Rebecca E. Allen is passionate about helping others develop and nurture practices of well-being. She earned her BS in Sociology and MA in Exercise and Sport Science and holds fitness certifications from ACE, AFAA,, IFTA, and Tai Chi for Health Institute. She is a Medical Exercise Specialist and is registered with Yoga Alliance as a 500 RYT. Rebecca enjoys long walks in the woods with her husband, Chip Davis.
We all experience a rhythm of work and rest. Our hearts illustrate a perfect symphony of sound and silence, effort and recovery. So why not employee the same method into creating our own rhythm of work and rest? Many cultures incorporate formal and informal observances of rest and retreat in
If you are like me, you spend most of your day sitting. The average adult in the US spends 8-12 hours of their day sitting. Whether you are sitting because your work requires it or you have reduced mobility due to an injury or condition, you can improve overall fitness
In 2021, the RFC and ABLE EIG recruited volunteers for focus groups and interviews to find out more about fitness, wellness, and recreation experiences of people with disabilities at SAS. To read more about that process, check out this SAS Life blog. As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Trees have been a source of awe my entire life. My grandparent’s house was an easy walk through the forest. I loved long visits with them and regularly enjoyed my grandmother’s famous chocolate chip cookies 😊. So, of course, I walked amongst the trees daily. My love for the hiking
INTRODUCTION Have you ever thought of breathing as a type of movement or physical activity? Consider this. It’s the first movement we did when we were born. And we all do it – an average of 14-16 times per minute. It’s essential for every other aspect of living. And it’s accessible to
In 2021, the RFC and ABLE Employee Inclusion Group teamed up to find out more about fitness, wellness, and recreation experiences of people with disabilities at SAS. The goal was to understand employees' individual and collective experiences with the RFC, and opportunities to enhance accessibility and inclusivity of programs offered.
I watched my husband practice or "play" tai chi for several years before I was willing to give it a go. "That's too slow for me," I thought. "I won't be able to do it". Tai chi, originally a martial art, provides me with joy and I'm so glad I
What kind of movement do you hunger for? Yes, I said hunger for…what kind of movement would bring you joy? Maybe it’s a quick “snack” of restorative yoga postures, a set of barbell squats for “dessert”, or just a “side” of dancing for 5 minutes in the living room. Perhaps
How do you manage your energy and productivity throughout your day? Wanna know my secret? I take movement breaks often and eat lunch! According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 156 million full-time workers in the United States spend at least one-third of their day at the workplace.
It’s rare that we think this moment is the only moment that matters. We're often thinking about what just happened or filtering through our list of to-dos. These are the things that pull us into what Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance, calls the "trance of thinking". It's been really
Trusting myself, my body, my sensations, and my experience has been monumental in helping me sustain active living and well being. Fitness must address the human being, not just the human body and staying well requires me to trust my intuition, my experience, and my own tolerance to challenges. It
Introducing Guest Blogger: Shelly Starling Shelly is a Fitness/Wellness intern at the Recreation and Fitness Center. She is pursuing an Associates degree in Health and Fitness Science at Wake Technical Community College. Her interest in mind/body connection led her to pursue her 200 hour yoga certification in 2017. She enjoys
Splashing didn’t come easy for me. The water absolutely terrified me as a child. I spent summers either sitting on the first few steps of the pool or screaming during swim lessons while my mom waited in the locker room. Splash-forward to high school and I was in the pool
The journey of life rarely follows the expected path. Last year around this time I experienced the most devastating loss I will likely ever experience in my life; the loss of our only daughter, Mamie. The grieving process is new to me, as is the earth-shattering devastation of unfulfilled hopes,
Staff parties, holiday treats, indoor snow days, the list of welcomed distractions continues. This time of year is full of festivities that call for our attention. The choices can be daunting at times. Sometimes they derail us from our plans and progress. What can you do to manage the madness?
Reading has been a part of who I am as far as I can remember. I loved listening to books as a curious child and enjoyed an audience when learning to read on my own. During grad school research, I often found myself curiously digging into one topic that led
Swing through December with the Kettlebell swing! This is an intermediate-advanced, full-body movement that involves a bit of momentum and lots of dynamic, core strength. These will swing your heart rate in gear! Remember to use your hips, brace your core, and keep the bell at chest height or lower
It's as easy as walking, right? Well, give it a try. October’s move of the month is the “Farmer’s” Carry. It is a SUPER-simple, full body, traveling exercise. It incorporates core stabilization and a familiar daily activity - walking. All you have to do is walk + carry something...preferably
Everybody GET UP! Want to train the entire body in one exercise? This is it! The Turkish Getup is a multi-joint, multi-movement exercise that incorporates transitioning from the ground to standing. This exercise requires synergy, coordination, and core/shoulder stabilization to increase your functional strength. It may seem daunting, but it is
August’s move of the month is the Overhead Squat. It is a multi-joint movement that incorporates a squat as well as significant shoulder mobility and core strength. Although it seems quite simple, the technique takes time to learn, so start with something like a broomstick or PVC pipe to familiarize
The Kettlebell (KB) clean is a multi-joint movement that incorporates a squat, a pull, and shoulder rotation. You will work to maximize momentum generated in the lower body to use your upper body while challenging core stability. This exercise requires a little coordination and precision, so take your time learning
June's move is two in one. The thruster is a multi-joint movement that incorporates a squat and an overhead press. You will work lower and upper body while challenging core stability. You can choose to use a variety of equipment options and even add a toss and catch with a medicine
Each year at SAS, along with companies around the world, we celebrate health and fitness at work and this year is no exception! The Recreation and Fitness Center, Health Care Center, Work/Life Team, the Cafes, our Environmental Sustainability Team, and Research and Development Departments have teamed up to promote whole body
Want to strengthen your chest and triceps with one exercise? Check out these variations of the chest press. The chest press relies on strength and stability, and it's not just for Mondays. Choose one arm, both arms, decline, incline, or all options as you focus on maintaining a neutral spine with
Looking for ways to add some variability to your routine? Try these row options. You can choose one or all as you focus on your back while keeping your core engaged. The row incorporates almost every muscle involved in moving your shoulder and your elbow. It also relies on muscles of
Longevity research represents facts and figures related to one's accumulation of years on this planet. Hawaiians top the charts in the US with a life expectancy of 80 years while, believe it or not, DC represents the lowest at 72 years. NC, although known for delicacies like sweet tea and barbeque,
No really, don't get up. If you are curious about yoga and want to try a gentle practice, chair yoga may be just what you need (even if you don't know it yet). Whether you are in a desk chair, a conference room chair, or a wheel chair, you can sit and simultaneously become more fit. The
Recently I was in a staff meeting that involved a discussion regarding the impact of personality types on interpersonal relationships. You may recall sixteen personality types suggested by Meyers Briggs research (MBTI ®) such as ENFJ or ISFP. Or perhaps you, like Cindi Lauper, see your True Color® shining through. Galton (1884), and
Our cardiovascular systems are "complex arrangements of hydraulic, yet living, components" (Swain, 2000). Just as water must constantly flow at varied rates through a water system in a city, blood must also circulate rhythmically throughout our bodies to keep us vibrant and healthy. The heart drives the entire system. We get more efficient at
