Athletes may apply to become the featured athlete by submitting 3 photographs (a head shot, sport wear, and swim wear), a health or fitness-related article, and a brief biography. bpure staff then evaluates the submission to determine if the athlete’s physical fitness, health philosophies, and lifestyle are in line with the bpure mission, and chooses featured athletes accordingly. Athletes of the month are able to help other bpure members attain a healthy lifestyle by sharing their expertise and knowledge, and they also get exposure and promotion for the month.
Stretch Your Way to Proper Body Alignment
Date: March 9th, 2010
By: Isiah Brooks
By: Isiah Brooks
Stretch Your Way to Proper Body Alignment
By Dr. Emily Splichal Creator of VCore® Workout
“To live a long, active, energetic life, few things matter more than good posture” – American Journal of Pain Management
Improving your posture can help build self-esteem, radiate confidence, make better first impressions – and for all your gym-lovers out there – make your workouts more efficient!
Americans spend an average of eight to ten hours a day at work – during this time we often adopt unconscious and improper body positions and engage in repetitive movements that create muscle imbalances. For example the teacher who stands in front of a class all day, or the dentist who leans over to treat patients day after day. Spending close to fifty hours per week in unnatural body positions takes its toll on the body. But if we became more conscious about our bodies and integrate daily flexibility training to recover from our improper habitual positions, we will avoid pain and feel stronger and healthier!
Here are four of the best stretches for proper body alignment, improved function and more efficient workouts at the gym….
1. Hip flexor Stretch
The key to a proper hip flexor stretch is making sure your pelvis is tucked under. Â Since tight hip flexors cause an increase in the arch of the lower back, the trick is to do the opposite movement. Â Tuck the pelvis under into a posterior pelvic tilt and shift the hips forward.
2. Tensor Fascia Latae Stretch
No, this isn’t a cup of coffee but rather a hip flexing, leg abducting, internally rotating muscle on our upper hip. Since this muscle acts on both the hip and knee joint, flexibility of this muscle is important in balancing body biomechanics. If this muscle is too tight it will affect both our hips and knee – and is a common culprit in anterior hip and lateral knee pain
3. Quadratus Lumborum Stretch
If we can have a favorite muscle, this is probably one of mine. This seemly simple muscle plays in important role in trunk/hip mobility giving strength to many of the dynamic movements of a martial artist, gymnast, dancer…. on the flip side this muscle is rarely stretched in the typical gym setting and responsible for imbalanced hips, knee pain and foot pain. The interconnection between the foot, knees and hips is quite fascinating so we cannot neglect these smaller trunk muscles when stretching!
4. Gastrocs baby!
A Podiatrist’s favorite muscle…..or maybe I should say never ending headache. The gastrocnemius/soleus complex is both a postural muscle (which means it is in a continuous toic state of contraction when standing hours on end) and a propulsion/movement muscle. The gastrocnemius muscle is also unique in that it attaches above the knee joint – so all those hours sitting in a chair with your knees bent are also going to tighten these right up!
Remember the key to a great stretch is holding 20-30 seconds, relaxing and then repeating another 20-30 seconds for a total of 5 times.
For more great stretches and tips for proper body alignment try the VCore® Workout www.vcoreworkout.com Where we focus on BODY ALIGNMENT from the foot up!
Happy stretching!
Dr. Emily
ST. Patrick’s Day Event Sponsors
Date: March 1st, 2010
By: Isiah Brooks
By: Isiah Brooks
Click on logo to view full image
St. Patrick’s Day Event To Benefit Ecomb
Date: February 17th, 2010
By: Isiah Brooks
By: Isiah Brooks
More Party With a Purpose: bpure’s next Party with a Purpose event will be held on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2010. This event will benefit ECOMB (Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach), and will be held at Bar 721,721 Lincoln Lane North, Miami Beach. The night will feature VeeV, the world’s first açaí spirit, amazing organic food by Books N Books, with music by Dj Dynamite, a Raffle and Give A Ways. This event will start at 6 pm and last till late:) There is a $20.00 donation which goes to benefit ECOMB. See you there!!! Wear your GREEN or you will get PINCHED!
Susan G. Komen event pics!
Date: February 16th, 2010
By: Isiah Brooks
By: Isiah Brooks
Valentine’s Day Party With A Purpose
February 14, 2010
bpure helps both experienced athletes and those new to fitness achieve a healthy, eco-friendly lifestyle through articles and events that promote health, food, fashion, fitness, culture, and the arts. bpure hosts Party with a Purpose on holidays to promote and benefit a cause. During each event, bpure sponsors a particular organization, and highlights the work that that organization does to promote health, green living, and/or social justice. All proceeds from the event benefit the sponsored organization.
Valentine’s Day: Today’s event is promoting the work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Miami/Ft. Lauderdale affiliate. Komen for the Cure works to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. Komen for the Cure has supported every advance in breast cancer research over the past 25 years. The Miami/Ft. Lauderdale affiliate funds not-for-profit health care organizations, public health agencies and community groups in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties that further the Komen mission. 75 percent of the net dollars raised through local events, like this one, will stay in the local community to fund breast cancer screening, education and treatment initiatives. The remaining 25 percent will be pooled with Komen’s national efforts to fund research programs. To learn more about the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale affiliate, please visit their website: www.komenmiaftl.org.
More Party With a Purpose: bpure’s next Party with a Purpose event will be held on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2010. This event will benefit ECOMB (Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach), and will be held at Bar 721,721 Lincoln Lane North, Miami Beach. The event will feature VeeV, the world’s first açaí spirit, and amazing organic food.
Valentine’s Day Party To Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Date: January 23rd, 2010
By: Isiah Brooks
By: Isiah Brooks
bpure presents Party with a purpose. Proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the cure miami/ft lauderdale affiliate. Mark your calendars come share in this wonderful night of love,survival, prizes and much much more.
Choose Wellness Over Drugs For 2010
Date: December 28th, 2009
By: Isiah Brooks
By: Isiah Brooks
Why have so many celebrities turned to drugs and alcohol over fitness and nutrition? The private yet troubling lives of the rich and famous are portrayed as glamorous and affluent when many times their lives are the exact opposite. Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger Brittany Murphy, DJ AM, and Billy Mays. Google any one of the names above and anti-depressants or illegal drugs comes attached to their deaths.
Today, many individuals believe depression can be cured with a pill. The idea that self-medication is easier than confronting one’s problems by eliciting the help of family, friends, or health professionals has become commonplace in our society. Psychiatrists and pharmaceutical companies are now working side by side to “help” depressed individuals by prescribing newly developed anti-depressants, promising to eliminate both the physiological and psychological effects associated with depression.
The problem starts when celebrities turn legal substance use into problem drug abuse. Overdosing on anti- depressants with the addition of binge drinking or other drugs only amplifies the sedative effects of the drug. Take, for example, Heath Ledger. “Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription medications including painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills” reported CNN.com of his death in January of 2009. The report also included stressful activities that were going on in his life that caused him to turn to drugs to solve some of his apparent problems.
Instead of following in these celebrities footsteps try starting 2010 with a different approach. Choosing fitness and nutrition over drugs and alcohol would win the battle of substance abuse and closet deviance that are hidden from the public eye. Although Michael Jackson and others chose this route you can take steps to a more positive lifestyle.
I challenge you to take the 2010 bpure approach to health and wellness,
- Start each day with a positive thought. A positive thought’s prepares you mind to handles the days challenges with motivation and enthusiasm.
- Give yourself 5 to 10 minutes to stretch and meditate on the day’s events. Stretching helps move oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and brain.
- Eat a balanced breakfast. This is the most important meal of the day! It arms your body with the calories it needs to jumpstart your morning.
- Go for a nice stroll or jog to release those feel good endorphins whenever you have a 20 min break. The time by yourself will allow you to reflect on your accomplishments and set small goals for the future. This allows you to take a break from the daily hustle and bustle. This is your quiet time for yourself, so cherish it and accept that its ok, you deserve it.
- Plan an activity with a friend or family member each week. Spending time with people who care about you is important and strengthens your relationship with people you trust.
- Deal with problems and issues during the day so that you can rest at night. Giving your body at least 7 hours of sleep keeps you energized for the next day.
- Enjoy what life has given you! Don’t stress over things that you cannot control and always remember to look at the bigger picture. Be grateful for what you have and choose realistic goals for yourself and 2010 will be great for you.
Spreading Joy Through Holiday Toys
Date: December 18th, 2009
By: Isiah Brooks
By: Isiah Brooks
bpure and The Sean Taylor Foundation would like to extend a big thank you to all of you who came out in support of our toy drive in benefit of No More Tears!
The evening was dedicated to spreading holiday cheer to children who have been affected by domestic violence. This holiday cocktail party was designed to raise awareness of this national epidemic and collect toys that promoted physical fitness in children, in an effort to make this holiday season a little brighter. With your donations and support are event was successful. We will be dropping off the toys on Saturday December 19,2009.
For more information on these foundations please go to: www.seantaylorfoundation.org or www.nmtproject.org you to can get involve and make a difference the bpure way!
Enjoy the pics
We would like to thank our sponsors: Ocean’s Ten, The Outback Steakhouse, Dziaq Liqueur, Krome Vodka,The New Beach Channel,790 The Ticket, Gold’s Gym South Beach,Press-Pro.com, and Superior Edge.
Listen To Your Body By:Meghan Carroll
Date: December 7th, 2009
By: Isiah Brooks
By: Isiah Brooks
The ability to listen to your body is essential to becoming a successful athlete. Pushing your body when your training schedule requires can only go so far if you are both physically and mentally prepared. For example, if your workout schedule includes interval training on certain days and you are too tired, modify your workout to your daily needs. This does not mean that you are being lazy or “slacking.” Allowing your body to rest at the correct training times is required to allow your muscles to recover and heal.
I had to learn this important truth the hard way. After several months of over-training, my body finally gave up. I developed stress fractures in both of my feet and could no longer train for almost six weeks. It was incredibly difficult to stay off my feet and I was miserable. But in forcing my body to rest for those long weeks, I felt strong and reenergized. The experience taught me that rest was just as critical to conditioning as my intense workout schedule.
Understanding what your body is telling you and the importance of rest will allow you to become a stronger and better athlete. When doing high intensity training, monitor yourself carefully for signs of impending injury or overtraining. Remember to replenish your body with adequate complex carbohydrates and lean protein after each training session. Proper nutrition will provide your body with the building blocks to make you stronger and faster and give you energy for the next set of challenges.
Don’t be afraid to “call it quits” for the day. Even several days off may be what your body needs to fully recuperate from the daily stresses of a hectic schedule. Training is supposed to be fun. Learn to make the most of your time off and prepare yourself for tomorrow’s new challenge.
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