MUTU System can’t fix you and I don’t try to. Empowering you is a lot more effective.
When we’ve got a problem, mostly, we’re looking to fix it. Sometimes we need the solution just there, ready-to-go, sometimes we just need a little more information, and sometimes we actually don’t expect to have it fixed for us at all, we just want someone to listen.
When it comes to our bodies, unfortunately, the ‘just fix it’ solution is rare. I think we all know by now that no diet *just works* by instant magic formula. Weight loss comes by consistently making healthier food choices over time. Want to run a marathon or a 10K? Probably going to have to do some running to get ready for that, then.
Doesn’t stop us looking for the quick fix version though does it? The next diet, exercise craze or juice that just *makes it happen*… like really, really quickly? Enthusiastically, full of hope and against all better judgment, we’re in.
A lot of women come to MUTU because they want fixing. But I can’t fix you. I can empower you – with information, understanding, motivation, guidance, even a ‘prescription’ of adjustments, changes and solutions that will get you where you want to be. I can explain what’s gone on in your body, I can explain how the way you move, stretch and even breathe affects how your body looks and feels, then I can guide and show you changes to make and movements that will help.
That is, they’ll help if you do them regularly, consistently, and over time.
I hear your frustration. I do.
Q 1: “But I just don’t get the breathing”.
Q 2: “Am I engaging my muscles right?”
Q 3: “How am I supposed to walk?”
Q 4: “Can’t you just give me the alignment thing? Like, in a sentence?”
Well…
A 1: Breathe into the back of your ribcage, expanding sideways rather than upwards into your collarbone. Breathe out drawing your bellybutton gently inwards and keeping your pelvis untucked.
A 2: If your abs draw gently inwards, if your pelvis is untucked, unclenched and your back maintains its natural curve and your core is stable and strong, probably yes. If there is any bulging, doming, straining, protrusion, leaking or pain, no.
A 3: In minimal shoes or barefoot. Body stacked with lower ribs over pelvis not thrust out in front, pelvis untucked. Legs straight, hinge from the hip and push the ground away from underneath you spreading and pushing off from your toes and forefoot. Power from the glutes, from behind, not by lifting your bent knee out in front and falling forward. Most of all, get out of positive heeled shoes.
And A 4: No, sorry. Biomechanics is not a sentence, its a science. One could also just as easily say that its the simplest thing our bodies do if they’re allowed to: To Move. Naturally. But answers 1-3 will help get you started…
Baby steps. Sit less, walk more. Change your shoes, get more sleep, unclench your butt, stretch, relax, eat nourishing food, drink plenty of water. The right stretches, alignment adjustments, exercises, nourishment and movement… practised consistently and mindfully (by that I mean without judgment – give your body a break and actually focus on what your body is doing while its doing it) all this stuff works. That IS the fix.
The first stage of healing and strengthening and well, FIXING, is the part where you stop, breathe and start to feel (even love a little) the body you’re so frustrated with. You won’t be the first to think that’s the woo-woo part you can safely ignore. The all-a-bit yoga-y /touchy-feely /time consuming / totally pointless part. But the irony is, nothing works until you build the foundations. It all falls down. Literally, sometimes. That’s why you might be still leaking, bulging, hurting, not looking the way you want to or just not working quite right yet.
The MUTU System program gives you all the week by week guidance, science tutorials, workouts, stretches and explanations you need.
But it doesn’t fix you. It empowers you. Which actually works a lot better :-)
Thank you so much for responding!! Yes that’s what I meant. Thank you!!
With the abdominal exercises, how many breaths do you take per repetition? Meaning, initiate the breathing, do the right leg do you exhale as you bring the right leg down? Or do you do the left side and then breathe out or do you do as many repetitions as you can before you need to breathe out? I understand with the Cagle’s after each contraction who allow a complete release is that the same for the right and left side of an abdominal contraction
Always exhale and engage as you move, inhale and release as you rest between each movement. Never hold your breath. If I have understood your question, then one. One full round of breath per repetition, move on the exhale, release on the inhale.
With the abdominal exercises, combined with the breathing, what is the breath for her contraction ratio with the abdominal exercises, combined with the breathing, how many breaths do you take per repetition? Meaning, initiate the breathing do the right leg do you exhale as you bring the right leg down what do you do the left side and then breathe out or do you do as many repetitions as you can before you need to breathe?
I am wanting to purchase the 12 week program but wondering if using the diet is absolutely necessary? I understand diet and strength and exercise go together, but I’m small and don’t have weight to lose…I just want to fix my tummy and not look 20 weeks pregnant when I’m not!
I am wanting to purchase the 12 week program but wondering if using the diet is absolutely necessary? I understand diet and strength and exercise go together, but I’m small and don’t have weight to lose…I just want to fix my tummy and not look 20 weeks pregnant when I’m not!
Wendy..i love your blog posts! I’m a physio with many post-partum clients and I direct many of them your way! Your advice is so refreshingly honest and scientific and clear and positive. Keep up the amazing work!!
Thankyou Suzanne, What lovely comments :-)
Wendy..i love your blog posts! I’m a physio with many post-partum clients and I direct many of them your way! Your advice is so refreshingly honest and scientific and clear and positive. Keep up the amazing work!!
Thankyou Suzanne, What lovely comments :-)
Hi , I am very new to resistance bands. Can you let me know which ones to buy and from where. I bought the 8 week focus program from Amazon , I used my husband’s id to purchase the CDs how do I change it to my email id now?
Email [email protected] for your email preferences. And any medium resistance band is fine – or a pair of tights will do until you get hold of one! You can buy them on amazon – just look for ‘resistance band medium’ – they’re not expensive at all.
Hi , I am very new to resistance bands. Can you let me know which ones to buy and from where. I bought the 8 week focus program from Amazon , I used my husband’s id to purchase the CDs how do I change it to my email id now?
Email [email protected] for your email preferences. And any medium resistance band is fine – or a pair of tights will do until you get hold of one! You can buy them on amazon – just look for ‘resistance band medium’ – they’re not expensive at all.
Yahoo! I’ve had the same question for months & have been too lazy to ask you. Ha ha. Super happy an app is coming! Thank you!! :)
I purchased the 8 week focus program, how can I get the intensives that are in 12 week proge I am also currently doing weight watchers
I purchased the 8 week focus program, how can I get the intensives that are in 12 week proge I am also currently doing weight watchers
You will need to upgrade to the 12 Week Program. If you email our support team on [email protected] they will be able to advise you – there is a customer discount for upgrades!
I purchased the 8 week focus program, how can I get the intensives that are in 12 week proge I am also currently doing weight watchers
You will need to upgrade to the 12 Week Program. If you email our support team on [email protected] they will be able to advise you – there is a customer discount for upgrades!
That makes my day, thanks!!!
It took me a year (!!!!!) to motivate myself to do the programme after Maria at Simply Women’s Health recommended it to me after diagnosing a 3 finger tummy gap. I am on about week five now and taking it slowly but have already ready started to notice a significant difference. My stomach isn’t flat (yet !!!) but the gap is closing. Having done pilates before having my children has helped as the breathing amd allignment seem quite natural. I have set my alarm earlier in the morning to make this part of my daily routine and do the exercises before the rest of the house wakes up. Its a good way to start the day.
Thanks.
will there be any mama’s club – like program to return? i would love to have new intensives :)
Yes… something better! There is an app coming soon you’re going to love Emily!
will there be any mama’s club – like program to return? i would love to have new intensives :)
Yes… something better! There is an app coming soon you’re going to love Emily!
That makes my day, thanks!!!
Yahoo! I’ve had the same question for months & have been too lazy to ask you. Ha ha. Super happy an app is coming! Thank you!! :)
It took me a year (!!!!!) to motivate myself to do the programme after Maria at Simply Women’s Health recommended it to me after diagnosing a 3 finger tummy gap. I am on about week five now and taking it slowly but have already ready started to notice a significant difference. My stomach isn’t flat (yet !!!) but the gap is closing. Having done pilates before having my children has helped as the breathing amd allignment seem quite natural. I have set my alarm earlier in the morning to make this part of my daily routine and do the exercises before the rest of the house wakes up. Its a good way to start the day.
Thanks.
Hey, whenever the time is right for you! Great to have you back :-)
It took me a year (!!!!!) to motivate myself to do the programme after Maria at Simply Women’s Health recommended it to me after diagnosing a 3 finger tummy gap. I am on about week five now and taking it slowly but have already ready started to notice a significant difference. My stomach isn’t flat (yet !!!) but the gap is closing. Having done pilates before having my children has helped as the breathing amd allignment seem quite natural. I have set my alarm earlier in the morning to make this part of my daily routine and do the exercises before the rest of the house wakes up. Its a good way to start the day.
Thanks.
Hey, whenever the time is right for you! Great to have you back :-)
Thanks Wendy. I bought the 12 week program, watched the intros and then got frightened to even start. So I haven’t even started. I am scared it might not work for me because I will do it wrongly.
Also after reading all about the diet, I am scared of the changes I have to make so instead I have gone over board into eating all the stuff Mutu has asked us to avoid.
I feel sad I haven’t had the strength to start. But perhaps, your post will be the beginning for me.
Don’t feel sad, just Go… baby steps, every day (most days works too)… Don’t get mad with it all + punish your body by feeding it crap – feed it something nice + see how that feels instead. Good luck, we’re right here x
Thanks Wendy. I bought the 12 week program, watched the intros and then got frightened to even start. So I haven’t even started. I am scared it might not work for me because I will do it wrongly.
Also after reading all about the diet, I am scared of the changes I have to make so instead I have gone over board into eating all the stuff Mutu has asked us to avoid.
I feel sad I haven’t had the strength to start. But perhaps, your post will be the beginning for me.
:D I´m loving this post :D It fits perfect for my day today. I am trying to find my alignment… i am a long way off from perfect.. but i am trying. I am focusing on a Little change that i can maintain… and then i hope the next change will build on that. small steps on a journey that i hope will carry me through the rest of my life. Yes i would love to have immediate results… but seriously it took me 38 years to get my body in this mess i think i should give myself a chance about how long it takes to get it back to where it should be. :D
Thanks for that lovely comment Jane :-)
:D I´m loving this post :D It fits perfect for my day today. I am trying to find my alignment… i am a long way off from perfect.. but i am trying. I am focusing on a Little change that i can maintain… and then i hope the next change will build on that. small steps on a journey that i hope will carry me through the rest of my life. Yes i would love to have immediate results… but seriously it took me 38 years to get my body in this mess i think i should give myself a chance about how long it takes to get it back to where it should be. :D
Thanks for that lovely comment Jane :-)