The TAOFit Method

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The TAOFit Method

Explore the world with child-like curiosity. Engage nature, bathe in mountain streams, climb trees, You might say that Jesse was his own first client.

Movement therapist and life changer Jesse James Retherford, LMT, FMS, NKT, helps clients to move out of poor movement into better function and freedom. By relearning what it means to move like a human, his clients reduce pain and embrace how they’re meant to engage life on this planet—as natural human movers who explore, play, connect, and serve one another. Inspired by James Dean, Jesse had no plan to live past 35, so he lived the first third of his life with abandon and without any conscious awareness of how he was going to feel in the final third. As it turns out, his thirty-fifth year had more to offer than he’d imagined. His son was born that year, and suddenly it was clear that he would need to, and want to live a long life. Bogged down with pain, he began to explore movement and healing, and his experiences have directed his path over the past decade. He studied exercise and sports science at Texas State University. In 2010, he became a licensed massage therapist. In 2013, he earned his Level 1 certification in Neuro Kinetic Therapy (NKT), and in 2014 he both added his Level 2 NKT certification and became a MovNat certified coach, developing the skills of human movement for greater function and service. Jesse turns the appearance-focused fitness paradigm on its head, teaching people how to explore movement in a way that changes their life. Through intentional movement, his clients experience less pain, less dysfunction, less injury, and they explore a world that wasn’t formerly available to them because of their lack of skill. In order to do this, Jesse offers movement therapy (a combination of strength training, natural movement, NKT, and massage), natural movement classes, and massage. When he’s not with clients, he’s generally adventuring with his 8-year-old son. He spends 95% of his time barefoot, and yet he’s obsessed with shoes (although not in the way other people are).

10/07/2022

Of the more common "discoveries" that I find in client movement assessments are dysfunctional relationships within the posterior core kinetic chain (shoulder drive to contralateral leg drive - aka the push off phase of gait).

Official Post from The TAOFit Method

09/29/2022

Greetings Tribe,

I hope this finds you moving well. Let's talk shop...

When the alignment of a car is out of balance, it will pull hard to the side when driven. Continuing to drive the car increases stress and strain on the tires, brakes, and suspension system. Leading to quick and costly breakdown and repairs. This is analogous to our human gait (ie. walk, run, swim, climb & more). Except that instead of tires and shocks, we're looking at replacing shoulders, knees, and hips.

In this 40 minute class, we explore a daily movement routine for walkers, hikers, and runners. The purpose of these movements is to 1) warm up, mobilize & lubricate the suspension system and 2) assess movement balance and quality 3) reduce risk of inflammation, injury, and/or pain (aka "a really bad day" 😞).

Greetings Tribe,I hope this finds you moving well. Let's talk shop...When the alignment of a car is out of balance, it will pull hard to the side when driven...

08/16/2022

Greetings Tribe,

Over the past couple of weeks, we've focused on improved hip mobility to reduce hip compression (stuck hip). Something that I've learned over the years is that whenever there is hip compression, there are always multiple compensation pattern relationships also taking place in the spine and upper extremities (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands & fingers).

One common pattern & symptoms...

08/06/2022

Imagine if your car alignment was “out of balance.” How many driving miles before tires, steering, and suspension prematurely wear out and need replacing? Your body is no different.

A well balanced pendulum is mechanically efficient (flow) with lower stress points at the joints (longevity). A poorly balanced pendulum is mechanically less efficient (drag) with higher stress points at the joints (wear & tear).

Click the link to read more...

This video is an introduction to assessing gait mechanics from the half kneeling position for beginner-level TAOFit Method movers.

07/01/2022

In this session, we focus on baby rolls, pelvic mobility, and spinal rolls.

This was a great class. Your back and hips will thank you for it.

In this session, we focused on baby rolls, pelvic mobility, and spinal rolls. This was a great class. Your back and hips will thank you for it. Did you love ...

06/30/2022

This class was written for a client experiencing anterior shoulder impingement pain.

Recommendations:
*Use this class as a daily movement therapy protocol over the next 30 days
*Pay attention to the "Rules of Pain"
*If pain gets worse, please contact me directly.
*Take notes
*Provide feedback (good, bad, and ugly)

This class was written for a client experiencing anterior shoulder impingement pain. Recommendations:*Use this class as a daily movement therapy protocol ove...

06/19/2022

Imagine how great your feet, calves, and hips would feel after a massage.

Now, grab your roller, click play to join me, and make it so.

Did you love this movement session? Do you want to support and sponsor more movement lifestyle content? Please consider contributing to The TAOFit Method tip...

06/17/2022

Greetings Tribe,

The focus of today's class was on the Anterior Kinetic Chain - how movement (gait) flows through the front line of the body from one big toe, through medial knee, anterior hip, crossing obliquely through opposite shoulder (includes hip flexors, abdominals, pecs, & more).

I imagine the Anterior Kinetic Chain as "coiling or loading the spring" - 1.5-3x footfall force converted into kinetic energy to be released at toe off. This is hugely important for efficient walking, jogging, running, jumping, etc. When this system needs attention it usually shows up as one or more of the following symptoms.

*Tight and/or compressed hips
*Anterior hip pain
*Knee inflammation & pain
*Neck & back pain
*Chest, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand issues

Join The TAOFit Method on Patreon to get access to this post and more benefits.

06/15/2022

I have an injury history of three major reconstructive surgeries on my right knee (2x PCL & 1 ACL). The first two PCL reconstructions FAILED. Thankfully the ACL was successful. But without a PCL, I have true instability in the joint - ie. it gets shifty in certain positions.

I am a middle school and high school basketball coach. Which means many demanding hours coaching, teaching, and demonstrating on the court. Knee inflammation is a near daily issue for me. I rely upon my daily movement practice to remain as functional as possible - aka a Highly Functional Dysfunctional.

In this class, I demonstrate how I move with an inflamed knee to reduce swelling, maintain functional mobility, and otherwise help facilitate the body's healing response.

Do you have a chronically cranky knee? I think I can help. Schedule a free consultation.

I have an injury history of three major reconstructive surgeries on my right knee (2x PCL & 1 ACL). The first two PCL reconstructions FAILED. Thankfully the ...

06/06/2022

This class was written for a client dealing with active low back pain (pain 8-9 on scale of 10).

If you are currently experiencing low back pain, please contact Jesse directly prior to taking this class.

This class was written for a client dealing with active low back pain (pain 8-9 on scale of 10). If you are currently experiencing low back pain, please cont...

06/04/2022

Check out this deeper dive into the Deep Longitudinal Kinetic Chain and shock absorption written by mentor and dear friend Joseph Schwartz.

This is the movement theory in Tuesday's class (yesterday's post).

Posted on October 7, 2016October 22, 2016 by Joseph Schwartz — Leave a commentShock Absorption The second primary action of The 5 Primary Kinetic Chains is shock absorption. Shock absorption is the kinetic energy as it waves through the body. This concept has several contextual layers, let’s fur...

06/03/2022

Greetings Tribe,

The focus of this class was on the Deep Longitudinal Kinetic Chain - how movement flows through the back line of the body from one big toe to the base of the skull and out through the opposite big toe (includes plantar fascia, calves, hamstrings, & spinal erectors).

Join The TAOFit Method on Patreon to get access to this post and more benefits.

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6512 Lancret Hill Drive
Austin, TX
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http://www.tao-fit.com/

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Movement therapist and life changer, Jesse James Retherford, helps clients to move out of poor movement into better function and freedom. By relearning what it means to move like a human, his clients reduce pain and embrace how they’re meant to engage life on this planet—as natural human movers who explore, play, connect, and serve one another. Inspired by James Dean, Jesse had no plan to live past 35, so he lived the first third of his life with abandon and without any conscious awareness of how he was going to feel in the final third. As it turns out, his thirty-fifth year had more to offer than he’d imagined. His son was born that year, and suddenly it was clear that he would need to, and want to live a long life. Bogged down with pain, he began to explore movement and healing, and his experiences have directed his path over the past decade. You might say that Jesse was his own first client. He studied exercise and sports science at Texas State University. In 2010, he became a licensed massage therapist. In 2013, he earned his Level 1 certification in Neuro Kinetic Therapy (NKT), and in 2014 he both added his Level 2 NKT certification and became a MovNat certified coach, developing the skills of human movement for greater function and service. Jesse turns the appearance-focused fitness paradigm on its head, teaching people how to explore movement in a way that changes their life. Through intentional movement, his clients experience less pain, less dysfunction, less injury, and they explore a world that wasn’t formerly available to them because of their lack of skill. In order to do this, Jesse offers movement therapy (a combination of strength training, natural movement, NKT, and massage), natural movement classes, and massage. When he’s not with clients, he’s generally adventuring with his 8-year-old son. He spends 95% of his time barefoot, and yet he’s obsessed with shoes (although not in the way other people are).