Fluidity

[RowanC]

Has anyone here used the Fluidity system?

I hurt my knee and now can't do the Tae Bo for a while until it heals.

Pros/Cons for Fluidity?

[texasgirl]

I have seen it advertised several times and it looks fantastic, however I am sorry to say that I have not used so I can't provide you with any real information on it. If you do get it and try it out please do post on here so I know how it is and if I should invest in it. My best to you. :)

[hypnocmt]

I saw the commercial too and have it on my wish list. ;)

If your knee is hurting, I recommend tai chi. I used to have big knee issues- knees sounded like popcorn when I walked up stairs, bent over, etc. Since taking a tai chi class, my legs are better aligned, and my joints feel much more lubricated. Tai chi won;t burn alot of calories, but it's rehabilative effects are fantastic!

Yoga is a real calories burner too, if you get a good Ashtanga/power yoga workout. I like Bryan Kest's. for toning, I also really like Lotte Burke method. It uses alot of deep muscle, pulsing type moves. You can use a chair instead of a barre. Not very aerobic though.

I am anxious to see other people's take on the fluidity system!

[RowanC]

I can't do Yoga.. I tried.. too much stress on the knee.
The knee is acting weird. It will be fine, then BOOM, I can't bend it or move it.
It feels really really tight on the outside and up the thigh. I'm trying gentle stretching, but OWWWWWWWW I really like the idea of the barre for support right now.

I don't remember doing anything in particular.. silly ole knee just started hurting mid day. I've been sick with the flu for almost 2 weeks and couldn't work out... now this.. I'm worried b/c I need to keep active or my joints will freeze up. Maybe I just got stiff during the flu. I'm talking to my body each night, telling it, "Hey! You're fine!"

I was really doing great with Tae Bo and I'm hoping I will still be able to do it. But I need something gentler for a while.

Can you suggest a Tai Chi video? :confused:

[hypnocmt]

Do you think this could be your IT Band? (Feels like a tight "band" of muscle along the outer edge of your thigh....right underneath where your pants seams should be.

If so, You can get marvelous relief by using a tennis ball. Just lie on the floor wih the tennis ball between the area affeCted and the floor. Gently roLl yourself back and forth using the ball to massage, adjusting pressure to it feels deep, but not painful.

If it feels more like pain in "points" along the side of your knee..but still on the "top" of your leg, very close to the patella (knee cap), then it's your Stomach meridien. Try rubbing stomach 34, 35, and 36

(chart with points here) http://www.yinyanghouse.com/acupuncturepoints/stomach_meridian_graphic

The stomach meridien makes good sense if you're just now recovering from the flu...Probably the old Qi trying to get out and then clogging the pipes midway out. ;)

The somach meridian "empties" from the feet, so give them a good rub too, so the exit points are clear for a good purge. :D

in general..acupuncture is MARVELLOUS for knees!

[RowanC]

Thanks Hypno, I'll do that.

Actually,it's very bizarre. It sort of travels. First it was on the top of the leg and for instance, if I was lying in bed and tried to lift my knee to turn over, it would REALLY hurt. Felt like it was stuck or something.

Then it sort of traveled to the outside. Hurt to walk for a few hours.

Then since I last posted, it has moved inside. It just is moving all around my knee. It's really strange, but very painful.:confused:

Ok.. anyway.. I'll rub the stomach meridian. Thanks!

[RowanC]

I've tried posting this twice. Third try hopefully will be a charm.

Before I looked at the chart you posted, I began rubbing my stomach. I found three VERY SORE spots!! When I looked at the chart, I see you want me to rub near the knee itself, but what the heck are #22, #23, and #24 because they hurt like HECK!

[hypnocmt]

Sometimes, well often, qi sensation moves around along the channel. If there was qi stagnation of any kind, and now it's moving out...well, that's a good thing!

If it felt like the energy at the points on the abdomen was "stuck" then you can rub them very briskly and briefly in sequence to open the points...then move down the channel. Stomach 36 really opens up the channel, and is a major point for strengthening immunity and overall vitality. You may even want to "push" the qi down the channel and "out" thru the toe using brisk, firm sweeping motions along the leg. If certain spots like ST 22-24 feel sore in a weak/empty/achy way then you can press more deeply there and slowly rub in a clockwise direction to tonify the point. If they feel more sharp, or hot like there is something stuck, just contactthe point briskly to open the point and move the qi out and along the channel...to get it moving, in other words.

I would spend a little extra time on stomach 36, since if you are getting over a bug, this is an important point for strengthening/tonifying the weakened stomach channel.

And meditating/visualizing the qi moving out of "stuck points" and flowing smoothly along the channel like a healthy river is very good for you. Imagine toxicity along he channel being pushed out of the exit point on the toe!

[Locaroca]

I have it and love it! I've only done it three times so far, but I can actually tell a difference! My saddlebags sucked in the second time and of course it gets a little easier each time, too. I used to do Callanetics years ago, and if you're familiar with that it's very similar type of deep muscle movements that go right for the big muscles, so it does work great. I think I'm detoxing right now or else I just caught a cold, so I feel kinda rotten, but I love doing this when I can actually breathe! :-)

[nadinew3]

Hi RowanC,

I have only had my fluidity for 2 weeks and I have to say that I really enjoy it. I have rheumatoid arthritis and so I need something that is non-impact but helps keep my muscles strong and healthy and Fluidity fits that bill for me. It is an intense workout, but as long as I go at my own pace it is fine and really helps limber my joints and helps the pain be less intense.
I also enjoy Callanetics and the Bar Method - those are fantastic as well and you don't need to buy a bar for those, but I have to say the fluidity bar is what makes the workout so much fun in the first place.
Good luck!

nadine

[Judy]

Another non-impact form of exercise is pilates (matwork).
Especially good for your core, plus it will make you very strong and lean... Well, it is actually good for everything :).