Learn tips and techniques to living a healthy holistic life

Michael Hannon

My name is Michael Hannon. I have been passionately involved in helping people reach their health and fitness goals for 6 years. I specialize in achieving fat loss through resistance training and healthy eating habits.

By using my knowledge from the latest scientific research, drawing from my thousands of hours of one on one client work and my constant pursuit of learning from the best in fitness and holistic health care, I am able to achieve consistent, safe and healthy fat loss in my clients

Working in the top 3 fitness centres in London I have had the chance to encounter, and help individuals from all walks of life from Accountants, CEO'S, Lawyers, Models to other health care professionals such as Doctors, Nutritionists and other Personal Trainers.

I am currently traveling Asia, seeing marvelous sights, meeting wonderful people and studying Martial Arts along the way.

I will be contributing as many articles as I can to Michelle. I hope they serve well those who read them and that they are enjoyed.

As well as the articles, I have a blog that you may benefit from and enjoy reading.

"The meaning of life is to truly endeavor to reach ones potential, and to understand that life is perception"
~Michael Hannon

"The experience you create is a statement of who you are-and who you want to be"
~Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations with God.

Health, Wealth and Happiness,

Michael Hannon

Articles Contributed by Michael Hannon
Michael Hannon shares his many years of experience as a personal trainer in this thought provoking and witty article on exercise and weight. Is Exercise Making You Fat?

He has also contributed several other articles where you will find the same insight, thought and humor:

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Michael Hannon

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May 29, 2008
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Chronic Illness and Exercise Question
by: Anonymous

Hi Michael,

I am dealing with a chronic illness and would like to add some moderate exercise to my daily routine.

I have difficulty with exerting myself, my blood pressure drops whenever my heart rate gets too high. Do you have any suggestions.

Thanks!

May 30, 2008
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Answer pt1
by: Michael Hannon

Hi, I would first like to preface this with, please seek advice from your medical physician before undertaking any exercise program.

I am imagining someone who is ill enough not to work, maybe in slight pain, lacks an abundance of energy and may not have access or like going to the gym.

Firstly exercise does not mean falling to the floor in a heap, covered in sweat, puking your guts up. Exercise is movement with a direct purpose of attaining something beneficial for either your mentality, physicality, spirituality, or all the aforementioned. What this means is if the movements you are doing are causing pain, discomfort, lethargy, dizziness, nausea etc. It has stopped being beneficial so thusly is not exercise but merely torture. Point is, never torture yourself.

Your purpose as someone with a chronic illness is to improve energy levels, maintain what you have, mentally stay positive and focused on recovery. Exercise is fantastic way to do this and if applied correctly helps in the healing process.

I have no details of your symptoms so my suggestions will be general.

Walking

Walking is a fantastic movement and can be done by most people with relative ease. Don't worry about speed walking or adding ankle weights or anything else, simply walk. Go somewhere with lots of natural surroundings and preferably with only the sounds of nature. I personally find if I'm out of balance or my mind is not clear I go to nature in silence and just admire the beauty. I believe our eyes, ears, nose, skin and brain are designed to observe nature and to use the sights, sounds, smells and energies for our benefit.

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May 30, 2008
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Submitted by: Michael Hannon

Title

Comment
Hi, I would first like to preface this with, please seek advice from your medical physician before undertaking any exercise program. I am imagining someone who is ill enough not to work, maybe in slight pain, lacks an abundance of energy and may not have access or like going to the gym. Firstly exercise does not mean falling to the floor in a heap, covered in sweat, puking your guts up. Exercise is movement with a direct purpose of attaining something beneficial for either your mentality, physicality, spirituality, or all the aforementioned. What this means is if the movements you are doing are causing pain, discomfort, lethargy, dizziness, nausea etc. It has stopped being beneficial so thusly is not exercise but merely torture. Point is, never torture yourself. Your purpose as someone with a chronic illness is to improve energy levels, maintain what you have, mentally stay positive and focused on recovery. Exercise is fantastic way to do this and if applied correctly helps in the healing process. I have no details of your symptoms so my suggestions will be general. Walking Walking is a fantastic movement and can be done by most people with relative ease. Don't worry about speed walking or adding ankle weights or anything else, simply walk. Go somewhere with lots of natural surroundings and preferably with only the sounds of nature. I personally find if I'm out of balance or my mind is not clear I go to nature in silence and just admire the beauty. I believe our eyes, ears, nose, skin and brain are designed to observe nature and to use the sights, sounds, smells and energies for our benefit.

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May 30, 2008
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Answer pt2
by: Michael Hannon

Breathing.

You maybe surprised that I have added this but I believe breathing to be the no.1 functional movement and yet no-one takes note of it. It influences everything; your posture, digestion, white blood cell count, activation of your autonomic nervous system, serotonin levels, cortisol levels, psychological states, and the list goes on.

A simple breathing exercise is to sit or stand but preferably stand. Pretend there is a string attached to the top of your head and it's pulling you up, keep the chest up, a slight gentle bend at the knees and a slight tightness of your abs. Hands can be by your side or right over left upon your lower abs. Breathe in, inflating your stomach. Not forcefully, this should all be done with ease, calm and focus. Breathe out bringing in your belly button. After 10 or so breaths start to rock slightly forwards when breathing in and rock slightly backwards when breathing out. This is a very small movement. If someone was to observe you, they would not necessarily see the rocking. Once you feel comfortable, close your eyes.

To be done between 5-10 min, at a slow comfortable pace either in doors in the dark or in nature.

The Squat

Have feet wider than shoulder width or wherever is comfortable. Have hands out in front for balance. Breathe in, hold breath for a second, begin to breathe slowly out whilst at the same time bending your knees and lowering your hips to a point that you are able to maintain good technique i.e knees are aligned with the second to third toe, spine is in upright position and not flexed and your weight is evenly distributed. Once you reach that point breathe in again, hold your breath for a second then begin to rise up whilst breathing out slowly.

Start with 10 reps and build up. 1 set of 50 is more than enough.

You can use a chair or box with a cushion on it to be guide of depth and to avoid falling.

Caution; if you have low blood pressure do not come up or breathe out to quickly. If you have any orthopedic conditions what so ever speak to your medical professional about this movement.

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May 30, 2008
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Submitted by: Michael Hannon

Title

Comment
Breathing. You maybe surprised that I have added this but I believe breathing to be the no.1 functional movement and yet no-one takes note of it. It influences everything; your posture, digestion, white blood cell count, activation of your autonomic nervous system, serotonin levels, cortisol levels, psychological states, and the list goes on. A simple breathing exercise is to sit or stand but preferably stand. Pretend there is a string attached to the top of your head and it's pulling you up, keep the chest up, a slight gentle bend at the knees and a slight tightness of your abs. Hands can be by your side or right over left upon your lower abs. Breathe in, inflating your stomach. Not forcefully, this should all be done with ease, calm and focus. Breathe out bringing in your belly button. After 10 or so breaths start to rock slightly forwards when breathing in and rock slightly backwards when breathing out. This is a very small movement. If someone was to observe you, they would not necessarily see the rocking. Once you feel comfortable, close your eyes. To be done between 5-10 min, at a slow comfortable pace either in doors in the dark or in nature. The Squat Have feet wider than shoulder width or wherever is comfortable. Have hands out in front for balance. Breathe in, hold breath for a second, begin to breathe slowly out whilst at the same time bending your knees and lowering your hips to a point that you are able to maintain good technique i.e knees are aligned with the second to third toe, spine is in upright position and not flexed and your weight is evenly distributed. Once you reach that point breathe in again, hold your breath for a second then begin to rise up whilst breathing out slowly. Start with 10 reps and build up. 1 set of 50 is more than enough. You can use a chair or box with a cushion on it to be guide of depth and to avoid falling. Caution; if you have low blood pressure do not come up or breathe out to quickly. If you have any orthopedic conditions what so ever speak to your medical professional about this movement.

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May 30, 2008
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Answer pt3
by: Michael Hannon

Downward dog into upward dog

Downward dog

This is a yoga movement. Have your hands and feet on the floor. The wider your feet the easier it becomes. Push your butt up, legs straight and chest towards the floor slowly whilst at the same time breathing out slowly. Your body ends up looking like a triangle.

Upward dog

From the downward dog position lower your hip towards the floor, lifting your chest up whilst breathing in slowly.

Start with what feels comfortable and build up slowly. 1 set of 20 is good.

Be careful of over arching the spine. Keep the abs tight to protect the spine.

With any of the exercise if you find you lose your breath take a break and if you feel up to it complete another rep.

Caution, if you have low blood pressure do not come up or breathe out to quickly. If you have any orthopedic conditions what so ever speak to your medical professional about this movement.

If you do have access to a gym keep it simple and use the x-trainer for 10-30min at a slow pace. Meaning you are able to hold a conversation whilst exercising. Join classes such as tai chi, gentle forms of yoga such as Hatha and chi kung.

All that I have recommended can be done daily. Best to build up volume and frequency at a slow pace to fully benefit.

Whatever I or anyone else says, your body and mind are the ultimate judges, listen to them.

I don't know if this is what you wanted or not. If you have a chronic illness you have to be extra selective in your choice of movements. Choose ones that give energy and not take it away. All movement has the ability to give energy or take it away but it all depends on where your vitality level is at the time.

Remember, chronically ill or not always exercise smarter not harder.

I've said it already but I'm going to say it again, speak to your MD (doctor), ND (naturopath), OD (osteopath), anyone who is directly and on a professional level involved in your health before undertaking an exercise program.

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."
The Buddha

Health, Wealth and Happiness

Michael

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May 30, 2008
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Submitted by: Michael Hannon

Title

Comment
Downward dog into upward dog Downward dog This is a yoga movement. Have your hands and feet on the floor. The wider your feet the easier it becomes. Push your butt up, legs straight and chest towards the floor slowly whilst at the same time breathing out slowly. Your body ends up looking like a triangle. Upward dog From the downward dog position lower your hip towards the floor, lifting your chest up whilst breathing in slowly. Start with what feels comfortable and build up slowly. 1 set of 20 is good. Be careful of over arching the spine. Keep the abs tight to protect the spine. With any of the exercise if you find you lose your breath take a break and if you feel up to it complete another rep. Caution, if you have low blood pressure do not come up or breathe out to quickly. If you have any orthopedic conditions what so ever speak to your medical professional about this movement. If you do have access to a gym keep it simple and use the x-trainer for 10-30min at a slow pace. Meaning you are able to hold a conversation whilst exercising. Join classes such as tai chi, gentle forms of yoga such as Hatha and chi kung. All that I have recommended can be done daily. Best to build up volume and frequency at a slow pace to fully benefit. Whatever I or anyone else says, your body and mind are the ultimate judges, listen to them. I don't know if this is what you wanted or not. If you have a chronic illness you have to be extra selective in your choice of movements. Choose ones that give energy and not take it away. All movement has the ability to give energy or take it away but it all depends on where your vitality level is at the time. Remember, chronically ill or not always exercise smarter not harder. I've said it already but I'm going to say it again, speak to your MD (doctor), ND (naturopath), OD (osteopath), anyone who is directly and on a professional level involved in your health before undertaking an exercise program. "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." The Buddha Health, Wealth and Happiness Michael

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Jun 01, 2008
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Thank You
by: Anonymous

Michael,

Wow, thank you for your in depth response to my question and for taking the time to share your expertise and thoughts.

You have given me a lot to think about as well as motivating me to try and move my body as often as I can. Although some of the exercises are likely to trigger my disorder (because of standing in an upright position) I can probably alter them and do some of them sitting down.

This quote alone will do wonders for my health!

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."
The Buddha

My best to you....

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