Getting to the root of your foot and ankle pain, shin splints, knee pain, back pain, neck and shoulder pain, elbow pain
&
carpal tunnel and more.

Stasia Steffens Stasia Steffens

Back Pain? Read about Hip Hinging & Fig Leaves!

How do you bend?  How do you stand? The way you do these things plays a huge role in the short term and long term health of your back and your hips.

Hip Hinge & Cashew Back & Fig Leaf.jpg

Hip Hinge vs. Cashew Back

Looking at the two women in the photo above I can tell you that the one on the right will have back pain because she is using her back to do the work. Whereas the woman on the left has hinged her hips and as you can see, has a long, straight back which is supported by her gluteal and leg muscles. 

In partnership with South Suburban Rec Centers I offer 8 classes based on 3 different modalities, ALL OF WHICH TEACH YOU HOW TO PROPERLY HIP HINGE so that  you can learn to protect your back!

This blog post is a follow up on a great article from NPR talking about back pain and why some people have it and others don't:  Lost Art Of Bending Over: How Other Cultures Spare Their Spines.


I've been sharing a great quote from Katie Bowman for years: "When in doubt stick your butt out!"...just another way of teaching the hip hinging technique which is promoted by anyone who understands alignment and back pain. 



I teach hip hinging in all of my classes with a major hip hinging focus in my Foundation Training class. Eric Goodman, the founder of Foundation Training teaches hip hinging as one of the major components of alleviating back pain, strengthening the muscles supporting the back, creating functional hip movement and decompressing the spine. 


COME LEARN proper hip hinging in any of my classes:

Foundation Training
Functional Motion
MUTU Core & Pelvic Floor

New classes begin April 4th...Click on any of the links above for details on each class


Here the spine is flexing forward in order to pick something up. This motion is very hard on the back because the back is trying to do much of the work. Ouch!

Here the spine is flexing forward in order to pick something up. This motion is very hard on the back because the back is trying to do much of the work. 
Ouch!

Here, my hips are hinged and pulled back creating a long + strong back position. This motion is healthy for the back as the gluteal muscles and hamstrings are supporting the bend.HIP HINGING IS IMPORTANT!

Here, my hips are hinged and pulled back creating a long + strong back position. This motion is healthy for the back as the gluteal muscles and hamstrings are supporting the bend.

HIP HINGING IS IMPORTANT!


Take Action

  • Sign up for an alignment assessment
  • Sign up for a group class or a one on one program
    • Learn how to be able to get up and down from a chair or the floor for many years to come
    • Learn how to pick things up 
    • Learn how to garden without so much pain 

Forward this email to a friend who would benefit!

Contact Stasia today to set up a time for a postural assessment or to get more info on individual & group training. 

Read More
Chronic pain, Back Pain, Foundation Training Stasia Steffens Chronic pain, Back Pain, Foundation Training Stasia Steffens

Introduction to Foundation Training Class

Foundation-Landscape-RGB 2.jpg

In response to so many of you wanting an Intro to Foundation Training class we have decided to fit one in before Christmas! Its a great time to heal your back and get ready for shoveling snow and wrapping gifts!

Check out this testimonial about how Foundation Training helped a woman with a long history of debilitating back pain and then sign up for the class or forward this sign up link to a friend who needs it! 



The Intro to Foundation Training Class will begin in 3 days, on November 13th! Here are the details:

What: Foundation Training Intro - you will learn the basics of Foundation Training and learn to get it right from the beginning...things like hip hinging, posterior chain integration, decompression breathing, core strengthening, spinal decompression and stabilization! Lots of great, helpful tips to benefit you for life!

When: Mondays for 6 weeks at 5 pm: November 13 - December 18

Where: Goodson Rec Center Rooms 4/5

Cost: $65 in-district & $70 out of district

Equipment: You will need to bring your own yoga mat each week

Hope to see you there. Contact me with any questions!

Foundation Training Class.jpg
Read More
Join a group class & improve posture, alignment, balance & postpartum health. Read More…

Join a group class & improve posture, alignment, balance & postpartum health. Read More…

Bad posture makes shoveling snow even worse…sometimes for days! Posture matters in all we do. Read more…

Bad posture makes shoveling snow even worse…sometimes for days! Posture matters in all we do. Read more…

My 30 minute Foundation Training + MUTU System workout routine this morning left me feeling aligned and strong! You need this! Read more...

My 30 minute Foundation Training + MUTU System workout routine this morning left me feeling aligned and strong! You need this! Read more...

Chronic pain is not only physically hard, but mentally and emotionally too. Proper alignment is often the answer! Learn how to get out of pain!

Chronic pain is not only physically hard, but mentally and emotionally too. Proper alignment is often the answer! Learn how to get out of pain!


"Healthy knees need only one thing: alignment with other load bearing joints" - Pete EgoscueRead more about knee pain and how to heal without braces, surgery or meds...

"Healthy knees need only one thing: alignment with other load bearing joints" - Pete Egoscue

Read more about knee pain and how to heal without braces, surgery or meds...


"The immediate problem of all foot pain is improper foot strike" - Pete EgoscueRead more about foot pain & footwear...

"The immediate problem of all foot pain is improper foot strike" - Pete Egoscue

Read more about foot pain & footwear...


Core Elements is an amazing teaching tool for anyone who wants to begin a Foundation Training program!Read more...

Core Elements is an amazing teaching tool for anyone who wants to begin a Foundation Training program!

Read more...


Wrist pain? Elbow Pain? Carpal Tunnel? The site of your pain is rarely the source of your pain!Read more...

Wrist pain? Elbow Pain? Carpal Tunnel? The site of your pain is rarely the source of your pain!

Read more...


Bad news...I woke up with a painful kink in the right side of my neck on last Monday. Did I sleep wrong? Bad pillow? No...Read more about neck pain...

Bad news...I woke up with a painful kink in the right side of my neck on last Monday. Did I sleep wrong? Bad pillow? No...

Read more about neck pain...