News and Happenings

Hello Everyone!  October and November have been happily busy months with lots of travel and speaking engagements plus caring for my patients in my chiropractic practice.  In October  I enjoyed the most wonderful adventure… hiking in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile and unlike my camping experience in Kilimanjaro, I stayed in a luxury resort called Explora (http://www.exlpora.com) This was my first press trip writing about the resort and the remote wilderness for Homefront Magazine.  Photos and article will be featured in the Winter issue.  

In November I was a keynote speaker at Turtle Cove Spa and Resort in Arkansas for the “Women In Balance” weekend conference.  The spa is located in the Ouachita Mountains and hiking on the trails in the fall was spectacular.  The spa treatments, food and program made for a perfect de-stressing weekend for all participants–including me!  I made a conscious decision there to begin yoga upon my return after having an assessment with an expert yoga instructor. Runners have terrible flexibility and I am no exception.  

The largest health conference put on by the OHA was held in Toronto in mid-November  and I was pleased to be a speaker at “Health Achieve” . 

I just returned from New York where I studied with an expert on the relationship between chronic low back pain and the psoas muscle.  This knowledge is allowing me to help patients demonstrating specific exercises and postural re-alignment to return to a pain-free mobile state.

In a few weeks, I am off to Boston studying at Harvard Medical School for a 2 day program on Meditation and Peak Performance. Updates to follow…

How You Live

I have found this wonderful music video by a group called Point of Grace. I use it with their permission in one of my keynote presentations. I wanted to share this with everyone so I have posted the lyrics here and a link to a website where you can watch the music video.

(You may have to copy and paste the link)http://vodpod.com/watch/1073254-point-of-grace-how-you-live

Enjoy!

How You Live

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open
don’t hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
wear your red dress, use your good dishes
make a big mess and make lots of wishes
and have what you want but want what you have
and don’t spend your life looking back

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
’cause you won’t regret it
Looking back from where you have been
’cause it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did
it’s how you live

So go to the ball games and go to the ballet
go see your folks more than just on the holidays
kiss all your children, dance with your wife
tell your husband you love him every night
don’t run from the truth, ’cause you can’t get away
just face it and you’ll be ok

Turn up the music
turn it up loud
take a few chances
let it all out
’cause you won’t regret it
looking back from where you have been
’cause it’s not who you knew
and it’s not what you did
it’s how you live

Wherever you are and wherever you’ve been
now is the time to begin

So give to the needy and pray for the grieving
even when you don’t think that you can
’cause all that you do is about to come back to you
so think of your fellow man
make peace with god, make peace with yourself
’cause in the end, there’s nobody else

Turn up the music
turn it up loud
take a few chances
let it all out
’cause you won’t regret it
looking back from where you have been
’cause it’s not who you knew
and it’s not what you did
it’s how you live

Artists: Point of Grace       Produced by: Brown Bannister

News and Happenings…

My next speaking engagement is September 15th in Ottawa where I am presenting a keynote for Performance Realty for 250 attendees.  Then I am speaking in Edmonton for the Alberta Medical Lab Technologists annual conference.  I was their keynote last year and they kindly invited me back!

I am currently in training mode for  the Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon Sept. 27th.  At 61, I need all the motivation I can muster, so I’ve found the perfect “destination pancake run!”  Ellen, my running partner and I run a convoluted route to The School a restaurant in Liberty Village which is approximately 17 km from our start and devour the most delicious blueberry pancakes!  Perfect carb reward after our efforts!

Your Right to Bare Arms

In May the Toronto Star asked readers to send in pictures of themselves if their arms are toned and as well defined as those of First Lady Michelle Obama.

Since I do consistent weight training and running I decided to send in my picture.

Although I’ve been a competitive runner in my 30s and 40s, now that I’m entering the 60-plus age group, my workout routine has changed to keep pace with the aging process and the resultant decline in muscle mass. I am delighted to tell you that I am stronger, leaner and fitter than I have ever been thanks to consistent weight training.   

Here is my routine:

• Run 2-3 times per week around 4-5 miles
• One Kick-ass weight training workout a week with a personal trainer focusing on shoulder, back and legs.
• and Weight training on my own twice a week.

Dr. Dembe presents at Idea City, 2009

On Thursday June 18th, 2009, Dr. Dembe motivated 400 conference attendees to get up from their theatre seats and stretch along with her. She demonstrated a flexibility routine to stretch the neck shoulders and lower back, that can be easily done in a confined space — even an office!

Check out the exercises on her website and click on Connects, then select the article under the ‘Wellness’ section.

Dr. Dembe’s 10 Tips for Pain-Free Gardening

(Broad-casted on CITY TV’s “City” with Marilyn Dennis)

1.     Before each gardening session, stretch shoulder, low back and leg muscles.

2.     Take mini-stretch breaks every 20-30 minutes to reduce muscle fatigue and stiffness.

3.     Keep switching activities to avoid muscle soreness. If you’ve been crouching or kneeling for 20-30 minutes, change to an upright position, walk around, try raking or pruning for 30 minutes, then switch again.

4.     The best back protection is bending your knees whenever you are leaning over or lifting something.

5.     Overreaching can strain the back and shoulder area. Have tools that are long enough for you. There are tools available with curved handles which are easier on the back than the ones with straight handles.

6.     Cushion knees. Use a kneeling pad to reduce stress on the knees.

7.     Lifting large heaving bags of soil or fertilizer from the trunk of your car is a task which places your back at risk. Ask for help or empty half the bag into a smaller container.

8.     To avoid overuse injuries of the wrist and thumb, look for tools with trigger grips which give thumbs and fingers a resting place. Wear gloves to prevent blisters and protect finger nails.

9.     Get close to the object when you reach, and lift and face the object. Lifting something from an awkward angle or not having both feet firmly balanced with equal weight distribution can easily strain the lower back. Remember to breathe as you life the object.

10.     You don’t have to ‘get it all done’ in one weekend. Have fun. Be careful of sunburn. Wear a hat. Finish your day with a relaxing hot bath, or cold shower, as you prefer.

Elaine Dembe re-launches her web site

Elaine Dembe has just re-launched her official web-site, visit www.elainedembe.com.

Dr. Elaine Dembe… also known as The Passion Doctor™… is a celebrated  chiropractor in private practice for 31 years in Toronto, a sought-after keynote speaker, media personality, and author of 2 best selling books;

Passionate Longevity – The 10 Secrets to Growing Younger and Use The Good Dishes™ – Finding Joy in Everyday Life. A former Canadian-ranked marathon runner (17 marathons to her credit) she is now an enthusiastic adventure hiker who recently reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to celebrate her 60th birthday.

Dr. Dembe is also a life coach helping individuals find strategies to reach optimal health and wellness. With her prescription for a personal and work life filled with passion, purpose and joy, this ‘cheerleader for life’ will inspire you to be your best.