muscles

Foam Roller

I’ll admit not everyone loves the foam roller as much as I do. It’s a great way to get a good work out and challenge your balance and stabilizer muscles, but more than that it can massage you and your achy fascia! But that is the part not everyone is a fan of sadly. One most people have never heard of fascia and then when they actually get down on to roller to massage the fascia, tendons, and muscles they don’t always love the way it feels.

It can feel a bit intense. Some people describe foam rolling like the feeling you have when you press on a bruise. Why would you want to do that? Because it’s good for you and it won’t leave a bruise. I think it hurts in a good way. But […]

Foam RollerMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:38-04:00

Run Your Butt Off

When you run, you should run your butt off—literally. It is the largest muscle in your body: USE IT. That muscle should give you the burst on each step. It should be what springboards you into your stride, especially going up a hill.

For information on Personal Euphoria & Evolution Pilates upcoming runner’s workshop click here.

Run Your Butt OffMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:41-04:00

Run Your Butt Off

When you run, you should run your butt off—literally. It is the largest muscle in your body: USE IT. That muscle should give you the burst on each step. It should be what springboards you into your stride, especially going up a hill.

For information on Personal Euphoria & Evolution Pilates upcoming runner’s workshop click here.

Run Your Butt OffMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:46-04:00

Engage Your Muscles

While you are reading this blog, check in with your body. Can you engage any one muscle on command?

Try tensing your bicep, then your glute muscles one at a time. How about your triceps or calf muscles? Are some easier for you to engage than others? Which ones? Can you pull your navel to your spine?

When you contract a certain muscles do others engage with it or can you isolate it?

Practice for a bit. Engaging some muscles on command can be as challenging as raising an eyebrow or wiggling your ears. Over the next couple weeks when you find yourself waiting for something try to isolate any muscle of your choice and contract it.

Personal Euphoria

Engage Your MusclesMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:56-04:00

Sore

I am one of those people that likes to feel sore after a workout. I’ve read the research and I know that you don’t have to feel sore to have gotten a good workout–and I believe that. Still, I actually enjoy the feeling of my muscles aching (a little) when I move.

Since I joined a Dragon Boat team in Hartford, Connecticut, I’m getting plenty sore. I’m using muscles I’ve always used, but in a totally different way. It would be easier for me to list what doesn’t hurt in my body (my toes), but I’m so impressed by feeling every muscle that I’m […]

SoreMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:13-04:00