Paul Chek, HHP, NMTis a Holistic Health Practitioner. He has incorporated lifestyle and stress management into exercise programs for many years. He has created over 100 courses, seminars and educational programs. Paul has worked with professional athletes and helped thousands regain function through his multi-disciplinary approach to preventative and corrective exercise programming, sports performance and orthopedic rehabilitation.
Prior to today, I read articles Paul Chek has written, You are what you eat.etc. I have always been interested in a naturopathic/holistic approach to health and fitness. I was really excited when I found out Paul Chek was coming to Seattle.
Paul Chek offers a curriculum for becoming certified as a Chek Practitioner. As a trainer, I have worked with a lot of different people and found that people are unique. I’ve seen some people train and get lean and strong. I’ve seen others struggle to lose weight, while working hard in the gym. I know that diet and exercise work together.
Paul’s holistic approach takes the whole person into consideration. When he works with someone he questions:
What are you eating?
How stressful is your life?
What are your sleep patterns like?
When are you eating?
Is digestion working?
Allergies, Etc?
I recently purchased How To Eat, Move and Be Healthy, By Paul Chek. I recommend this book if you are interested in discovering your own unique, individual exercise and nutrition program. It may be a bit technical for some, but it’s great information.
Today’s workshop was about assessing basic movement patterns. We took a look at gait, lunge, bending, squatting, pushing, pulling, and twisting. All these movement patterns are patterns that we learn beginning with being in utero, raising our heads from a prone position, pulling up, crawling to eventually walking. Sometimes a step is missed in early childhood development. When this occurs, we can re-educate the body by relearning some basic movements that make a big difference. Once the patterns are re-established everything, becomes easier.
We are connected body, mind and spirit. Changes in the body have an impact on health and wellbeing. Sometimes people feel the impact of holding onto anger or resentment. This impacts the body. Letting go and forgiving frees the body and relaxes the mind to open up creativity.
Although I got a late start, I’ve been a serious runner since 1994. I ran my first marathon in 1995 on my 30th Birthday. It’s been my goal to run the Boston Marathon since then. I missed qualifying by 12 minutes that year. I needed to run 3:40 and ran 3:52. Running in the most prestigious marathon, is the ultimate for most runners. The fact that you have to qualify, only fueled my competitive juices.
Over the next 9 years I ran 6 more marathons. I love running so much that I became a 