<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This topic is something that follows on from my previous Juicemail about communication (Bother Me….PLEASE!) and is a question I always ask at the beginning of a workshop, presentation or lecture. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">“Why are you here?” </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I am sure you have asked it of your client/s in the past right? Its the same situation in many ways.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">We will have a certain level of expectation when attending sessions based on the limited details given in flyers, brochures, adverts or promotions. We may read a session title and a short paragraph and then from that form some level of expectation. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">So prior to starting any session or presentation it is vital to understand this expectation. This then clarifies the level, or angle, to pitch or deliver the session for the audience present thus allowing relevance and a better connection to them.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">No point using rugby or strength training anecdotes in a room full of ballerinas or pilates teachers now is there!?  Also no point guessing what they want to learn about when you can simply ask them right!?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">So I was at The International Fitness Showcase (IFS) Blackpool Winter Gardens over the weekend with our partners Spinning® &amp; Athleticum®. This is one of my favourite working weekends of the whole year and this year was no different, leaving me still buzzing a few days later! So much so I wanted to share my weekend of fun with you!! </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The weekend was spent with thousands of sweaty fit pros seeking the adrenaline high of a fitness class, the calm flow of mind and body and also the experience of some new ideas in education.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Pelvic Biomechanics lecture</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Friday I asked my Pelvic Biomechanics audience why they were at my lecture? Why had they chosen my session over the other 6 or 7 sessions that were running at that time? </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">They told me they wanted to: </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Learn more about pelvic anatomy</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Learn how to assess pelvic asymmetry</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Learn how to correct it </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">….nice and simple considering that is exactly what the content was about for this one!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The session was fully booked and drew a keen crowd of professionals amidst which we had chiropractors, pilates teachers, therapists and PT’s. It always excites me that we get the cross over of professionals together in our workshops. This practical demonstration looked at simple evidence based techniques to assess our clients pelvic function and then how to correct it as I gave a  sample what you can learn on our Pelvic Biomechanics 2 day workshop.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Core Screening lecture</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Core screening (Spine Biomechanics) workshop which was also fully booked and so as usually I started with ..</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">“Why are you here?” </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This group said they wanted to;</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Learn how to maintain good core control</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Learn how to get a strong core</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Learn how to help people with LBP</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Learn about improving posture</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Learn the best core exercises</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Their responses made me realise they were not necessarily going to be getting what they expected but that’s the point of education isn't it? To be taken into areas of the unknown, to have our knowledge challenged, to enable us to develop and expand.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This practical session had 2 volunteers undergo 4 screens to understand their isometric core strength ratios, and therefore their injury risk, along with which areas of their core strength required focus in training</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This session brought up some really great, interesting questions and discussions amongst the group like;</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">What is ‘weak’ anyway?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Are we GIVING clients back pain unknowingly?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Is core work gluing the wrong position?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">How do we correct core strength ratio’s?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">All of this gave those present an idea of what we discuss during our 2 day Spine Biomechanics workshop.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Foot Biomechanics lecture</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">While the final day is relatively quiet and only a half day, I wasn't quite prepared for the response to our Foot Biomechanics presentation which was not only fully booked - but jammed to the rafters!!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">50 People squished into every corner of the room, standing in the doorway and on every inch of floor space to hear what we had to say about foot biomechanics. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">“Why are you here?” </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">These guys wanted answers to all sorts of questions;</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">How can I help plantar fasciitis?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">How do feet affect running gait?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">How does running gait affect feet?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">What are the best exercises for feet?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Does genetics affect foot function?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">There was certainly a deep fascination from the audience recognising we really should understand foot function better. By breaking down this complex joint into what we, as PT’s, NEED to know, we then discussed what we CAN do to help our clients in relation to their feet. By increasing our understanding of both descending and ascending biomechanical influences we are better placed to refer, prescribe the right exercises or at least do something pro-active. We look at this in much more detail during our 2 day Knee &amp; Foot Biomechanics workshop. Interestingly I had a podiatry student in the lecture who came to speak to me afterwards and stated "you have just made my entire degree make sense"!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Since Monday morning I have been inundated with emails, texts and FB messages from the IFS attendees wanting to secure workshop dates before they all go - so I guess you liked it right!? The whole event was full of support and proves just what a fantastic industry it is;</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Spinning® gang are always super supportive and this year was no different.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">We also had 2 volunteer Biomechanics Coaches™, newly qualified Stuart Farmer and trainee Matt Gibbs. These guys gave up valuable free time simply to support their training academy Biomechanics Education! </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Thank you guys!!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">There was a change of help. A group of super excitable and extremely supportive friends who come to my classes, wanted to come and see what the event was all about and again volunteer valuable free time to get involved and help Biomechanics Education.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Thank you SSSPA crew!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Do you want to learn more about the content of lectures?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><a href="https://www.www.biomechanicseducation.com/schedule/">READ MORE</a></span></p>