Do you sometimes feel guilty for not putting in the recommended 30 minutes of exercise, 5 days a week? Well, let me release you from that guilt… Exercise as you know it is an activity that has been created for us to address a disconnect in our modern environment, an environment that is far removed from our natural one. Current recommendations for exercise are based a theory of cardiovascular fitness that arose from studying a population that spends most of its day sitting in chairs – which is, from an ancestral perspective, a distinctly non-human activity. From this perspective, there is not a requirement for ‘exercise’ in our lives.
My guest today will shed some light on this topic. Katy Bowman is a biomechanist, someone who studies how physics influences biological processes. She is also the author of the book “Move Your DNA”…. a thought provoking book about human movement, loads, diseases of captivity, alignment, and solutions that I highly recommend for all human beings.
This is part one of my interview with Katy where we learn about the physical effects of living outside of our natural environment, the invisible forces that shape our bodies, and the problems with the conventional wisdom around cardiovascular health. We also mention a standing test… This test is a predictor of longevity. You can learn more about it here.
Katy’s Bio:
A biomechanist by training and a problem-solver at heart, Katy’s ability to blend a scientific approach with straight talk about sensible solutions and an unwavering sense of humor have earned her legions of followers. Her award-winning blog, KatySays.com, reaches hundreds of thousands of people every month, and thousands have taken her live classes. She regularly writes for and is featured as a health expert in publications such as Prevention, IDEA, and Self, and is an entertaining guest on radio and television talk shows and news segments.
Katy is the founder and director of the Restorative Exercise Institute, which teaches the biomechanical model of preventative medicine to health professionals and laypeople worldwide, both online and in live seminars. She is also the creator of the popular Aligned and Well DVD series, a step-by-step visual guide to learning the basics of skeletal and body alignment. Katy’s groundbreaking work in pelvic floor restoration has made her particularly popular with midwives, OBGYNs, and others concerned with pelvic mobility, strength, and health.
Her books Every Woman’s Guide to Foot Pain Relief: The New Science of Healthy Feet (2011), and Alignment Matters (2013), have been critically acclaimed and translated worldwide. In 2014, Katy released the bestselling Move Your DNA—offering a comprehensive look at the science and practical aspects of daily movement and general health. In between her book writing efforts, Katy travels the globe to teach the Restorative Exercise Institute’s courses in person, getting the world moving one calf stretch at a time.