The TAOFit Method

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 pl

an 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).

Of the more common "discoveries" that I find in client movement assessments are dysfunctional relationships within the p...
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

Greetings Tribe,I hope this finds you moving well. Let's talk shop...When the alignment of a car is out of balance, it w...
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...

Imagine if your car alignment was “out of balance.” How many driving miles before tires, steering, and suspension premat...
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.

In this session, we focus on baby rolls, pelvic mobility, and spinal rolls. This was a great class. Your back and hips w...
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 ...

This class was written for a client experiencing anterior shoulder impingement pain. Recommendations:*Use this class as ...
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...

Imagine how great your feet, calves, and hips would feel after a massage. Now, grab your roller, click play to join me, ...
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...

Greetings Tribe,The focus of today's class was on the Anterior Kinetic Chain - how movement (gait) flows through the fro...
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.

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

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

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

Greetings Tribe,The focus of this class was on the Deep Longitudinal Kinetic Chain - how movement flows through the back...
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).

https://www.patreon.com/posts/67168562

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

Greetings Tribe,If you are a walker, hiker, runner, cyclist, swimmer, or you have otherwise noticed a gimp in your step,...
05/28/2022

Greetings Tribe,

If you are a walker, hiker, runner, cyclist, swimmer, or you have otherwise noticed a gimp in your step, this class was written just for you.

*Assessing gait mechanics for balance and function
*Foot massage
*Baby rolls

If you're interested in the hands-on in person experience, I will be teach a Movement class live at Austin Bouldering Project - Westgate.

Movement Class
Austin Bouldering Project - Westgate
Every Sunday
2-3:15p

http://www.tao-fit.com

Come join me tomorrow at ABP Westgate from 2-3:30p. We will be exploring Thoracic Extension Mobilization for Better Shou...
05/21/2022

Come join me tomorrow at ABP Westgate from 2-3:30p. We will be exploring Thoracic Extension Mobilization for Better Shoulder Function.

If you’ve never been to ABP and would like to join, send me a DM. I have first time free passes available.

If you have a history of chronic shoulder impingement pain issues, I think you’ll find this class helpful.

05/21/2022

Official Post from The TAOFit Method

Greeting Tribe, I have a new and updated the "Start Here" video. This is an Introduction to the TAOFit Method of Movemen...
05/14/2022

Greeting Tribe,

I have a new and updated the "Start Here" video. This is an Introduction to the TAOFit Method of Movement Assessment. In this video, I teach the concept of a "Daily Movement Assessment" to help discover and develop greater sensitivity and awareness within our body.

Start Here Recommendations:
Please read (reread) the "Rules of Pain" before following any of our videos. This is the most important lesson that I teach.

Over the next 30 days, study the movements in this video with an almost academic mindset. As if taking a college class on movement that has a performance at the end of the semester. Can you express each movement flow fully without the video as a reference?

Once you've learned the movement flows, it will take less and less time to perform them. Adding 5-15 minutes of full-body mobility flow once a day will provide a significant benefit to how your body moves and feels (both short & long term).

For optimal results:
Perform the above movement assessment 1-3 times per day (first thing in the morning, mid-day, late evening).

At the end of the 30 days, please post a comment about your experience.

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

Greetings TAOFit Tribe,Therapeutic question: Where is the most important location to add exploratory movement into your ...
04/02/2022

Greetings TAOFit Tribe,

Therapeutic question: Where is the most important location to add exploratory movement into your daily movement practice?

Answer: The very location where you spend a good majority of your day. The very spot where your butt is parked. Your chair!

Recommendation:
Every day this week, when you sit down for "work", but before you start working, take 1-3 minute and explore one movement from the above class. Once you're done, set a timer to go off every 30-50 minutes (find a time that works with your flow). When the timer goes off, take a break and spend 1-3 minutes exploring the next movement. See if you can get through the entire class by the end of each day.

For even better results, repeat weekly.

The integration of exploratory movement into your daily practice has the potential to change your life. Your future self will certainly be thanking your present self.

Official Post from The TAOFit Method

I am pleased to announce the return to in-person workshops.This Sunday, I will be teaching an Introduction to Movement a...
03/22/2022

I am pleased to announce the return to in-person workshops.

This Sunday, I will be teaching an Introduction to Movement and Foam Roller Therapy at the Austin Bouldering Project (ABP).

In this workshop series
I am diving deep into the core of The TAOFit Method movement philosophy

* "The Rules of Pain"
* The daily movement assessment
* Movement exploration, discovery, balance, play, & flow
* Super-basic physiological principles of massage therapy.

I believe you will find these to be powerful tools to help you move better through life... with less pain.

Mark Your Calendar
Austin Bouldering Project - (Westgate location)
This is a recurring monthly workshop
2p-3:30p on the last Sunday of the month
Free with a Day Pass or membership

Each class is limited in size based upon a first come first served sign up list. Please plan accordingly. Send me a message at least an hour prior and I will put you on "the VIP list" 😎.

If you have never visited ABP, I have free Day Passes available.

I look forward to seeing your smiling faces in person soon.

Jesse James Retherford

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Sunset Valley, TX

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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).