How to train Oakland style

I summon writing stamina as I walk into my neighborhood coffee shop on Sunday morning. As I enter, the vegan barista massages her repetitive strain injury while describing the gluten-free options. A heavy-set, disheveled woman limps in with a cane, interrupts, and rants about the injustice of $3.00 coffee. The commotion distracts everyone from the sleep-deprived mom attempting to maneuver a stroller through the door. The croissants sing their buttery siren song as I read the elaborate coffee menu. I � Continue reading →

The Only Fitness Goal: Take Care of My Crap

The fitness industry always promotes goals. The bikini body. The final score. Achieving “results” constantly invokes finite competition. As if one day we cross a finish line, arrive at perfection, and no longer need to exercise. No such luck. I want to win this game: Make it to 95 years old. Wake up energized. Walk to the bathroom. Squat on the toilet. Take a triumphant poop. Wipe myself. Stand up. Wash my hands. Head out into a productive day. Actually, that is pretty much � Continue reading →

What Do Calories Count?

Last week I trained a client who recently lost a substantial amount of weight. She called on me for active recovery from the intense exercising. We opened tight shoulders, mobilized locked up hips, and reactivated her core. I wove the pieces together with standing yoga poses and a deep relaxation. She moaned with “delight” as we released and realigned her achy parts. I relish theses moments when my work provides immediate relief. Then she asked, “How many calories did we � Continue reading →