busy world, with constant noise and stimulation it can be very relaxing to just enjoy the silence, breathe and connect with your body ........

This year, for the first time ever, I've got into the Tour de France. Maybe because I'm doing a spin class at the gym and can appreciate the fitness involved to cycle for 85 hours over three weeks up vertigo-inducing mountains. Well done Alberto Contador - you're amazing!

I was interested to see that since beginning the Tour de France on July 4th, Lance Armstrong has updated his Twitter page more than 225 times ........

Energy bars are a great way to have a healthy snack on the go. Unfortunately, they are often loaded with sugar and fat and can also be expensive. For a decent tasting bar - my favourite was Tesco Finest Fruit and Nut - you pay a whopping £2.54 for 3.

Why not save some money and whip up your own, customised energy bars with this simple recipe .......

Although tennis is a relatively safe game [there are approx. 54 injuries per 1,000 tennis matches played, which is half the injuries sustained in football] it does put stress and strain on the body, which left unchecked can result in injury . . . .

Many of my clients complain of an achey lower back at the end of the day. So I've devised this lovely, relaxing stretching routine which is great to do in the evening. You can even watch TV while doing it - so no excuses! ....

Another week and yet more evidence about how crucial exercise is to good health.

Here is a list of what exercise can help to cure .......

If you're already a client of mine you'll know that no session goes by without me encouraging you be more active.   I have to say I know what I'm talking about from personal experience.  In fact, seeking treatment for a bad back is what lead me down the path to become a massage therapist. 

I'm pleased to say my personal anecdotal evidence is now being borne out more and more by medical reasearch.......

There's a saying "where the U.S goes, the world will follow". 

Since the global financial crisis got into full swing, management at the U.S website "Spafinder", noticed that weekly traffic to it's "stress management" category has doubled ...

I've recently discovered this great site called Map My Run.

Now, it doesn't have to be a run you map.  You could map your cycle or your walk. 

With the advent of satellite navigation lots of lovely, hi-tech equipment came on to the market for sports people.  They're great but for people with small wrists, small budgets or who are just starting a fitness regime, Garmin Forerunners are not always an option ...

Do you know that for every golf swing fault there's a physical limitation causing it?

Think of a golfer and one doesn't normally think of an athlete. However, this is doing the sport a huge disservice. In order to be an excellent golfer you need to be in excellent shape.

These days you'll find the professionals in the gym almost as much as they're out on the course. In the words of Tiger Woods .......

Are you one of the 30,000 people training for the 2009 London Marathon on 26 April 2009?

If so, then you'll be in the final stages of your training - I hope all is going well.

Are you planning to get a massage before the race, to add the cherry on the top to your preparations? Or are you already looking forward to your recovery massage once your medal is safely in your hand?

I noted an interesting article on Healthypages this week. Many of us already have experience and personal proof that the mind and the body are closely connected. However, the Western Medical community don't give credence to anecdotal evidence. They work on the principle that unless something can be proven with tests and data it doesn't count. So it's interesting that ....

Have you ever tried a new form of therapy - be it acupuncture, osteopathy, reiki, massage etc and felt really good afterwards? Think back and then remember how long you felt different for. Was it an hour, a day, a week or maybe longer? Maybe if it was only a short while you discounted that particular therapy as ........

I've valiantly attempted to try and ignore, or at least keep in perspective, the constant naysaying and doomsday scaremongering which is pretty much on constant media loop these days. However, I came across this excellent article in Massagetherapy.com and thought I'd share it with you.