Yikon

Not only is it king of abdominal exercises, but it will get your back lovely and strong too. I've been adding these into all of my classes of late, my class hates them, but to be honest a 60 sec plank done with good technique is far more superior than 50 crunches.

Here's what you get for all your effort:
Strengthen midsection, upper-body and lower-body muscles along the front of your body.
Outer and inner abdominal muscles (transverse abdominis and rectus abdominis).
The waist muscles  (internal & external obliques) also stabilise the plank position isometrically.
Upper-body stabilisers include the chest and side of upper body moving around towards the back (pectoral and serratus muscles).
Lower-body stabilisers include the thighs (quadriceps, sartorius and tensor fasciae latae).
Increase in flexibility in the upper back, hamstrings and feet.
You should be able to perform body weight exercises like press ups and pull ups with much more ease.
Plank exercises help prevent or reverse postural deficiencies, including lordosis and posterior pelvic tilt.
You will increase stability around the pelvis and hips which can help with improved posture and remove or reduce lower back pain.

So many benefits at just 60secs per day or longer if you can hold it. This beauty of an exercise needs to be in everyone's gym program if you're serious about your health and fitness.

Get on it!
Lee :)

Every year most people include a health and fitness resolution: cutting down on smoking, losing weight, joining a gym, getting fit. They don't last do they? Mine is 'THINK', you would think that would be so simple wouldn't you, well it's not that easy. Each and everyday I am multitasking an empire of chores, jobs, tasks......and my guess is so are you. Half of the time I go through my day almost robotic like, mindlessly doing the same things I have been doing week after week. So now I'm thinking it's time to really start to THINK about what you want to get out of your life. If you do what you've always done, you will get what you've always gotten. So in order to do something different or gain a different result, it's time to THINK. Join me as I hope to break bad habits of a lifetime. I'm 3 weeks no chocolate/biscuits, I cannot believe it lol but I'm THINKING and hopefully so are you. Email me with any questions or thoughts or comment with your new years plans and goals and hopefully by writing them down you will feel challenged to stick to your goals. Until next time.

Lee

Did you know that when comparing osteopathy, physio, massage, exercise, chiropody, yoga and pilates, not one was found to be greater than the other. That's great news for those of you who are suffering with pain and feel that you can't afford a treatment, because exercise is free. Most people can all afford to move more and for longer and also to spend time stretching and relaxing. The great thing about exercise is that it will produce natural  chemicals in the body known as endorphins. Did you know that endorphins are 3 times more potent than morphine. Say what?? I hear you saying. It's true.These chemicals are also released during pain, excitement, orgasm and love.

So I know you are probably wondering what types of exercise you can do. I'm not suggesting you go for a run around the park, but that you start with gently strengthening and stretching exercises.

I will post some demos shortly. Or you can just email me with any questions.

Yikon is very pleased to announce that we now stock the amazing acupressure mat. We are offering the mat in a choice of 5 different colours: black; white; pink; blue and green. Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the finger/feet to press points on the body to stimulate self healing. Acupressure uses the same points as acupuncture. Acupressure is based on an instinctive response to pain. For example, when you have a headache you often rub your head, when you bump yourself, you usually apply pressure to the area, when you have a stomach ache you often hold or apply pressure to the place that hurts.

The acupressure mat has 6000 points which target pressure points and nerve endings causing the body to release endorphins and oxytocin – those nice ‘happy feeling’ hormones. Endorphins are widely believed to have similar pain relieving qualities to morphine, so, it’s easy to see how a session on the  acupressure mat can help someone living with persistent pain. As a result of the endorphins being released, blood pressure decreases and circulation improves. Endorphins also rid the body of acid which is of great benefit in relieving joint pain and digestive disorders. Oxytocin promotes the repair of damaged or worn tissues and new cells grow where they are needed. Oxytocin raises the pain threshold, lowers blood pressure and decreases anxieties. Oxytocin also increases sexual desire and increases memory. The list goes on and on.

You can grab your own personal mat for £19.95

Well done to my most senior of customers (age 76), who has now managed 7 sessions and 10 complete minutes on the mobiliser. It's been very interesting to watch him progress from howling in pain on his first session and finding it impossible to keep his legs straight during treatment. To lying completely relaxed for 10 minutes as he allows the mobiliser to send it's rollers up and down his whole body 14 times. His wife swears he's walking better and he even went out with her for a pub lunch today to celebrate her birthday. She was ecstatic as he's usually in too much pain to do those types of outings. Let's hope he continues to progress over the next few weeks.

Customers are loving this service, most are so surprised at how in depth the treatment is.  Men and women are falling head over heels in love with the best news they've ever heard of for their back. I even have a client as old as 76 years who howled in pain the first session but he swore he felt better after it and has 3 sessions per week. I am so glad people are enjoying this service as I myself love it too. In fact I'm off to have a session now, until next time.

Research has shown that when comparing exercise with physiotherapy, massage, osteopathy, Yoga, acupuncture.....(the list is endless), findings showed one treatment was no worse or greater than the other. I was so relieved to read this as first and foremost I always recommend exercise, it covers, treats, eradicates a multitude of problems and it makes you feel great too. Also this proves that one treatment doesn't work for all. Self treatment is also highly effective and treatments must both increase well-being as well as treat the desired area/areas.

Yikon offers services that range from exercise to massage, but if you have a read through the site and don't find what you are looking for, then don't hesitate to get in contact and you'll be put in contact with other services that are highly recommended as an alternative.

Good luck in finding the treatment that best works for you.