Morgan Talevich, who lives in Louisiana, was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) in 1994 at age 6. She works with Coach Damon on an adaptive pushup-to-down-dog movement to improve strength and flexibility.
Disclaimer: The information in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or other trained medical professional before beginning any new exercise program to ensure it is safe and appropriate for you.
Transcript
What’s up, guys? Coach Damon here with my girl Morgan, and we’re going to show you guys a rare move today. Today we’ve got a pushup to a down dog. So we’re focusing on lifting up the triceps, the chest, the front delts — also getting some core activation.
Some of our athletes with FA and other rare diseases have really tight hip flexors and core. So you’ll see, as she’s coming up, she’s going to naturally want to sit back. And we’re going to use that to sit back into the down dog.
All right, you ready, Morgan? Pushup. And then we’re gonna go all the way back on the hips to the down dog.
So, caretaker, I’m just gonna go hand under for some support right here.
Nice work. That’s all you. Push and sit back all the way. Nice job. Straight arm, sitting back. Good stretch here in the back and the core. And let’s come back. Perfect. All the way. Arms straight. There you go. You got it. You got it — perfect. You got it — perfect. And I got you. Come down slow. Great job.
We’re gonna do one more rep. I’ll help you fix your arms. All right. Ready? Rep two — and I’m right here. Above the chest or below the shoulder. Above the chest. Push arms, push arms. Push on. Oh — hip flexion. Let’s try it again.
Ready. Rep two — and go straight up. Straight up, straight up. Perfect. Sit back. Good Morgan. Awesome. All you. Let the back stretch here. We’re going. Shoulders and triceps, and chest feel really strong. Let’s go for arms straight. Lock that left arm. There you go. And slow. Nice job. Good work, girl. All right, one down.
