Human beings have always moved for what they need until recently. We know how a lack of movement impacts our bodies but how does culture-wide sedentarism impact the world? Movement Matters is a Foreword Indies GOLD-winning collection of essays, in which biomechanist Katy Bowman continues her groundbreaking presentation on the interconnectedness of nature, human movement, and the environment. Here Bowman widens the "there is more to movement than exercise" message she presented in Move Your DNA and invites us to consider this idea: human movement is a part of the ecosystem. Movement Matters explores how we make ourselves, our communities, and our planet healthier all at the same time by moving our bodies more as well as: how did we become so sedentary? Where did all the movement go? (Hint: convenience often saves us movement, not time.) the missing "movement nutrients" in our food how to include more nature in education why ecosystem models need to include human movement the human need for "Vitamin Community" and group movement. Unapologetically direct, often hilarious, and always compassionate, Movement Matters demonstrates that human movement is powerful and important, and that going beyond exercise and living a movement-filled life is perhaps the most joyful and efficient way to transform your body, community, and world. A must read for exercise teachers, environmentalists, and those wanting simple, accessible ways to take action for a better world.

From biomechanist and bestselling author Katy Bowman comes her eagerly anticipated guide to getting kids—from babies to preteens—and their families moving more, together, outside. Our kids are moving less than any other generation in human history; indoor time and screen time have skyrocketed. As adults and kids turn more to "convenient," tech-based solutions, tasks that once required head-to-toe use of our muscles and bones can be done with a click and a swipe. Without realizing it, we’ve traded convenience for the movement-rich environment that our physical, mental, and environmental health depends on. Parents don’t know what to do! But there’s good news: While the problem feels massive, the solution is simple…and fun! Grow Wild not only breaks down the ‘big ideas’ behind movement as a nutrient, it serves as field guide—how to spot all the movement opportunities we’re currently missing. Learn to “stack your life� for richer experiences that don’t take more time: Set up your home to promote more movement, naturally Dress for (movement) success Add snacktivities to your meals Plan dynamic celebrations Create a dynamic homework space Bring nature into your home and play And much more! Bowman, a leader in the Movement movement, has written Grow Wild to show where movement used to fit into the activities of daily life and more importantly, how it can again. The perfect companion to Bowman’s bestseller Move Your DNA, Grow Wild provides practical, everyday, nature-rich ideas on how to let kids move their DNA while doing things they’ll love. The book features: 100+ full-color photographs of kids and families moving Success stories from parents, grandparents, teachers “Study sessions� that make movement research more accessible to laypersons Written to all that work with children—parents, teachers, relatives, health professionals, and more A book to be referenced again and again as kids grow up! Grow Wild is necessary reading for a wide range of readers—anyone who spends time with children. Humans live in many places and there are countless movement opportunities wherever you live, you just need to know how to spot them. Children and their families can thrive by learning to move more inside, adventure more outside, and grow wild in any environment.  

Our abdominal muscles are rarely "broken"; rather their weakness is a reflection of how little we use our entire body. Whether you have diastasis recti, a hernia, are postnatal, or simply have a very weak midsection-this is the definitive "whole-body" guide to restoring your core! Abdominal muscles have many important jobs twisting the spine safely, accommodating pregnancy, protecting your abdominal organs, and even breathing are just some of the jobs we want them to do well. Many will try to fix their middle though crunches and other abdominal exercises without realizing that things like tight shoulder muscles, poor posture habits, and even our breathing patterns can be affecting what's going on in our abs. In Diastasis Recti, biomechanist Katy Bowman: Gives 30+ exercises, organized into Small, Medium, and Big Moves Expands the core to include essential parts, like the shoulders and pelvis (and how movement patterns here can worsen abdominal separations) Explains why it's better to think of a diastasis (abdominal hernias, or even weakness) as a symptom rather than as "the problem" Teaches 5 simple postural adjustments to change the forces on the front of the abdomen Notes that in addition to exercises, you can sit, stand, and walk for a stronger core By making the material understandable, approachable, and achievable, Bowman offers an outstanding and necessary guide to diastasis recti and many other abdomen-related issues. Everyone can benefit from these insights and improve their health in an empowered and proactive way. -Foreword Reviews Diastasis Recti is for anybody wanting to improve both the function and the appearance of their abdomen!

As seen on the Today Show! Dynamic Aging isn't that same old "senior fitness," "senior stretching," "senior strength" book you've seen again and again. This book is about using simple exercises to feel better and get back to living vitally no matter your age. "Don't blame your age if you're feeling creaky. It could just be the way you're using (or not using) your body." Washington Post on Dynamic Aging as a "Book for the Ages" Movement is a powerful tool and changing how you move can change how you feel, no matter your age. Dynamic Aging is an exercise guide geared to an over-50 audience that includes: 30+ illustrated exercises moves for pain-free feet and strong hips moves for better balance and getting over the fear of falling how to improve sitting, standing, and walking posture go from stiff shoulders to arms that can reach, carry, and lift how to stay fit to drive tips for moving more in daily life! Alongside Bowman's exercise and alignment instructions are stories and advice of four women over seventy-five who began this program over a decade ago. Along the way they found recommended surgeries unnecessary, regained strength and mobility, and ended up moving more than they did when they were 10 years younger. From hiking in the mountains to climbing ladders and walking on cobblestones with ease, each of these women embodies the book's message: No matter where you're starting, if you change how you move, you can change how you feel.

Many work hard on good posture and better walking and running alignment, but it's critical to understand how what you put on your feet each day can play a bigger role in the function of your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and spine than you might realize. "By applying the principles in this book, you will be able to restore your foundation and prevent dysfunction." Ray McClanahan, DPM Biomechanist and author of Simple Steps to Foot Pain Relief, Katy Bowman offers walkers, runners, and health professionals alike clear, accessible lessons on how the shape of shoes can play a role in painful feet, knees, and hips and what to do about it. When we have painful feet and weak ankles it seems like stiff, supportive shoes are the answer, but this solution can be temporary, especially if our issues stem from foot and leg weakness. In short, humans come with great "foot technology," we just need to learn how to use it. Minimal footwear shoes that protect your feet while still letting them move freely is gaining traction (get it?). Being barefoot is a natural human movement, but research shows simply kicking off our shoe-shackles and releasing our feet into the wild can result in injury. Whole Body Barefoot will help you safely and effectively transition to minimal footwear, reaping the enormous benefits of freeing your feet without injuring yourself along the way. Whole Body Barefoot presents: 25 exercises to create strong, supple, feel-better feet The mechanics of bunions and pronation How to strengthen weak ankles and arches How to figure out your true shoe-size The importance of walking on natural surfaces "Vitamin Texture!" With clear, science-based explanations, Bowman lays out how conventional shoes and artificial environments leave us with sedentary feet as well as the steps necessary to restore lost foot function, and improve health...naturally!

Bestselling Move Your DNA has shaken up the health and fitness world with this message: there is more to movement than exercise. "A landmark in explaining biomechanics." Dr. Joan Vernikos, Former Director of NASA's life science division and author of Sitting Kills, Moving Heals. It's often said that "movement is medicine," but rarely is the "how" behind the power of movement explained. It's not only our whole body that's moving; our cells are being moved as our limbs push and pull to locomote us around, and each movement moves our cells uniquely. Some of the "big ideas" in this paradigm-shifting book include: The human body evolved to a tremendous amount of certain movements like walking, squatting, hanging, and carrying loads our bodies still require to work well, even though they're mostly gone from our "convenience-centric" culture. Many of the ailments we face today relate to how little we move and how stiff our bodies are when we do move. Body issues are often more accurately symptoms of "movement malnutrition." Why a physical therapist or personal trainer is coaching you in alignment or "good form": we're adapting most to our daily positioning! It's not only "move more," it's "move more of your body parts!" (All bodies, couch potatoes to high-level athletes have areas that can be nourished with better movement.) We're using exercise like "movement vitamins" instead of addressing the deeper issue of a poor movement diet. We should be using both! Move Your DNA also contains: 40+ corrective exercises to help you find your "sticky spots" areas of your body that just aren't moving (even when the rest of you moves a lot) alignment checks and a guide to increasing your walking movements simple lifestyle changes to get you moving more (without always needing to add exercise!). Keen laypeople, yoga and Pilates teachers, fitness enthusiasts, personal trainers, physical therapists, and athletes can all use this humorous, passionate, and science-based guide to finally getting the movement every body requires.