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The Full Squat

 There has been a lot of controversy over the years, on the proper depth of a squat. Some argue that you should never squat deeper than parallel to the floor. Others say that you can not travel any deeper than a 90 degree bend in the knees. In either case, the reasoning behind this belief is usually a risk of injury to the knee joint. Although it is easy to believe someone who warns you with passion, there is no risk of injury from squatting to a full depth.

 The deep squat is a natural position that is as old as human kind - possibly much older. From the fetal position we see in the womb, to a few years of age, children can be seen spending a huge amount of time in the full squat position. Nobody has to teach a baby how to squat! For some reason, many adults no longer posses the ability. Modern western culture, and the luxuries of chairs and toilets, have caused many of us to unlearn this vital position. If we take a trip around the world however, we will see many indigenous peoples resting right there at the bottom.

 If you cannot squat below parallel, you may be risking not only injury, but disease as well. Contrary to the belief that deep squats can hurt your knees, they actually make them much stronger, and prevent the risk of injury. The full squat allows your connective tissue to strengthen in a full range of motion, building happy knees at any age. While in the partial squat however, the ACL and PCL are actually under much higher shearing forces than they would be at the very bottom.

 Beyond the knees, if you use the toilet to defecate, odds are you are in the seated position, (aka partial squat). Your colon is actually pinched in this position, and is unable to fully evacuate waste. The resulting excess strain is the culprit in many cases of hemorrhoids, fissures, and even cancer. Squatting to full depth allows the contents of the colon to flow freely, making the entire experience much more relaxing and natural.

 So now you know! If a physician has ever told you that you cannot squat for some reason, LISTEN TO THEM! Otherwise, it is wise to implement full squats into your regimen. Start light. Body weight alone will do if you aren't used to the position.

Until next time,

The Fit Will Thrive

Environmentally Friendly Mobile Fitness

Thinking about the choices we make, and the consequences that follow, we believe it is our duty to drive as little as possible.  This is our number one priority with keeping to the ideologies of environmentalism.  As efficient as vehicles are today, they are still a drain on our nonrenewable resources. Even if you go electric, your car will still use the same amount of tires as a fuel burning vehicle. Walking to a place within a few miles is not only healthier for the individual than driving, but it is greatly beneficial to the entire planet and the communities within as well.  We all know this, it doesn't take me mentioning it.

Say "Earthship" five times fast

It requires knowledge to deliver excellent fitness services, not a bunch of stuff in a gym. In fact, you can carry most everything you need for a workout in a backpack. A few tools of the trade like a stick, or a couple of kettlebells are all you really need to get a great workout with maximum benefits.  Living in a relatively small community, we've decided to offer our services on foot.  It may take a little longer in terms of trip time, but we'd show up on schedule anyways, so what's the difference?

Question:  Whats faster, walking or driving?  Click Here


So when deciding on where to spend your money when it comes to your fitness services, will you decide to go with this...

Or this...

Photo by Herman Bustamante

Thank you for reading,
Jeff Burmann 

CA prop. 37

California Proposition 37 Requires Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods

  If passed, a new law in California, CA Prop 37, will require all genetically modified (GMO) foods to be labeled as such before being sold to consumers. Prop 37 offers a beacon of hope in an often foggy sea of brands and labels, and gives consumers the right to make an informed decision on their purchases. We've all seen our fair share of misleading ad campaigns on food labels; all natural, no trans fat, whole grain, light. All of these slogans are used in labeling in hopes of making you associate a product with health benefits. Although many labels list supposed benefits, here in the united states none mention whether a given food product has been genetically modified. In addition to disclosing genetic modification, this initiative will also prohibit food manufacturers from making some of the false claim that a product is "all natural," if it is not.

  Even though the new GMO labels would be printed at virtually no cost to consumers and food producers, the big agro and biotech industries are strongly opposed to this new proposition. What do they stand to lose? Although their argument is that labeling GMO food is "costly," they'll be forking out twenty to forty million dollars to fight the proposition. Maybe I'm wrong, but that seems to be much more costly than adding a few words to labels that are already on the food anyway! In my opinion, these companies are fighting the initiative hard, because they are afraid. They are afraid that if the public has the right to choose between natural and genetically modified food, they will chose not to buy GMO. They potentially stand to lose a great deal of business.

  It is your fundamental right to have the choice between natural and GM foods. If prop 37 is passed, we will finally have disclosure. Food after all, is the most immediate factor affecting our health, and one of the very few things that we actually have control over. If the initiative does not pass however, we may never know what's in our food, and biotech corporations like Monsanto will increasingly gain more control over our lives.

Please do your homework on this pressing issue.  Lets get our friends and family educated about this, and together we can make a difference. 


Read the initiative here

Vote yes on 37. 

Anti-obesity pill Belvig gets Approved by FDA - MUST READ!

The FDA just approved a weight loss pill that was previously denied approval in 2010 because of tumors developing in animals given the drug.  Not just that, but the stuff only makes you lose 5% body weight in a year. So if you're 300 lbs, you could expect to lose only 15 lbs in a whole year, and possibly be at risk for a tumor, or other potential side effect.... pathetic. I can hardly believe the FDA. I could get a determined client to lose 1-2 lbs a week safely if they ate right and followed an exercise program, and that is while enjoying a full belly, having increased energy, gaining strength, endurance, and flexibility, and reaping innumerable other benefits along the way. Weight loss doesn't come from a pill, it comes from a combo of your resting metabolic rate, physical activity, and the thermic effect of your food. Remember, calories in, calories out.

Here's the new's article that talks a little bit more about the drug Belviq.  Don't buy into this stuff guys, tell your friends. 

Click here for more information.

 

Take care, 

Jeff Burmann,

NPTI CO, NSCA-CPT

Flag Day

A Conflict of Trust

  So today it finally happened. We had been waiting and waiting, and today the police finally showed up to our exercise class. It seemed to be a long time coming, but months went by training people at the park with no contact at all. Sometimes as they drove by we would wave, beckoning the officers with a big welcome gesture, but to no avail. Blinders on, they'd always just speed away.

  You're probably wondering why we'd ever even expect police to come interrupt an exercise class. Before opening our classes to the public, we approached a municipal corporation known as BENICIA, CA with a proposition to train the people in an outdoor setting. We had inquired about obtaining permits for a boot camp style class, but were informed that the city "does not do that." Because of their response, we commenced classes soon afterward. This is where our confusion began.

  After learning that the city did not issue permits to teach classes, we began to dive into municipal code and trust law. We certainly would not want to jump into a situation in which we were in violation of law. As much as we looked however, we could not find a single law regarding the matter. Instead, what we found was that human beings born onto this planet are vested with much more freedom than we had ever imagined. All the evidence points to an amazing birthright; a wonderful privilege, and a momentous responsibility. We as humans are the beneficiaries of this planet. It is our duty to treat it with respect, and to act as its stewards for the benefit of future generations. This earth trust is spoken about in the bible, and to this day our hands are still placed over the sacred document when swearing an oath in a court of law. It seemed to us that no permit existed, because by exercising outside we would not be in conflict of law, and thus none was needed.

  The police showing up to stop our class was definitely contrary to what we had been studying, but as stated before, it was long expected. Go make an 8 ft flag, and march from one end of your town to the other. How long do you think it will take before the police start to question you?  I am actually really surprised that we were able to do it for three months before being contacted by them. When the officers arrived, they were very friendly to say the very least. They informed us that they came because the city wanted us to obtain a license to do business. During the conversation, a lot of what we had learned was confirmed, and we were very pleased with the encounter. I might even venture to say that we made a new friend that day.

  After the encounter, my brother and I changed into our fancy business attire, and headed down to visit with the powers that be. We had many questions for the city that day. Unfortunately, we left city hall with none answered, many more brewing in our heads. It was very funny to note that not one of the city employees that we spoke with seemed to understand that they are trustees. As a natural human being, you are the beneficiary and administrator of the previously mentioned earth trust. Municipal corporations were created to protect the trust for future generations, protect the rights of humans, and to improve the quality of life for all. Simply put, the role of any city, state, or nation is that of the trustee. Any person acting as a member of one of these institutions also assumes the role of trustee. Statutes and regulations apply when one is acting as a trustee. Natural human beings are not bound by such rule. What does apply to natural human beings however, is the law. Unless one signs into a contract, there only exists the responsibility to assume full liability of ones own actions. Treat all life with absolute love and respect. That is the only law. No authority is given to one man over another unless a man should willfully submit himself to such rule.

  Unlike most companies, ours does not own a vehicle. We do not print unsolicited advertisements, and we certainly don't sell or produce any sort of industrial waste products. SFKC upholds the law in the strictest sense. While working, we pick up plastic bags that we find floating around the streets, and fill them up with any garbage that we find along the way. We clean up the litter at the park when we see it, and work constantly to keep rubbish out of bushes and gutters. A trainers scope of practice is to cause no harm, and we certainly take that to heart. Our inheritance of the earth is taken seriously by both my brother and I, and our company's values reflect it. We are the executors, and beneficiaries of this earth. It is imperative that each of us acts as such.

  "In all of your deliberations in the Confederate Council, in your efforts at law making, in all your official acts, self interest shall be cast into oblivion. Cast not over your shoulder behind you the warnings of the nephews and nieces should they chide you for any error or wrong you may do, but return to the way of the Great Law which is just and right. Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the ground – the unborn of the future Nation."
-Excerpt from: The Constitution of the Iroquois Nations


Thanks for reading,
-Stephen Burmann