Holistic Body Treatments: Neti Pot

I thought my 93 year old grandmother had lost it when she told me about the Neti Pot nasal rinse technique for proactively treating allergies and sinus infections. I thought it was even crazier when 50 year old Dona bent down to do push-ups during one of our training sessions and water drained out of her nose. But it kept coming up over and over again until I finally decided to give it a try. If it would help me avoid the sinus infections I get every winter, why not?

If you've never heard of a Neti Pot, it's an ancient method used to drain the sinuses. Simply mix a saline solution with water, bend over the sink, pour the solution into your nostril and watch as it drains out the other side. The theory is that the solution cleanses the sinuses of microscopic bacteria and pollens that can cause allergies and infections as they build up.

I still get a little creeped-out when the water keeps going in but nothing is coming out, or when my head isn't tilted to just the right angle and I suddenly start choking on salt water. But I keep trying to master the technique. Afterall, it sure beats a Z-Pack!

Still think I'm making this up? CLICK HERE to view an instructional video. Then go get yourself a Neti Pot and come back and tell us about it!

Ski and Snowboard Conditioning

Sol Fitness Adventures Melanie Webb will be instructing a conditioning class specifically geared toward preparing skiers and snowboarders for the upcoming ski season. Taught for members and non-members alike at The Sports Club/LA on 22nd and M Street in Washington, D.C.

The six week course is designed to safely challenge fitness levels while improving muscle strength and endurance in the legs and core, flexibility, agility, and power. Your body will be stronger, more agile, and able to fight muscle fatigue longer. You'll be able to take your ski trip with confidence, knowing that you're body is in shape for the challenges that await you on the slopes.

The class begins November 4th and runs every Tuesday and Thursday night at 7 pm for six weeks, with one week off during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Class size is limited to 10 people, so don't delay! Call to sign up or ask questions: 202.974.3661.

Can't commit two nights a week to take the class? Don't worry, CLICK HERE to check out Sol's take home Ski and Snowboard Strength Training workout.

Holistic Body Treatments: Personal Training

Continuing with my theme of holistic body treatments, it's time to give a shout-out to my profession of personal training. Many think of holistic as being synonymous with 'Eastern,' or 'woo-woo,' as friends like to call my unconventional methods of staying balanced and connected to my body. One might question why I would include training in the holistic category, but I think it's obvious. If we think about the human system as a whole, rather than in parts, then strengthening muscles, improving movement patterns, decreasing body fat, and improving cardiovascular performance become critical components of being healthy.

The beauty of personal training is that it should be just that, personal. A Personal Trainer will speak to you about your goals and then provide the expertise to guide you through safe but challenging workouts. As a trainer I find joy in working with clients with varying goals. There are clients who need to begin a weight loss program; older women who need to increase bone density; hard-working professionals who need to blow off some steam; and of course those who are already fit and knowledgeable but enjoy the variability a trainer brings to the workouts.

There are many ways to receive personal training, even if you're not a person who can afford to pay for several sessions a week. Look for small group classes being taught at gyms and community centers. Many trainers offer online coaching. Here at Sol Fitness Adventures we have developed training programs for a few of our favorite outdoor sports. CLICK HERE to view Sol's selection of take-home workouts.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people who attend weekend courses and resurface Monday as 'personal trainers.' But finding a good personal trainer isn't as complicated as you might think. Any reputable gym or training studio will employ trainers who have or are working toward valid certifications from one of the four main certifying bodies in the U.S.: the American Council on Exercise (ACE), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Although college degrees are is not necessary to become a certified personal trainer, many trainers have studied exercise physiology, health promotions, or athletic training.

Stay on the look-out for the Hans and Frans type of trainers featured in this classic Saturday Night Live skit. ">

Hiking Old Rag

I leave for Morocco in 1 month, which means it's time to amp up the cardio training to get ready to hike Mt. Toubkal. It's fall and the leaves are beginning to change, so Jen and I hit the road early to beat the crowds to the Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah's. Driving further into the country the sprinkling rain turned into more of a downpour, until by the time we pulled up into the parking lot the sky was dark and the rain was so heavy that we were shocked to see cars there at all. Who else could possibly be this crazy?

We heeded Park Ranger's warnings and avoided the slippery and blustery Old Rag trail and struck for the forested shelter of the Fire and Berry Trails. There were a lot more streams than I remember seeing before, with parts of the trail completely under running water. We hiked eight miles in all, entirely in the rain. It gave us a good chance to test our gear for Toubkal, although I don't think it rains much in the High Atlas.

Speaking of gear - my Hot Chili tights were soaked, but I stayed warm and dry, and my Mountain Hardware Gear rain jacket with the taped seems and pit zips kept the water beading on the outside and me dry and aerated on the inside.

Holistic Body Treatments: Rolfing

Have you ever met someone who'd just been 'rolfed?' Well now you have. I've discovered my new favorite holistic approach to healing the body: ROLFING. Dr. Ida Rolf began the body alignment technique over 50 years ago. The process of rolfing re-organizes and re-shapes the body by releasing tension and changing the destructive effects of accumulated stress and habitual movement patterns.

I just had my third visit. After the first I was breathing more fully, and I became more aware of the way I carried my shoulders. Old injuries were less apparent. After my second visit I felt myself walking on my feet and toes in a completely new way, and it felt good. The pain in my knee from the Baker's cyst and the tight IT bands was less noticeable. Today was my third session, and I can feel myself standing a little taller, with my shoulders drawn back.

Are you interested in improving your alignment and overall health? I suggest you meet Bill, the newest addition to my team of talented body workers.

Water: Bottled vs. Tap

I've always had a guilty conscience when I buy and toss a plastic bottle of water, but it just got worse. Beverage Digest reported that U.S. consumers spent $16.8 billion on water in 2007. The report also stated that 60 million plastic bottles a day are sent to landfills, where they will sit decomposing for the next 1,000 years. This is awful news, and I have to ask myself why, when we live in the U.S., do we think we have to buy a bottle of water? We live in the cleanest country in the world, where our tap water is tested and reported every single day.

Local government in several major cities are discouraging the use of bottled water by employees in an attempt to reduce or eliminate the amount of plastic bottle waste. These proactive cities include: Albuquerque, Boston, Los Angeles, Louisville, Minneapolis, New York City, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle ad St. Louis.

I want to encourage everybody to take the money they would spend on 5 bottles of water and go purchase one of the latest and greatest water bottles in safe, re-usable plastic or aluminum. My new favorite is the Camelback PBA Free Better Bottle.