Todd Martin MD

Walking backward has many important benefits. Practicing walking backward can help you improve your forward walk and reduce stress on your joints. Walking backward can teach you how not to lean. Learn how to use rotation rather than gravity to move forward and back. Understand the benefits of the gait rockers. You will also improve the coordination between your mind, your core, and your legs by learning to walk backward. visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

What is the proper foot strike when barefoot walking-heel or forefoot? I examine a news story from The BBC about the cultural habit of Australians to go barefoot, everywhere. This is the perfect place to examine how people would naturally place their feet when they walk barefoot all over, including on the concrete streets and sidewalks of a major city. Commenters on my channel often tell me I am wrong about heel strike being normal, and that anyone walking barefoot outside would very quickly convert naturally to a forefoot strike, the way humans were "meant" to walk before the shoe companies got a hold of us and tricked us into wearing heavily padded shoes. Let's see if that is true. Link to the BBC Australia Video https://youtu.be/-ojRWeRhdJc #BBC My full length explanation in favor of heel strike walking https://youtu.be/QdNAH_bLbAk Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Are long steps or short steps better? The answer is that steps should be the correct length for the body and the situation. People who take steps that are too short for their body will appear less confident or healthy. There is a natural length of a step based on the body, when allowed to complete the full movement. Steps can of course be shortened if needed, like if we are stepping on uncertain ground. But, that is a deviation from normal. Normal is when the body is allowed to move through its full arc of motion. In this video I will describe what this means and how you can improve your stride if you feel your steps are not the correct length. This lesson will teach you principle of how to walk correctly with the appropriate stride length. For more details on the specific core movements, watch the Walking Code Walking Technique Playlist. All of your muscles, including your core muscles and your legs are needed to walk correctly. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

How to engage your core properly in a lunge and a squat. Using the core correctly can reduce stress on your joints, keep your spine and joints properly aligned, and reduce the amount of effort required. This video is in response to a question by David, one of my members. Thank you, David, for the question. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

How to engage your lower abs properly to walk. Walking does not just use your legs, and your torso is not just used to stabilize your spine. You core is is the guide to all of your movements, creating both power and direction. In this video I will describe how to use to lower abdominal muscles correctly to walk properly. This is essential to reducing impact and keeping an even weight distribution over your feet. Incorrect use of the lower abs can result in flat over pronation and flat feet. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Do we really have to push off with the toes to get the body to move forward when we are walking? Let me answer this question and show you how to move properly through rotation of the core, not through relying on propulsion or momentum. You will walk more smoothly and with no effort or force. You will also reduce the impact on your joints and keep proper alignment. Walking with proper technique is critical for maintaining a healthy spine and healthy joints. If you understand the mechanics, you will be able to be sure that you are using the proper technique. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Learn the secret of the Tai Chi side step. Look right step leg and look left step right. These are two of the 5 Directions essential to learning Tai Chi Technique. This lesson for beginners will help you master this basic Tai Chi step. See how this step differs from the advancing step. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Demonstration of the Yang Style Tai Chi 108 Form with Relaxing Music. From the Opening to Chop Opponent with Fist. Performed in Balboa Park, San Diego at the Spanish Village Arts Center. Each technique is listed. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

This is part of the Balance and Fluidity Movement Routine from The Martin Movement Method. Improve your balance, fluidity, and leg strength. For beginners, start with a higher stance. As you get better, lower the stance and move slower to provide the best results. A full discussion of the technique of the routine is linked below. Link to the full movement routine: https://youtu.be/mkC9KMrPIMI Technique ExplanationL https://youtu.be/mBrVVjYXlAU Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Tai Chi walking is a great exercise for helping to improve balance and coordination of the core movements. There are many variations of stepping in Tai Chi, but the "Tai Chi Walk" is typically a forward walk with a shoulder width stance. One of the essential components to a Tai Chi walk is keeping the weight on the rear leg as the forward leg places on the heel. Then the weight is shifted forward. By learning the Tai Chi walk we can also learn how to control the weight distribution over the foot. This is essential for keeping the foot healthy. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

This video will review the core movements used to perform the Balance and Fluidity Movement Routine. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

This movement routine will help you improve your balance and fluidity, connecting your mind to the fluid movements of your core. This routine is part of the Martin Movement Method, based on Tai Chi and dance principles. Learn how to shift weight with even weight distribution over your feet. Learn how to use your abdominal core to improve your balance. Learn how to pivot effectively, outward or inward, without straining your knee. To review the core movements used in this routine watch this video. https://youtu.be/mBrVVjYXlAU Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Subscribe to The Walking Code and The Tai Chi Code Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Take a journey on the Africa Tram at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This is one of the best parts of the park and perfect for a relaxing good time. You will see a wide variety of animals native to the African savanna. The narration on the tour is educational, but for this video I will simply set the tour to music. Please enjoy and leave a comment. #sandiegozoosafaripark Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Learn 9 transitions from the Single Whip Tai Chi Technique. By understanding these variations coming from a single position, you can learn how to feel the specific movements of the core required to perform the different movements. You will feel the effect of hip flexion and hip extension on the body. You will feel how to use the lower abs to help pivot the body. You will feel how to root or unroot the weight from one leg. You will feel the specific Tai Chi Techniques of Pluck, Split, Press, Elbow Strike, Roll Back, Ward Off, and Shoulder Strike. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Single Whip is an important and easily recognizable movement in Tai Chi. In this Tai Chi Code/Walking Code lesson I show how you can use the Single Whip Posture to work on your walking technique Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

The beautiful Tai Chi technique of Single Whip can teach us a lot that we can use in our daily lives. How to walk properly using the correct hip energy. How to avoid leaning forward. How to stand with proper posture. How to ground yourself and feel connected to the earth. . I will use the technique of Single Whip to show how to use your core properly in your daily life. You will learn how to flow using proper coordination of your core. Learn how to coordinate all three elements of the core. 1. Core Movement in Single Whip 2. How to use hip flexion to lift the body and step forward properly 3. How does rotational movement of the core produce straight forward movement 4. How you movement can become blocked if you don't rotate correctly and how this can lead to poor posture 5. Review the specifics of core rotation for the many transitions from Single Whip in the Tai Chi 108 Form Tai Chi Techniques Demonstrated: Pluck-Walking Code Equivalent Reach Spit-Walking-Code Equivalent Set Elbow Strike-Walking Code Equivalent Sink Rollback-Walking Code Equivalent Retreat Ward Off-Walking Code Equivalent Pulse Shoulder Strike-Walking Code Equivalent Reach Back Press-Walking Code Equivalent Lift Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Subscribe to The Walking Code Course or The Tai Chi Code Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Learn Tai Chi Technique in a new way by learning the Tai Chi Code with Todd Martin MD. Learn the three elements of the core and how they coordinate to produce each movement. In this introduction I review the elements of the core and how they create the 8 Techniques of Tai Chi. By understanding these 8 core movement combinations you will be able to truly understand your Tai Chi practice in a new way. It will also help you translate Tai Chi movement to your other activities of daily living. This will help you keep proper alignment of your spine and reduce impact on your joints. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

In part 2 of masculine vs feminine walking styles, I am going to focus on the mechanics of the female model walk, which is an accentuated form of the feminine walk. Feminine walk is not the same as female walk. Most women walk with the same mechanics as men in their normal day-to-day walk. The feminine walk is a particular "style" of walking than is meant to accentuate the feminine aspects of the female body, most notably the hips. There are three main differences you will see with the feminine walking style. The hips will have an exaggerated side to side movement. The arms will also have less forward movement, and sometimes will even swing behind the body instead of forward. We also see more crossover of the feet. I will examine the body mechanics of the core used in the female catwalk. I will not go into detail on the male catwalk because the mechanics are the same as I describe in my other videos. The feminine catwalk does not use the same mechanics. The hips sway to the side because of the lower ab rotation during the swing through, which turns toward the side of the swing leg during the final part of the step. The hips are also used differently, extending both hips during the final stage of the swing through. This goes against the principles of The Walking Code, which help keep the spine aligned vertically. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Masculine vs Feminine Walking Style and Mechanics. What distinguishes a walking style that would be considered masculine from one that would be considered feminine. I will analyze the visual differences and the mechanical differences. Before I start, this doesn't mean that all men walk in one way and all women walk in another. Most men and women walk in a similar manner, but some women walk in a particular style that is considered feminine. Some men, intentionally or not, walk in a similar style. Not infrequently I have been asked by men to help make their walk less feminine. To do this, one needs to know what are the characteristics that are being perceived as feminine. Also, as a note, I am wearing a 2-inch Cuban heel in my tango shoes for the demonstration so this should eliminate any of the style difference that is strictly related to wearing a heel. 1. Arm Swing-The arm swing in a masculine walk drives clearly forward in the direction of movement. In a feminine walk, the amplitude of the arm swing will be less because the movement is driven more in the hips than in the upper torso. In a feminine walk done by many models, the arm swing may even be behind the body. 2. Hip Action-The hips move with little side to side sway in a typical masculine walk, while in a feminine walk the hip sway out to the side of the swing leg before the swing leg heel touches the ground. This may also be accompanied by a cross over of the feet. 3. Speed-There are two types of primarily masculine walks. In the first type, with the driving forward arms, the speed is generally quick and purposeful. There is another type of masculine walk, with a more wide based gait, where the walk may be slow and often the feet are turned out in the duck-foot manner. A typical feminine walk is generally slower than the first type of masculine walk because part of the movement is used in the side to side direction rather that dedicated to forward movement. 4. Foot Position. Foot position should be straight forward in both the masculine and feminine walk, but the second type of masculine walk I mentioned typically has turned out feet. This is commonly seen in many masculine male actors. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

15 Basic Argentine Tango Figures. Preview of some of the steps for which I will be reviewing the core movement patterns used to lead and follow in the Argentine Tango. The lead and follow technique use the movement system that I have developed over the last 10 years which will allow you to give clear and precise leads to your follower. Demonstrating in the video are myself, Todd Martin, and my wife Marizabel, with a combined 50 years of Argentine Tango instruction experience. Some of the figures include the Basic Construction with Side Start and Back Start, the Back Ocho, the Doble Cruzada, the Front Corte, the Mordida or Sandwich, the Crossed System Basic, the Bicicleta, the Gancho, the Molinete, and more. The figures I am demonstrating are beginner to intermediate, but the instruction I will be giving will be for all levels, providing a very unique insight into the mechanics of lead and follow using all three elements of the core, including the rotation of the upper waist, the rotation of the lower waist, and the action of the hips. The lead coming from these three combined core elements will be the most precise lead possible, providing crystal clear information to the follower so that leader and follower will become one cohesive unit. There will be no mixed signals, a frequent challenge followers face from unclear leads. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Argentine Tango Lead and Follow. Learn how to create a precise and clear lead using the the three elements of the core, not just turning of the chest. For a follower to instantly understand how to follow, she needs three specific inputs from the lead, direction, root, and power. Direction is the rotation of the upper torso created by forward rotation from the upper abdominal muscles. Root is created by rotation of the lower torso created by backward rotation from the lower abdominal muscles. This muscle rotation communicates instantly which leg the leader and follower should be rooted on. The third element is power. Power comes from either flexion or extension of the active hip (only one hip is actively leading at a time). Each of these three elements of direction, root, and power is present in every movement of the leader and follower and the specific combinations and their sequencing determines the nature of every step in the tango. When a leader is very clear on all three elements of every lead, it avoid mixed signals which frequently occur when the leader is only thinking about the rotation of the chest as the signal to the follower, or when the leader is just not clear on the pattern of core movement needed to execute a technique properly. This video is the introduction to a new series I will be doing, detailing the lead and follow techniques for various tango patterns. The techniques are based on The Martin Movement Method, my core movement system that explains how the body can optimally perform most all movements of daily life using the proper coordination of the three elements of the core. I derived this system through analysis of the eight fundamental energies of Tai Chi. There are 8 unique patterns of core movement. These are determined by the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the thoracic spine, clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the lumbar spine, and the flexion or extension of the hip muscles. Two possible directions of upper torso rotation x two possible directions of lower torso rotation x four options for action=16 unique core patterns, 8 when not including mirror images. We use these patterns subconsciously every day. To lead tango clearly, we need to be able to execute these patterns consciously, or at least through body memory. Most all people learn tango or any other dance through body memory, or repeating a pattern we are taught so many times that it becomes ingrained in our mind and body, even if we do not truly understand it. The Tango Code-Direction, Root, Power gives you the unique opportunity to turn these subconscious movements into full conscious awareness. This is when Tango magic can really begin. I have many videos detailing the 8 core movement patterns as they relate to walking technique and Tai Chi, so I am not going to repeat these basic lessons for tango. You can begin to learn to techniques, called the Core Techniques, by watching the videos linked below. https://youtu.be/YZ9bxkF0heE Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Creating proper posture requires dynamic movement from your core. Even though you may be standing still, your core is still moving. When done correctly, this keeps your spine properly aligned and your weight evenly distributed over your joints. There should be no tension in a normal posture. We do not need to contract or tighten our core muscles. Tightening the core muscles means we are contracting opposing muscles in our body against each other. Instead, we need to move the 3 elements of the core in the manner that creates correct posture. This is a matter of finding the right equilibrium between the continuous actions of the core muscles. Using the Walking Code Core Techniques, I will demonstrate how to use the core to create proper posture. I will also show some of the mistakes in core movement that will result in poor posture. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Top mischaracterizations of heel strike walking. In this video I will examine some of the most common assertions made by forefoot strike opponents to justify their claim that practically everyone in the world is walking wrong by walking with a heel strike. They use many arguments, but none of them hold up to scrutiny if you have any knowledge of walking technique and how it REALLY works. There are a growing number of websites promoting this claim, and periodically I will get people commenting on my videos that heel strike is wrong. The people who do this, do it with an almost religious fervor and are not swayed by any counter arguments. I have done several videos on the subject, but I continue to make more because the claims never stop. I am under no misperception that I will convince the unconvinceable, but I do wish to protect people who are vulnerable to falling for these unfounded claims based on straw man arguments. I prefer to help people who do have issues with walking correct them the proper way. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

Simple posture exercise which will help you understand how to create proper posture using your abdominal and hip muscles in the correct way. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Video Coaching now Available: Personalized coaching available with Dr. Martin. Click on the link here or in the video for details. https://www.movementsphere.com/the-walking-code-video-coaching Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join

In this Walking Code Lesson I review the core movements for smoothly bringing the body to a stop after walking and then how to restart. This might seem obvious, but few people know what they are actually doing that creates a stop or how to consciously restart. This leads to issues of poor posture and incorrect walking technique, both of which can lead to significant health issues. Visit my website: https://www.movementsphere.com/todd-martin-md Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAkwXF7adXLWvzaoxWydHhg/join