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How to Maintain Your Gardening Agility
- By Dennis Bartram
- Published 05/2/2009
- Workout Routines
-
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Dennis Bartram
I have been practicing physical therapies since 1969 when I became qualified in Swedish Remedial massage. I opened a clinic and began my career in physical medicine, one of the most eminent researches studied and utilised Eastern methods of therapy and from their theories developed new physical techniques to match the criteria. Benefits include: Stimulation for removal of toxins, Improving circulation to tired muscles, Body alignment adjustments, Encouraging body tone and co-ordination, Maintaining the position of vital organs, Stability of the skeleton, Balances and de-stresses the cranio sacral system, Charging your immune and nervous system, Bringing the bodies healing system into play. DennisBartram.com
View all articles by Dennis BartramWorkout Routines In Your Garden
There is nothing new about exercise. The body has changed very little physically
in thousands of years. The same number
of muscles, joints and the same joint limitations. So not a lot more can be explored as far as
positioning goes.
What can be altered is the way we approach
these movements, no jerking or bouncing shock absorbing problems and the safety
of working within the body’s potential and of course, involvement of the mind.
Approach these exercises as a newcomer with
fresh interest and curiosity, follow instructions closely and assume the
following criteria.
a) The
body and mind are one and if integrated allow us to enjoy greater potential
b) The
body runs on an energy flow as well as the scientifically accepted means of
blood and nerve supply.
c) We
are put on this earth to learn – explore – expand and eventually to teach that
which we have learned.
d) Within
all of us is a greatness waiting to come out.
e) We
all interconnect with every other person, animal and plant on this earth.
In ancient times, survival was of utmost
importance and our “limbic or balancing awareness system” gives us vital
information in times of danger and, if attuned properly to avoid danger before
it occurs. This is how man evolved and became the ruler of
this planet.
Intuitive thought is man’s birthright over
animals and plants.
How to Maintain Your Garden Agility
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34 Responses to "How to Maintain Your Gardening Agility" 
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said this on 04 May 2009 3:34:29 AM CST
Dennis thank you for the video. So many people seem to have lost touch with their "nature" in our so called "civilised" society. If only we would keep in contact with our true selves and the world around us we would be, perhaps, more civilised and less "couch potato"
Tending a garden leads to both physical exercise and mental stimulation. Even if you only have a small space, the joy of tending plants is the joy of giving. |
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said this on 04 May 2009 5:17:53 AM CST
Hi five Kevin ... your right on topic with your comment ... the best advice I could share with anyone especially those who are in their fifties is to stop bending from the waist when doing tasks near the ground … never forget or let go of simply crouching down from bended knees movement habit before it becomes a thing you used to do when you where younger and also do a crouching down exercise every chance you get?
You don't need a garden to exercise in as your office, even your home can be the perfect space for your very own personal gym to keep your body & mind in perfect flexibility! … its a use it or lose it mindset when your getting older the secret towards ageless agility ability is right there in my video ... that's what I'm wanting to share ... Keep Movement Towards Better Ageless Agility Ability Dennis Bartram Also check out this cool video sharing site above ... hit the live link in 5Min's presents the new *Smart Player* the ultimate learning machine allowing you to access a complete video knowledge experience in One Click Above ^ ... "its an amazing chunk of free video sharing software" |
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said this on 04 May 2009 6:01:55 AM CST
My wife & I have 2 vegetable gardens & 1 flower garden. We work in them every day ... and then I also exercise most days. It had never really occurred to me that I could garden so as to get exercise. The video gives some tips about the physical movements that will help you most in doing your gardening tasks. However, I also see how to align the task you need to do in order to wind up with the best exercise from gardening. Very useful video. Thanks.
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said this on 04 May 2009 7:50:38 AM CST
Dennis, I used to tend a garden but now live in an apartment and am finding it difficult to find an easy way to do it again. I suppose I can look for a community plot where people from all over get into it. But I do so miss going out there in the early AM or evening and just take care of it. There is something deep within us that connects with the earth...perhaps it's because we came from the ground and we will all eventually die and return to it. I don't know. I found a lot of truth in what you say. Thanks!
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said this on 04 May 2009 8:33:32 AM CST
Ashes to Ashes dust to dust ... Just make sure your crouching every time your sweeping gardening waste up ... lol
The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. ~Hanna Rion If your reading this click on my name its a link not to be missed... |
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said this on 04 May 2009 9:35:29 AM CST
Very interesting video. I, myself, love gardening. There's just something about taking care of my little garden that renews my senses. I love watching the little plants grow up into big ones, producing wonderful vegetables and flowers. It's a great way to re-connect with nature.
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said this on 04 May 2009 10:31:51 AM CST
Staying active is a great benefit for the body. Combining a favorite thing to do like gardening and being active is even better. With all activity it is important to take care of the body so we don't hurt later. Our muscles is where we feel it so it is great to learn how we should move during activity and even how to improve circulation to the muscles that are bound to get tired. Posture does make a difference and carries over to all parts of our life when we hold ourselves upright and stand tall!
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said this on 04 May 2009 10:35:45 AM CST
Perfect timing. With summer coming this should help many avoid straining muscles in their back and other parts. Thanks for sharing this valuable information with all of us. People should watch it closely and help themselves out this summer with all their extra gardening and landscaping they will be doing.
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said this on 04 May 2009 11:07:02 AM CST
No more sore backs from gardening. I also liked the dog.. looks like he wanted to play.
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said this on 04 May 2009 11:19:46 AM CST
Hello Dennis.
Great info on how to couple a summer activity that many enjoy (gardening) with a "free" workout. Since the numbers of gardeners is expected to significantly increase due to the current economic climate, many more will find this useful I am sure. The video does an excellent job of demonstrating how to move about adds even more benefit to this insightful post. Best always, Jim Hickey |
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said this on 04 May 2009 2:25:12 PM CST
What a beautifully written article. People forget that their body and minds work together and many people in our society are way out of their bodies. Your words are a great reminder that you must be in synchronicity to all elements to truly feel peace. It's not what you do but how you do it that matters.
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said this on 04 May 2009 2:52:22 PM CST
You are so right that we humans used to have an awareness that is immeasurably beyond what we currently possess. If that wasn't so, then our species wouldn't have survived. Nowadays, a saber toothed tiger could walk up behind us and we wouldn't know it until its fangs closed around our flesh. Anything at all that promotes awareness is worth considering and investigating.
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said this on 04 May 2009 8:01:03 PM CST
I think we'll be doing some rock work this summer, which is going to be a killer on the back. I'm going to use the tips in the video ( unless of course we decide to just hire someone to do it). Yet, there is something that feels good when you do the work yourself.
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said this on 04 May 2009 8:09:06 PM CST
I love my garden and find it so relaxing. Even if it is work, it's work that I enjoy! One of the few positive things to come out of this recent financial crisis is that more people are returning to gardening. That is certainly true in my community. There is a much greater demand for the community garden plots.
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said this on 04 May 2009 9:23:40 PM CST
We have to face reality that there's no way we can prevent ourselves from aging! As we do, we should do our part to keep our mind and body fit and healthy. Doing gardening chores is a good form of exercise and it stimulates your mind as well. Some even find gardening a therapeutic activity. What I have seen in the video is very useful information on how to maintain agility despite aging through a daily routine such as gardening. This shows us that we need not leave the comforts of our homes for physical and mental exercises.
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said this on 05 May 2009 9:45:20 AM CST
Gardening is so enjoyable I dislike calling it exercise. I do see how necessary it is to maintain good health and fitness in order to add life to our years.Optimal health allows us to do the things we enjoy, such as gardening. This was an excellent and informative post. Thank you!
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said this on 05 May 2009 2:49:01 PM CST
Hi Dennis,
I'm a fellow gardener too! We live in the northern part of Montana and we have 3 gardens fenced from the deer. We've incorporated red decomposed bark from dead forest trees for our pathways. Weeds don't grow in them. We've worked VERY strenuously to pull out stumps and import and mix our soil. But all that physical labor was wonderfully therapeutic to our minds and our bodies. You are SO right about gardening being wonderful physical movement and also a way to get us back in tune with our outdoor environment. I enjoyed your video showing how you kneel and work... moving in the sunshine...so good. |
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said this on 05 May 2009 5:25:00 PM CST
It is so important to listen to what your muscles, joints and body is telling you. Often, people want to push themselves to the next level and think they will heal quickly not realizing the damage that is being done to themselves.
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said this on 05 May 2009 9:12:04 PM CST
Gardening is both physically and mentally beneficial. You can come in from a long day in the garden feeling not only mentally relaxed, but know you've worked some muscles not used every day.
Watching your plants flourish is also a nice feeling! |
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said this on 06 May 2009 12:05:11 AM CST
This article and video are a really great example of what being full of life can be. The garden beauty, the energy and body strength is inspiring.
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said this on 06 May 2009 2:59:19 AM CST
Just shows its all about your knees - 'bend your knees, don't use your back as a crane' - this will help lots of people prevent back injury while still enjoying good physical exercise and getting ones garden in tip top condition again. :-)
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said this on 06 May 2009 9:00:47 PM CST
I have 2 garderns plus several planter boxes. It is alot of hard work and exercise I agree. However, I find myself with a stiff neck usually when i tend my garden and I have to constantly remind myself to look around and stretch in different directions to keep from getting a sore neck and back. Thanks for the movements, i will try them next time.
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said this on 06 May 2009 11:49:14 PM CST
Over the years I have done a lot of landscaping work. If you aren't aware of body movements and how they can affect you, it's actually very easy to injure yourself. Great video on explaining some helpful tips on proper positioning for different tasks. Gardening and landscape work can be both great fun both mentally and physically.
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said this on 07 May 2009 11:25:49 AM CST
The video was very helpful in explaining the best way of using your back and spine, I've tended to kneel with both knees and I can see this isn't nearly as effective as alternating knees as shown in the video. One thing I would add which I find essential is to do some warm up exercises first to get my body more supple.
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said this on 07 May 2009 12:57:17 PM CST
Balanced eating and regular physical activity to maintain aerobic fitness and the flexibility of the human frame remain the central pillars of good health practices for all age groups. Good outdoor lifestyle practices like biking, hiking and gardening are great ways of maintaining aerobic mobility. Dennis's advice provides great insights into how one can continue enjoying physical activity at all ages without injuring oneself by relearning and practicing natural intuitive gestures which we unlearn as we get "educated".
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said this on 07 May 2009 1:11:55 PM CST
Hi Dennis! This is just a great article and video...gardening is one of those little hidden secrets that many folks seem to have ~ and lots of times I'm quite surprised at the pairing of the two! Regardless of who the gardener is, though, it's an across the board response of "truly one of the few joys that I allow myself" or something similar. The entire act from planting to eating seems to be a passion I need to pick up on ~ thanks to you, I now know the right way to do it! ps - the dog is precious...
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said this on 08 May 2009 12:36:48 PM CST
Getting back to basics, we have lost touch with what really matters in life. the real joy of living life to the full. sitting in our home watching travel programs or even gardening and not experiencing the feel smell touch and in the case the out of breathless. live your life.
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said this on 13 May 2009 2:40:51 AM CST
Thank you for this, it made me rethink the way I use and view my body. Much appreciated.
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said this on 13 May 2009 10:55:54 AM CST
Excellent article, I can attest that I am a "computer" potatoe, but I love the outdoors and working in my flower garden. I find emotions often get in the way of our true sense. We don't even come close to utilizing our full potential. Video was great! I think I have an old plank laying around, lol!
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said this on 16 May 2009 8:51:13 PM CST
Good information. I especially like the concept of the connection between our minds and our bodies. The video helped me understand the best way to take care of my body while taking care of my lawn and garden.
Thanks for sharing your insights. |
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said this on 17 May 2009 9:52:12 PM CST
yes toooo true our body is but the mind's vehicle to experience this physical plane. unfortunately evolution of man has diminished the use of our hidden & mostly unused 6th sense. however, as you have stated the acute development of our other 5 senses triggers our 6th sense awareness.
today thru. education more & more people are being exposed to higher truths which have been buried or hidden from the masses for sooooo long. greatly appreciate your thorough explanation & it's great to see others thinking and pursuing the same path ... |
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said this on 18 May 2009 8:54:48 PM CST
What fascinating information. I was saying to my wife just the other day that, as I've gotten older, I've started to feel far more connected with nature...mainly through doing some really basic gardening.
Similarly, as I've gotten older, I've started to feel discomfort from some of my joints. It's great to know that I can exercise, protect my joints and garden at the same time. Thanks for your video insights. |
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said this on 19 May 2009 6:25:07 PM CST
For us living in big cities, gardening is often the last touch with nature. at least some roses, tomatoes and willows, but i must have it :)
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said this on 22 Dec 2009 11:02:13 AM CST
Thank you very much for this easy to follow guide, it was very usefull.
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