The Conscious Professional Series: Britt Martin

There are endless variations of health philosophy. Each of us need to develop a personalized total health philosophy that fits our goals and motivations. The more that we can learn about how our bodies work the more incentive we have to shift our lifestyles accordingly. Many of us stick to what we know and the habits that we have conditioned.

I've found that one of the best ways to break free from the comfort zones and unconscious mandates is to listen to a new perspective with an open mind. Britt Martin is a holistic nutritionist and alignment-based yoga teacher in LA. Our digital paths crossed and it was clear that she has a unique perspective and approach. I asked her if she would answer a short series of questions and that brings us to our micro-interview.  

Can you share a “little known fact,” about you?

I grew up playing roller hockey. I was a good + tough player and even played on travel teams. Of all the sports I played, it was the one that most resonated with me. I played all the way into high school. 

There are a bunch of exercise modalities out there. Why did you choose to pursue yoga teacher training? What is alignment-based yoga? How do you incorporate alignment-based yoga therapy as part of lifestyle medicine?

As a Holistic Nutritionist, I find yoga to be an essential component to having a holistic lifestyle. The more I studied holistic nutrition, the more I realized how beneficial it could be to offer it to my clients. I love that it is so much more than just a physical practice. It provides stress management, a spiritual connection, soul nourishment, stretching and more. 

Alignment-based yoga focuses on the body being aligned while in various asanas {poses} and I love that this style puts an emphasis on the importance of posture + proper alignment. 

I think yoga is for everyone and should be practiced by everyone as part of a healthy lifestyle since it is able to bring balance into many areas of one's life. I always encourage my clients to try it with an open mind and try a variety of classes, studios, and teachers until they find one that's right for them. 

Managing stress is an important aspect of health for all of us. Can you share one short-term and one long-term strategy that have been effective for your clients?

One of my favorite topics! I think when managing stress it is important to find what works for you, and then make time for those practices in your life...

As far as a short term strategy, taking 10 deep breaths when you need to manage stress quickly and on the fly can be very powerful. I also love tapping {or EFT}, it may sound "woo woo", but I have found it to truly work for myself and my clients. Brad Yates has a ton of amazing tapping videos on YouTube, and most of them are under 10 minutes. I always encourage my clients to rate how they are feeling before tapping and then again, after they tap. It's a great way to recognize the shift that happens to one's nervous system from this easy and accessible tool.  

As far as long term, I like my clients to create daily habits that help support and manage their stress levels. One of my favorites is having them cultivate a morning and nightly routine that gives them space to tune inward and check in with themselves. They may do this through meditating, journaling, reading and so on. Spending time in nature on a regular basis can also be very powerful and supportive. The most important part of stress management is consistently making time for it and doing what works for YOU. 

How would you define community? In your opinion how important is community for overall health and well-being?

Community is your tribe of likeminded people you can always count on that offer support, motivation, safety, a sense of belonging + connection, and more. I have 8 branches of a Holistic lifestyle that I teach my clients {an acronym for the word, HOLISTIC} and the C stands for community. So with that, I believe it is essential to one's overall health, and also important to know it is never too late to find your community. 

As a holistic practitioner, what are your thoughts on the current healthcare landscape? How do chiropractors, nutritionists, instructors, and other types of therapists increase our influence and utilization in the community?

I wish healthcare focused on diet and lifestyle more and getting to the root cause of people's health concerns instead of subscribing to prescription medicine that only addresses the symptoms one may be experiencing, and not the root cause of those symptoms. But I do think it is an exciting time to be in the wellness space, and that the general population and businesses are starting to focus more on health. 

I think it's important that we support one another and find fun, collaborative ways to work together in promoting alternative, more holistic approaches to managing one's wellbeing. I love that I'm seeing more wellness centers that offer an array of healing modalities under one roof. I'd like to see more of that, and would even love to open my own wellness center one day. 

If there anything else on your mind at the moment, please tell.

I think it's important to remember that your body is your only home {aside from Earth}, and to start living from that mindset. Honor your body and always treat it from a place of love. Pay attention to how foods + lifestyle habits make you feel. The more you take care of your body, the better it can take care of and provide for you. It's a win-win.

You can learn more about Britt Martin and  Fitbrittnutrition by visiting her website or following her on Instagram. I want to thank Britt for a quick snapshot on a few of her ideas around wellness.

Interview Series Part 1 of 5: Jessica Schatz

Exercise, Experts, and Spine & Joint Health

The health benefits of regular exercise are well known.  We exercise for weight loss, physical therapy, enhanced performance, aesthetics, and general well-being.  I see patients from all walks of life and each one of them faces his or her own unique set of challenges to health and fitness. Injuries can pose short-term or long-term challenges and frustration.  It’s easy to feel as if you’re backsliding rather than making strides toward your fitness goals.

As a chiropractor, I know that spine and joint protection are key to avoiding injury during exercise. I look at exercise through this lens and attempt to educate my patients about the structure and function of their spines and joints.  I also want my patients to enjoy the fulfillment which comes from exercising in a variety of ways while experiencing pain-free training.

With that goal in mind, I’ve created a 5-part educational series in which I interview a Master Pilates instructor, yoga instructor, physical therapist, strength coach, and spin instructor.  I want to introduce you to different types of exercise with an emphasis on spine and joint protection.  I hope you’ll benefit from the unique insights provided by these fitness experts.

Interview Series: Part 1 of 5

JESSICA SCHATZ, MASTER PILATES INSTRUCTOR

My first conversation was with Jessica Schatz, a Master Pilates Instructor, yoga instructor and former professional dancer.  I talked with her recently about her Pilates program.  You can learn more about Jessica by visiting:   http://www.championpilates.com/    Here are the questions I posed to her and excerpts from her responses.

How would you describe a typical day in your professional life?

Answer: Unless I’m traveling from clients, conventions, conferences, or teaching retreats, I generally teach private clients throughout the morning, sometimes early evening. I teach many people in their homes and some in various studios around town. I have also taught at the beach!

During much of the day I’m reading, writing, or taking on-line courses, primarily subjects in my field. It’s extremely important to keep learning and stay current. Knowledge is power!

I write a lot as I’m often asked to speak or lecture alongside teaching gigs. I also have written and I am writing manuals for the purposes of certifying other teachers in my methods.

Of course I exercise and do Pilates EVERY DAY. I also always continue to network, stay connected to those in my community, and grow.

In your mind, what about Pilates makes it unique to other forms of exercise?

Answer:  Pilates (and keep in mind I’m referring to Classical - often referred to as East Coast - Pilates) is often referred to as “the original functional fitness”. It draws upon moves from disciplines that require extreme concentration and mental focus and a high level of precision. Originally it was called “Contrology” for the blend of body and mind and effort it takes to execute the exercises.

The emphasis is on the core, moving from your center, as well as pelvic and spinal stability. The entire Pilates system teaches moving and stretching DYNAMICALLY, moving any piece of equipment or apparatus WITH you, simultaneously strengthening and stretching the entire body by concentrically and  eccentrically loading the muscles.

Would you agree that not all Pilates methods are created equal? How does your method promote holistic care and safeguard against injury?

Answer: Agreed, not all methods are created equal. While rooted in and respecting the original work of Joseph Pilates, my program combines Pilates, Exercise Physiology, and Kinesiology with specialized strength and conditioning exercises effective for high endurance athletes & dancers, as well as casual fitness enthusiasts. I customize my instruction to address the experience level and body type of each student, with personalized, precise, and definitive adjustments for risk factors. My “prehab” approach supports the correct development of muscle and creates a virtual “suit of armor” to build resistance to muscle fatigue, avoid injury, and enhance balance, mobility, alignment, stability, and proper joint function.

How do you modify your approach when working with casual fitness clients vs. athletes

Answer: I would refer to the answer above. Every “body”, level, age, and sport is different. Hence, I personalize the instruction.

You have experience in dance, yoga, Pilates, exercise physiology and kinesiology. What are the underlying principles of each discipline that make for effective outcomes regardless of a client’s caliber?

Answer: The underlying principle shared by all of the various disciplines in which I have experience is precision, concentration, control, breath, and the fluidity of movement.

Do you have a particular protocol when assessing your clients/students? 

Answer: I send a questionnaire to each new client followed by a first session, which includes an evaluation.

How do you inject the concept of “prehab” into your workout programs?

Answer: This always depends on the details of each person: age, weight, what sport they play or what their performance level is, body type, where they have been injured in the past, or any congenital issues. It is all very specific to the client and the sport. For groups or training camps, the "prehab" is still specific to the “sport”.

Is there a particular stretch, flow, pose, or posture that would use for a client with shoulder pain? Also, something for low back pain?

Answer: There is not “one” that exists as type of pain varies, as do reasons for the pain. 

However GENERALLY when it comes to shoulders, it should involve exercises that address neck and shoulder stability as well as scapular stabilization. Only then does building strength follow.

As for low back, although quite common, it also varies in each individual. However,  GENERALLY, and regardless of the SPECIFIC exercises, these are the things I find it important to address and improve:

·      Spinal mobility and stability (subtly and carefully flexing & extending the spine)

·      Mobility in the lumbar spine controlled by the pelvic girdle

·      Rotation of the spine (small and subtle supine twisting)

·      Improving core strength especially in the abdominal wall

·      Stretching the hamstrings and hip flexors

I want to thank Jessica for sharing her thoughts and life work with Pilates. The proper use and understanding of Pilates can enhance performance and decease the chance of injury. If you have questions or would like to work with Jessica, please visit her website or social media feeds to connect with her.