Meet Paula Morizono | fitness educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paula Morizono and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paula, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My mission is to change the current paradigm of thinking that exercise must be done only in class settings— to one that sees how strengthening can also occur in day to day tasks. And that repetitive daily life movements, with its myriad opportunities, can be the catalyst and impetus, to building a strong body—for life!

My message is simple. You can use the tasks that you are already doing in your daily life as exercise. For example, picking up children strengthens the core, glutes and back. Getting on and off the toilet is a deep squat creating functional strength—a movement necessary throughout life.

The key to turning daily life movements into a source of strength, is applying the basics of; breath, core, posture and hip hinge. My book, “Everyday Fitness: Strength through Daily Life Activities,” explains the process in an easy to read format. It is less than a hundred pages and includes pictures and illustrations.

https://amzn.to/49qCeVo

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I would like to introduce a book I wrote. It explains how to make daily life activities serve as exercise. It is called “Every Fitness: Strength Through Daily Life Activities”. https://amzn.to/49qCeVo

Over my 20 year teaching career I realized most people, though well-intentioned, do not stick to an exercise regimen, even if the routine is short—so I decided to try a new approach. I told my students, “use your daily life movements, the ones you are already doing, as your exercise routine”. Eureka! That worked wonders!

This new paradigm for fitness gave my students a sense of agency and empowerment. I could see the joyful expressions in their face when they realized they could strengthen themselves in their own daily routine, one that was already an integral part of their lives. It was an epiphany for them. They were now eager and excited to begin.

The students started thinking about their everyday tasks, and worked to perfect those functional movements. This method of utilizing daily tasks as exercise worked more effectively than I had ever imagined. The results were amazing!

My student Mariana who had three little children, came to me after suffering a severe back injury. She said maybe she hurt herself rocking her baby. I said probably not. Injury was already coming to get her— since she had no strength, moved incorrectly all the time, and sat for long periods of time during for work and school.

I told her she needed to start viewing her daily life activities such as lifting her children as opportunities to tighten her core, engage her glutes and strengthen her legs/back. She became so strong she helped her husband, to his great surprise, push a car! She didn’t change her daily routine, but started using her daily movements correctly, and engaging the right muscles during each task. She became what I call “daily life strong

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If a friend visited me I would take her to Santa Monica place where we could walk along the pier, enjoy the beach and beautiful weather. We’d then go shopping and eat at my favorite restaurant, True Food.

Los Angeles is one of the capitals of salsa dance, so in the evening I would take her out for a lesson and social dance. I am a salsa dancer and l always love reconnecting with the salsa community. It is always great fun!

Lastly we’d go to the SGI-USA Friendship center to attend a meeting and visit the bookstore. People from all over the world go there to connect, learn from each other and chant for a peaceful world.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am eternally grateful to my great mentors; Dr. Jeffrey Jacobs, Cynthia Tibbs, Mike Goff and Marie-Jose Laurence. All masters in their field.

I also learned from the thousands of students I had the fortune of teaching. The students in the LAUSD older adults program, patients in the physical therapy/chiropractic clinics, pilates clients and athletes, including some gifted Olympians.

I am filled with gratitude for everything they have taught me.

Website: https://strengthforeveryday.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strength_for_everyday/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FunctionalPilates

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCInM4HkcXbQwfExDWrXPoAg

Other: https://amzn.to/3TfGRMv