Shallyn's latest Tai Chi class is underway at Perfect Fit Wellness Center, focusing on Mindset and Neck and Shoulder Stability.  Click on the videos below to get a taste of what is happening in class right now.  Join us Thursday nights from 6 to 7 pm to enjoy Shallyn's Rehabilitative Tai Chi in a fun, relaxed group atmosphere.  Included in Perfect Fit Wellness Center membership or $10 a drop in class. 

Accordion Breathing                            Polishing the Table                         Turtle Retracts Head

Cloud Hands                                  Swimming Dragon                           Heart and Lung Opening

2 Hand Offering                                      Thumb Gazing                                   Tree Hugging

Owl Turns her Head                                                             Between Earth and Sky

The cool thing about being a Rehabilitative (Physical Therapist) Tai Chi instructor is all of these moves can be modified to meet you where you are physically at -- lying down, sitting, standing, stepping, walking.  Tai Chi is meant to be practiced in the "yellow-zone" -- challenging to you, but not eliciting pain.  It is meant to be relaxed and slow.  It transitions you from a sympathetic nervous system state (stressed out from work/day happenings) to a parasympathetic nervous system state (the only state our body can heal in).  Even just practicing proper postural alignment OR focused breathing OR mindful meditation during these guided moves can have major health benefits to lead you to a well and active life. 

Give Shallyn's a call at (719) 219-5865 with any questions about her Tai Chi practice or schedule an appointment for further personalized Tai Chi practice for your health needs/goals.  No appointment necessary for joining one or many of her community Tai Chi classes (at Perfect Fit Wellness Center, Peyton CO September through May and outdoors, at Shallyn's Physical Therapy and Wellness Services, Black Forest CO June to September).

Here's to better health to all of my neighbors!

Did you receive an exercise ball as a gift and are a little unsure of what to do with it?  Here are two handouts of some of Shallyn's favorite stretches and general strengthening exercises to get you started.

To see the strengthening exercises in motion, click on a video link below.

There are so many exercises that can be done with the ball.  I think the exercise ball is truly the best piece of exercise equipment "bang for your buck".  For specific programs for your needs/desires, contact Dr. Shallyn at (719) 219-5865.  Here's to a healthier YOU in 2020!

Compiled for one of Shallyn's New Year's Day Open House give-aways, here is a handout to help start you on the road to stabilizing/strengthening your ankle with some favorite hip strengthening ideas.

To see these exercises in motion, click on a video link below.

For comments or questions on these exercises or how to make them more specific to your needs, please call Dr. Shallyn at (719) 219-5865.  Here's to less pain with walking and better supported knees in 2020!

Yesterday afternoon Shallyn's was privileged to celebrate the beginning of a New Year and a New Decade with several of Shallyn's loyal patrons and their friends at her New Year's Day Open House.  One of the raffle give-aways was a neck strengthening kit.  See the handout below provided to our winner to gleam ways you may also be able to strengthen your neck in this New Year.

See these exercises in action by clicking on the video links below. 

Ways to progress these neck stabilizing exercises can be seen in the follow-up videos below.  Place your forehead on the ball with a gentle chin tuck.  You should feel the muscles around your vocal cords working hard while co-contracting with the rest of your neck muscles.

For questions or comments on these exercises call Shallyn's at (719) 219-5865.  Here's to better posture and less pain in 2020!  Happy New Year.