Joy!

This is a blog preaching about the joy of movement!

Anyone whom has reason to have attended @SpaceClinics Inner SPACE Clinic in Dalry may have heard this term used by the staff.We are using it to describe the feelings expressed essentially by patients whom have suffered stiffness and pain which changes after a visit to our excellent physio & massage team.

We really like the term: some folk really appreciate this feeling, and how they perhaps had not recognised how far from joyous movement had become.

The Vegas Experience currently being enjoyed by one staff member had also permitted one particular pleasure: that of witnessing the extraordinary physical performances of the Cirquedusoleil company.

Beatles Box Office

Stairway to the theatre

Their live show 'Love' is beyond a re-imagining of the Beatles story or some form of story of the band. The links to their past are based largely in the 4800 items of contemporary styled costume. The experience is an unusual reworking of familiar a well as less popular tunes (think about the predictable singalong of 'Hey Jude' mixing with 'Hey Bulldog') alongside dance and the anticipated aerial and tumbling displays typical of the troupe.

The joy of movement is shared by the audience judging by the spontaneous cheers and tears witnessed around the packed theatre at the Mirage. For the spectators, there is a deep sated joy in the expression of humans in tumbling & acrobatic performance with the aerials simply breathtaking.

Joyful audience leaving (not via the shop either!)

The Circus School remains the UK's only venue for learning skills that are often are rooted in gymnastics if not base circus performance. There is a team of physios involved with the School looking at conditions such as hypermobility and overuse injuries, and the Cirquedusoleil employ a number of physical therapist & athletic trainers or therapists around the world attending all shows as well as training sessions or practice. What jobs they must have?!

There is no doubting the expression of joy in all of the performers in the extremes of movement possible for humans. However there is something about walking away from the physio bed with an unusual feeling of lightness and balance, and that unfamiliar pleasure has to be celebrated as well.

All in all, don't we need to celebrate the Joy of Movement!

Viva Las Vegas...Postcard from Nevada

Back in January this @SpaceClinics blog talked up 

the Joys of Urban Running, and it appears that the fears over the difficulties of running in the streets of Las Vegas were misplaced.

Bellagio & Caesars Palace in the sunshine

In the cool of the morning, it is possible to enjoy a view of the famous strip with few other folks on the streets (indeed the casinos are obviously busier than the streets!). Add to the conditions a mix of underfoot environments such as concrete, tarmac, artificial grass & sand plus a dozen sets of stairs to manage (running up every second one, descending with good form one step at a time) then a pretty reasonable workout can be achieved!

Cleaning of stairwell with MGM to rear

Whether it is borne out of necessity or positive discrimination, there appears to be a high proportion of working staff in the city are what could be termed 'senior citizens'. That is reflected in some of the morning running population, although irrespective of  age, there appears to be a marked reluctance to do 'stair running' at all-in fact this is the case throughout the day as the population appears totally unable or unwilling to use stairs when escalators are alongside.

Bizarro nature of Vegas exemplified at the Luxor, Southern Strip

For those asking about whether or not joggers are redirected through casinos when the cleaners are doing their job in a 24 hour city, then I would say that sidewalks/ pavements are only partially closed, and there is only one escalator or stairwell closed at a time to facilitate smooth running. So that's a NO then! May be no bad thing having said that, as there is still smoking permitted in public across the casinos - with exception to the card tables bizarrely - it is remarkably fresh to run outdoors in Nevada.

Stratosphere marking Northern end of the 'Strip'

Oh, and a top tip,for even fewer people on the pavements, try headig towards the Northern end of the strip with the Stratosphere as your marker. 

Looks like Paris? Not so much...

Bar various bearded men advertising their homeless status mixing with Veterans from various conflicts, sometimes in camo jackets, and a few folks in battered wheelchairs there were pretty much clear runs right through to the varied Chapels & Churches for rapid weddings. Quite the difference from the Luxor & MGM hotels of the Southern Strip & world famous signage welcoming you to this gambling mecca.

Ah, Fun City Chapel of the Bells. Of course it is...

Enjoy the pics: this is as close to a postcard from Nevada as you will get as otherwise its indoor learning the whole time...