Hi friends, and happy April!

So far it's been pretty chilly here with more inches of snow. I have lived in Alaska my entire life, so I know to expect late snow showers, but I let myself get a little delulu every year, thinking that maybe we'll be able to have an early melt. Alas, we're back in the winter mode. Thankfully the light has increased, and we can now make vitamin D from the sun again! We will hike again, at some point....

Reflecting on the delayed spring helps me think about how we often want to rush things in our lives - like progress with movement, strength, and pelvic floor symptoms. Just like the fact that it can be snowing AND we're also moving toward summer, the same can be true for you. You can be experiencing symptoms AND getting stronger.

Two things can be true at the same time. Yes, we want to eliminate all symptoms and fully heal whatever issue it might be (prolapse, incontinence, pain, bunions etc), AND we also have to keep moving. This is how we find our limit. It might be controversial, but unless we try a movement, we won't know what we're capable of.

Yes, we need to move our bodies, AND we also need to do so in a knowledgable and wise way.

There's not much value in just knowing all the information about feet, or pelvic floor health and not doing anything with it. (Freezing)

There's also not much value in just blindly exercising without any care for intraabdominal pressure or symptoms that you're having. (Forcing)

But with both of these approaches woven together, we can find a really sweet balance of strength and innate body wisdom. (Forward progress)

If you've been around for a while, you know that I always say - "just try it once and see how you feel!" And also, "fear is probably the most dangerous approach you can have in the gym." Every body is different in how we respond to forces, loads, and specific movement. So play with it and see what you can do, because you just might surprise yourself. But also do so equipped with the knowledge of pelvic floor and core synergy and foot strength, and an overall understanding of how the body works together. Because without that piece, we may just end up delaying progress.

It's not always linear, and it's not always a precise and step-wise process; but, it's always a combination of body awareness, knowledge, and forward movement, whatever that looks like for you. There's nuance and a fun puzzle-like aspect to figuring out the protocol that will provide the most progress in the most effective way for you, specifically.

How are you moving this weekend? What new things are you trying? I'd love to hear about how you're embracing the "snow" AND the spring. 🌸

I wanted to let you all know that I have a new 2-day workshop coming up in Anchorage where I'm partnering with Kristyn of Timberline Training and Redox CrossFit!! I'll attach the flier and you can register for that here. Share with friends and family!

I also have slots open for in-person 1:1 sessions in the Valley and Anchorage, if you're local to Alaska, as well as the ability to do virtual sessions if you're not in the state! Hit reply and shoot me an email for virtual sessions as I book those as needed.

Hope you're having a great weekend so far!

Warmly,

Natalie