Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is one of the leading authorities in the Health & Fitness
industry, and public health
activist who specializing in preventive and rehabilitative
exercise for women. Her Moving Free® approach to exercise is designed to
provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn’t feel like work.
Q. I am in fairly decent
shape. I stay active and exercise. What does it mean when I hear my bones
sometimes ‘crack’ when I do some movements? I do not ever feel pain. Will the
exercise help and maybe stop the popping?
A.
Exercise is good for both the body and mind, but it probably won’t stop the
popping. People of all ages and fitness levels experience that popping sound and
it doesn’t necessarily indicate any abnormal condition.
Your joints are lubricated with a substance called synovial fluid. It contains
nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide gasses. The popping sound is actually
bubbles of those gasses escaping when you move your joints. This is normal and
nothing to worry about. But people who feel pain at those moments should consult
their doctors. They may have arthritic joints due to the loss of cartilage.
Q. I am in a high stress
job. I exercise at the gym at work at least 3 times a week. I try not to bring
work home with me but I am always tense and I have trouble sleeping at night. My
mind is racing. Warm milk hasn’t worked, bubble baths make me more tense and I
don’t want to take drugs. Any ideas?
A.
You are not alone. Stress is one of the main contributors to aging and disease.
It sounds like you have a build-up of stress so it’s important to relieve
tension at work as well as when you are trying to fall asleep.
Try this breathing exercise in a seated position and then again as you are lying
in bed. It should help relax you and slow down your thoughts.
Start with taking a breath
and holding it for three seconds and then exhaling. Repeat and hold for 4
seconds and continue each time holding a second longer until you get to ten
seconds. After the last breath, keep your eyes closed and focus on a peaceful
memory. A place or time when you felt most relaxed. Stay there as long as you
can or at night until you fall asleep.
Send your Moving Free®
with Mirabai questions to:
askmirabai@movingfree.com
