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14/4/2019 A well earned break.Rest, we all need to rest.
I have been told to rest my foot as I managed to over exercise a metatarsal joint! No idea why or how, the podiatrist said it I was doing just too much. I suppose trying to do 10,000 steps a day and having 50% of my time ‘active’ was unrealistic! Thankfully, this happened just as we broke up for the Easter break. My Fitbit is not happy, no green screens saying congratulations you have stepped your steps, but it doesn’t matter as my bones are more important than electronic rewards! Talking of podiatrists, did you know May was Podiatry Awareness Month so please make an appointment and get your feet bio-mechanically checked! Rest is just as important as exercise as it gives time for your muscles, nerves, bones, and connective tissue time to rebuild. Every time you work your muscles, stretch that bit further or put a bit more effort into it you create microscopic tears in your muscles. These are not the same ‘tears’ as when you strain, sprain or pull a muscle but these small tears are part of the muscle building process. The body uses protein to repair the muscle so it is stronger than before. This is why I tell my class members to have some protein after class a tuna or chicken sandwich or an egg. Rest gives time for inflammation to reduce, for the ligaments and tendons and the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones to recover. But, it takes about 2 weeks of non-activity before your muscles start to lose strength etc, which is why going out and about, doing the garden, visiting friends or walking round the park is more than enough to keep the muscles in tip top condition and ready for class. I have been digging the garden, But rest is more than allowing the muscles to build strength and aches and pains to subside, it is a time for the whole body to completely relax for seeing friends as well as dental and doctor appointments. I have squeezed so many meetings and appointments into my 2 weeks I need a holiday! On Wednesday I visited the Archway and District Carers' Group who offers help, support and information to informal Carers (who are caring for disabled family members, partners or friends), a place to go and rest, where people, who become friends, share thoughts and ideas, laughter and tears with other Carers in a similar situation. The group is run by a volunteer, who organises speakers, exercise sessions, massage, and occasional teatime outings. They are an inclusive group, meaning that no-one is turned away. I did not know who would be there so with my bag of bean bags and assorted music I delivered a session that made everyone forget their worries, aches and pains and at the end everyone commented on how easy it would be to incorporate a few exercises into their day. We had such a giggle as getting it wrong is always part of the class plan. So, however you are spending your Easter break and bank holiday weekend, have a restful one, recharge your batteries , see friends, get out and about and be ready and invigorated for a new term.  I look back on my training career with tears, smiles and laughs. Tears for those who are no longer with us; smiles for those who went on to deliver in their places of work or classes in halls and community centres, starting a career they may have only dreamt of; and laughs from arm and leg tongue twisters and enjoyable silliness.
As an anatomy and physiology tutor, my ‘job’ was to help people discover the wonders of the body so that when affected by the ageing process and cruel conditions like Parkinson’s and MS, teachers have an idea of what is happening inside and why. Most of our students worked in care or were retired, looking for a second career so it was a huge commitment. Many had not studied since their school days and some had left school with little or no qualifications, so it was a daunting task, but we achieved a 100% pass rate. The A&P as it was referred to was not an easy course. We studied the body to the old ‘O’ Level standard with input on movement, and muscle work (kinesiology) from physiotherapists as well as input from a geriatrician and dietitian and voice production. By 2004 the tutors agreed that the ‘school text books’ did not have everything an EXTEND teacher needed so Judith Holpin, my Course Director suggested I re-wrote the original EXTEND course book, written by Betty Grey in 1987. Not having a computer at home, I used to go to my parent’s house, where every day, while the children were at school, I used to work on the text. In late 2004 we bought our first home computer and shut away in the office bedroom I created the 'Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology, notes for EXTEND Students' book which was designed to be friendly, easy to read and cheaper than a text book! I could not have done this by myself. I needed a second pair of eyes and the accuracy of an experienced physiotherapist so Gill Curwood, a fellow EXTEND teacher and physio, worked with me and the book was used for the first time in 2005. At the same time Dave Goodacre and i re-vamped the exams so that they were more accessible to everyone, replacing long written answers with multiple choice questions that demanded a broader and more detailed understanding of the body and the benefits of EXTEND Exercise. While teaching the heart and circulatory system it was quite common for people to declare ‘now I know what is wrong with my dad’s heart’, ‘I understand angina‘ and ‘now I know why my anaemic daughter is so tired all of the time.’ The teaching of the respiratory system usually resulted in at least one person giving up smoking and after delivering the session on the nervous and endocrine system people asked their GPs for thyroid function tests. Most importantly everyone on the course realised that the ageing process was something that happened to everyone and an understanding of the bones, joints, heart and lungs meant they were sympathetic to those with aches and pains without being patronising because they were ‘old’. I have delivered 19 CPD training days for EXTEND, some with 30 teachers in attendance and some with only 6. We had lectures from physiotherapists on posture, the leg and foot, one physio brought in ‘spare parts’ for hip and knee replacements so we could visualise the metal work working. We had sessions from physiotherapists specialising in Parkinson’s, Stroke and MS, as well as talks on supporting class members with cancer, arthritis, visual impairments and dementia We had a whole body work out with Lishi and an enjoyable morning with my Medau teacher, Vera. We had apparatus workshops and music workshops and were delighted that Dawn Skelton delivered a session on falls prevention and thera bands. We adapted, created exercises, thought outside the box and most importantly learned from each other’s experiences. Most of the people I taught to teach are still teaching and have full classes delivering safe exercise to those who might not otherwise enjoy an exercise to music session. Some have retired and others have gone onto other things. For some it was the first step of a new career, for some it was the catalyst for promotion and for others it was a way of giving something back EXTEND training is just the start of many people’s careers and I was privileged to be at the start of so many. 6/4/2019 Celebrating 20 years.Way back, on Saturday 22nd May 1999 I qualified as an EXTEND Exercise teacher. Judith Holpin was my Course Director, Marna was the brilliant physio and exam day was overseen by Seona Ross and Anita Best. And so began my 20 year association with EXTEND and my journey from teacher to Company Secretary, anatomy and physiology tutor and Course Director. From fun classes in church halls to producing an item at the Royal Albert Hall, meeting the Duke of Edinburgh and then becoming Chair of the Movement and Dance Division of the Sport and Recreation Alliance. On Monday 20th May I will be celebrating 20 years of teaching with my class members and those who set me on my path - promoting health, increasing mobility and independence, improving strength, co-ordination and balance and counteracting loneliness and isolation.  Get into the habit of being physically active. That doesn't mean going to the gym! Gardening, walking, housework, climbing the stairs and even shopping helps to keep the heart healthy, bones and muscles strong.  |
Exercise With TracyEXTEND Exercise and Medau Movement teacher. Keeping the muscles working, the joints mobile and having fun! Archives
September 2024
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If you fancy trying a class then please get in touch. The first class is free!
Exercise with music at Southgate Methodist Church, Monday 1.30-2.30
Exercise with music at Grange Park Methodist Church Tuesday 10-11 Medau: Cockfosters, Wednesday 10-11 Medau: Potters Bar, Wednesday 2.15-3.45 |
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