Mary Ann Lee, B.A.Sc., FLMP , RTSm, MATm
strength and wellness specialist, toronto
MY MISSION IS SIMPLE
I want to help you live with ease. Whether you are looking to build strength or just start to move better, building physical ease is freedom which gives you choice. You should be able to choose what you want to do without pause. So if that means playing with your kids (or grandkids), being able to play an impromptu game of golf without fear of injury, or simply being a better you, I can help.
THE ART OF STRENGTH
There can be a lot of confusion when first starting out on your strength training journey. Many sources of information would have you believe that multi-joint activities and movements are the way to go (or maybe the only way to go). You may want to consider that strengthening your single joint 'pieces' (i.e. muscles like the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals, etc.) will actually make you stronger as a whole.
Keep in mind, there is no universal 'perfect' exercise for everybody across the board. Your individuality is key in developing a program specific to your needs. Exercise need not be tortuous and your tastes and preferences play an integral part in the customization of the experience I provide.
WHAT I DO
As a student of Osteopathy I approach each individual with the wholistic perspective that you are a complex and dynamic system composed of multiple systems (muscular, nervous, digestive, vascular, lymphatic, etc). All are interrelated and any stress/change on one part of you will have an affect on the whole of you.
Assessing your joint mobility first via osteopathic assessment and addressing any joint imbalances will ensure a solid foundation upon which you can then progress upon with your strength building plan. Ensuring proper joint mechanics will align and optimize the benefit of the forces you engage through your joints and minimize risk of injury.
One of the ways I work with people to optimize their joint health is through improving muscular contractile ability (i.e. getting muscles stronger) via strategic strength training and a tool called Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT). Founded and developed by Greg Roskopf, MAT is a biomechanically based process designed to evaluate and address muscular imbalances that may contribute to chronic pain or injury. By checking the range of motion of your joints and comparing symmetry left to right, specific muscles can be tested for weakness and then treated through an application of precise forces.