Increase Stamina and Improve Performance while Reducing Pain and Injury The APB Method - The Foundation to all Movement, Exercise and Sports Performance You may think breathing and moving correctly are actions we instinctively know how to do, simply because we’ve done them all our lives. It’s extremely important, however, to learn “HOW to breathe and move” in a healthier way. Years ago each time one of my colleagues would walk by my office she’d say “Don’t forget to breathe,” which became a standing joke. In truth, I did forget to breathe for long periods of time, leading to a perpetually stress-induced state. Now as an international wellness coach and fitness expert, I often reflect on that simple phrase but add the word…”correctly.” “Don’t forget to breathe correctly.” Two of the biggest mistakes people make while exercising, playing sports or completing everyday activities, are breathing and/or moving incorrectly. By increasing your awareness and making simple adjustments, you’ll be amazed at how your performance improves and stamina increases while your risk of injury declines. The APB Method (Awareness, Posture, Breathing), created by my colleague, James Stevenson, is easy to learn. It helps you create a mind-body connection focusing on awareness, posture and breathing using positive affirmations. The APB Method is an excellent resource if you or someone you know has experienced any of the following: Challenge A lack of breath after walking up a flight of stairs Being out of breath while moving around in a wheelchair The onset of shoulder and/or back pain when placing a carryon bag in an overhead storage compartment on an airplane Shoulder pain during a bench press movement Experiencing pain in your back or joint(s) while exercising Feeling light headed and /or experiencing back pain after standing up APB Solution Place your foot on the step and breathe in, then breathe out when you step up. Make sure you place the majority of your foot on the step. If you place just your toes on the step this will place pressure in your knee and/or back. Breathe in while placing your hand on the wheel brace and breathe out when you push off on the wheel brace. Breathe in before you lift your bag, and then slowly breathe out while raising your bag to the overhead storage. While lying on the bench, make sure your feet are shoulder width apart and flat on the ground. Keep glutes (butt) tight to keep pressure from going into the spine during the lift; chin down (tucked) at all times to keep pressure from going into the neck; keep wrists straight at all times and bring your focus to the center of the bar, breathing in when the bar comes down to your chest and breathing out when pushing the bar off your chest. Breathe out during the exertion movement of the exercise. Also make sure you are tightening, contracting, flexing or squeezing all of your muscles during and throughout each exercise motion. Breathe in before you stand up and slowly breathe out as you stand up. The more aware you become of your everyday activities, exercises and sports, the more you will be able to apply this proven method. The APB Method is considered the foundation for all movement, unifying the mind and body as one, functioning in harmony and balance, creating the mind-body connection. The APB Method can help whether you are exercising, playing a sport or handling daily activities. It is easy to learn and designed to accommodate children and adults, regardless of their physical abilities and/or activity levels. It also provides great benefits to amateur or professional athletes. The APB Method helps each individual establish a reference point to learn and maintain proper posture during any movement pattern then monitor, adjust or correct improper movements while protecting the nervous system, joints and ligaments from injury. In my fitness training, wellness coaching and seminars, I’ve had the opportunity to teach individuals and groups the APB Method with great success. Once aware of their posture, breathing, movement and mindset, participants’ lives improve greatly. The APB Method provides a foundation that will improve quality of life and provide the knowledge necessary to:      Become aware of the body and its signals to perform daily tasks safely and effectively Correct posture and technique for any exercise or movement pattern Improve performance levels Apply a specific breathing pattern to reduce stress while supplying the body with the appropriate amount of oxygen Utilize positive affirmations to enhance outcomes and help achieve optimum results and performance The next time you are at the health club, watching a sport or out and about running errands, notice how individuals breathe, or if they breathe at all. By applying this knowledge today you will instantly begin to experience the benefits. To learn more about this and other programs we provide, please contact [email protected] or visit www.4ultimatefitness.com About the Author: Todd Morena Todd dedicates his life to the enlightenment of individuals around the world, providing the knowledge to achieve an improved quality of life. As an international celebrity fitness trainer, motivational speaker, executive/life/wellness coach and business executive, Todd is well versed in the personal and business benefits of being and thinking healthy. He has supported thousands of individuals and groups experiencing professional transitions as well as fitness, wellness and personal goals. His philosophy is, in order to be healthy; you must have the correct balance of mind, body and spirit. Todd believes strongly in bringing his clients through both mental and physical workouts.