Ep 156: Your Perfect Movement Plan

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram dig deeper into the concept of movement as nutrition in Katy’s new book “ My Perfect Movement Plan: The Move Your DNA All Day Workbook”. They discuss how the book will help you understand your current movement diet and show you how to create a more balanced movement diet going forward. They introduce tools from the book such as the S.L.O.T.H time budget model, as well as explore how to make the plan align with the reasons you want to move well and the movement that you find purposeful and meaningful.

Biologist Jeannette Loram and Biomechanist Katy Bowman discuss movement “as nutrition”. Using familiar dietary terms, Katy and Jeannette unpack the concept of movement macronutrients, micronutrients and calories. They discuss how simply getting enough physical activity, or "movement calories", does not guarantee you are nourishing your whole body;  we also need to consider the general shape you take when moving - the macronutrients- and which parts of you are moving - the micronutrients. They discuss the movement patterns of heart-healthy hunter-gatherer tribes and how Katy has used these to create a ‘movement pyramid’ that can be used, similarly to a food pyramid, to guide a more optimal movement diet.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Diana Hill joins biomechanist Katy Bowman for an enlightening episode about the delicate balance between setting high expectations and practicing self-compassion, particularly in the realms of movement and mindfulness. Discover how recognizing the constant movements in our lives can lead to intentional responses and holistic well-being. From debunking misconceptions to exploring practical exercises, Katy and Diana offer valuable insights into embracing self-compassion in movement and daily life. 

Dr. Andrea Graves, an animal behavior expert, illuminates the profound significance of movement for animals and humans alike. Through personal anecdotes and scientific insights, Katy and Andrea delve into the essential role of providing enriching environments for animals to express their natural behaviors authentically. From discussing innovative approaches like creating "chicken jungle gyms" to exploring the ethical considerations surrounding AI integration in animal welfare, the conversation underscores the interconnectedness between movement, animal welfare, and environmental enrichment.

On this episode of the Move Your DNA podcast, Katy and her special guest Dani Alexander reflect on the past year, discuss movement goals for 2024, and emphasize the importance of choosing a guiding word. They also explore personal experiences with living in walkable communities, navigating perimenopause, and general aging. Looking ahead, they share specific goals and strategies for incorporating more movement into their life - plus they select their new movement theme words for the year.

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and her occasional co-host, Dani Alexander (an occupational therapist), explore the importance of grip strength for people of all ages. They discuss therapeutic interventions, such as weighted pencils and play-dough, to improve hand strength and sensory input. They also touch on the impact of weak grip strength on daily tasks and emphasize the need to incorporate grip-strengthening activities into everyday routines. Join Katy and Dani as they delve into the connection between grip strength, overall well-being, and maximizing our physical abilities.Episode Overview:0:00:01 Introduction and mention of previous New York Times features0:03:31 Recap of a previous podcast episode on grip strength0:06:18 Concerns about grip strength from a professional perspective0:08:26 Therapeutic Interventions for Children0:10:40 Play-Doh for Increasing Intrinsic Hand Strength0:13:20 Thera Putty as a Therapy Tool for Adults0:16:04 Importance of Hand Strength in Everyday Life0:24:05 Creating Playgrounds with Obstacle Courses for Kids0:27:04 Importance of diversity in hand use and overuse injuries.0:29:30 The technicality of different hand grips and their importance.0:30:39 Nourishing the Hands and Feet0:32:08 Wondering about the absence of someone in the bathroom0:34:30 Exploring the use of Therapuddy for hand strengthening0:36:54 Multiple approaches to hand training and arm strength development0:39:05 Assessing daily hand movements and seeking inspiration from others0:41:09 Grip Translates to All Finger and Hand Movement0:42:10 The Importance of Grip Strength in Daily Tasks0:44:16 Decline in Strength and Its Impact on Therapy Norms0:45:40 Lowering the Norms: A Frightening Shift in Fitness0:48:51 The Transcendence of Movement: Beyond Individual Body Parts0:49:41 A Salute to an Amazing Friendship

Biomechanist, Katy Bowman and her husband Michael discuss foot injuries as a natural part of life. Sharing their own experiences, they emphasize the need for adjustments in movement patterns and highlight the importance of staying active as we age. They also address the psychological aspects of injury and provide strategies for avoiding future injuries. Overall, the message is to embrace change, prioritize healing, and always listen to your body.Episode Overview:0:00:01 Welcome to the Move Your DNA podcast0:00:26 Introduction: Focus on Foot Injuries0:03:05 Injury as an Adjustment Period in Life Stages0:10:35 Injury during a sprinting race on the sand0:20:10 Aging and Decreased Cardiovascular Capability0:24:12 The Importance of Maintaining Joyful Movement Amidst Injury0:29:14 Embracing the Valleys: Optimizing for Surviving, Not Just Thriving0:32:19 Finding Alternatives: Adapting to Injury and Changing Gait0:37:43 Embracing Change and Moving Forward0:39:53 The Framework for Troubleshooting Injuries

In this episode, Katy is talking about technology. Specifically where technology meets your head. No, not how technology affects mental health or how you think, but how it could be affecting the actual structure of your skull. Katy and her guests get into headphone dents, tech neck, and bone horns. Episode Overview:0:00:01 Welcome to the Move Your DNA podcast!0:00:31 Tech and Mental Health: How It Affects Your Head0:07:58 Discussing Head Dents0:11:56 The Dent Mystery: Seeking the Truth0:21:12 Importance of varied positioning for babies' development0:31:52 Strengthening tissues to handle increased load and shape changes0:32:33 The Horns Phenomenon and Click-Bait Headlines0:43:01 Natural selection and the success of sickle-shaped cells0:53:15 Navigating the Challenges of Screens in Schools0:57:56 Skeletal Development and Surgical Solutions0:59:20 The Addictive Nature of Handheld Devices1:00:40 Introduction and Background of the Conversation1:03:36 The Nuance of Phone Use and Posture1:09:20 Introduction and Greetings from Lynn Dung, Melbourne, Australia

Katy Bowman talks with Kelly Starrett and Juliet Starrett about their paths to becoming leaders in physical health to share their ideas on how to make movement more joyful and relevant to you, the mover. Not just in the distant future but here and now.

Katy reveals another group of very important muscles that probably are not on your list of body parts which need movement - the muscles in your face. Just like any other parts of your body, when these muscles don’t get movement, it causes problems now and later in life. In this episode, Katy explains why this matters and gives you some fun exercises that you can do at home.