A better way to bend forward


Hi Reader,

The past three weeks have been a lot of fun.

I was invited to teach at the Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association spring session at the University of Alberta, and some of you reading this today may have been in class with me there. If that’s you — I’m so glad you’re here now as part of this email community. 💗

I hope to continue sharing resources that support your physical activity, movement, exercise, and therapeutic yoga practices in ways that feel practical and sustainable for real life.

Over the past few weeks in class, we spent quite a bit of time exploring hip hinging and bending strategies — not just for yoga, but for everyday movements too.

And honestly, this feels like the perfect time to talk about it.

Gardening season is coming.

This week’s new Real Moves for Real Life video focuses on:
A Better Way to Bend Forward.

This isn’t really about posture.

It’s about strategy.

Many people get nervous about gardening season because they already know what tends to happen:

They spend a few hours outside, and suddenly the back starts “talking back.”

But bending itself is not the problem.

What’s important is how the movement load is being distributed throughout the body.

In this video, we explore a simple movement strategy called the hip hinge — helping the hips and pelvis contribute more effectively so the back doesn’t feel like it has to do all the work.

We talk about:

  • using the hips as a stronger foundation
  • improving stance and support
  • distributing movement load more effectively
  • reducing unnecessary strain on the spine
  • making gardening and everyday movement feel more sustainable

And this applies to so much more than gardening: lifting groceries, loading laundry, reaching into cupboards, picking things up from the floor.

These are movements we do every single day — often without thinking about them.

So let’s take a different approach.

Instead of trying to “fix” posture, we can become more aware of how we move and where the work is happening in the body.

One small adjustment can sometimes make a surprisingly big difference.

(And yes… Mr. Indiana Bones makes an appearance in this one too.)

🎥 Watch the video here:

And if this topic resonates with you, June has a few upcoming opportunities to continue exploring movement together:

🚶‍♀️ Take Your Walk to the Next Level: Intro to Nordic Walking

A three-week in-person workshop series starting June 3 in Edmonton. We’ll explore walking mechanics, posture, pole use, and how to make walking feel more supportive and efficient.



🦴 It’s Not Just Tight Hips

A virtual workshop happening June 12 focused on understanding hip tension, movement patterns, and what may actually be contributing to discomfort and stiffness.

This workshop will be hosted inside The MedFit Movement Studio and includes complimentary access through the Move Now membership level.


As always, if this video was helpful, I’d love if you shared it with someone else, gave it a thumbs up, or leave a comment. It truly helps these resources reach more people who may need them.

And I’m curious:


Are you practicing your hip hinge before the grass turns completely green?
🌱


Have a great week ahead! Be well and happy moving,

Lisa



Supporting you in your physical activity journey.

Together, we will use thoughtful and considerate movement to reprogram how you live in your body. Let's teach your brain to soften the intensity, and to grow your own ease.
​Using exercise science, kinesiology, and yoga therapy, we can find a place that will not only allow you to move better and move more, but also increase the quality of your life.

www.lisaworkman.com

Medical Fitness Consulting

Struggling to stay consistent with movement? Each week you’ll get relatable stories, practical strategies, and uplifting tips to help you move smarter, feel better, and bring more wellness into your daily life.

Read more from Medical Fitness Consulting

Hi Reader, This past week, a client sent me an email that absolutely made my day. She had just returned from the lake where a truckload of firewood needed unloading — 150 logs in total. But instead of simply powering through, she caught herself applying the movement strategies we’ve been practicing and discussing together. ✔ She hinged through her hips. ✔ Used her squat. ✔ Lifted and turned with intention. ✔ Paused every 10 logs to breathe and recheck her alignment before continuing again....

Hello! This week’s new Real Moves for Real Life video is about something we often don’t practice enough: Getting up off the ground. It sounds simple — until it suddenly doesn’t feel simple anymore. And with gardening season upon us, this movement pattern becomes even more important. Whether you’re planting flowers, pulling weeds, playing with grandchildren, or simply sitting on the grass for a few moments, confidence getting down and back up again matters. Here’s what I see all the time from...

Hi Reader, So I sat down with the guide… Better Movement Starts with Better Questions …and I ran through it myself. Not as the person who created it. But as someone willing to be a little curious. Because here’s the thing: It’s one thing to read the questions. It’s another thing to actually answer them. I used AI as a tool—just like I suggest in the guide. And I’ll be honest… There were a few moments where I had to pause. Some of the responses were what I expected. But some of them weren’t....