The CoreWalking 2016 Gift Guide

A little late for the holidays, but here is our CoreWalking 2016 gift guide. It is actually inspired by the Boing Boing Gift Guide where I find almost all of my gifts each year.

These are some products that I’ve talked about on the blog and that I love using in my own life that make great gifts to the pain-sufferer in your life.

Dr. Tung’s Tongue Cleaner

tongue

Everyone should use a tongue scraper. It is as simple as that. I am not sure exactly why it works as well as it does but I find that three or four scrapes of the tongue right after getting up, wakes me up even better than a cup of coffee.

Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar

cider

Apple cider vinegar is one of natures health wonders. It might not be the most exciting gift but it is a healthy one.

Baoding Balls – aka Chinese Exercise Balls

balls

When it comes to aging well, which is a top priority of mine, maintaining supple hands and feet are of the utmost importance. Baoding balls are a great exercise tool for whiling away the time at your computer or on the phone.

Fitter First Bongo Board

bongo

There are many balance boards out there. This is just the one I happen to have and love. I try to use it every day even if only for a few minutes. But I also try to get in some extended sessions as well. Balancing for 15-30 minutes is a great, low impact workout.

Bosu Balance Trainer

This takes the balance board to the next level. Every house should have a Bosu. I use both sides but predominantly use the hard side up for balancing and squatting while balancing.

Paper Tape

tape

This is the ultimate gift for the snorers in your life. Tape your mouth shut at night and breathe through your nose (as designed) for as long as you sleep. To be honest I haven’t been using it as much lately but using it in the beginning developed the muscles of my mouth and lips to stay shut without it.

Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar

bar

I still can’t do a pull up, but I try. I also hang. This is up outside my office and I try not to cross the threshold without making use of it.

Pull-Up Assist Band

rubber

This massive rubber band works with the pull up bar. You tie it on and step into it in order to help you up. Pull ups are one of the hardest exercises out there and any assist helps.

Merrell Vapor Glove Trail Running Shoe

Merrell Men's Vapor Glove 2 Trail Running Shoe, Black/Castle Rock, 7 M US

I go minimal or barefoot every chance I get. I have no interest in supportive shoes. Merrell shoes and sneakers happen to fit my feet perfectly. I like the Road and Trail Gloves as well. And if you are new to minimal shoes it might be good to work your way down. These are like wearing socks.

YogaToes

Original YogaToes - Small Sapphire Blue: Toe Stretcher & Separator. Fight Bunions, Hammer Toes, Foot Pain & More!

Everyone should own a pair of yoga toes. I still have the first pair I bought 15 years ago and have used them hundreds if not thousands of times.

DynaPro Exercise Ball
ball

I am not attached to this particular ball but I think every house should have one. I use it for sitting at my desk as well as for exercise, particularly backbending. I see one of these things anywhere and I feel compelled to do wheel pose.

Hand Grip Strengthener

grip

Supple hands and feet are key to aging gracefully and any exercise you can do to help them stay strong and useful will pay off in the long run.

Therapy Balls

ballst

I mostly roll out my feet but these balls can be used on any part of the body.

A BOOK LIST

Rolfing, by Ida Rolf

rolf

It doesn’t read like a novel but there is so much learning inside. One of the first body books that I inhaled and it still influences the way I think.

Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tzu

tao

The book is the guiding light of my life.

Bhagavad Gita

bhag

This is the first translation of the Bhagavad Gita that I was really able to sink my teeth into. And I have done so many many times.

Taking Root to Fly

root

Another of the key books of my body learning. A collection

Letters to a Young Poet

poet

I was never much of a poet but this remains one of the most important books of my life. I first read it when I was 17 or 18 and oh so many times since. It isn’t about the body but it is definitely about the soul.

Human Movement Potential

hmp

Of the numerous body books on this page, this one probably ranks as the one I have read the most. It is a technical book but for whatever reason, it resonated with me deeply. It was out of print for a while and I was glad to see that it is available again.

Functional Anatomy of Yoga

faoy

I appreciate David Keil and the way he presents things.

The Tao of Healing

healing

A very beautiful book offering a different but no less profound take on the Tao Te Ching.

Anatomy Trains

atrains

Tom Myers is the tops. This, and anything else out there by Myers, are must reads.

Dr Romanov’s Pose Method

posemethod

This is the book I used to change my running style from heel strike to forefoot and I have never looked back.

Born to Run

born

Read this book and you will want to run. It is really two books–the story of a group of amazing runners and a book filled with great information about the science of running. A true inspiration.