As many of you know, I took a sabbatical this year to London.
I had time to reflect on all that I have been learning in the past few years about how movement is life, and how I might share it with you.
While on my trip, I went to the Netherlands to visit old friends. In Amsterdam, my friend Annemarie picked me up at Central Station in her canal boat. This charming, historic city, built on rivers and canals, has become less boat-friendly over the years, with fewer places to dock and tie the boat up. As such, we had to climb over the fence and jump in the boat with our luggage.
At 70 years of age, statuesque and strong, Annemarie was quite agile in this process.
Annemarie
She told me this story: 2 years ago she moved from her 3rd story canal-house where she walked to her gym, biked everywhere, and carried her groceries up the stairs each day; to a modern apartment building with an elevator, a garage, and all the living area on one level.
Her old gym was 30 minutes away, and she did not like the new one nearby. She no longer carried her groceries up the stairs of her old canal house, and she no longer walked to take care of her daily needs. She drove everywhere because it was easy. Within 6 months she developed knee and hip issues and Annemarie had to go to a physiotherapist. It took her 2 years to regain her physical confidence, but it is clearly back now, as I watched her jump in and out of the boat. Motion is lotion, I believe, and here was a great example.
I am interested in discovering the best ways to develop strength, agility, balance, and flexibility for the ultimate goal of dynamic aging. Balance and agility prevent accidents; strength and flexibility provide a platform for engagement in life, activity which increases our energy and optimism. This, in turn, feeds the brain.
I spent the last 4 years studying with Katy Bowman, of Nutritious Movement.
Her interesting engineer’s mind is fascinated by movement, how we can move more, and ways to move more of our parts in everyday life.
Sitting in Annemarie’s new apartment.
This work has sent me on quite a journey. It’s part of why I moved from Valencia street to 18th street, as I wanted a more flexible space where my discoveries could instantly be shared and taught to each of my patients with ample tools.
At home, it prompted me to move my daily meals to a low floor sitting space and to use a floor desk as well. I discovered that getting up and down off the floor while serving dinner (more pepper? forgot the napkin?) is like a free home gym!
I gave up my car three years ago, and I walk everywhere now.
I found that carrying my groceries home 1.3 miles was a good version of “The Farmer’s Carry” we used to do at CrossFit!
I learned that a way to reduce a dowager’s hump was hanging from monkey bars, so I installed them at my office.
In this time, I have seen my patients get confident with getting up and down with more ease, get up from a chair without the assistance of their arms (and some from the floor!), and be able to walk up and down hills/stairs without knee pain.
Feeling quite renewed, I am excited to share my learning with you.
Complementing my 30 years as a Chiropractor, with an emphasis on hands-on treatment, my 4 years of Nutritious Movement study with Katy Bowman, has resulted in my certification as a Restorative Exercise Teacher. This important milestone marries certification in MovNat, my Gokhale Method (Alignment) credentials, and level one coaching experiences with Kelly Starrett in Cross fit.
I am still a hands-on Chiropractor using Active Release and many traditional Chiropractic tools, but my skills have grown to include understanding and teaching the power of Restorative Movement.
What does this mean for you?
I want you to:
Feel ease in moving without difficulty.
Get up and down from the floor.
Walk a mile carrying your groceries or your kid without pain.
Develop your own personalized tools to make your joints and muscles feel better.
Age dynamically with boldness and grace.
Classes at my Studio:
I am offering classes starting in February and I have a schedule of compelling offerings by guest teachers as well.
From the Ground Up: Foot Classes
Tuesday, February 11th at 2:00 PM
Saturday, February 22nd at 3:00 PM
Your foundation! Working with the feet is a great base for new exploration, starting from the ground up.
This one hour class will help those with issues concerning:
Feet
Bunions
Hips
Knees
Hands and Upper Body Classes
Tuesday, February 25th at 2:00 PM
This one hour class will help those with issues concerning:
Hands
Forearms
Shoulders
Neck
Bring your achy mouse hands, tight forearms, stiff shoulders, and text necks to learn the tools to loosen them up.
Balance: The key to Safe Travels
Sunday, March 8th at 2:00 PM
Safety, stability, confidence. This is a great class for everyone but especially for those who are balance-challenged or feel concerned about falling.
Dynamic Aging: Life is a Banquet
This will be a twice a week class for 4 weeks. A comprehensive overview of the full complement of techniques to achieve vigor and health while aging and is designed to improve balance, self-reliance, mobility, and strength.
Flexibility: Kin-Stretch Workshop
Tuesday, February 18th at 6 PM
I am also excited that Nat Viranond will offer a Kinstretch workshop. This fantastic mobility method will teach you how to control your joint range of motion. It’s an exciting new mobility tool that you can use at home as a daily practice, but it's easier to learn in person!
Gokhale Class
Sunday, February 9th at 10:00 AM
Charlene Hannibal will be in, teaching a Gokhale refresher course. Please contact Charlene directly to register at charhannibal@gmail.com
Please sign up on my Mind-body page for class and/or treatment:
https://mindbody.io/locations/dr-barbara-berkeley-dc
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Warmly,
Dr. Barbara Berkeley, D.C.