Ep 86: The Align Method with Aaron Alexander
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Ep 86: The Align Method with Aaron Alexander
Episode 86: Show Notes
Today's guest is Aaron Alexander, an expert in corrective exercises, nutrition, and structural integration, and in this episode, he unpacks the functional approach that he has developed called the Align Method. You may have heard Aaron on his informative podcast, the Align Podcast, and if you have not yet read his book, The Align Method, it comes highly recommended too!
In an increasingly congested world of health, wellness, and fitness influencers, there are many competing theories for how to achieve peak performance, improve your image, and gain the highest degree of physical and mental actualization. Many of these, however, overlook the basic principles and foundational ideas that have allowed us to survive and thrive as a species.
In our chat, we get into some of Aaron's fascinating backstory, the winding road he took to his current career and perspective, and how he chose to adapt the elements and wisdom of different methodologies and package it for his clients.
We get into the influence of his family, how his priorities evolved over time, both in life and work, and some of the fascinating research that underlines Aaron's ideas. To hear it all from this wonderful guest, please join us today on At the End of the Tunnel.
Key Points From This Episode:
Simple ideas for better sitting practices and getting back on the floor!
Aaron's upbringing, early years in Pennsylvania, and his favorite childhood toy.
Early experiences of drugs and alcohol; how Aaron was influenced to push boundaries.
The family dynamic at home and how Aaron differed from his brother and father.
Aaron's teenage aspirations, feelings about success, and prioritization of popularity with girls.
Getting interested in bodybuilding and moving to Hawaii for college, and how Aaron's life changed from there.
The evolution of Aaron's approach to fitness and how this moved towards the idea of alignment.
How bodybuilding led to instability and damage in Aaron's body.
Some of the positive influences that Aaron encountered along his journey to a healthier way.
Aaron's involvement with the Rolf Institute and how this led to opening his own practice.
Dissatisfaction and the feelings of unfulfillment that Aaron experienced in work with clients.
The advantages that Aaron had around understanding the body and sensing social cues.
Aaron's move to LA and the thought process behind his relocation.
How podcasting broadened Aaron's horizons and grew his reach.
Unpacking the Align Method and the way in which this philosophy seeks to aid health.
Some of the more unconventional elements of Aaron's principles.
Aaron explains why the body is always on your team and why we should not separate ourselves from our physical form.
The differences between people who are in actual alignment and people who are fit in the wrong ways.
The easiest wins and biggest impacts of the Align Method that Aaron has noticed with his clients.
How we process our environment and the big impact that the stimuli we interact with has on us.
Aaron talks about the importance of avoiding mouth breathing and why we should be taping our mouths at night!
Information on the second version of Aaron's book and what makes it better than the first.
Tweetables:
“I would just go to family get-togethers, or whatever, and I just would not feel in place at all. I wouldn't say anything to anybody, and just feel out of place.” — @alignpodcast [0:28:18]
“Having a challenge of any sort is the thing that really makes me feel more content.” — @alignpodcast [0:39:55]
“I'm still very much in process of putting my own pieces together. I'm still looking for tools, I'm still on that journey.” — @alignpodcast [0:42:13]
“We're reading into each other's body language way more than we think.” — @alignpodcast [1:09:42]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: