For most people gardening is a way to relax and relieve stress, but with the repetitive motion and possibility of stressing joints and muscles that come with it, gardening can sometimes add more pain.
That's why this weekend, Sarah Taylor will be putting on Ergonomics for Harmonious Gardening. The event, which takes place at the Rossland Community Garden this Saturday, will teach movement and alignment techniques to increase pain-free movement in the garden setting.
Taylor is a local occupational therapist and structural integration practitioner and specializes in the movements of the body and ways to minimize the tension that will bring about pain later.
She will focus on gardening activities, body positioning and environmental awareness, which includes actively exploring standing, walking, kneeling, bending, lifting carrying, pushing, pulling and use of general gardening tools.
The event will go from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and though it will focus on gardening, the tips will work for almost any activity.
She said movement in places like the office environment could also benefit from the lessons in movement as there is a repetitive aspect there as well.
Taylor is asking people who will attend the free event to bring the tools that they frequently use for gardening to practice the techniques of good alignment with them. Bring at least one hand tool that you generally use, kneeling pad (if you use one) and, if possible, a long handle gardening tool such as a rake, hoe or shovel.
This workshop will be movement and participation based so please wear comfortable clothing suitable for gardening and appropriate footwear.
No registration is required. The event is a presentation by Rossland Real Foods and more info can be found on www.rosslandfood.com.
Contact Taylor at sarah@thelivingline.ca or visit her website at www.thelivingline.ca.