We recently helped CSU, Northridge organize a large restorative arts workshop focused on the historical methods of “Indian Club” swinging but also included inversion table therapy, classroom review of the history of physical education and the physical culture, the art of group assembly and formations, bars and calisthenics, mace training, Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy, Neurokinetic Activation,…… More
Posture is boring; so is sitting on the sidelines during the game of life with chronic back pain…by the age of ten. Pre World War II, America did not have problems with chronic back pain. Now over 80% of American adults will suffer from back pain–even higher percentages are manifesting in younger generations coming right…… More
The Kraus-Weber Test was national news back in 1954 for exposing American children as some of the weakest in the world when it came to postural muscles and flexibility. The K-W Test results were so extreme, the report was called “The Report That Shocked The President” because of President’ Eisenhower’s reaction. Because of the Kraus-Weber…… More
Ever taken some “PICAS” (Pee-kas) for a fitness test drive? No? Neither had we until recently when we visited the Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy folks to research the history of Bonnie Prudden who was one of America’s most historic fitness professionals of the last century. The originals came in the 1950s we guess (likely would find…… More
Superbowl Sunday! Americans will hear lots of warm fuzzies today about the NFL “Play 60” program. Michelle Obama will maybe even chime in with some Just Move too. While physical “activity” is part of the solution–know the differences between just being physically active and being physically EDUCATED. With today’s children who have developed severe postural…… More
This show is a wonderful look back at the life and fitness history of American fitness expert Bonnie Prudden with Bonnie’s long-time friend, colleague, and Managing Director of Myotherapy Enid Whittaker. Prudden not only was one of America’s top fitness experts from the 1940s until her passing in 2011, but is still considered by many to…… More
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. America has many fitness influences. Our most prominent influences in physical fitness came from Germany and Sweden, but we also have a rich history with other influences as well such as Native Americans and African Americans. One…… More
I was watching my son in basketball camp the other day “running” speed drills. Well over half of the kids could not run with any sort of proper mechanics. I have coached cross country and track from 2nd grade through collegiate. I started thinking about running as a true complex movement skill that must be…… More
Imagine…a playground with real vertical plus kids that could handle it. This playground is actually SAFER than playgrounds today. Why? NO, it’s not the equipment. Think again. It’s the kids using the equipment–they moved better in these days. They had “real” physical education and real teachers–not someone who just threw the ball out. They were…… More
We like bikes, so here’s some cycling history. Indoor stationary trainers are nothing new. Bicycling was actual way more popular over 100 years ago than it is in modern day. While historic gyms did not have wall of cardio equipment like today, they did have hydraulic rowing machines, running tracks often overlooking the gym, and…… More