Kathy Dooley

One thing living in New York City does positively for you: It makes you tough. To survive and thrive in this great city, one has to he tough and tender. I’m sure that goes for pretty much any city. What I see in most cities is more tough than tender, in respect to collegiality.  I’ve been lucky. I’ve had great mentors with the right amount of tough and tender. They always remain respectful of my … Read more

Yesterday, I had a patient with balance issues. I told him this: “I can’t let you leave until you do this correctly – balanced – and stable – five consecutive times.” He eagerly tried to complete the task, rushing from one rep to the next. He continuously failed at 4.  Dooley: “If you don’t feel stable, don’t come off the ground.” Patient: “I’m rushing.” Dooley: “Yes. This is not a set of 5. This is … Read more

The hardest part of my park workout was carrying the bells 7 city blocks.  That told me I had been ignoring the most important reason to work out: the strength carryover into real life. I need to get stronger.  What you are ignoring will find you, and it might find you setting the bells down early. Or, it might find you with injury.  Yoga enthusiasts crave mobility but need stability and strength.  Ignore this, and … Read more

I spend the majority of my day coaching patients on what they could be doing better. It’s equally important to point out what they’re doing right.  I’ve been encouraging patients to study people around them. What the observed by-stander could improve is a check to make sure you, too, are doing what is best.  Just don’t forget to point out what they are doing right, so you can emulate that, too! Look for the people … Read more

Receptionist: Take three herbal pills with breakfast. Dooley: I rarely eat breakfast. Receptionist: It’s the most important meal of the day! Dooley: All meals are equally important. And can you back up what you state? Receptionist: Sure – It boosts metabolism! Dooley: No, it actually doesn’t, according to a bevy of literature and basic physiological rules of metabolism. Receptionist: It regulates your blood sugar levels! Dooley: Not unless you are diabetic. Research has supported for … Read more

At my weekly acupuncture treatment, I was attempting to get some mid-day rest and rejuvenation. Then it happened. New York happened.  An angry gentleman paced the hallway outside my treatment door. Someone had charged $242 in Starbucks in small increments onto his credit card. He was clearly upset.  Then, I felt myself get upset.  “Who was this guy, raising his voice in a hallway where people are getting treated?” I felt myself get wound up … Read more

I understand why people get froggy about motorcycle danger. If the unsafe driver is in a car or on the bike, a motorcyclist has a good chance of getting hurt.  But, I like some things about motorcyclists.  While in Minnesota, I followed my friend Shannon Burton home via car after picking up his new motorcycle. I watched him closely.  Shannon was in a full hip hinge on that bike, while I was stuck in seated … Read more

I rarely go to my gym. I pay the membership, because it features 2 dance studios and a minor kettlebell collection. And a steam room. But my gym gives awful advice. On Facebook, my gym posted a status that read like this: “Exercise is telling your body, ‘You’ll hate me for this now, but you’ll thank me later.’” I saw about 10 “likes,” and I got pretty irritated out of the gate. I commented, “No, … Read more

Patient: “Dr. Dooley, I’m working on breathing from my belly. But I just can’t seem to remember to do it !” Dooley: “It can be challenging at first. Maybe you need an alarm.” I’m alarmed by how many (read: all) of my patients have trouble belly breathing.  Watch a baby. Watch a puppy. The breath is completely initiated from the abdomen.  I highly suggest using your trusty smartphone to remind you to breathe.  Set it … Read more