Tune Up Fitness® Self Care Blog

My love for yoga began with a vinyasa class at a small studio in 2005. The fast paced rhythm and exercise provided an outlet for the athlete inside of me, and harmony of movement offered me tranquility and stress relief. It…

The pectoralis minor is an often problematic muscle that lies deep to its better known companion the pectoralis major. This lovely muscle originates at ribs 3,4, and 5 and inserts on the medial surface of the coracoid process of the scapula.…

In Wednesday’s post, I wrote about creating contraction in the gluteus maximus (GM) at all times. In standing, this does not create external rotation, but what about posterior pelvic tilt? In Becoming A Supple Leopard, Kelly Starrett maintains that it is…

That is the question! When and if a yoga teacher tells you to contract your glutes, chances are they are referring to the gluteus maximus (GM). If you squeeze your butt, you are contracting this most superficial muscle in the gluteal…

In my last post, I wrote about the infraspinatus and the important contribution it makes toward integral alignment and stability for the shoulders in handstand – or any other weight bearing pose for that matter. Check out the video below for…

Recently, I had an epiphany about my shoulders in handstand: my infraspinatus has been taking a vacation while I’m upside down! This blind spot and the lack of connection here has likely been hampering my ability to invert with confidence and…

Whether meandering across a sloping yard, feeling the soft sand on a barefoot beach stroll, or hiking the gravel path through the park, it is our peroneal muscles that keep us moving smoothly on unstable ground. During foot push off, they…

The peroneal muscles are not as well known as some of our other lower body superstar muscles, but they are vital for healthy gait mechanics, especially on uneven surfaces. Improper body alignment or wearing unsound footwear may not only create discomfort…

When Joanna-Lynn McBain posted a question to Louis Jackson‘s article about uddiyana bandha, she never expected the response she got! Not only Louis, but Kristin Marvin, Dawn McCrory and Keith Wittenstein all provided their expertise to answer her. Louis and Kristin’s…