How Time is Ideal to Hold a Stretch to Achieve Long-term Flexibility Gains? Update July 2026: This post is being expanded and updated over the next few weeks. Bookmark it to stay current with the latest version.Understanding the optimal time to hold a stretch is important to gain lasting changes in your flexibility. Increasing your […]
Professional-Grade Stretching Band Recommend By a Kinesiologist to Improve Mobility, Flexibility, and Ease of MovementOriginal post: July 24, 2009Updated, expanded and republished: June 26, 2026 Lifemoves Human Performance is always looking out for the tools and small exercise equipment that can help our clients reach their goals. One tool we came across in 2009 was the […]
Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of mortality in both males and females, Learn new ways to calculate the proper training zones and reduce your risk.
During their first kinesiology session, clients often wonder what the difference is between kinesiology and physiotherapy. They would also like to further understand when to choose between a kinesiologist and a physiotherapist for care.
Our bodies become unbalanced and stuck due to chronic work habits, repetitive movements, single directional sports and/or injuries. This myofascial tension drains our energy and creates pain. We end up tighter on one side or in one direction. Try this powerful ratio to stop feeling cramped.
When patients are told by their family physician to be more active, they often don’t have the first clue of where to go or how to start. Kinesiologists provide guidance to fill their prescription based on their health history, lifestyle and goals.
According to Osteoporosis Canada, fractures from osteoporosis are more common than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined. Popular belief is that women are primary sufferers of osteoporosis, however both men and women, of all ages, are susceptible. Over a period of time bone becomes thin and porous, which exponentially increases the risk of fracture.
Trigger points contribute to muscle and fascia pain (myofascial pain). Learning how to release trigger points therapy techniques will help you quickly relieve myofascial pain, improve your range of motion, increase strength, and reduce muscle fatigue.
Last Updated: June 23, 2023 In 2009, a client came to us with injuries they sustained in a car crash. They tried to continue their regular Yoga practice which continued to worsen their pain. Our challenge was to develop a Yoga practice for neck and back pain relief that they could do at home. This […]
Golfers will benefit from a quick 5-minute warmup for golf, even if they are short on time. Many amateur golfers get too excited about their tee time so they arrive on the golf course without doing a golf warmup. It will add more yards to your and make it more enjoyable too.
Are you feeling frustrated while waiting six months or more for hip replacement surgery? Even though your Doctor will recommend Physiotherapy to recover post-surgery, there is something you can do today.
Taking part in a Kinesiologist-led exercise program will speed up hip recovery time.
Some people develop lower-back and hip pain because of poor office set-up or sitting too long. Take five minutes out of your day to try this stretch.
The difference between a personal trainer and a kinesiologist is more than just what we choose to call ourselves. The main differences are our scope of practice, base education and the types of clients we can design exercise programs for.
Limiting trigger point development will help you move more freely due to greater flexibility and range of motion. how do we prevent myofascial trigger points from developing in the first place? There are several perpetuating factors, some that we can influence and others are ones that we can’t.
You’ve probably already heard that far-infrared therapy saunas benefit those with chronic health conditions, but do you know that you can have similar results anywhere you travel? FIRMA Energy has a line of compression wear and far-infrared therapy clothing that integrates far-infrared (FIR) technology directly into the weave of the fabric. This enables you to leave the sauna at home while you’re on the road.
The Grouse Grind is an iconic Vancouver hiking challenge. Getting to the top can be daunting, yet cresting over the top to see the stairs of the resort building is exhilarating and relieving. There are several other reasons to take on this trail.
Do you do the Grind always hoping to reach a new personal best, but find that you are stuck at a plateau? There are usually two main reasons you are staying at the same level. Firstly, your body and your mind are no longer challenged. Secondly, you are fatigued. To power through this plateau we suggests you try these 6 steps.
Take a hike in nature enables you to reconnect with nature while escaping the hustle and bustle of work and the city. Likewise, it’s no secret that there are several health benefits of being outside, for both your mind and body.
Slips and falls on the ice are a serious concern for the elderly as well as people with chronic medical conditions. Their fear is that falling while walking on the snow could make their condition worse or result in a debilitating injury like a hip fracture.
Back injuries are common from shoveling snow. To prevent back a injury from shoveling snow follow these lifting techniques that include a good warm-up.
Our posture is a projection of how we feel about a situation, person or even ourselves. It is believed that 55% of how we communicate is in our body language. If you struggle with self-confidence or depression changing your posture can quickly change your mood.
Wow! It has been a year since our first private personal training, fitness and rehabilitaiton studio opened in North Vancouver. While it took me 15 years, I held on to the dream of my own studio; last year that dream culminated in a lot of hardwork to become a reality.
Do you have osteoporosis? Learn five home osteoporosis exercises to keep strong and prevent fractures. Strength training is now recommended by Osteoporosis Canada to help people to stay active and independent.
With Valentines Day falling in February, we want to further emphasize the topic of loving the types of physical activity you participate in. How to Find Happiness in Being Active was all about how finding something you enjoy doing to creates adherence to physical activity, preventing the dreaded cycle of inactivity. How do know if what […]
[Video] Depression has haunted Alfred, Lifemoves’ founder since his family moved to Vancouver in 1988. Over nearly 30 years of intermittent therapy and continuous self-reflection he’s figured out the deeper human emotional need that triggered my mental illness, inclusion.
One in ten Canadians will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent research shows that a combination of regular resistance training and walking can enhance the usual treatments for PTSD.
The topic of disabilities and inclusiveness has been important to me since I worked at a home for adults with cognitive disabilities after graduating from university. This passion grew further in 2000 when I participated in an “Adapted Physical Activities” course at the University of British Columbia that was part of non-degree work post graduating […]
Restorative yoga is a gentle type of yoga that uses props such as cushions, bolsters, and blankets so people with different medical conditions and varying movement abilities can practice yoga. Restorative yoga allows the body and mind to completely relax.
The American Council of Sports Medicine recently released the results of their ninth annual ASCM Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends. Although, educated certified and experienced fitness professionals dropped to number three this year we previously held the top spot from 2008 to 2014.
There has been a lot of emphasis on stretching the hamstrings to reduce back pain, however doing only this misses part of the solution.
Setting running goals as we age can be a tricky business no matter what the distance. A step in this direction is being able to set reasonable training and racing goals. Alfred discussed this with Olympian Dylan Wykes.
Approximately 80% of the world’s population will have a shoulder injury at some time in their lives; in some sports that number is a staggering 100%! Those who’ve had shoulder pain in the past will most likely have it reoccur. Proper shoulder injury rehab is part of preventing a recurrence.
Keeping the Goal the Goal: Lessons from the 2014 Vancouver NSCA ConferenceNational Strength and Conditioning Association held their provincial clinic last weekend at the inspirational Richmond Oval site of the 2010 Olympic Speedskating events. The packed house was eager to absorb the wisdom of top level professionals without having to travel to somewhere else such […]
Walk with your Doctor to celebrate the World Health Organization’s Move for Health Day. Find a walk in your BC community.
While it is important to have a training plan it is almost impossible to follow it 100%. To follow the training plan or not? When life throws us hiccups like rain instead of sun or a work deadline do you do part of the plan or nothing at all?
Last year we sent out postcards to doctors in West Vancouver and North Vancouver with the headline Exercise is Medicine with the goal of encouraging doctors to prescribe kinesiology. A couple of doctors called us to us find out more and agreed. In 2014, we followed up with another postcard campaign to Prescribe Kinesiology. We have also […]
I recently had the opportunity to speak with and inspire the next generation of Kinesiologists. Every year the University of British Columbia Kinesiologists host a Last Lecture. People working in the field to come speak about their experiences and encourage those graduating. I shared the stage with Robyn Leuty of UBC Kin and Jay DeMerit […]
Water is a powerful substance that can be both healing and destructive. Water is an abundent substance that we can’t live without. Ever wondered why we are told to keep hydrated? To learn more about water’s role in muscle function and dysfunction I attended Dr. Gerald Pollack’s thought provoking seminar Skeletal Muscle Molecular Mechanics and […]
There is no doubt about it mobile and web based medical technology is revolutionizing the way health care is delivered. Just take a look at TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy in which the doctors use tablets. While shopping for one myself I saw a blood pressure cuff that connects to an iPhone. There are also […]
There over 200 diseases of the bones, joints and muscles. An encouraging recent review of several studies continues to support exercise therapy for the treatment of many of these conditions and diseases.
With so much of our lives now in front of a computer or desk, it isn’t surprising that many people have neck, shoulder and back pain that originates from prolonged sitting and poor office station set-up.
Certain life choices shape our career. Kinesiology is a strong foundation for other professional medical careers. Healthcare is in my genes. One side of my family has a legacy of being outstanding doctors as well as nurses.
In 2013, relocated to a gym that was near the Pemberton Heights Pub in North Vancouver. This quaint place had all the fitness equipment we needed and the private space to provide Fascia Stretch Therapy. It was called Go to Hellth, an interesting name, although the decor made people feel uneasy. This relationship lasted until 2015, […]
The body is a complex system of relationships that are governed by the nervous system and the brain. During a weekend Level I Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT) Alfred investigated these relationships. It was a pleasure to learn directly from David Weinstock, who developed NKT.How Do We Move When Injured?In the body every muscle works in a […]
Would you take a medication that would significantly reduce your blood pressure, cholesterol and stress as well as improve your cardiorespiratory and immune system, ultimately lowering your chances of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes? What if this medication was free and had very view negative side effects which many medications do? I am talking about the […]
Does your doctor know you are seeing a kinesiologist? Don’t let it be a secret! Doctors in BC are now capable of prescribing exercise as medicine. While we do receive referrals from physicians we continue to need your help to spread the word. In the past we have sent out postcards to nearly two hundred […]
Every year the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, which Lifemoves is a member of hosts a business tradeshow to showcase businesses in North Vancouver. This five hour event was free, open to the public and held at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier. Andrea and I had a lot of fun talking to North Vancouver […]
It has been nearly four years since Lifemoves filmed a promotional video. The first one was completed by Capilano University students because I was finalist for the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009. We found out about Flip Vision through regular patronage at a Starbucks where Flip Vision’s founder […]
Cross country skiing is relatively low-impact winter sport which is good for building strength and aerobic capacity; it can also be enjoyed well into your 80’s. For cross country skiing beginners this sport fairly easy to pick up. I learned to ski on a flat frozen lake and the rolling hills of Saskatchewan. When my […]
Cross country skiing is a sport with amazing health benefits that people can participate in as they age. Those who are no longer able to downhill ski without hip, back or knee pain are able to slap their feet onto the narrower boards and glide along the snow.
According to new data released by the Canadian Institution of Health Information (CIHI), Skiing and Snowboarding injuries are now twice as frequent as those seen in hockey. Injuries commonly seen on the slopes are muscle strains, ligamentous sprains, joint dislocations and fractures. The good news is that the majority of these injuries are avoidable! The sight […]
This past year has been one full of transitions, changes and growth for Lifemoves. It has been a year of trying new things and moving to new places. As 2013 approaches we have been considering how to best serve our clients in the new year.Lifemoves Closes Coquitlam LocationAfter a great deal of consideration due to […]
The B.C. Ministry of Health and the B.C. Medical Association has recognized Kinesiologists as part of the rehabilitation puzzle. We have been included in an initiative that they have been working on as joint venture with the the General Practice Services Committee and HealthLink BC to make it easier and more timely for healthcare professionals […]
Learning how to stay active with Lyme disease can often be frustrating and confusing. Lyme Disease is a chronic and debilitating illness. The appropriate activity stimulates muscle and nerve regeneration but also to moves bacteria trapped in the brain and heart into the bloodstream where it can be destroyed by the immune system. However, doing too much can leave you feeling more fatigued and discouraged.
Saturday September 22nd I participated in the 22nd Annual Grouse Grind Mountain Run (GGMR). This was also my fourth time entering this event. The weather was almost perfect for a Grind, slightly overcast and around 8C. It is the culmination of spring and summer training. A client with a traumatic brain injury actually inspired me […]
Update 02/01/2013 Lifemoves Coquitlam is permanently closed. Hilda Fu no longer works for Lifemoves. Lifemoves Health and Rehabilitation is excited to welcome Hilda Fu to our team of Practicing Kinesiologists. Her focus will to be expand our programs and services at our Coquitlam exercise therapy clinic. She is strongly passionate about working with the senior […]
Sport Med BC turned 30! Last night was their annual general meeting and 30th anniversary gala. My first connection with SportMedBC was while attending the University of British Columbia when I took a course on athletic taping in 1999. I subsequently signed up as a Sports First Aider. Now I am on their providers list […]
For many years I have admired the strength, power, co-ordination and graceful movement abilities of elite level gymnasts. This was highlighted again during the London 2012 Olympics. The gymnastics rings are one apparatus that I thought I would never be able to complete properly. However when I heard that Chad Waterbury, a very well respected […]
When I mention my new personal best Grouse Grind time of 35:32 minutes (11th age and gender group) some people say “Oh, you are one of those people.” In 2009 I was just like everyone else, that year I decided to dedicate my training to one thing, getting faster on the Grind. Success didn’t come […]
Split Clean and Jerk – 42.22 kg Stepping up to the bar is about completing challenges that push your limits with grit, determination and enthusiasm. This weekend I had an opportunity to learn how to teach and properly complete the two Olympic lifts – the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk. It is surprising as […]
Strength training is meant to support your sport. Getting stronger improves other aspects of your health while making the rest of life’s movements a little easier including climbing the Grouse Grind.
The Grind for Kids® is a North Vancouver based fundraising initiative that is in its third year; this year we all climbing to raise funds for a new cardiology section of the BC Children’s Hospital. It was really nice to have one of my favourite summer activities, the Grouse Grind® open early this season. This […]
This year the Grouse Grind opened surprisingly early. Climbing up this North Vancouver landmark is something that I look forward to every year. Last year I honoured one of Lifemoves clients who passed away, but also enjoyed the mountain’s physical challenge, by reaching my 100th ascent. In 2012, I am again striving to raise money […]
What to Consider Before Joint Replacement Surgery Last Updated: June 16, 2023 Deciding to have a joint replacement requires careful consideration. It is a major with a 6-12 month recovery period. Clients ask us what to consider before joint replacement surgery. There are many positive impacts it has, including reducing hip joint, shoulder joint and […]
Have you ever struggled to change a habit? Do you realize there are many things that we do in our work and personal lives that are habits? Follow these 10 steps to change your habits.
I recently began to read Live a Life You Love by Vancouver wellness expert, life coach, author, media presenter, flamenco dancer and medical doctor, Dr. Susan Biali. One thing that really struck me was that we need to learn to honour ourselves more. We both agree that our lifestyles greatly impact our health and well […]
Benefits of Using Kinesio Tape for Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Kinesio tape is a therapeutic tape that has been used in a wide array of sporting events from the Beijing Summers Games in 2008 to the Rugby World Cup in 2010 and have heard that it is endorsed by numerous high profile individual athletes including […]
Help Others Get Moving for Life Did you know that this blog was nominated by Best Health for a blog award in 2012? We are back in 2023 working on some great content to empower you to reach your health, fitness and rehabilitation goals. We appreciate all our readers. Can you help us by sharing […]
Start spreading the news. Lifemoves is poised for big growth in 2012. This means that we will be adding more content and looking for more ways to share information in all of our blogs: Get Moving for Life, Red Dragon Entrepreneur and this one. We appreciate all of current readers. We are changing our RSS […]
We are excited to welcome Andrea Brennan to the Lifemoves family. Some of our clients have already met Andrea who has additional skills in Kinesio Taping and trigger point therapy which are great additions to therapeutic exercise programs. About Andrea She graduated from Dublin City University in 2009 with a BSc. in Athletic Therapy and […]
Our blogs are inspired by the questions we are asked by our clients. Someone recently asked me – “Where does fat go? What happens to our fat cells when we lose weight?” Since, I am more of an expert at getting people moving and improving their durability, not at fat loss I thought I would interview Martin Bolduc, Personal Trainer.
Kinesiologist Alfred Ball teaches a client Clinical Pilates exercises to reduce low back pain. Yes, kinesiology sessions are part of an integrated and complete rehabilitation program. Doctors refer patients for exercise therapy.In the space of one day I had two people approach me with completely different views about what Lifemoves’ Kinesiologists do. One did not […]
With the end of 2011 approaching and those New Years Resolutions just around the corner, it helps to review how successful you have been in reaching your health and fitness goals this year so that you can move forward in 2012 positively. Be honest with yourself when looking at what you have done well and […]
Education is one of Lifemove’s core values. We often are granted teachable moments where this core value is tapped into. In the last 10 years the fitness industry has gone from fanciful movements with the BOSU and other devices to make a training session “fun-ctional” back to basic human movements of lifting, pushing, pulling and rotating […]
Chronic pain is a complex process that has lasted more than 6 months and this is after tissues involved in the original injury or surgery have healed. Kinesiologists help relieve chronic pain with exercise therapy.
It is clear from a recent news story on CTV Television that having a Kinesiology degree is valued by consumers, fitness centres and third party payers (ICBC, Disability Insurance and Health Benefits providers). It is poignant that a news story about a well known gym claiming that their Personal Trainers have Kinesiologists on staff, when […]
Today I competed in my third BMO Grouse Grind Mountain Run© in honour of a Lifemoves© client, Barbara who passed away this year. Barb exemplified Lifemoves©’ philosophy of keeping active despite a medical condition or disability. She overcame many mountains during her life after suffering a brain aneurism of 20 years ago that made being […]
How to Find Burnaby Hastings’ Lifemoves Human Performance’s Social Media CommunityOriginal post: Sept 28, 2011Updated: August 3, 2026 * this post is undergoing an overhaul*Social media has evolved dramatically since we first wrote this post. In 2026, we are cleaning up our social media and blog posts to make our content easier to find and […]
Back pain can be a difficult condition to manage. One cause of lower-back is lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Anyone with LSS would agree that it is a painful and debilitating condition with limited treatment options: surgery or more conservative measures such as exercise, physiotherapy or pain relieving injections. Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is defined as […]
On Friday September 3rd Alfred attended a think tank meeting hosted by Carmen Bott of Human Motion, who is now the provincial director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Most of the twenty five plus professionals hold one of the NSCA’s conditioning designations, Personal Training (PT) or Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Alfred […]
Update 1/28/2017 Sarah Weller is no longer working at Lifemoves. Lifemoves Health and Rehabilitation is excited to announce experienced Practicing Kinesiologist Sarah Weller has joined Lifemoves. Sarah is originally from Australia and has over six years of experience developing exercise therapy programs for clients with a diverse range of clients with musculoskeletal disorders as well […]
(image by Todd Duncan) Impact, a multi-sport magazine published in Vancouver and Calgary recruits local health and fitness experts to write articles for their bi-monthly magazine. I am honoured to be able to now say “as seen in Impact Magazine.” This article took awhile to get published. I first noticed Impact a couple of years […]
August 2011 – It is with both sadness, happiness and gratitude that we announce that Leah Grossmith will be attending Occupational Therapy school in Alberta. She has been a valuable part of the Lifemoves team for over a year. In that time she as helped numerous clients achieve a greater quality of life, reach their […]
July 2011 – Lifemoves would like to welcome Tara Wilson to our team of Practicing Kinesiologists. Tara is a recent graduate of UBC’s Human Kinetics program who has been teaching mat and reformer Pilates while obtaining her degree. She studied with Balanced Bodies, one of the premier Pilates training programs in North America as well […]
We are excited to introduce the use of Mindbody Online , an Inc. 500 member where over 15,000 people book their services online everyday around the globe. At Lifemoves we are always looking for ways to leverage technology in ways that will make easier for our clients to interact with us and for us to […]
Alfred has the honour of speaking at the 19th Annual Wellness show taking place February 18th-20th . Breathing to Reduce Stress and Relieve Chronic Pain: Chronic pain and stress heighten our nervous system response and muscle tension. Alfred will share a few easy breathing techniques to calm your mind, reduce muscle tension and relieve chronic […]
How to Find Physical Activities that Spark JoyAre you longing for the days when you were more active? One of the many reasons why people become less active is they and their bodies become bored with the same routines. Often we get stuck doing the same routine which once gave us results, but no longer […]
Liam Firus is a Canadian Olympian who calls North Vancouver home. He is also an individual who has received and benefitted from Fascial Stretch Therapy performed by Alfred Ball a Level 2 Fascial stretch Therapist. Firus first rose to national success when he took home the Canadian Junior Title in 2010. The following year he began […]
Lifemoves Health and Rehabilitation has enrolled and team in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the ride, it is a two day journey from Vancouver to Seattle. Participants ride approximately 120 km per day, averaging about 8 hours a day. It will be a huge challenge, but […]
Staying balanced means staying rooted on our feet. Previously, we’ve written about why our balance changes as we age, we now explore several fun ways to improve your balance and prevent falls within your resistance training routine. Resistance training is not only important to maintain muscular strength, but is also important to maintain brain to muscle […]
There are few tips and tricks to make your first snowshoe adventure fun and safe. Yearning to try snowshoeing again, I finally did. Cross country skiing has been my winter sport of choice since I first put on the bear binding skis in the snow covered front yard when I was three. Though, I do remember […]
2011 is going to be the year of being “unstuck” (more about this later in future posts). Watch the video for our first video message. Let us know what you think and what you would like to see in future videos. We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas with friends, family and loved ones. […]
As a health professional I often hear people let their fitness programs slide as the indulgences of the season increase, then are making up lost time four weeks later once they start their resolutions. It is pretty easy to maintain your fitness during the holidays. Today, despite the holidays and it being the last weekend […]
How often do you check the credentials of health/medical professionals even Personal Trainers? Unlike physical therapy, medicine and chiropractic where there are colleges dedicated to protecting the public, Personal Training and Kinesiology are largely self-regulated professions where it is buyer beware.
Like it or not, as we age our balance decreases. It is a natural result of many other changes that are occurring within the body. Keeping our balance is an essential component of our lives; whether it is being able to recover after slipping, or having to stand on our tippy-toes and reach for an item on that top shelf.
Did you know myofascial pain can reduce your ability to concentrate? Headaches are often caused by trigger points. Prolonged postures such as being forward at a desk, anxiety and stress are perpetuating factors that lead to the inability to focus. Get relief with three easy stretches.
We started this blog in June, 2009 and have since written over 50 articles on diverse topics about health, rehabilitation, staying active with chronic medical conditions and disability management. Our blog is part of Lifemoves®’ efforts to educate and communicate with the public about issues that concern them about staying moving for life. Thank you […]
Educating the public about health, rehabilitation and disability management is something that is an important part of Lifemoves® and my philosophy as a Kinesiologist. One way we have been doing this is through our blog – Get Moving for Life™. Recently our efforts were recognized by the editors of Best Health Magazine, a Canadian health […]
Many clients we see with lower back pain are unable to distinguish between hip extension/flexion and spine flexion/extension during movement. They also have poor core activation and spinal stabilization strategies, even after their initial injury has healed.
The leg press, seated row, lat-pulldown, seated leg curl and shoulder press have been favourite exercises of thousands of gym enthusiasts for many years. However, when done improperly they can lead to lower-back pain. Lower-back pain is a common complaint which has many different origins including exercise error. Repetitive poor lifting habits are often one of […]
