6/12/23: Welcome to the Functional Fitness Newsletter with Chip

Thanks for checking out this first issue of my newsletter. Each week I’ll send a quick, useful, practical information tip on:  Exercise (including tips, videos, and home workouts)  Breathing for Focus (meditation), Relaxation, and Intent (breath and movement)  Monitoring Progress Yoga (of course!)  Developing, Maintaining (and Being Inspired by!) Your Practice  Responses to Your Questions and Suggestions Overall fitness is more than just working out – it’s all of the above, in the perfect balance for you, applied to your everyday life. You may have heard the term “functional fitness” – actually, you may have heard me use it! That means fitness (and not just physical) that allows you to accomplish all kinds of tasks – from around the house to athletic, from slow-paced to strenuous.

Why not get started with the body weight squat? You can learn a lot about yourself from how you squat. It’s a movement we can (and should!) do just about every day, and it’s one I include every time I train someone.

In this video, I’ll demonstrate the squat, give some alignment tips (including breathing), and offer a few variations and workout suggestions:

Thanks for checking out this debut of my weekly newsletter! And please feel free to submit questions and suggestions for future issues.

---

6/19/23: Supercharge your Great Intentions with Simple Tracking Tools

If you’re sincere about your fitness goals, there’s a simple tool you must not overlook! Journaling and tracking can be ways to up motivation and drive accountability. These strategies have served me well, helping me keep track of workouts, monitor progress, and even learn new languages.

Why not give journaling a shot? Write down your fitness and wellness activities, then tick them off once accomplished. This not only helps in setting realistic fitness goals but also keeps you motivated by visually tracking your progress.

While there are various digital tools available, there’s something uniquely satisfying about writing. (I love using a freshly sharpened pencil!) You’re also less likely to forget your daily commitments when you’ve written them down.

Are you ready to come in and see me for a session? Put that on your to-do list or send me a text right now. I’m excited to help you achieve your goals.

I do try to journal or track just about every day, and I like to also do timebound challenges (often monthly) that involve doing something, then writing about it.

For example, I have chosen a certain daily breath focus practice, done it every day, and then journaled about how I felt, the setting in which I did it, etc.

I have attached for you a 30-Day Challenge tracking sheet, and I’d love to hear from you about how you make use of it.

For those of you who might want to re-do the May Squat Challenge, this would be a great tool. (And if you’re wondering what the heck the squat challenge is, I’m happy to share it!)

The possibilities are endless:

Take a walk after lunch

Call or email a friend

Get your water in.

Do the same challenge each day or mix and match your own!

---

6/27/23: Downward Facing Dog is a Multi-Purpose Yoga Powerhouse

Downward facing dog is a staple in yoga sequences, and it can also be a useful addition to your workouts. Hold downward facing dog to activate all parts of the body Transition through it to explore mobility Study how you breathe in it (See sneak peek below!) In the following video, I’ll demonstrate Adho Mukha Svanasana (that’s Downward Facing Dog in Sanskrit) and give some tips on how to add some Dog to your workout:

Thanks for checking out my newsletter – and I hope you can use what you learned here to unlock the abundant benefits of Downward Facing Dog!