Dooley Noted: 3/27/2014 Someone this week called me a “Siren of Strength.” When I think of strong women, my mind goes directly away from me to Artemis Scantalides and Debbie Hayes. But, this isn’t exactly fair. If you are attempting to get stronger, it applies to you, ladies. For both ladies and gents, the phrase, “siren of strength” can simply mean the sirens are going off for you to get stronger. Maybe it’s too much … Read more
Dooley Noted: 3/26/2014 My patient gave me permission to discuss the following observations she made while visiting family. She was nervous, being away from care for a few weeks as she took care of her nephews. So, I told her to study those infants and toddlers, with their perfect movement. I asked her to report back what she learned. She provided for me her observations, and they are imperative to healthy movement and a well-lived … Read more
Dooley Noted: 3/25/2014 I’ve been in busy season. And sometimes, things get put on the backburner. They are left to slowly scorch. They eventually make themselves known. Mine was my computer. I use my phone and tablet so much that I never really think about my laptop. My oft-used devices have a back-up system performed every few minutes on a mysterious cloud of data. My laptop hasn’t been backed up in months. I realized this … Read more
Dooley Noted: 3/24/2014 This weekend, I listened to co-lead NKT instructor Dr. Perry Nickleston discuss the fetal position as a place of self-protection. As he was showing a student’s lack of shoulder extension, he noted that the student rolled the shoulder forward to execute the movement. Dr. Perry noted, “Extension leaves them vulnerable. They aren’t used to being there.” This notion really made me look at everyone in the room. I searched for those who … Read more
Dooley Noted: 3/23/2014 Yesterday, I saw a T-shirt that was meant to motivate people to go to a gym. “Can’t move. Can’t breathe. Can’t get enough.” Somewhere, fitness devolved into this mentality. No pain, no gain. If you were out of breath, you were doing good work. If you can’t move the next day, then you should be commended for your efforts. What bull. In my twenties, I remember waking up so sore I couldn’t … Read more
Dooley Noted: 3/22/2014 Last night, I attended my first Cirque Du Soleil, a thank-you present from my awesome SFG II training partner, Marc Andresen. To say I was in awe does not quite cut it. While watching these athletes perform the seemingly impossible, all my own goals felt small – and completely doable. A one-arm push-up is a far cry from a back tuck triple twist – from a see-saw! These amazing athletes risked their … Read more
Dooley Noted: 3/21/2014 Last night, I received an important question. Patient: “How do I know when it’s just too much stretch for the neck?” When a pattern has been ingrained for an indefinite amount of time, there’s no quantitative answer to this question. So, the frustrating – but honest – answer arises: Dooley: “It depends. There’s a stretching curve.” Stretch a muscle group without providing underlying stability, and you can bet it will respond with … Read more
Dooley Noted: 3/20/2014 You will never hear me state that I gave 100% of my effort to a task. I know if I stated that, I’d be a liar. You can think you’re giving 100%, but you have no concept to the depth of your capabilities. When push really comes to shove, there’s always a little more depth to you than you know. We second guess our capabilities. We doubt our capacities. We defeat ourselves … Read more
Dooley Noted: 3/19/2014 A few days ago, I had a very bad headache – the kind where you aren’t sure you can carry on with your tasks. I had two labs to teach and morning and evening patients to treat. I had to pony up. Since I know that most pain – and thus, headaches – have a component of hypoxia, I focused only on breathing as I trekked the seemingly endless staircase in St. … Read more
Dooley Noted: 3/18/2014 I am not a magician. I’m a catalyst. Some of my patients get better very quickly. Others do not. I give them my full commitment and am constantly improving my skills. But herein lays the truth: I have no idea how long it’s going to take for you to heal. I can only assess and help correct. The healing is on you. How you live outside my presence is your call, and … Read more