Rocking and Rolling Is Serious Business

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Rocking and Rolling Is Serious Business

In theory, I love this recent NYT article about “adopting a playful attitude toward working out”. It’s a lovely story about an awkward kid who grew up to be a trainer who helps his clients “get silly” in their workouts (piggyback rides, tag, skipping). The premise is so important. Working out doesn’t have to be awful. It can be fun. And the benefits of returning to more “primal” (or what I’d call “functional”) movement patterns are indisputable. So what’s the catch? 

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Tips and Tricks for a Comfortable Crow Pose

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Tips and Tricks for a Comfortable Crow Pose

When my good buddy Morgan, who is an amazing personal trainer and a talented yoga instructor, comes to visit my office fitness shenanigans always ensue! I asked for her best tips for anyone struggling with their crow pose. Grab your mat, maybe a yoga block and make your best claws and paws! CAW CAW!

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Crab Your Way to Better Mobility and Core Strength

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Crab Your Way to Better Mobility and Core Strength

Let’s get our crab on! Crab touches are an awesome functional movement that improves mobility and core strength and can help alleviate a tight back, hips and shoulders. No wonder they are a favorite in my classes and amongst my personal training clients. Plus, they are kinda fun!

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Get More Mobile Ankles and Stronger Feet in 3 Minutes

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Get More Mobile Ankles and Stronger Feet in 3 Minutes

I’ve had multiple clients ask me this week how to take better care of their feet. Whether you have joint pain (foot, knee, hip or back) now or simply want to avoid it in the future, here’s my gameplay for healthy tootsies.

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Three Stretches for Better Wrist Mobility

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Three Stretches for Better Wrist Mobility

In this quick video my amazing physical therapist and friend Dr. Justin Jellin of G Sports Physical Therapy in San Francisco shows us his three most effective stretches for tight wrists, hands and forearms. If your hands and wrists are tight and tired from typing, texting, lifting, etc, try each of these three stretches for 30s two times each side (unless they cause pain and in that case rest and give him a call).

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45-Minute Yoga IT Band and Piriformis Release

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45-Minute Yoga IT Band and Piriformis Release

Sean Haleen is one of my favorite yoga practitioners (and friends!). And I’m IN LOVE with his YouTube channel where he shares loads of great virtual yoga videos and tutorials for a variety of issues and focuses. As a runner with an old back injury, this class for the IT Band and Piriformis is one of my favorites.

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Dr. Mark and JJ Discuss and Demo the Latest Uses for BFR Training

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Dr. Mark and JJ Discuss and Demo the Latest Uses for BFR Training

I’ve written about BFR (“Blood Flow Restriction”) or “Occlusion” Training on and off since 2017. This modality of resistance training has been clinically proven as a way to effectively and safely “hypertrophy” muscle. So when I was recently visiting my AMAZING physical therapist Dr. Mark Bautista, I was surprised to see patients being treated with BFR cuffs. I asked Dr. Mark about it and I learned about the deluge of recent clinical studies that have broadened the usage of BFR to include injury-specific rehab/prehab, sports performance, endurance, strength as well as traditional hypertrophy.

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Couch Talk with Morgan and JJ: Foot Love

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Couch Talk with Morgan and JJ: Foot Love

Your amazing foot is filled with 26 bones, 30 joints and loads and loads of mechanoreceptors which provide critical information to the brain to help it make all sorts of decisions. Unfortunately, our feet can easily get stiff and immobile by stuffing them in ill-fitting shoes, walking around on weird surfaces or just not using them enough. So in this month’s Couch Talk we get up off the couch and show you some yummy and effective foot mobility and strengthening drills to give your feet (and your brain) some love!

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Chin Tuck Your Neck Back to Better Posture and Mobility

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Chin Tuck Your Neck Back to Better Posture and Mobility

If you suffer from a bad case of “tech neck” from too much screen time, consider adding some chin tucks to your day to mobilize and strengthen the cervical spine, restore posture and reduce pain. My awesome physical therapist Mark Bautista, DPT, PT at Renew Physical Therapy gives a great demo in this video. Be gentle and listen to your body. This should feel good. If this causes you pain stop right away and consult a doctor (like Mark and his team). If pain free, start with 10 reps a few times a day to give your neck a break. For more mobility tips follow Mark on IG @dr.markpt.

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Mobility Minute! Thoracic Spine

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Mobility Minute! Thoracic Spine

Mobility Minute! Grab your foam roller and spend a minute (or two) on the best thoracic extension drills in my arsenal. These feel yummy and are great for anyone with lower back and neck issues.

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My Favorite Neurofascial Stretch for Better Hamstring Mobility

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My Favorite Neurofascial Stretch for Better Hamstring Mobility

This is one of my favorite mobility drills for tight hamstrings, IT bands and basically the entire leg from the toes to the hip all the way into the lower back. Why does it work so good? Because it’s a “neurofascial stretch” meaning it targets the muscles, fascia and nerves across several joints as a system. If you’re feeling tight, doing a lot of running or just generally want to improve your mobility give it a try!

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Tights Shoulders and Neck? Channel Your Inner Scorpion!

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Tights Shoulders and Neck? Channel Your Inner Scorpion!

If you are feeling tight in the neck and shoulders from too much typing and texting (I know I am!) here is my favorite stretch for getting some relief. Channel your inner scorpion!

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In the News: The Best Foam Rolling Exercises You Need for a Full-Body Release

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In the News: The Best Foam Rolling Exercises You Need for a Full-Body Release

I've been getting a lot of questions and requests for my best recommendations for foam rolling, stretching and mobility. As a trainer and a massage therapist I love helping clients and students with the best strategies for taking care of their fascia and muscles. Check out my collaboration with LiveStrong for the best foam rolling techniques for the whole body.

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In the News: 6 Foam Rolling Mistakes

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In the News: 6 Foam Rolling Mistakes

Foam rolling is a great way to take care of tight tissues and to mobilize your joints. But there are some things to avoid. Check out my latest collaborating with LiveStrong for tips from me and other fitness pros. And check out all my LiveStrong interviews here.

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Booty Poppin Birthday Flow

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Booty Poppin Birthday Flow

My beautiful and talented friend, trainer and yoga instructor Morgan McEvilly made me this AMAZING 50 minute yoga class as my 41st birthday present. It was the perfect practice to share with my friends on a recent camping trip to Mendocino and on my vacation to Stinson Beach. She incorporates my favorite style of flow which starts with a slow progression through each phase of a sequence and then builds to a faster transition. And lots of yummy foot and hand work. I just had to share it with you! If you're body, mind and spirit needs a reset, this beautiful woman and practice will do the trick!

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3 Free Ways to Get JJFit Safely at Home

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3 Free Ways to Get JJFit Safely at Home

Are you struggling to find a fitness routine during all this? Does your diet need help but you’re not sure where to start? Is your body crying out for more stretching and mobility? You’re not alone and I have three free ways to help.

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Total Body Mobility IGTV Workshop with JJ

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Total Body Mobility IGTV Workshop with JJ

After running 30 miles this week and a brutal shoulder day Friday and leg day yesterday my body was screaming for a mobility day. Often my hardcore clients will need a full blown mobility session every once and a while so I put this together with my greatest hits! If you have sore, stiff hips, back, knees, shoulders, neck, etc consider grabbing a foam roller, yoga strap and lacrosse or tennis ball and follow along with me for an hour. I promise you’ll feel yummy when you’re done!

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The Brettzel Stretch: You're Welcome!

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The Brettzel Stretch: You're Welcome!

The “Brettzel stretch”, which appropriately enough sounds like the “pretzel stretch” is one of my favorites for thoracic mobility and tight hips. Check out this video demo and give it a try for 30-60s on each side making sure to breath deep through your belly for maximum benefit.

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The Best At Home Yoga Classes

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The Best At Home Yoga Classes

Though our gyms and yoga studios are closed many of the Bay Area’s top yoga professionals are offering live and recorded classes online through Facebook Live, Instagram Live and other web sites. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite yoga instructors in this post. These instructors are offering amazing free/donation-based classes appropriate for all levels. If you want to feel and perform better check them out. Namaste!

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