8 Wednesday, September 23, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Fit For Sisters Andrew Loscutoff Columnist Where to find stability and balance The body is a very inte- grated machine, down to the framework of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. When all of these are in harmonious alignment, they provide the body with stability, strength, injury resilience and balance. This system is worth understanding better. It is fundamental to day-to- day mobility, and athletic prowess. If balance and stability or injury preven- tion is a concern, look at how the biomechanic machine is aligned or mis- aligned to gain insight on improvements. The body is a compen- satory phenomenon. If you have a sore knee, the muscles up and down the chain stiffen up to provide a sort of splinting around the injury. A person can live on the brink of catastrophic injury with these compen- sations for a long time. A muscle held in a long or shortened position will become adapted to it, and the reciprocal muscles will lose tone to adapt to this new alignment. A forward lean creates tight back muscles, short hip flexors, and rounded shoulders. Balance is com- promised and the core mus- cles can9t hold the midsec- tion tight. When the body is held in a sitting position the diaphragm is squished and breathing is suboptimal. A weak foot leads to col- lapsing knee stability, pain- ful squats, weak hips, and eventually back pain will ensue. This is where a nuanced look at your posture, mus- cular tensions, and strength can be helpful. Tight mus- cles are often tight because of a weakness in other areas. Is the neck tight because of weakness in a shoulder range of motion? Will the core hold up to a step twist and catch of the bodyweight? Make these considerations and criti- cally think about the system as a whole. Once mobility, core function, and the system are better aligned, you will find the balance and sta- bility you feel like you9ve been lacking. Think head over shoulders; chest open and shoulders rolled back; ribcage upright; flat lum- bar spine with hips under your center; knees pointed forward; active foot with arches supporting. This will be a starting point for all movements. Practice. If you need more help, coaches are a great asset. There are plenty of physical therapists, exer- cise specialists, chiroprac- tors, and massage thera- pists around who know their stuff. Above all, think more about how your body is moving and what small changes can add up to a much better being. Tight muscles are often tight because of a weakness in other areas. Is the neck tight because of weakness in a shoulder range of motion? TROUT CREEK: Area is used for study, conservation Continued from page 1 rapid growth in Sisters have prompted school personnel to step up efforts to educate residents about the need to protect the area. Last week, a driver accessed the TCCA via Highway 242 and traveled all the way across the prop- erty before becoming stuck and temporarily abandoning the car. Motorcyclists have been sighted in the area off and on all summer, and large and unleashed dogs have been reported chasing deer and their fawns. The new Hayden Homes We simply want people to be aware it is a conservation area and treat it accordingly. — Superintendent Curt Scholl development directly east of the property has added dozens of residences within easy walking distance to the TCCA, which has resulted in more human activity in the area. A packed gravel path built by Sisters Trail Alliance, which connects Tollgate to the schools, runs along the entire east side of the TCCA and is well used. Additionally, the popular disc golf course west of the high school skirts the edge of the TCCA. Superintendent Curt Scholl and facilities man- ager Ryan Stock, along with Givot, all recognize the need to educate area residents and to take further action to protect the area. Plans are in the works to add signage at different access points to the property and to block PHOTO PROVIDED Sisters High School students conduct fieldwork in the Trout Creek Conservation Area — the school’s outdoor laboratory. off places where vehicles have been entering the prop- erty, which is mostly on the southwest side near the irri- gation pond.