Basic Exercise Videos

Dr. Julie Yoon worked with Trainer Daphne Morrissey to create the following set of basic exercises. These exercises are intended for the older adult or for those whose sedentary lifestyle has led to pain or instability that can be overcome with strengthening key muscles. Each video length is less than five minutes and can be performed in the comfort of your own home.

Hip Openers with Daphne

Do you have knee pain? You probably didn’t know that many cases of knee pain are actually due to poor hip flexibility. When the hips become less flexible, they recruit joints lower down in the chain (knees, ankles and feet) to compensate for its lack of mobility. To both treat pain and even better – to prevent knee pain – it is very important to maintain excellent hip flexibility.

Chair Squats with Daphne

These are Dr Yoon’s “Don’t go to a nursing home exercises”. One of the most common problems leading to nursing home admissions is the inability to care for oneself and in particular, the inability to get on and off of a chair, a couch and most importantly, the toilet. These exercises work the largest muscles in the body: the quadriceps, hamstrings and buttocks muscles. Do these exercises every day to maintain independent living!

Core Activation (Counter Pushups and Pelvic Tilt) with Daphne

Do you have back pain? Likely an x-ray will show bone spurs or degenerative changes. An MRI will reveal spinal stenosis, disc bulges, cord compression and spondylolisthesis. Have you had surgery but still have back pain? It’s because your core muscles are too weak to support your own body weight let alone get you through your daily activities. If you have a counter and a microwave and a refrigerator then you have no excuses!