If you have ever taken a hoop dance class or yoga or any other group fitness class, you have probably been told to "engage your core".  Core engagement is a fundamental and extremely important function. Your core is your stabilizer.  But if you are like most people, you're not exactly sure how to engage your core or do it properly.

Engaging your core is something you actually have to "do" it's not automatic.  This article http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/rehabilitation-exercises/core-strengthening-stability/contracting-core-muscles on the Sports Injury Clinic's website has awesome techniques to teach you how to engage the core and still breath. The majority of people will "suck in their gut" this is only part of the engagement and typically only activates the larger core muscles, leaving the smaller, deeper muscles to just get weaker.  Check out the link to the article and learn the proper technique to engage your core, creating lifelong stability, you'll be glad you did!

The video is one of many located on the Sports Injury Clinic's youtube page here http://www.youtube.com/user/sportsinjuryclinic?feature=watch

Ahhh spring, a time of renewal and rebirth. It's my favorite time of year. We shake off the winter, come out of our dens and begin to explore all that is new.

I challenge you to be present this spring, notice the flowers, the blooms on the trees, listen to the birds' song, watch them gather sticks and straw for their nests. 

It's such and old cliche but, stop and smell the roses. Everything is coming alive. Ahhh spring.