Shows
Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held122: A Science Communicator Explains Pseudoscience, with Dr. Joe Schwarcz, PhDIn this episode, Laurel and Sarah are joined by Dr. Joe Schwarcz, Director of the Office for Science and Society at McGill University and one of the most experienced science communicators working today. They explore why pseudoscientific health claims spread so effectively, even among educated and well-intentioned people, and why wellness culture is so drawn to simple explanations for complex biological problems.The conversation moves through three dominant narratives shaping modern health messaging: the obsession with finding a single root cause, the moralization of food, chemicals, and health behaviors, and the pressure to optimize every biological variable...
2026-02-041h 11Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held120: Is Advice to Eat 30 Different Plants/Week Science-Backed?In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel Beversdorf revisits the advice to eat 30 different plants per week and explains why it sounds scientific while resting on a much shakier foundation than it appears. She reflects on encountering the claim, why her and Sarah’s initial reaction was skepticism, and how listener feedback led to a closer look at where the idea came from and how it spread.Laurel breaks down what the American Gut Project actually showed: an observational association between self reported plant variety and gut microbiome diversity in a specific, self selected, largely af...
2026-01-071h 06Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held118: How Should We Eat To Be Healthy? With Abby Langer, RDIn this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel and Sarah talk with registered dietitian and longtime myth buster Abby Langer, RD, about what it actually means to eat in a healthy, sustainable way. Abby brings clarity to some of the most confusing and overhyped nutrition messages online, explaining the meaningful difference between dietitians and nutritionists, why food guidelines get so much misplaced blame, and why simple habits like eating more fiber, plants, and whole foods still matter far more than clean eating, hormone-balancing diets, or supplement-driven solutions. She breaks down ultra processed foods, weight gain misconceptions, what causes...
2025-12-101h 01Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held116: Coaching Strength, Building Character with James Lederach, MS, CSCSIn this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel Beversdorf talks with strength coach James Lederach, MS, CSCS, about the deeper side of coaching and how helping someone get stronger often means helping them grow as a person. Together, they explore the benefits of strength development for adults and kids, training that supports rather than interferes with sport, the downsides of early sport specialization in youth, and the broader life lessons that strength training offers beyond physical health and performance.James and Laurel reflect on how training develops resilience, self-reliance, and emotional steadiness for both kids and...
2025-11-121h 14Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held115: How to Get AbsIn this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel Beversdorf and Dr. Sarah Court examine the enduring myths and misinformation around the aesthetic goal of “getting abs.” They analyze the anatomy and function of the abdominal muscles, the cultural evolution of ab training versus core strength and stability training, and the role mechanical tension, muscle length, and training volume play in hypertrophy (muscle growth). Additionally, they discuss how pursuing the aesthetic goal of "getting abs" is different from performance goals related to abdominal strength.The hosts unpack popular misconceptions, such as “abs are made in the kitchen,” or that...
2025-10-291h 58
Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held114: Barbells Don't Lie: Inside Our Lift for Longevity CourseIn this episode of the Movement Logic podcast, hosts Laurel Beversdorf and Dr. Sarah Court PT dive deep into their six-month online barbell lifting course, 'Lift for Longevity.' They discuss the course structure, including linear periodization, high variation, and impact training. Laurel and Sarah also share insights on the benefits of barbell training for women, challenging societal norms about women's fitness, and emphasizing the importance of strength and self-efficacy. They underscore the transformative power of consistent strength training and offer practical advice for those considering joining their course.Sign up for the live Q&A on...
2025-10-221h 57Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held113: Debunking Menopause Grifters: Dr. Mary Claire Haver and Dr. Vonda WrightIn this episode, Dr. Sarah Court and Laurel Beversdorf delve into the claims and marketing tactics used by two high-profile menopause experts and social media influencers, Dr. Mary Claire Haver and Dr. Vonda Wright. They explore and critique various aspects of their advice, including the advocacy for supplements like turmeric and collagen, the promotion of hormone therapy, and questionable exercise prescriptions. The hosts analyze the scientific validity of their claims, the potential harms, and the prevalence of fearmongering in their messaging. The episode aims to empower listeners to become more critical consumers of health information, especially in the menopause...
2025-10-152h 53
Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held112: Redefining What's Possible – Lift for Longevity Alums Share Their StoriesWelcome to Episode 112 of the Movement Logic Podcast! In this special episode, Laurel and Sarah talk to four women who recently completed Lift for Longevity about their experiences. Whether it’s overcoming fear of injury, finally finding a program that sticks, breaking free from perfectionism, or realizing barbells belong in their hands, each woman brings a unique and inspiring story.In this episode, you’ll hear from:Karen Klubertanz, an interior designer and yoga therapist who came to us after chronic back pain and years of yoga and kettlebells. Her story is about overcoming fear, lear...
2025-10-081h 52Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held111: Make Stacy Sims Make SenseIn this episode, Laurel and Sarah take a look at one of the most influential and controversial voices in women’s health: Dr. Stacy Sims. Known for the phrase “women are not small men,” Sims has built her brand on the idea that women need entirely different training and nutrition strategies than men.Laurel and Sarah trace Sims’ rise to prominence, the research she leans on, and the rhetorical playbook she uses on major platforms like the Mel Robbins Podcast, and the Huberman Lab podcast. They examine how Sims’ is able to persuade listeners of her ideas, even thoug...
2025-10-012h 11Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held110: Fact-Checking Female-Specific Training & Nutrition Advice with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, PhDIn this episode, Laurel and Sarah sit down with muscle physiology researcher and science communicator Lauren Colenso-Semple to take a hard look at some of the most popular and problematic claims circulating in women’s health and fitness. Together, they unpack the slogan “women are not small men,” and the idea that women need completely different training and nutrition approaches than men. Lauren explains where the evidence actually stands on topics like muscle loss at 30, lifting to failure, cardio recommendations for women, bone density changes at menopause, training fasted versus fed, cycle syncing, cortisol “hacks,” and more.This convers...
2025-09-241h 40Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held109: Hot Flashes, Cold Facts: Menopause Myths That Won't DieIn this episode of the Movement Logic podcast, Sarah and Laurel take on the most persistent—and profitable—myths about menopause and women’s health. From metabolism myths to cortisol panic, creatine hype, and new exercise “rules”, they separate marketing spin from actual science.They also unpack the nuanced role of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)—who it helps, when it’s useful, and why menopause isn’t a medical emergency needing endless “fixes.”Sign up for the Bone Density Course Interest listFollow us @MovementLogicTutorials on Instagram10:12 8 Menopause Myths and Misconceptions37:08 Cortisol...
2025-09-171h 53Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held108: Breathing For Bone Density? YogaU Cannot Be SeriousIn this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Dr. Sarah Court and Laurel Beversdorf critically evaluate the claims made by YogaU Online about the connections between breathing practices and bone health during a recent promotional webinar for a new workshop called “Breath As Medicine: Yogic Breathing for Vital Aging.” They meticulously analyze research studies cited by YogaU, debunking pseudoscientific assertions about nitric oxide production, VO2 max, and the impact of breathing on bone density. The hosts highlight the ethical implications of such misleading information and emphasize the importance of evidence-based practices in the fitness and yoga communities. The discussion also...
2025-09-102h 04Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held106: Warming Up vs. Cooling Down: What Actually MattersIn this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel unpacks what warm ups actually do—and why cool downs aren’t necessary. She explains how warming up sharpens focus, raises tissue temperature, and primes the nervous system, setting you up to perform better and reduce injury risk. Laurel shares five simple principles for effective warm ups, clears up myths about stretching and “activation,” and contrasts them with cool downs, which don’t aid recovery or prevent soreness.SIGN UP for the Bone Density Course Interest ListFOLLLOW Movement Logic on InstagramReferences:Article...
2025-08-2752 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held104: Can We Train Fascia?In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel explores whether you can train fascia, separating myths from facts about this connective tissue. She discusses her personal journey with fascia-focused methods, including self-massage and Yoga Tune Up, and questions commonly held beliefs about fascia adaptation from exercise. Laurel critiques the metaphorical narratives versus physiological mechanisms, examining the roles of muscle, tendon, and the nervous system in recovery and training. She concludes with insights on why calling it "fascia training" might be more about branding than science.Sign up for our FREE Bone Density Mini Course: Barbell 101!
2025-07-301h 06Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held102: The Problem with Moralizing MovementIn this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel explores how we’ve come to assign moral value to certain movement concepts—like compression, flexion, anterior tilt, and instability—and why that language does more harm than good. She unpacks how terms that are neutral by definition often get rebranded as “bad,” “dangerous,” or “dysfunctional” in movement and rehab spaces.Rather than offering a list of “better” movement cues, Laurel invites listeners to step outside of binary thinking. This episode explores how our wiring, combined with marketing and group identity, fuels a polarizing narrative—a red-X/green-checkmark mentality that pits “fun...
2025-07-021h 12Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held101: 6 Takeaways from Running a Marathon that Apply to Any Exercise GoalIn this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel shares six universal takeaways from training for and running her first marathon—and how they apply to any long term, challenging, exercise-related goal. Whether your goal is to build strength, increase stamina, or just feel more capable in your daily life, this episode explores fundamental training principles, helpful mindset coaching, and empowering tips to help you reach a long-term, physically demanding goal.Rather than focusing on the details of marathon training, Laurel distills what she learned about goal-setting, accountability, program design, recovery, and the fatigue that can sometimes hi...
2025-06-1848 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held97: Stronger Than Ever - BDC Alums Share Their StoriesWelcome to Episode 97 of the Movement Logic Podcast! In this special episode, Laurel and Sarah talk to four women who recently completed the Bone Density Course: Lift for Longevity about their experiences. Whether it’s building strength and stability for hiking and biking, reclaiming confidence in their bodies, or surprising themselves with what they can lift, each woman brings a unique and inspiring story. In this episode, you’ll hear from: Leslie Nelson, a former professional dancer and movement educator from the Berkshires of Massachusetts, who rediscovered strength, resilience, and even more mobility through lifting. Julie Wright, a life...
2025-04-301h 27Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held96: Bone Density Grifters: Introducing the Grift-O-Meter!In this episode of the Movement Logic podcast, Sarah and Laurel dig into the grift surrounding popular bone health programs, critically analyzing Bones for Life, Bone Coach, and Buff Bones. They introduce the Grift-O-Meter™ scale to rate each program on their misleading tactics and claims about osteoporosis treatment. They conclude by decrying the patronizing nature of some fitness regimes, urging a more empowered and scientifically sound approach.Sign up for our FREE LIVE online Strength class on 4/26 at 11am ET / 8am PT00:00 Introduction11:40 Critique of Bone Density Programs43:30 Debunking Pseudoscience in Ma...
2025-04-232h 49Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held94: Capacities for Longevity Part 2 - PowerIn this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel and Sarah explore why power training deserves a spot in your movement routine—especially as you age. They kick things off by reviewing the different types of strength before introducing the concept of power, breaking down the fact that, yes, there are different types of power too.You’ll hear why power is critical for balance, fall prevention, and quick, reactive movements that keep you moving safely and independently in daily life. Laurel and Sarah explain how power tends to decline faster than strength as we get older—and wh...
2025-04-091h 31Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held93: Should You Avoid Spinal Flexion with Osteoporosis?In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, hosts Laurel Beversdorf and Dr. Sarah Court critically examine common beliefs surrounding spinal flexion exercises and osteoporosis, particularly from a yoga and Pilates perspective. They delve into two pivotal studies on exercise and fracture risk, both led by Dr. Mehrsheed Sinaki, a renowned specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.The first study, Postmenopausal Spinal Osteoporosis: Flexion versus Extension Exercises, is frequently cited on Pilates websites and in yoga and Pilates teacher trainings as evidence that spinal flexion is risky for individuals with...
2025-03-261h 21Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held92: Make Dr. Loren Fishman Make SenseIn this episode of the Movement Logic podcast, Laurel and Sarah dissect a recent email they received from Dr. Loren Fishman, in which he expressed frustration over their critique of his study on yoga and bone density. In this episode, they address Fishman's email and take another look at his study, Twelve-Minute Daily Yoga Regimen Reverses Osteoporotic Bone Loss. Laurel and Sarah's conversation explores claims made in the email, as well as Fishman's study’s methodology and findings. They compare his claims against established evidence on bone adaptation and emphasize the importance of high-load and high-impact exercise for building bone...
2025-03-121h 58Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held91: LIFTMOR, Not Less: An Interview with Professor Belinda BeckIn this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Sarah and Laurel are thrilled to interview esteemed exercise scientist Professor Belinda Beck, investigator in the groundbreaking LIFTMOR trial. They discuss the necessity of high-intensity resistance and impact training for improving bone density, comparing it to less effective exercises like Pilates, yoga, and walking. Professor Beck shares insights on her LIFTMOR, LIFTMOR-M, and MEDEX-OP studies, underlining the importance of mechanical loading for bone health. They explore the misleading promotion of devices like OsteoStrong or courses like Buff Bones that do not provide the necessary rate of loading or magnitude of load...
2025-02-261h 22Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held90: Capacities for Longevity Part 1 - StrengthWe start off Season 6 with Part 1 of our 3 Part series on Longevity. What are the capacities we need to retain or develop in order to continue to live the lives we want to at the end of our lives? In Part 1, hosts Sarah Court and Laurel Beversdorf dive deep into the capacity of strength. We discuss the difference between strength endurance and maximal strength, and the myriad benefits of heavy strength training at any age. The episode includes discussions on common functional mobility tests for seniors, the neural adaptations resulting from heavy lifting, and practical guidelines for transitioning from...
2025-02-121h 47Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held89: Is Dead Butt Syndrome Real?In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, host Laurel Beversdorf explores the concept of 'dead butt syndrome' or 'gluteal amnesia', debunking both as a non-evidence-based myths perpetuated in fitness and health discussions. Laurel discusses the misleading information in a recent New York Times article titled Sitting All Day Can Cause Dead Butt Syndrome, and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based terms and ideas in understanding pain and body function. She outlines the dangers of accepting unsupported medical terms, advises on better exercise practices, and stresses the significance of regular, whole-body strength training for overall health. Listener feedback is also...
2025-01-151h 03Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held87: 2 Strength Myths BustedIn this in-between episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel discusses two major myths: the longevity significance of grip strength and the role of single leg exercises in improving balance. The discussion touches on the misinterpretations of grip strength's correlation with health and longevity, different types of grip and their training, and the genetic factors influencing grip strength. It also covers the efficacy of using gloves and straps. Additionally, the episode explores how single leg exercises contribute to overall strength and balance, challenging the notion that these exercises are essential for improving balance and athletic performance. 00:00 Introduction t...
2024-12-1834 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held85: Boosting Recovery: What Really WorksIn this solo episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel Beversdorf dives into the topic of exercise recovery. She differentiates between the physiological 'Big R' recovery and the 'little r' recovery, or aggressively marketed “recovery optimization” practices that the wellness industry loves to sell. Laurel discusses how sleep, nutrition, and strategic exercise stress management are critical to effective “big R’ recovery and clarifies why many marketed recovery methods may not be as effective as claimed. She emphasizes the importance of balancing exercise with adequate recovery to prevent injuries and achieve the positive adaptations and health outcomes we’re looking for when w...
2024-11-2032 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held84: Trick or Truth? Six Ways to Spot Exercise for Osteoporosis MisinformationWelcome to Episode 84 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this Inbetweenie, Laurel and Sarah Court discuss health misinformation and practical tips for spotting misinformation around exercise for osteoporosis, “in the wild”.00:00 Introduction 01:07 Bone Density Course update02:22 Continuing the discussion on science and pseudoscience04:56 Yoga U email and legal considerations08:14 Six tricks of non-evidence based advice20:45 Spotting pseudoscience and critical thinking33:45 Becoming more science literate35:45 Conclusion SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE BONE DENSITY MINI COURSE: BARBELL 101Links:Episode 79: Make Yoga U Make SenseAlign...
2024-11-0637 min
Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held82: Weird Science: When It Doesn't All Add UpWelcome to Season 5, Episode 82 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah navigate the worlds of science, pseudoscience, and outdated science.We’ll be looking at claims from a range of topics, including crystals, Reiki, and Ayurveda, to personality tests, fad diets, yoga, Pilates, physical therapy and CAM treatments.Our discussion is organized around the "non-negotiable ingredients" of a science-based claim to separate pseudoscience from outdated ideas and solidly science-based claims.REFERENCES: Posture Panic: Pt. 1, 2, and 3,Dexa Scammed?, Walk Your Bones Stronger?, Knee Myths, McGill - 62 and 74, Meakins, Long & Lean: Pt...
2024-10-092h 20
Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held81: Testify: Bone Density Course Alums Share Their ExperiencesWelcome to Episode 81 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah talk to four women who took the Bone Density Course: Lift for Longevity last year about their experiences. Whether it’s reversing an osteoporosis diagnosis, to feeling more capable in all aspects of their lives, each woman has a unique perspective on their experience to share. In this episode you will hear from: Bea, who first discovered yoga from a book back in the 80s, and became a long-time yoga teacher, but who realized over time that was missing the strength part. Kathy, a pr...
2024-10-022h 12Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held80: Posture Panic Pt. 3 with Author Dr. Beth Linker, PhDWelcome to Episode 80 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah are joined by Dr. Beth Linker, PhD. Beth Linker, a former physical therapist, is an author and professor of the history of science, disability, and medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Her most recent book, Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America, reveals the little-known and surprising origins of our fears and ideas about poor posture. In this episode you will learn: How Dr. Linker transitioned from physical therapist to professor and author, and (then also) yoga teacher Where her interest in posture first began...
2024-09-251h 16
Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held79: Make Yoga U Make SenseWelcome to episode 79 of the Movement Logic Podcast! Laurel and Sarah explore whether yoga strengthens bones, examining Yoga U's claims and Dr. Loren Fishman’s controversial study. We'll uncover how Yoga U often exaggerates or cherry-picks evidence while overlooking effective bone-building exercises like heavy resistance and impact training.In this episode, you will learn: How research can be misrepresented to support biases. The difference between bone resorption and bone-building. Why yoga isn't effective for bone strengthening due to lack of adequate loading and progressive overload. The limitations of yoga's balance improvements for real-world activities. The importance of...
2024-09-181h 42Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held78: Behemoth Knee MythsWelcome to Episode 78 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss what current science, versus outdated advice and conventional wisdom, have to say about the knees—namely whether “bone on bone” is a thing, and if deep squats, knee valgus aka “knee cave”, or high impact are inherently bad for your knees. Learn what research has to say about some of the most common fragilizing beliefs people hear about their knees, and why these scary tales are just plain wrong. In this episode you will learn that: The knee is strong and adaptable, capable of handlin...
2024-09-111h 42Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held77: Are You Getting DEXA Scammed?Welcome to Season 5 and Episode 77 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah dive into the history of how DEXA scans came to be so ubiquitous, what are the risks around osteoporosis medication, and whether osteoporosis and osteopenia were intended to be diagnoses in the first place. You will learn: How was the DEXA score for osteoporosis first decided on Was osteopenia supposed to be a diagnosis for treatment What role did Merck play in getting more women to take their new drug Fosamax What are the risk factors for the side effects of bisphosphonate...
2024-09-041h 15Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held76: Posture Panic Part 2Welcome to Season 5 and Episode 76 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this second episode in our Posture Panic series, Laurel and Sarah take a deep dive into the currently available research around posture to debunk some of the long held beliefs around posture, pain prevention, muscle activation, and more.You will learn: Does good posture keep you pain free? Is Text Neck or Tech Neck really a thing we need to worry about? Do we need to spend so much time finding a “neutral spine”? Do you need to keep your shoulders “back and down” at all time...
2024-08-281h 51
Evidence-Based Pilates Podcast99. Building Bone Mineral Density With Dr. Sarah Court & Laurel BeversdorfDr. Adam McAtee sits down with Dr. Sarah Court & Laurel Beversdorf, to discuss the myths and realities of building bone mineral density with your clients.
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2024-08-251h 18Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held75: Hypermobile People Are People TooWelcome to Season 5 and Episode 75 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah are joined by Nikki Naab-Levy, strength coach and hypermobility specialist.You will learn: What is hypermobility and how does it differ from flexibility What are the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and how do they differ from Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder Who can and can’t diagnose hypermobility Whether hypermobile people should never lock out their joints What are the most important considerations when working with hypermobile clients The negative consequences of catastrophizing positions as safe or unsafe Why social media focuses on the wr...
2024-08-141h 20
The Thinking Practitioner124: Movement Logic (with Laurel Beversdorf & Sarah Court)In this episode Whitney interviews Laurel Beversdorf and Dr. Sarah Court (co-hosts of the Movement Logic Podcast) to talk about movement, exercise, and rehabilitation. They discuss topics such as the misconceptions surrounding strength training and its impact on flexibility and mobility, strength training for women, posture, movement re-education, and the importance of load management, and much more. Check it out now!
Watch the video and get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or Whitney's sites:
Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com
Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage
Key Points in the Podcast
- Misconce...
2024-08-071h 05Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held74: McGill We Go AgainWelcome to Season 5 and Episode 74 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this unplanned episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss Stu McGill’s recent appearance on the Huberman podcast. In Episode 62, we identified McGill’s big themes around movement. In this episode, we go through his appearance on Huberman to see if he’s still promoting the same ideas or if he has updated his approach.You will learn: Why we are once more deconstructing Stu McGill’s standpoint and outdated views on movement safety Why a hyperfocus on potential future pain is not only unhelpful but can put peop...
2024-07-311h 31
Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held73: Posture Panic Pt. 1Welcome to Season 5 and Episode 73 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this first part of our much-requested three-part series "Posture Panic," Laurel and Sarah dive into the history of posture. They discuss Beth Linker's book, Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America, providing insights and context to how posture has been perceived and addressed through history starting around the turn of the century up until now.You will learn: The origins of "Posture Panic" around the turn of the century. How Darwin's theories influenced the medicalization of posture. The fear that human spines weren’t "ready" for bi...
2024-07-171h 41Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held72: Are you Tryin' to Spend the Least on Exercise?Welcome to Episode 72 of the Movement Logic Podcast! In this inbetweenisode, Laurel poses a thought-provoking question: “Are you trying to spend the least on exercise?”We delve into how we prioritize spending on exercise compared to other essential health needs like diet and sleep and ask, “if investing more in exercise could give us access to better communities, education, equipment, time-saving convenience, and even luxury, would we be more inclined to engage in and enjoy it?” We ask, “considering the significant role exercise plays in our health and longevity, is it rational to hesitate in spending more to build a...
2024-07-1026 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held70: Do you need a deload week?Welcome to Episode 70 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this inbetweenisode, Laurel answers the question, “Do you need a deload week?” In strength training, a deload week is a planned, periodic reduction in training intensity and/or volume. Spoiler: you probably don't need to plan deload weeks into your training, but listen more to find out!Sign up here to get on the Wait List for our next Bone Density Course in October 2024! It’s the only place you’ll get a discount on the course plus fun free bonus content along the way.Episode 32: Load & Vo...
2024-06-2614 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held69: Crack is Whack - Adam Meakins and A Modern Approach to Manual TherapyWelcome to Episode 69 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah are joined by Adam Meakins, also known as The Sports Physio, to discuss his recent co-authored paper, “A modern way to teach and practice manual therapy.” Adam highlights the major issues in current manual therapy practice and education, as detailed in this extensively cited paper, which draws on decades of research. He also outlines what a modern, evidence-based approach to manual therapy could look like.In this episode you will learn: The distinction between clinician-centered and patient-centered care. How traditional manual therapy reli...
2024-06-121h 11Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held67: Popular Explanations for SI Joint Pain are Wrong, Says ScienceWelcome to Episode 67 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss what current science, versus outdated advice and conventional wisdom, have to say about the causes and solutions for sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain. Learn what research says about whether or not the SIJ is an inherently robust or fragile structure, whether things like lots of stretching in yoga or joint laxity during pregnancy contribute to its instability, and what therapists can and cannot reliably know about the causes of SIJ pain.You will learn: The anatomy and biomechanics of the SIJ. How...
2024-05-151h 31
Conspirituality205: Dismantling Movement Dogmas (w/Laurel Beversdorf & Sarah Court)We have a real treat today for listeners who love all forms of movement, especially yoga and strength training.Derek and Julian talk to Movement Logic hosts, Laurel Beversdorf and Sarah Court, who navigate the curvilinear path of creating irreverent yet high quality science-based movement content that sets teachers and students free from dogma and fear-mongering. Our two podcasts intersect by looking into fallen gurus, pseudoscience health claims, dodgy alignment dogmas, and cults of personality susceptible to the dangers of conspiracism. And this week we’re diving into a recent Movement Logic episode on back pain specialist, St...
2024-05-091h 16Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held66: Dismantling Long and Lean Pt. 3Welcome to Episode 66 of the Movement Logic podcast! This episode is Part 3 of our Dismantling Long and Lean series. In this episode, Sarah and Laurel discuss the origins of Pilates, Barre, and yoga, and the connections between each movement method’s origins and the concept of a Pilates body, a Barre body, and a yoga body.In this episode you will learn: The Pilates origin story, including its clear cut relationship to ballet and the ‘dancer body’ The problematic origin of the dancer body in the 1960s in New York and its influence on Pilates and barre...
2024-05-011h 17Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held64: Non-Diet Coaching & Silly Certification Tests with Damali FraiserWelcome to Episode 64 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel is joined by non-diet kettlebell coach Damali Fraiser to talk about what it means to be an inclusive kettlebell coach. We also discuss why a coach's life experience and skills (and not their body) are their real business card. Finally, we get into silly certification tests that limit diversity in an industry that desperately needs more of it.In this interview you will learn: Why kettlebells are excellent tools for cultivating strength, power, and endurance. How the shape of a kettlebell makes it uniquely...
2024-04-0352 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held63: Dismantling Long and Lean Part 2Welcome to Season 4 and Episode 63 of the Movement Logic podcast! This is part 2 of a much requested series titled Dismantling Long & Lean. In part 2, Laurel and Sarah discuss the phrase "long and lean" from a science-based, as well as sociological and racial perspective. They cover whether or not you can actually make anyone’s body “longer” and/or “leaner” through formats like Pilates and barre. Additionally, they unpack the harm that appealing to this narrowly, aesthetically-idealized body shape has on students and teachers. You will learn: Common code words used to show preference for thinness in exercise...
2024-03-201h 23Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held62: Make McGill Make SenseWelcome to episode 62 of the Movement Logic Podcast. In this episode, Sarah and Laurel discuss the recent interview of Dr. Stu McGill on Dr. Peter Attia’s podcast, The Drive. This interview has sparked a lot of internet commentary, so we’re breaking it down for you into what we’re calling Make McGill Make Sense.You will learn: Who are McGill and Attia, and why Attia is interviewing McGill McGill’s rigid (pun intended) views on powerlifters vs yogis and what each group should and should not do Why McGill “doesn’t believe” in non-specific low back pain...
2024-03-062h 04Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held61: Putting Conditioning Back Into Strength & ConditioningWelcome to Season 4, Episode 61 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel explores whether strength training alone suffices for health and longevity. She compares training stress, intensity, and adaptations of strength training versus high intensity interval training (HIIT) versus cardiorespiratory endurance training. Discover how both HIIT and cardio are forms of conditioning, and why both strength and conditioning are necessary "weekly human maintenance habits" for preventing chronic disease and promoting longevity.Sign up here to get on the Wait List for our next Bone Density Course in October 2024!You will also learn: What...
2024-02-211h 20Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held60: Dismantling Long and Lean Part 1Welcome to Season 4 and Episode 60 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this much requested first part of a three-part episode series, Laurel and Sarah discuss the phrase long and lean from a historical and sociological perspective. They cover the idealized image of women through art with a historical gaze, then unpick the narrative around becoming long and lean, how diet and exercise became front and center for this impossible ideal, and where we are today with social media, photoshop, and AI in the mix.You will learn: How bad Medieval artists were at drawing human bodies...
2024-02-071h 19
Practice HumanEp 044: Laurel Beversdorf | Yoga with Resistance BandsCLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR LAUREL'S FREE YOGA WITH RESISTANCE BANDS CLASSES!2 free classes + training Q&A sessions will be held live online January 23rd and January 30th from 12-1p EST. Replays will be available to watch for two weeks after the live classes.Laurel Beversdorf is an international yoga educator, certified kettlebell specialist, and strength and conditioning coach. She runs her own Virtual Studio with over 150 members. Classes blend strength training, rehabilitation practices, self-massage, and yoga. Laurel is a mom and a New York City transplant living in Huntsville, Alabama...
2024-01-111h 07Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held59: Are You Certain You Need Certifications?Welcome to our supersized Episode 59 of the Movement Logic podcast and the final episode of Season 3! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss certifications for movement professionals. Are they necessary? Are they useful? Do they help promote you, or just the brand? Should you be focusing on it so much?You will learn: Do certifications in the movement industry function to a means to ensure quality control and accountability the way that the equivalent does in a regulated industry Do the tests measure meaningful and important qualities of a movement teacher or do they measure what...
2023-10-182h 04Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held58: Alignment Dogma - ShouldersWelcome to Season 3 and Episode 59 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss dogmatic beliefs and myths around the shoulders from the yoga, Pilates, and strength training worlds. We also discuss how given the fact that shoulder joint is a “complex” of many bones and joints, it’s much more useful that teachers keep their approach to teaching this area as simple as possible (and stop micro-managing their students shoulders!)You will learn: The bones and joints of the shoulder joint complex Mant shoulder “fun facts” The directions of movement of the shoulder...
2023-10-111h 53
Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held57: Move Over Big Boys. We Lift Heavy Too.Welcome to Episode 57 of the Movement Logic podcast. In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss the fact that lifting heavy is not automatically a strength sport and that more people would feel invited to lift heavy if the media didn’t fixate so much on barbells as equipment for large, young, competitive male lifters and instead represented people that look more like everyone else and shared goals beyond competitive ones.You will learn: The difference between powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, body-building, and lifting heavy weights. Why large, young men are over-represented in the media’s depiction of lift...
2023-10-041h 21Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held55: How to Start (and Teach) Strength TrainingWelcome to Episode 55 of the Movement Logic podcast. In this episode, Laurel answers two questions that she gets regularly from folks online. They are: How can I get started with strength training? And, how can I “learn more about” strength training? Spoiler: the best way to get started with strength training (the doing and the teaching) is by…wait for it…strength training!In this episode you will learn: The three most important elements of strength training—exercise technique, programming, and coaching. Why yoga and Pilates teachers are already generally well-versed in exercise technique, but without the added...
2023-09-2059 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held54: Alignment Dogma - SpineWelcome to Season 3 and Episode 54 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss dogmatic beliefs and myths around the lower back, upper back, and neck from the yoga, Pilates, and strength training worlds. You will learn: That the spine is made up of over 360 joints so maybe we should move it in all the ways (instead of keep it neutral all the time). That people are really bad at determining what position the spine is in just by observing (says research). That movement variety and movement preparation > “fixing” someone's alignment in a movem...
2023-09-131h 46Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held53: Your Bones Are BoredWelcome to Episode 53 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Sarah and Laurel dissect a few research papers that studied the effects of various rest periods between loading bone, and how these rest periods can impact the efficacy of our bone density building.You will learn: Osteoblasts and osteoclasts, defined Why bone building reminds Sarah of Fraggle Rock What does your bones’ mechanosensitivity have to do with its response to load Why bone cells remind Laurel of herself (they’re easily bored) What parameters create an osteogenic response in bone cells Why yoga, Pilates, and othe...
2023-09-061h 08
Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held52: What Stopped You from Lifting - 7 Guests Share their StoriesWelcome to Season 3, Episode 52 of the Movement Logic podcast. In this episode, Laurel and Sarah are joined by seven other guests for a panoramic, multi-perspective answer to the question “why don't more women lift weights?” Our seven guests (all of whom are movement professionals) weigh in on their previous objections to strength training. Of course they also share their impetus for starting to lift, and how it changed their lives.Sign up here for the Live Strength Training Webinar on Sept 14th with 30 day replay.Sign up here for our Free Barbell Mini-Course + our Free Barb...
2023-08-301h 35Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held51: Persistent Myths About OsteoporosisWelcome to Episode 51 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss myths around osteoporosis and osteopenia, including why yoga and Pilates are poor choices for bone building (yes, we’ll talk about THAT study, again) and ultimately how weight training and impact training are both safe options when applied with the proper dosage and programming.You will learn: Osteoporosis and osteopenia, defined Why so many people with osteoporosis are afraid of falling What the fear-mongering messaging around osteoporosis is disempowering people with osteoporosis Why strength training is not only tolerable for people wi...
2023-08-231h 03Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held50: Bracing versus BreathingIn this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss bracing and breathing. Why are we all so confused about our breathing mechanics and convinced we’re doing it wrong, no matter what we’re doing? When is the right (and wrong) time to brace when lifting something? What’s the difference between bracing and bearing down? And is navel to spine even doing what we think it’s doing?You will learn: Is there a right and a wrong way to breathe How social media influences our sense of right and wrong breathing Breathing vs bracing in yoga, Pilates...
2023-08-161h 32Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held49: You Don't Know How Strong You Are (Says Research)Welcome to Season 3 and Episode 49 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss the common tendency for people (not just women) to under load when lifting weights to build muscle and strength. In fact, it’s likely a slight majority of people in the gym are either not lifting heavy enough or taking sets close enough to failure to make changes to their muscle mass or strength!You will learn: If left to their own devices, the average lifter gravitates toward sets of 10 with 50-55% of a 1 repetition max, which would not be...
2023-08-091h 10Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held48: Alignment Dogma - PelvisWelcome to Season 3 and Episode 48 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss dogmatic beliefs and myths around the pelvis from the yoga, Pilates, and strength training worlds. We also discuss how correlating pelvic position with safety or pain is not backed by research, and thus what value teaching pelvic alignment may or may not have.You will learn: Natural variations on the AFAB and AMAB pelvises How there’s a variety of ideas on where neutral pelvis is, which tells us that nobody knows what a neutral pelvis actually is That an...
2023-08-021h 26Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held47: Our Oopsie Stories from the Teaching TrenchesWelcome to Episode 47 of the Movement Logic Podcast—our last episode of season 3!In this episode, Laurel and Sarah reflect on their most cringe stories from the teaching trenches and the big and small lessons they learned from them. You will belly laugh at their mistakes, and also learn vicariously through them!.DISCLAIMER: the language in this episode gets a little salty so you may want to listen when there are no children around.You will learn: That making mistakes is a crucial part of getting better at something, and in fact if...
2023-06-281h 29Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held46: How Often Should You Strength Train Per Week?Welcome to Episode 46 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel discusses frequency, or how often to strength train per week. Laurel unpacks the concept of frequency its relationship to volume, as well as what research suggests is the “minimal effective dose” to get certain benefits from resistance training, like increased longevity and strength. By the end of this episode you will understand why workout frequency matters enormously, but why it cannot matter separately from weekly volume or the individual who is training.You will also learn: Why the common prescription for frequency—3x/week—is empty...
2023-06-211h 12Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held45: Injury and Safety in Strength and YogaWelcome to Episode 45 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah talk about pain, injury, and safety in strength and yoga. We discuss what an injury is and how definitions of injury differ in research. We also discuss pain and how it is different (but also overlaps) with injury. Then we look at what research suggests about the overall likelihood of sustaining an injury in strength training and yoga. We’ll also discuss what safety is from a health standpoint, and about the relative risks to our safety that exercise versus being sedentary present. Toward the en...
2023-06-141h 13Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held44: Barbells - Where to Start? Our Easy Equipment GuideWelcome to Episode 44 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Sarah and Laurel talk all about their favorite strength training equipment: the barbell! Why do so many people (including Sarah until very recently) have such a mental block around creating a barbell set up at home?We also discuss: How you will need to move to barbells if you want to continue to strength training for injury prevention, bone density, and lean muscle mass How barbells are not an “advanced” training equipment but in fact easier to use than kettlebells How a home barbell set up c...
2023-06-0738 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held43: Nutrition Facts vs. Fiction with Dr. Ben House, PhDWelcome to Episode 43 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode Laurel sits down to talk with nutritional scientist, Dr. Ben House, PhD who has been working in nutrition and fitness for over 15 years, and has published many articles in peer reviewed, scientific journals. In their conversation, Ben and Laurel talk about the intersection between nutrition and fitness, specifically for women between the ages of 40-65 who may exercise and eat with a number of related (but different) goals like performance, health, and aesthetics.You will learn: Why food fear spreads like wildfire on the internet...
2023-05-311h 16Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held42: Compassionate Myth-BustingWelcome to Episode 42 of the Movement Logic podcast! Laurel goes it alone this episode to unpack six common myths that still inform the way movement teachers and even clinicians think about and talk about the body, to potentially harmful effect.You will learn about: The Magical Low Back Exercise Myth The Poor Body Design Myth The Posture Predicts Pain Myth The Scapegoated Isolated Muscle Myth The Fragilista Warning Label Myth The Muscles As Modeling Clay Myth How questioning your own beliefs as a teacher helps you be a better teacher. How challenging your student’s beliefs ma...
2023-05-241h 13Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held38: Got Bones? Yoga Asana Isn't EnoughWelcome to Episode 38 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode about bone density, Sarah and Laurel talk all about what kinds of exercise are indicated by research to improve bone density, and almost more importantly: what isn’t (including yoga).We also discuss: What is bone density and how do we measure it Why women are at more risk for fracture than men, especially following menopause How to interpret DEXA scan results and its relationship to fracture risk What lifestyle and medical factors can contribute to bone density loss (osteopenia and osteoporosis) Why so many pe...
2023-04-2645 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held37: Plyometrics—Get More Bang for your BonesWelcome to Episode 37 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah talk about the connection between plyometrics, impact training, and bone building.You will learn: The difference between plyometrics and impact training. What we need to consider if we are using plyometrics and/or impact training to increase bone density. What the stretch-shortening cycle is and why it is important for plyometric exercise. The phases of the stretch-shortening cycle, and why the amortization phase must be short for an exercise to be plyometric. The differences and similarities between ballistic exercises and plyometric exercises...
2023-04-191h 03Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held36: Somatic DominanceWelcome to Episode 36 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this listener-requested episode, Sarah and Laurel discuss somatic dominance, a phrase coined by author Matthew Remski to describe the manner in which teachers of movement, and yoga specifically, can come to exert control over their students, and the potential for abuse of this control.Content Warning: This episode contains references to physical and sexual abuse.We discuss: The definition of somatic dominance How some teachers use somatic influence, purposefully or not Sarah’s experiences as a Jivamukti Yoga teacher and practitioner, including the famously aggressive ph...
2023-04-1259 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held35: Therapeutic Movement Through an Anti-Fragile LensWelcome to Episode 35 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode Laurel sits down to talk with an old friend and colleague Dr. Caitlin Casella, DPT. In their conversation, Caitlin shares about her journey from yoga teacher to movement teacher to physical therapist. Laurel and Caitlin get into a multi-faceted discussion around the goals of rehabilitation, and how unfortunately sometimes the rehab process can fall short in fully preparing people to get back to the activities of their life after injury. Laurel & Caitlin discuss why this happens, and then ways that Caitlin works to help her patients better bridge t...
2023-04-051h 08Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held34: The Cues We Use Pt. 3Welcome to Episode 34 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this third episode about cueing, Sarah and Laurel discuss a specific subset (that’s a circle within a circle) of cues: feedback. Namely, we focus on when and how your feedback cues to your yoga, movement, and strength training clients can be most effective, and how there’s a strong chance you’re not helping them with that all important goal: motor learning.We also discuss: The three stages of motor learning that all practitioners of movement are going through, whether they know it or not How the ti...
2023-03-2945 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held32: Load & Volume: When is Enough Enough? When is it Too Much?Welcome to Season 2 and Episode 32 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel discusses a topic that is important but poorly understood—training volume. Too much too soon leads to pain, injury, and burnout. Too little too late leads to frustrating plateaus and boredom. It’s important to understand volume, as well as its relationship to load, progressive loading, and changing up our strength training routine with well-timed variety. In this episode, Laurel also discusses: The concept of load is not new to folks interested in strength training, but the concept of volume may be. Why understanding volu...
2023-03-151h 03Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held31: The Cues We Use Pt. 2Welcome to Season 2 and Episode 31 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss three types of cues movement teachers like yoga teachers and strength coaches use—verbal, visual, and tactile cues. Namely, we look at the differences between these three ways of cueing, and the plusses and minuses of all three types. We also discuss: What deeper understanding we need to have about our students as well as the movement we’re teaching before we cue at all What a verbal, versus a visual, versus tactile cue is. The timing of verbal cues and how...
2023-03-081h 06Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held29: The Cues We Use Pt. 1Welcome to Season 2 and Episode 29 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss the cues movement teachers like yoga teachers and strength coaches use, and then what research has to say about them. Namely, we look at the difference between internal and external cues, and what both types of cues are good for. We also discuss: What motor learning is and how it’s different from motor performance. What motor learning versus motor performance look like in the context of teaching and learning movement. What attentional focus is and how attentional focus affects motor le...
2023-02-221h 20Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held28: Pink Dumbbells and the Shrinking Female BodyWelcome to Season 2 and Episode 28 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss how women have been hoodwinked into believing that strength training is not for them - when in fact it’s the most protective and valuable training for women to do, in particular for bone density for women post-menopause. The history of weightlifting and bodybuilding in the US, including the influence of Jack LaLanne and Arnold Schwarzenegger How the myths of “lifting weights make you bulky” and “you’ll injure yourself if you lift weights” are deeply detrimental to women’s health The importance...
2023-02-151h 25Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held27: Our Big A-Has From the First SeasonWelcome to Episode 27 of the Movement Logic Podcast! This is our last episode of the season!In this episode, Laurel and Sarah reflect on their top three takeaways from season 1 of the Movement Logic Podcast. You’ll have to listen to the episode to hear what they are! We also discuss: How podcasting for the first time went for both of us, what was challenging, specifically. How science asks us to hold ideas loosely and remain a student (rather than fact holder and disseminator of facts). Why the language we use to talk about our bodies or...
2022-12-0741 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely HeldEpisode 25: Got Yoga Butt? Now What?Welcome to Episode 25 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this solo episode, Laurel shares her history with yoga butt, or, proximal hamstring tendinopathy (high hamstring pain.) This episode is packed with tendon and muscle physiology. It also busts the big myth that yoga butt (and any yoga-related injury) is because we’re all woefully “overstretched”. At the end, Laurel shares a 3-step approach to nipping yoga butt in the yoga bud using strength training knowledge and tools.Additionally Laurel examines: What yoga butt is (hint: a pain in the butt right at the sit bone more technic...
2022-11-2346 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held24: Racism and Cultural Appropriation in ScienceWelcome to Episode 24 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel is joined by her friend and colleague, Jesal Parikh. Together, Laurel and Jesal discuss the topics of cultural appropriation, biodiversity, and accessibility. Jesal offers clear examples and anecdotes to help listeners relate to and understand these topics within the context of everyday practice and teaching. She offers simple, actionable tips to yoga teachers to help them bring a greater sensitivity and understanding of these topics directly into their teaching. Laurel and Jesal discuss: That cultural appropriation is a form of theft and commodification. How cultural appropriation...
2022-11-1659 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held22: Do We Really Need 10,000 Steps a Day?Welcome to Episode 22 of the Movement Logic Podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah ask where the 10,000 step benchmark came from (you might be super surprised!), and if every person needs the same number of steps to receive the same amount of health benefits. We also discuss: What are the parameters that change your number of steps How do you “get your steps in” without becoming totally obsessed about it How where you live might determine how much you walk (versus take the car) How the pandemic changed a lot of people’s overall fitness and activity levels Whethe...
2022-11-0256 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held21: Is the SI Joint Painful Due to Instability?Welcome to Episode 21 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this solo episode, Laurel shares her history with sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain, and how no less than shifting her identity as a teacher, the way she thought of her SIJ, and the way she moved her body on a regular basis is what was required of her to get herself out of pain.The SIJ is an area of the body that is surrounded by misinformation and tainted by a rather pessimistic outlook on its stability and robustness. These fragilizing, pessimistic attitudes often result in triggering l...
2022-10-2648 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held18: How to Like Teaching Private SessionsWelcome to Episode 18 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss teaching privates, why we didn’t use to like teaching privates, and why we like it now. This episode is full of awkward, funny, and frustrating stories from our past as private yoga teachers. We end with helpful tips that will help you enjoy teaching privates more. Where to meet with one-on-one clients/patients Charging differently based on how much commuting is involved The big reason we didn’t like teaching privates: no clear understanding of the goal. Students who talk too much and a...
2022-10-051h 08Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held17: Pros & Cons of Using Resistance BandsModern postural yoga utilizes bodyweight as a form of resistance, but within the context of modern postural yoga, is bodyweight sufficient load for building strength? If not, does adding resistance bands to the practice mean we can build strength? Welcome to Episode 17 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel discusses the best kept yoga prop secret—resistance bands and unpacks what she sees are both the pros and the cons of using resistance bands, both for strength training as well as for practicing yoga.Here’s what this episode covers: How resistance bands lower the b...
2022-09-2859 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held16: Training the Non-Traditional Athlete with Rosalyn Mayse, AKA Roz the DivaWelcome to Episode 16 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel is joined by multidisciplinary movement teacher, Rosalyn Mayse aka Roz the Diva. Laurel talks with Roz about how she went from always being picked last in gym class to building a successful career as both a personal triner and a pole dance instructor, and the often exclusionary industries both pole dancing and strength training occupy. Throughout, Roz shares stories of how she built a successful career (in her words) as a, “dark skin, semi-bald, overweight, outspoken woman running around NYC half naked.” Roz shares her humor and wisd...
2022-09-2158 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held14: How to Handle BurnoutWelcome to Episode 14 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss burnout: what is burnout, how do we avoid it, what do we do when it happens, and why do we see so much of it in the yoga and movement world. Does everyone experience burnout in the same way What does it mean to be emotionally labile Why do so many yoga and movement teachers go through burnout Can a teacher in a big expensive city make a living on group classes? How do we create boundaries that keep us from trying to ‘sol...
2022-09-071h 10Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held13: Should We Teach Alignment?In this episode, Laurel answers a listener’s question of whether or not it’s within a movement teacher’s scope of practice to help people with their posture. Her answer is yes and no depending. Here’s what else this episode gets into: How Laurel formerly identified as an alignment-based teacher and why she no longer does. The difference between “default-mode” alignment versus deliberate alignment. Alignment less in binary terms of good v. bad and more as a neutral tool for helping to restore variability and influence adaptations toward specific skills. Theory-induced blindness and the difficulty o...
2022-08-3156 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held10: Is There a Right and Wrong Way to Breathe?Welcome to Episode 10 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Sarah and Laurel tackle the question of whether there is a right or wrong way to breathe, whether or not someone needs help with their breathing, how to help various populations explore their breathing, and whether it’s always bad if our clients and students have pain. The problem with belly breathing What the respiratory diaphragm is Effective tactile cueing to help people to use their diaphragm effectively The problem with cueing people to breathe deeply Why creating a safe space to downregulate the nervous system takes pri...
2022-08-101h 12Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held9: What Are the Best Exercises for Strength?Welcome to Episode 9 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel tells you what the best exercises are for strength (for busy people). Here’s what this episode digs into: Exercise prescription versus program design Training muscles versus training movements 8 different types of movements you can train strength within A simplified list of 4 movements to train strength within Why multi-joint exercises are more bang for your muscles than single joint exercises Why multi-joint muscles also strengthen the torso Do a full body workout rather than a split routine Choose your order of exercises strategically “Rules” for putting strength...
2022-08-0330 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held8: A Perimenopause Perspective with Trina Altman, PMA, E_RYT 500Welcome to Episode 8 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel is joined by her friend and colleague Trina Altman. Together, Laurel and Trina discuss Trina’s experience with perimenopause. Trina shares her personal story along with tons of resources for women going through this change of life. What is perimenopause? Doctors have a tendency to minimize women’s suffering Brain fog and hot flashes Challenges women face when navigating the medical system Finding a doctor that spends more time with you AND is evidence-based AND is current on the research The Women’s Health Initiative and fear t...
2022-07-271h 09Movement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held6: How Much 'Should' You Exercise?Welcome to Episode 6 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss the question that seems hard to answer: what is the right amount for people to exercise? We also look at ways to motivate people to want to exercise, and why a lot of yoga asana practitioners end up overdoing it. What are the government guidelines around exercise? Are they useful? How do you get people to stick with exercise long enough to reap the benefits? How do we know how hard to work with strength training – and does yoga count? Why did #yogaeverydamnday be...
2022-07-1355 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held5: Does Yoga Asana Build Bone Density?Welcome to Episode 5 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this solo episode, Laurel addresses the question of whether or not yoga asana builds bone density, where the belief or claim that it does might have come from, and then concrete, evidenced-based ways to improve bone density, as well as how yoga asana fits into these efforts. Here are specific points discussed: Where did the idea that yoga builds bone density come from? Why is bone density important and why should we want to build it? How do you find out if you have osteoporosis or osteopeonia? Who is...
2022-07-0645 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held3: Massage MistruthsWelcome to Episode 3 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah discuss massage and self-massage, common (accurate or otherwise) claims about their benefits, and what the research has to say (it’s not what you might think). What is massage, and how is it different than manual therapy in PT? Can massage increase proprioception? Does everyone benefit from massage, or do some people not need it? If there really is a problem with our fascia, is massage the answer? What therapeutic benefits does massage have? What role does massage play in helping trauma-affected populations?Res...
2022-06-2258 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held2: Scope of PracticeWelcome to Episode 2 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Sarah and Laurel discuss Scope of Practice and how it impacts our work as movement teachers and the choices we make when taking on clients. Here’s what we talk about:· How do we define Scope of Practice, and how does it define our work· What does a top down “macroScope” vs a personal “microScope” look like· How do we decide who to work with and who to refer out· Are there any pitfalls to having a scope of practice· Do yoga te...
2022-06-1539 minMovement Logic: Strong Opinions, Loosely Held1: Movement vs Exercise vs SportWelcome to Episode 1 of the Movement Logic podcast! In this episode, Laurel and Sarah set the stage for the episodes to come. We discuss the philosophical and actual differences between movement, exercise and sport; the problems with over- and under-moving; and of course, naming your robot vacuum (it’s the law). · What’s the difference between movement, exercise, and sport· How does yoga fit into these categories· What problems do we have as a society with movement, exercise, and sport· Lack of daily movement and ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)· How exercise without...
2022-03-1558 min
The Business Of Teaching YogaMultidisciplinary Movement with Laurel BeversdorfThis episode of the podcast is brought to you by… YOU! After several requests from you, the listeners, this week’s guest is Laurel Beversdorf. Laurel's teaching style is very near and dear to my heart, and during our conversation you’ll hear me reminisce about a time in the not-so-distant past when I used to teach group classes. But don’t worry, we go much deeper than a trip down memory lane, and Laurel shares, in very practical and actionable terms, how you can start bringing new non-yoga movements & props into your classes, how we can offer a varied m...
2021-05-171h 33
Create ShiftS4 Ep3: S4,ep3 Laurel Beversdorf On the Role of Movement in our LivesIn Create Shift S4,ep3 I talk to yoga teacher and movement educator Laurel Beversdorf. I wanted to bring Laurel on the podcast as I think she's a really interesting voice on yoga, movement and the roles they play in our lives. We talk about yoga, movement, exercise and how the roles that these play in our lives especially in Western individualistic society. This is a great listen for anybody, but also for anyone working within movement (not just yoga teachers). I hope that, in listening to this episode, your curiosity will be raised and you'll have lots of questions...
2019-10-041h 01
Yoga Birth BabiesYoga, Bands, and Baby with Laurel BeversdorfLaurel Beversdorf has always been a teacher and practitioner who embodies the philosophy of svadyaya (self study) so, it was no surprise when Laurel started to deviate from a traditional yoga practice and began to explore adding resistance bands into her practice. She approaches asana based on her studies of anatomy and biomechanics of the body and seeks to explore functional ways the body can move in a playful manner. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with international yoga educator, the creator of Yoga with Resistance Bands, Laurel Beversdorf.Laurel talks about how healing...
2019-10-031h 15
Embodiment Time6. Laurel Beversdorf - Pedagogy, Critical Thinking and Yoga EvolutionSome of the topics covered in this talk with Laurel: The story behind her pedagogic skills, growing up surrounded by teachers and conversations around pedagogy, and her teaching experience previous to yoga. Her critical thinking process and her yoga training journey through Yoga Works and Yoga Tune Up®. The difference in between Yoga Works and the guru-based model of Iyengar Yoga, and about the horizontal vs the vertical model of apprenticeship. The challenges of training new yoga teachers and the culture of yoga in India, in the West, and how to h...
2019-04-031h 24
The Mentor Sessions46: Resistance Bands + Yoga with Giulia Pline and Laurel BeversdorfMore and more yoga teachers are incorporating resistance bands into their teaching because they can be a wonderful complement to the movements found in a traditional asana practice! We are super lucky to have TWO amazing teachers who are EXPERTS at this joining us on the podcast today for a roundtable discussion on incorporating resistance bands into asana classes. Giulia Pline is a Threes Physiyoga Method teacher and she combines corrective exercise, functional mobility work, and knowledge from the physical therapy world with yoga. Giulia has developed a series of resistance band and yoga workshops that integrate re...
2019-03-261h 16