Happy Wednesday, friends!

I was gone on vacation last week but back this week with an amazing case study to share with you. I'm just going to let it speak for itself! Have a read, and then check out my brand new offer for you at the bottom of the email! Hint, it's something I've never offered before! Here's a pretty picture of sunshine at the Huntington Gardens for your inbox.

Mini Case Study:

My client Susanne came to me with back and side pain, foot pain, and complaints of waking through the night to pee. She was frustrated because she couldn't move how she used to and getting up and down off the ground was difficult, and she avoided certain movements because of fear of a back spasm that would take her out and she wouldn't be able to garden (I'm talking wheelbarrow walks, heavy buckets, and getting low on the ground) and do her normal activities.

Some things we saw in the initial session:

• toe turn out on both sides
• crossing the midline with arms when walking or uneven arm swing
• stiffness in upper back
• tailbone tucked
• ribs thrusted up
• room for improvement with deep squats and getting up/down off the floor

Here's a snapshot of my approach:

• she started with incline treadmill walks for more alignment of the ribs over the hips, bodyweight squats to a chair and deadlifts with just a dowel
• we worked on body awareness and gait mechanics with and without shoes
• she eventually transitioned to barefoot shoes!!
• we worked on balance beam play/drills
• we progressed to floor get ups (all the ways: half kneeling, prone get ups, tripod get ups, turkish get ups, kneeling get ups, squat get ups)
• we worked on her deep squat mobility, which includes ankles, knees, hips and mid back
• she slowly increased her weights in all the main lifts: rows, chest press, squats, deadlifts, lunges, etc.

Results:

• she can more easily get up and down off the ground without pain
• she has fewer episodes of debilitating pain that takes her away from life and daily activities
• she walks with a more aligned gait
• she has strong feet, ankles, knees, and hips
• she stopped waking in the night to pee
• she can deadlift 95# now, and is still working to increase

What's not to love about this story? Sometimes it's hard to explain what I do with clients into one small statement, because it's so multi-faceted. We talk about life while working on getting up and down off the ground. We discuss all the TMI questions about the pelvic floor while we work on heavy lifts with great form.

Most of all, I help women reconnect with their bodies, empowering them to feel in control and hopeful again, by giving them tools to overcome leaking, prolapse, diastasis, foot pain, and other common issues so they feel strong and can enjoy movement again.

To sum up this story, here are Susanne's own words, shared with permission: "Since last chatting with you there’s been another death in the family and another diagnosis for my husband. Developing a new relationship to strength training and movement over the past 3+ years has not only benefitted my physical body but also my mental clarity and wellbeing or as I like to say, soul-being. Whereas, previously such life events were paralyzing and I readily went with that state of being, this year has been a completely different experience. Moving and breathing through the frustration and tears helps to prevent emotional log jams and assists in mental clarity. Certainly makes it easier to walk with life rather than retreat from it."

I'm just happy I can be the guide on the side and witness her amazing transformation. 💛

If you are looking for some guidance and interested in jumping in and really tackling the symptoms you've been living with for too long, then keep reading! I'm putting together two offerings for a fully-virtual package and here's what's included:

• Gait analysis package ($250)
• 1:1 private session ($100)
• Combo package: $50 off for a total of $300

Here's how it works: you send me videos of your walking (and running if you'd like) gait, and I will analyze them. We will follow up in a Zoom call where we review the videos and I provide specific feedback, exercises, and shoe recommendations for your unique movement patterns. Then we also have a whole other 1-hour Zoom session to go over your goals and work through exercises. It can be pelvic floor or foot related...or both! Or anything you need.

You'll get a follow up with exercises and written notes covering what we discussed during both calls.

I'm really excited about this, and am just offering the combo price for today and tomorrow - November 29 and 30. The gait package will stand alone after this combo deal ends, as will the virtual 1:1 sessions. Once you purchase the package, you will then need to schedule each session at least 1 week after sending me videos. Please let me know what questions you have!

Purchase gait analysis + 1:1 session here

Can't wait to work with you!

Warmly,

Natalie