LYT

Category: Friday with Friends

  • 098 | Get walking with tenacity and compassion | with Lara Heimann

    I’ve always loved walking. It’s important and I want to encourage everyone to get out and involve yourself in this activity. There are so many reasons to walk. However, what are the philosophies and functionalities that underpin it? Today I talk about these points which are adapted from an old news clipping that my parents — who embedded in me my love of walking —  had on our fridge.

     

    1. Life is not a race. We’re not going from point A to point B as fast as we can. You want to make life more cyclical. This will make life more refreshing. Every activity feels new in this way. There is no reason to rush. Enjoy. Walking is a great of reminding ourselves that we’re here, in the present.
    2. Walking keeps you on your toes. Literally. We can walk for long periods. We are made (it’s in our DNA) to keep walking for long periods. Endurance is in our wiring. The more you move, the more you want to move.
    3. It’s cheap! There’s nothing you have to spend money on to get you outside walking.
    4. The world’s your gem. When you walk, the world becomes that gem, the stepper, the stairmaster. The adventure is right there, ready to be had.
    5. You can walk with anyone. You can walk alone, with friends, with family. You can walk with your dogs. It’s an amazing feeling to get the blood pumping and flowing.
    6. Walk in rain or shine. As long as you prepare correctly you can walk in any weather. Walking in the rain is really no big deal. This way you’re not trapped by the seasons. Indeed, you can watch the seasons change as you walk or hike.
    7. Set your own rhythm. You can go at your own pace and you can go at the speed that suits you. Speed up or slow down, walking makes it easy to go as you please.
    8. Interact with (or escape) people. If you need to be alone, or to think, walking makes this possible. You can also walk and connect with other people. Make new friends.
    9. Use your own motor. There’s something amazing about using your own power to move. Save gas with walking! With hiking, there’s an amazing feeling about carrying everything we need to survive on our backs.
    10. Every step is a new adventure. Hiking, or any type of walking, is an adventure because it can take you into a different space, a different mindset. Often our mindset holds us back. But walking can open up a new door, a new adventure.

     

    When your walking, think about holding the pelvis so that you are able to move and walk for hours and hours and it will feel good. Pay attention to how you walk. So, get walking and try yoga as an accompaniment to walking. Walk with tenacity and compassion.

     

    Resources:

  • 095 | How to walk without P.A.I.N | with Lara Heimann

    095 | How to walk without P.A.I.N | with Lara Heimann

    We teach ourselves how to walk, the beauty of learning to move. But what about those who suffer discomfort when walking as adults? Those who are not as mobile as they could be? As I share in this episode, it’s never too late to learn to walk more efficiently. To walk without P.A.I.N.

     

    Thinking about the act of walking and holding ourselves upright with the cylinder of the core of our bodies having some engagement, will immediately change your style of walking. You’re giving the center of your mass more engagement and your joints more support. Before you walk, look at how you stand, follow your posture, then take that into how you walk.

     

    It’s so important to know that, if you are going forward, it’s the muscles at the back of your body that will help that happen. Use your glutes and hips to help propel you forward. Also ask what is your neck doing? What is your head doing? Try not to put your head down when you’re walking, as your body weight will also be forward as you walk.

     

    If you’re hiking, you can avoid walking discomfort in a number of ways. One is the shoes you wear. Use shoes with a wider toe box rather than a narrow one. The heel should not be over elevated. Whatever you wear on your feet should support your posture.

     

    Also consider hiking poles. They can offset some of the load on your joints. They add one more source of contact with the ground to spread the dispersed force and gives you that little bit of extra rhythm. A specially fitted backpack at an outdoor is also something I highly recommend if you’re hiking.

     

    For those who just want to walk without P.A.I.N, I recommend learning to walk in a way with a “newness” to it. You need to work your core as you go. It’s never too late to walk better and more efficiently.

     

    • Think about your posture.
    • Use the core to support your walking gait.
    • Use the muscles at the back to propel you forward.
    • Notice how using your core improves your walking.
    • Get the right equipment if you are hiking.

     

    Resources:

  • 093 | Packing Light

    093 | Packing Light

    Today’s podcast is titled “Packing Light,” which could be interpreted literally, as I am currently packing for a two week trip with my family. This could also be taken metaphorically, such as the heaviness of our thoughts and what is on our minds. In this instance, the metaphorical can help the literal interpretation. In today’s episode I’m going to be talking about the different ways that I pack light, and hope to inspire you to pick up one or two of them yourself!

     

    Think of the things that you can control in your own life. Being aware and practicing non attachment, generosity, and examining the ways in which you behave are all ways to control the ways you show up in your life.

     

    Can you challenge yourself to get a smaller bag and pack less? Make your list, and the big challenge here is to stick to the list you make!

     

    Resources:

    Today’s episode is sponsored my LYT Daily online yoga classes. This is an exclusive pass into my personal practice and program that I created from my experience as a physical therapist and 20 years developing my LYT yoga methodology. There is a different class with me everyday – including special monthly live streams – so you can feel your most LYT up – anytime and anywhere. Get a 3 day free trial today by going to movementbylara.com and clicking “daily classes.” Let’s get moving!

  • 089 | Pelvic Health | with Ashley Long D.P.T

    089 | Pelvic Health | with Ashley Long D.P.T

    On today’s podcast, I am welcoming my good friend Ashley Long. Ashley is a yoga instructor and physical therapist as well, and today we are talking all about pelvic health. Since doing her yoga teacher training with me seven years ago, Ashley has moved to Philadelphia where she practices as a pelvic health specialist. We are both hoping that this is one of many conversations to start a movement around pelvic health awareness for all!

     

    Why did you decide to do yoga teacher training?

     

    After spending time with you, and my interest in yoga, I knew I wanted to learn from you and expand my knowledge of both yoga and physical therapy.

     

    What people don’t often know is that there is a thoracic diaphragm and a pelvic diaphragm; within the pelvic diaphragm there are three layers of muscles. If the muscles are too tight, they can’t provide the necessary support.

     

    What are the biggest misconceptions about the pelvic anatomy and floor?

     

    A lot of people don’t realize that the pelvic floor does move, it’s not static. Kegels are also a misconception in their own right, as doing them isn’t always appropriate for what your body needs. Starting with your breath, and working on the coordination of your two diaphragm is what I recommend.

     

    If you are leaking fluids during exercise, or experiencing pain during sex, this is something you should absolutely speak to your doctor about.

     

    What are your thoughts on products / items used to strengthen the muscles in your vagina?

     

    I like people to tap into what it is they feel their body needs, with the help of their healthcare practitioner, because it is going to be different for each person. With anything, I recommend a mindful meditation, as there is normally a lot of fear surrounding this area of our body.

     

    Resources:

  • 087 | Yoga Talk | with Adell Bridges

    087 | Yoga Talk | with Adell Bridges

    Today I am sitting down with Adell Bridges, an amazing world traveling yoga teacher and health coach. It is Adell’s passion to share just how powerful and healing yoga can be for everyone! In our conversation today, Adell shares her journey into yoga and what it’s taught her, and how her teachings have led her to start her brand new yoga program. The two of us also dive into the importance of grasping life everyday because life is short, and what that looks like for us– plus much more!

     

    What got you into yoga?

     

    I actually started trying classes but I kept not enjoying them. I now know that I just wasn’t finding a teacher I liked. I finally found my niche after using Instagram to follow yogis that made yoga look cool, needing a movement practice, and being able to practice from the comfort of my home.

     

    How would you describe the way you practice and teach now?

     

    I do a lot of vinyasas, and I love the space for creativity and fluidity.

     

    What were the steps you took to help your lower back?

     

    When in backbends I started being able to pay more attention to my back, and I realized backbends were what caused the pain. While researching, I began to learn more about my spine and had realizations of what I was doing differently in my folding, and what I could change in order to avoid the pain.

     

    We also discuss the incredible platform that dell has co-created with another yogi, all for hypermobile yogis and how to safely practice movement. They have designed courses, a mailing list, and have an informative Instagram account so far, and are planning for even more to be added to the hypermobile yogi toolbox!

     

    How do you find new ways to do your transitions?

     

    This is something people ask a lot because I do have a method in which I design my transitions. I’m excited to be able to create a platform soon where I will offer this as a course structure to help others in their transitions.

     

    Resources:

  • 083 | Yoga Poses I Don’t Teach and Why

    Today’s episode is dedicated to sharing the poses in yoga that I do not teach or practice. People are constantly asking me why I don’t practice or teach certain yoga poses, and I wanted to speak to that today, and offer my rationale behind my why.

     

    With each yoga pose, I always ask two questions:

     

    1. What is the benefit?
    2. What is the potential cost?

     

    The following are poses that I find the cost outweighs any benefit you may get:

     

    • Shoulder stand
    • Plow
    • Fish pose
    • Headstand
    • Steaded forward folds
    • Splits
    • Triangle

     

    Resources:

    Today’s episode is sponsored my LYT Daily online yoga classes. This is an exclusive pass into my personal practice and program that I created from my experience as a physical therapist and 20 years developing my LYT yoga methodology. There is a different class with me everyday – including special monthly live streams – so you can feel your most LYT up – anytime and anywhere. Get a 3 day free trial today by going to movementbylara.com and clicking “daily classes.” Let’s get moving!

  • 082 | Why Eccentrics are Important in Movement

    082 | Why Eccentrics are Important in Movement

    Today’s podcast episode is all about effective movement strategies! Eccentric training allows you to go deeper into your muscle movement, and I am a fan of the results that it offers. Whatever your movement preference is, in today’s episode I will be providing different recommendations for adding in movement patterns and techniques that will encourage a better movement practice all around.

     

    What is eccentric training?

     

    Eccentric training is an effective movement practice that allows you to train your muscles to push past their normal range of failure. This type of training actually challenges the muscle in ways we normally don’t, which strengthens your body in a different way.

     

    How to incorporate eccentric training into your movement practice:

     

    • In yoga, add in a pose with one legged stance, lowering one hand to the floor slowly, then coming back up
    • Lowering slowly from plank position
    • Adding weights
    • Lowering your calves slowly, then lifting slowly

     

    Resources:

    Today’s episode is sponsored my LYT Daily online yoga classes. This is an exclusive pass into my personal practice and program that I created from my experience as a physical therapist and 20 years developing my LYT yoga methodology. There is a different class with me everyday – including special monthly live streams – so you can feel your most LYT up – anytime and anywhere. Get a 14-day free trial today by going to lytyoga.com and clicking “Start 14-Day Trial.” Let’s get moving!

  • 80 | Moving Through Grief with Mark Heimann

    80 | Moving Through Grief with Mark Heimann

    Today is a special episode featuring my husband, Mark! Mark and I are diving into a topic that doesn’t seem to be discussed often: grief. In our conversation today, Mark and I talk about the different layers of grief, and share our own experiences with it as well. Grief is a complex word and feeling, we hope that today’s episode helps you in dealing with and understanding grief.

     

    What is grief?

     

    Grief is a multifaceted response to loss. It also has many dimensions within it, encompassing spirituality, physical, and cultural dimensions.

     

    Why is it so difficult for people to talk about grief?

     

    Not everyone has experienced a loss, or if they have, they feel that it isn’t on the same scope or as traumatic, so they don’t say anything.

     

    What compelled you (Mark) to go to a psychic? What did you learn?

     

    Being able to connect with someone after they have passed is something a lot of people are interested in doing. I left with a feeling of hope that there was a connection still between me and my relatives that have passed.

     

    Resources:

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