9 minute read
ACTIVE LIVING
There’s a few things you can do to have your hobby help your body, TRISTAN HALL gives us tips on how to do it.
Let’s face it. As you get older, gardening can present challenges for your body. Some of these can be avoided with mindfulness and planning. For instance, many gardeners round their backs while digging. This can lead to a sore back at the end of the day. Instead, get yourself a kneeler. Use your body like a tripod. Put one hand on the ground and dig with the other hand. Your back is squared off and you are well-supported.
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Another way to be more comfortable is to sit on a step stool. Put your knees out wide and lean forward to work the garden. This keeps your back straight and your spine protected.
It’s important to minimise twisting. Turn your stool or kneeler around to face each new area.
It’s a good idea to increase your garden fitness by strengthening your core, your quads and your arms. Here’s a few ideas:
QUADRUPED TAPS – kneel on your knees with both hands on the floor under your shoulders. Lift one arm and the opposite leg out so they are in line with your back. Tap the floor 10 times with your outstretched hand. Switch to the other side and repeat. This exercise assists your core and your proprioception.
WALL SQUATS – stand near a wall and place a fit ball behind you. Use the fit ball to help you move up and down in and out of the squat position. Repeat this 15 times slowly.
SQUATS WITH A STICK – hold a one metre Most of us know the benefits of keeping healthy but sometimes it is good for us to read or remember them again because it can invigorate you and/or get you back onto the healthy path again. The following list is not in any specific order and certainly not the only benefits. I am limited by space in this article:
Your attitude can change for the better –mood improves; exercise can help those with diabetes, it may also reduce the chances of developing diabetes.
Although a superficial aspect, exercise can make you look good, hand in hand with that, it feels good. Exercise and practicing balance can help you maintain mobility; healthy people get sick less often and you recover quicker when you are healthy.
Additionally, your sex life may improve; your mental state can improve; you feel much better; exercise can relieve stress; your posture can improve.
I speak to many groups as a guest speaker and one of the things I stress is the fact that being healthy and keeping
stick in front of you and squat down. Hold the squat position for 10 seconds then slowly come upright. The stick will assist your balance. When squatting, stick your bottom out so your knees don’t go past your feet.
BICEPS STRENGTHENERS – this exercise has many levels. When 10 repetitions are hard but achievable, that is a right level for you. Start by placing your hands on a wall and pushing back off the wall. When you can do this easily move on. Do two sets of 10 repetitions once or twice a day.
Enjoy your gardening and I’ll see you next month.
Tristan Hall is an exercise physiologist with Full Circle Wellness. Call 0431 192 284 or visit fullcirclewellness.com.au healthy comes at low cost and if you choose, no cost at all.
In fact, it doesn’t matter how much money you have, you cannot buy good health. When can you start to be healthier? Now. Right this minute you can choose to be a healthier person.
Notwithstanding your ailments and restrictions, you should always make sure you check with your doctor before starting any exercise program, but when you do start improving your health, eat well, exercise regularly and drink plenty of water. It really is simple.
When you think about it, most of us can influence our health in a positive way. If you are unsure about what to do, how and when, ensure you contact your doctor and he/she will make suggestions to you. Get on the web and check out the free facilities your council has built and arranged for you to better your health. What are you waiting for? Tom Law is author of Tom’s Law Fit Happens. Visit tomslaw. com.au
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The Independent Bookstore Pty Ltd who opened its doors in Melbourne, between the lockdowns in 2021, has officially opened a new bookstore as part of its growing franchise chain for new Australian authors in New Farm, Brisbane. This strategic move is designed to expand the network brand that rose from the ashes after two years of pandemic caused the closure of many retail bookstores around the country and made it even harder for current bookstores to sustain the support of new published authors and to present books in the crowded marketplace, this was further due to contractual demands on retailers to buy stocks from the major distribution and larger publishing houses from around the world that are mainly focused on generating large volume sales of known books and creating price wars within a small retail industry.
The move by The Independent Bookstore is part of a unique franchising model designed for local authors in their own communities to be supported and found and to grow their audience without being impeded upon by the big named book brands and global monopolies of the industry. The support of online networks in social media and local communities will be key to a growing niche that new and emerging authors require in order to be further found and become the next voice of the literary world.
Shawline Publishing Group Pty Ltd, the owner of The Independent Bookstores Pty Ltd, has had no choice but to develop this retail chain for its publications and knows the industry will support the variety of quality books on offer, the great price points and the fact that events and campaigns will be created for the local communities of readers and book lovers to experience. The stores will also encompass the range of local products made in areas where stores will be placed and help further local businesses be able to present and grow their own markets.
“The big chain bookshops have too many of the same books,” Bradley Shaw said. “They have all the same books and little to no room for anything more…we feel there are always new ways to bring books to readers. The keys to our stores success will be locations, the price point and the high publishing quality on offer,” explains Bradley Shaw, The Independent Bookstores Managing Partner. “These books are available all over the world for readers to find also, and these stores are just another option for book lovers and especially for locals who have the chance to meet the authors and support their artistic community. We are very excited by this potential in our business model.”
The Independent Bookstore in New Farm Brisbane will be opening officially in May 2022, and we will look forward to seeing the growing interest of great new books by amazing new talents as the success continues.
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HUGE QUILT EXPO
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) will play host to the largest quilt convention in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, the Australasian Quilt Convention.
The event, which runs from May 26 to 29 (10am - 4.30pm), will showcase the best quilts from around Australia, along with some amazing international works.
Additionally, the convention offers a plethora of learning opportunities with convention classes from a myriad of the top quilters from around the country,
Including Rachaeldaisy, Loani Prior, Heather Hopkins and Gloria Loughman. Gloria and Loani will also be hosting the Thursday and Friday evening lectures respectively where you will hear about their personal craft and quilting stories. Gloria and Loani will also be hosting the Thursday and Friday evening lectures respectively where you will hear about their personal craft and quilting stories.
If you can only come for a few hours, there’ll be hands-on learning sessions and free seminars.
Once you have gathered all the inspiration you require from the quilt show, you will be able to shop for everything you need on the Expo floor. Come for an hour or be a VIP with a Gold Pass and come for all four days - just be sure not to miss this informative and interesting event. For Info and tickets: aqc.com.au
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