Category: Breathing

Posterior Pelvic Tilt Exercises – You’re Doing Them WRONG!

There’s a subtlety to properly executing a posterior pelvic tilt. You’ll learn it today Posteriorly tilting the pelvis aka tucking the hips is a common strategy we use to enhance hip mobility and get the pelvis in a good position to load the legs during various exercises. But are you someone who feels “the tuck” mostly in your abs, stretching your back, or working your quads? I hate to break it to you… You’re doing it wrong Surprisingly, the posterior tilt needs to be WAY more subtle than you think to get the biomechanical actions we oh so desire. Why so subtle? Don’t worry, I’ll explain EVERYTHING you ever needed to know about the posterior pelvic tilt. 

Read More

STOP Bringing Ribs Down – Do THIS Instead

Why the ribs down cue doesn’t work and you should coaching exhaling differently There was a time when peeps (myself included) thought forcing ribs down was necessary to anchor the lower ribcage, allowing for enhanced mobility and improved trunk position. This time must now pass. It turns out, the ribs down cue DOES NOT help improve ribcage dynamics and core stability in the way we think it does. If you’ve ever felt cramping, back working/stretching, or have your lower belly pooch out, this is why. Is there an alternative, then? Uh, yeah fam. I’ve found coaching the exhale as you’ll see in the video below to be WAY BETTER. Check it out to learn more!

Read More

VivAer Procedure Review – Watch this Before You Do it!

Is this surgery helpful for nasal valve dysfunction? Nasal breathing has many positive health effects, but what if you are a chronic mouth breather? Perhaps you have nasal congestion that just won’t let up. There can be many reasons for an inability to nasal breathe, one of them nasal valve dysfunction. If your nose collapses in when you breathe, as opposed to getting bigger, this could indicate an issue with the nasal valve. Sadly, this can’t be improved with exercise. Instead, procedures are often used to improve nasal valve patency. I just tried one of these procedures, called the Vivaer, at The Breathe Institute. Does it work? Watch the video and read the blog below to learn if it does.

Read More

Airway Dentistry: What to Do When You Don’t Breathe Right At Night

If you are having trouble sleeping, snore at night, or mouth breathe like none other, you definitely have to listen to the Nourish Balance Thrive Podcast that I was recently on. In it, we touch on A GANG of topics! Chris and I discuss the impact of mouth and face structure on breathing, sleeping, and overall health. We go through some of the causes of abnormal facial development, and the resulting problems which can include sleep disorders, crowded and crooked teeth, and worsened athletic performance. I also describe the best way to assess for breathing problems at night and offers some tips for prevention and intervention. You won’t want to miss this, check it out in the link below: Airway Dentistry: What to Do When You Don’t Breathe Right At Night Interview outline Utilizing breathing to enhance movement The Amazing Shrinking Face Tongue and Lip Ties My journey into improving my upper airway The importance of tongue space Nasal breathing and implants The MMA surgery When you should do a sleep study Pulse oximetry vs sleep study The different things measured with a sleep study Upper airway resistance syndrome vs. sleep apnea The risks of untreated sleep apnea How to measure progress with upper airway improvements Factors leading to airway problems Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Read More

How to Move with Less Tension

In order to move more, you have to be able to both create and reduce tension. But what if you have someone who is tense AF? When they move, they tighten EVERYTHING? Check this video to learn what to do. Ways to get people to move without tension Folks who are SUPER TENSE when they move often benefit from manual therapy, foam rollers, and things of that nature. Think of using these strategies as an “assisted” way to get them to move. Movement-wise, you want to get these peeps to move with as little tension as possible. These folks benefit from very slow segmental rolling strategies. In order to complete these rolls, you have to move with as little tension as possible. The lower body roll is a great starting point: But if you are feeling frisky, try the upper body roll. It…is…brutal: Even doing things where they are moving individual joints as slow and with low tension as possible. Breathing-wise, focusing on nasal breathing that is silent, easy, and effortless can be a great way to reduce tension in these individuals.

Read More

Tips on Breathing Mechanics

If your breathing is whack, learn these tricks from Zac Coaching the breathing mechanics needed to improve movement options can be tough. Especially with all the various compensatory strategies. These issues get even worse if you don’t fully grasp the mechanics. Moreover, what if your supreme clientele think they have to be breathing this wild and crazy way 20,000 times per day? We answer all these in more in today’s debrief. If you feel like you haven’t maximized your ability to coach and apply breathing, this post is a must. Check out Movement Debrief Episode 154 below to learn more! Watch the video below for your viewing pleasure. Or listen to my sultry voice on the podcast version:  If you want to watch these live, add me on Instagram. Show notes Check out Human Matrix promo video below:  Below are some testimonials for the class:  Want to sign up? Click on the following locations below: August 14th-15th, 2021, Ann Arbor, MI (Early bird ends July 18th at 11:55 pm!) September 25th-26th, 2021, Wyckoff, NJ (Early bird ends August 22nd at 11:55 pm) October 23rd-24th, Philadelphia, PA (Early bird ends September 26th at 11:55pm) November 6th-7th, 2021, Charlotte, NC (Early bird ends October 3rd at 11:55 pm) November 20th-21st, 2021 – Colorado Springs, CO (Early bird ends October 22nd at 11:55 pm) December 4th-5th, 2021 – Las Vegas, NV (Early bird ends November 5th at 11:55 pm) Or check out this little teaser for Human Matrix home study. Best part is if you attend the live course you’ll get

Read More

Does the Mute Nasal Dilator Help with Sleep? | Unboxing the Mute

Do you snore, sleep terribly, or have a BUNCH of neck tension?

You’ve tried it all, right?

Uhh, maybe not FAM.

The ability to nasal breathe is related to all three of the above mentioned issues, but for many, the nose can be difficult to breathe through.

I am someone who has nasal valve collapse, and that has been the major struggle for me.

The Mute, supposedly, can help maintain the shape of the nasal airway, helping you breathe like a boss through your nose.

Or can it?

We find out with my 6-week trial of wearing the Mute while I sleep, work out, and more!

Read More

Troubleshooting the Stack

Can’t talk to me? Then fine-tune your stack, fam! The stack is one of the foundational components needed for A TON of movements and for restoring movement, but what if you are struggle bus with this concept? What if you can’t get a full exhale or get the expansion you need? Or maybe you don’t even know where in the ribcage we should even see movement! Don’t worry fam, ya boy big Z has you covered. If you want to beef up your stack, and your conversation with Zac, then check out Movement Debrief Episode 153 below! Watch the video below for your viewing pleasure. Or listen to my sultry voice on the podcast version:  If you want to watch these live, add me on Instagram. Show notes Check out Human Matrix promo video below:  Below are some testimonials for the class:  Want to sign up? Click on the following locations below: August 14th-15th, 2021, Ann Arbor, MI (Early bird ends July 18th at 11:55 pm!) September 25th-26th, 2021, Wyckoff, NJ (Early bird ends August 22nd at 11:55 pm) October 23rd-24th, Philadelphia, PA (Early bird ends September 26th at 11:55pm) November 6th-7th, 2021, Charlotte, NC (Early bird ends October 3rd at 11:55 pm) November 20th-21st, 2021 – Colorado Springs, CO (Early bird ends October 22nd at 11:55 pm) December 4th-5th, 2021 – Las Vegas, NV (Early bird ends November 5th at 11:55 pm) Or check out this little teaser for Human Matrix home study. Best part is if you attend the live course you’ll get this bad boy

Read More

Mindful Movement with Lucy Hendricks

The trainer’s guide to teaching clients the fundamentals of health What does it take to make clients healthy? Is it just movement, or is it more? And is there a way we can make pursuing health for our clients simpler? Make the coaching process simpler? That’s why I’m juiced up to bring you Lucy Hendricks for this week’s talk. In this podcast, you’ll learn: What it really takes to keep your clients healthy How to create a gym culture that values health, sleep, nutrition, and more What are the pillars of health? Which three habits should brand new clients focus on in their first year of training How mindful movement can give you all the benefits of yoga without the drawbacks Why you should use the “rule of 3” with your exercise cueing The benefits of creating a consistent approach with your clients Why coaching the general population is important What is the future of healthcare? Check this interview out if you want your coaching to be simpler and all-encompassing!

Read More