The Cynic

Dooley Noted: 7/27/14 This week, a very interesting conversational thread started on a group to which I proudly belong. The discussion was focused around a cynic of a type of technique I utilize in my rehab practice. What I found fascinating was the only first-hand experience with both parties of cynicism and support for the technique. The gentleman with this experience noticed that when he started a discussion with the cynic, the cynic refused to … Read more

Acheiving Quicksand Goals

Dooley Noted: 7/26/2014 We hire coaches to pick us apart and to help us get to the next level of our strength. They program for us. They supervise us. Rarely do we get to see them attack and achieve their goals. And then we do. Yesterday, I watched my kettlebell coach, Artemis Scantalides, become the next Iron Maiden. She pistol-squatted a 24 kilo kettlebell. She did a strict pull-up with a 24 kilo kettlebell tied … Read more

Benefiting from Injury

Dooley Noted: 7/25/2014 After an illness earlier in the week, I was not myself. Feeling better yesterday, I did a little too much too fast. I used the strongest part of me to get me through my day. Evidently, my strongest part is my neck. How do I know? It was the first to get injured. Dysfunction appears long before a repetitive microtrauma shows its face. Mine showed up during pressing. Evidently, I had been … Read more

I Got the Fever

Dooley Noted: 7/23/14 Yesterday morning, I awoke at 5 AM, unable to lift my head. I had a fever. First, I had the response trained into me: Make that fever drop. I got up and walked to the veritable apothecary displayed in my kitchen cabinets. Then I stopped. My limbic system reminded me that a fever is there for a reason. I got back in bed and let that fever break itself. It was a … Read more

The Benefits of Power Breathing

Dooley Noted: 7/22/2014 Breathing is a highly debated topic. We sometimes need sharp building of intraabdominal pressure to lift heavy things, like kids, couches, grocery bags, and weights. While we strive for all nasal, silent breathing, sometimes we can improve tissue extensibility through power breathing. We can also use it as an assessment to find flaws in quiet breathing that may have been hiding. Power breathing involves the building of increased intraabdominal pressure through a … Read more

The Shuttle Bus Assistant

Dooley Noted: 7/21/14 After teaching NKT this weekend in Boston, I raced to the airport to return my rental car. As I waited for the shuttle, the Shuttle Bus Assistant was gathering people to prep for the ride. Having not known his job existed, I watched him with fascination. This man was the most upbeat and efficient human I’ve ever witnessed. He gathered the worried, scattered travelers and helped them find the right shuttle. He … Read more

The Puddle Jumper

Dooley Noted: 7/20/2014 A few days ago, we had a solid storm. A New Yorker can always tell the kids from the adults in a special way when it rains. Kids are leaping from under their umbrellas, jumping puddles and giggling wildly. Adults are grumbling, speeding to avoid the puddles and ticked off that Mother Nature has changed her plans. You can be somewhere in between. Yes, your shoes are fancy. Jump the puddle. It … Read more

Social Media Hyperbole

Dooley Noted: 7/18/2014 I think it’s fascinating that people find social media to be a true representation of oneself and others. What a changing psychology! I see people select only the best pictures and only post the things they perceive as most positive. It started to get me thinking: they are not making themselves relatable. Tough moments happen. I tried to change my end of the culture to bring the real. I am warm but … Read more

The Failure Prescription

Dooley Noted: 7/17/14 Last night, I had the honor of helping a patient with advanced peripheral neuropathy. He was given a failure prescription, being told that he might never be able to gain balance and strength. He had a defeated look, but he came to me anyway. He said, “I’ll do what it takes.” I said, “I will not let you fail, if you show up.” When I asked his goal on visit 1, he … Read more

Making a Reach

Dooley Noted: 7/16/2014 I’ve had my share of conventional education. But the most valuable lessons I’ve learned have been from my friends. Last week, I got to traverse my town with the King of the 812 Posse, Adam Bledsoe. He is one of my best friends, ever since we bonded over MTV rap videos in high school. Nearly two decades later, I’m shocked at how he will still drop knowledge bombs to get me thinking. … Read more