Moving Conversations

Melissa McNamara is a Stott Pilates instructor trainer with a passion for working with kids of all ages. Join us for a fascinating discussion about how to engage kids in Pilates, tips and tricks for working with different age groups and how Pilates, taught with fun in mind, can nurture a lifelong love of movement. Melissa is the author of “Pilates for Kids” and provides classes and resources for i...

Neutral spine is a much discussed and argued about concept in personal training, Pilates and in physical therapy. In this episode Nora and Brian discuss what it is, the difference between a neutral spine position and the neutral zone. They also provide simple exercise examples to help you and your clients create a strong and supple neutral spine. This episode progresses low back exercises from sup...

With low back pain the first step is to create awareness of where the low back is and what position is most comfortable. The next step is to teach stability in the preferred position to support a pain free (or less painful) position in everyday life. Once stability and awareness are in place, assessing and training mobility of the spine, pelvis and hips is essential to integrate the low back into...

Where do you start if you or a client have back pain? In the next episodes in the series, Brian and Nora discuss strategies for taking a client from the first session to as far as they want to go. Today the focus is on key exercises and strategies for building a strong, balanced core to provide a foundation for every exercise we teach. With a strong foundation, anything can be accomplished! Brian'...

The “wayback machine” has been fired up again. This time we revisit our interview with Tom McCook from Center of Balance for an inspiring discussion on creating change through engaging clients in the process, focusing on functional movement and paying attention.  Using functional anatomy as a foundation, we discuss how client education, instructor curiosity and creativity help clients take charge...

We have hit the “wayback machine” and went back to our outstanding interview with Nico Gonzalez, business owner, fitness expert, educator and innovator in the Pilates and fitness community. This session focuses on the intersection of Pilates and fitness from a business perspective and the launch of Pocket Pilates, an app designed to make Pilates class programming easy. Join us for an inspiring and...

Disc injuries are a common cause of low back pain and one that can be well managed through movement. In part 3 of our low back series we discuss the anatomy of the discs, why and how they cause pain and the importance of finding and training the best position of the lumbar spine and sacrum to minimize pain and Get Back into Action! Brian's Book on Low Back Pain and Conditions: Back Exercise; Stabi...

In part 2 we explore common issues of the bones that can cause low back pain. Osteoarthritis, aka DJD or degenerative joint disease, stenosis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis can all cause myofascial and or nerve pain in the low back. Nora and Brian discuss what the conditions are, how they affect the low back and some practical advice for minimizing pain and maximizing function. If you, a cli...

This is part 1 of a multipart series focusing, once again, on low back health. Using Brian’s wonderful book “Back Exercise: Stabilize, Mobilize and Reduce Pain” we discuss how to work with the low back through movement. This episode focuses on common musculoskeletal issues leading to low back pain, how to recognize them and how they can guide your exercise program for maximum results. This episode...

Sciatica, or pain along the pathway of the sciatic nerve, has many causes and many potential solutions. Come with us on a journey to understand what can cause sciatica and how to use mobility, myofascial balance, core training, ergonomics and awareness to manage this common condition. This is a practical session full of potential options for yourself and your clients. Back Exercise; Stabilize Mobi...

Tight? Weak? Painful? The hamstrings are critical to just about anything we do from running to standing to picking up a child. Brian and Nora discuss common imbalances, dynamic mobility techniques and managing common hamstring injuries. Join us to help you and your clients decrease pain and improve performance.  Moving Conversation Socials  Youtube:  www.youtube.com/@brianrichey Email: movingconvo...

Tips and tricks for balancing and aligning the SI joint are the topic of this episode. Based on Brian and I’s experience working with many clients with SI joint dysfunctions, we will lead you through a few key assessments, strategies and exercises for helping clients with SI issues regain comfort, strength and functional abilities. Upcoming Events: IMS Workshop (Virtual) https://www.pilates.com/im...

The Sacroiliac Joint! The sacroiliac or SI joint is literally central to our bodies ability to move with ease. It is where force is transferred from the legs through the pelvis to the spine. When the SI joints are not balanced in terms of stability and mobility, it affects and is affected by the myofascial system above it in the core and torso and below it in the hips and lower limb. This introduc...

Taking the concepts from the last three weeks, we provide a road map for creating upper body mobility, stability, strength and balance. The three-dimensional mechanics and varied requirements of the upper body necessitate developing a program to optimize glenohumeral congruency, dynamic scapular control and optimizing functional movement in all planes.  Upcoming Events: IMS Workshop (Virtual) http...

Part three of the shoulder series focuses on redefining scapular stability to reflect advances in our understanding of the shoulder in functional movement. Starting with creating awareness of where the scapula is and how it is moving, we discuss how to build a strong platform for upper body movement whether the goals are recovering from injury, improving functional activities or optimizing perform...

Building on the previous two podcasts, we’ll review the current thinking about important principles in training the myofascial system to improve movement patterns, minimize injury and optimize performance. Take your thinking beyond one movement/one muscle to fully embracing the body as a whole. Moving Conversation Socials  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@brianrichey Email: movingconvos@gmail.com IG: @mo...

Today we’ll take a deep dive into the thoracolumbar fascia and how it connects, integrates and moves the body. The importance of myofascial connections in creating fluid and efficient movement patterns will be discussed along with how scars interfere with the smooth transfer of force from one area to the next. Moving Conversation Socials  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@brianrichey Email: movingconvos@g...

Fascia Basics Fascia is a buzz word in fitness for good reason. Fascia science is full of game changing concepts that take fitness training to a whole new level. Join us for an introduction to the topic including what fascia is, how it connects and coordinates the body and why warming up is an important element of physical training. For additional resources, check out Anatomy Trains, 2nd edition b...

Continuing with the shoulder series, Brian and Nora take a deep dive into the glenohumeral joint, where the arm meets the scapula. Anatomy, common pathologies and some exercise tips are included to illuminate rotator cuff tears, biceps tendinitis, labrum tears, bursitis and frozen shoulder. Join us for a shoulder seminar! Moving Conversation Socials  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@brianrichey Email: mo...

Shoulders cause no end of trouble and in this episode, Brian and Nora discuss common imbalances and how to address them by working with the movement patterns of the glenohumeral joint and scapular placement. Join us on audio or on Brian Richey’s YouTube channel for some excellent tips and pointers for working with shoulder imbalances. Moving Conversation Socials  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@brianric...

Tom McCook from Center of Balance joins us for an inspiring discussion on creating change through engaging clients in the process, focusing on functional movement and paying attention.  Using functional anatomy as a foundation, we discuss how client education, instructor curiosity and creativity help clients take charge and create lasting change from the inside out.  Moving Conversation Socials  E...

How the patella moves when the quadriceps contract has a strong influence on knee efficiency, knee pain and general wear and tear. In our fourth knee episode, we focus on patellar tracking or how the kneecap glides through the patellar groove. Learn how to strengthen, release and balance the myofascia around the knee to optimize function and decrease knee pain. Moving Conversation Socials  Email:...

In our third session on the knee, we discuss the meniscus, what it is, what it does and how to move to keep the meniscus healthy by maintaining strength, balance and alignment. Meniscus surgeries, both preparation and recovery are included for you or your clients with this common knee condition. Moving Conversation Socials  Email: movingconvos@gmail.com IG: @movingconvos FB: Moving Conversations B...

Knee injuries are very common. Maintaining strong, stable knees can minimize knee pain and help prevent injuries. Nora and Brian discuss several practical strategies for improving knee stability through lateral hip strengthening, creating ankle and foot stability and balancing the co-contraction of the quadriceps and hamstrings. Whether you are a trainer or a client, this session is filled with si...

Nico Gonzalez is a business owner, fitness expert, educator and innovator in the Pilates and fitness community. This session focuses on the intersection of Pilates and fitness from a business perspective and the launch of Pocket Pilates, an app designed to make Pilates class programming easy. Join us for an inspiring and informative conversation. Get a free Pilates Reformer mini workout and best p...