I realized it's not baby steps , it's mouse steps. 3 years and now I can walk up and down stairs. The Dr's abandoned me. One year on I can squat now and get off the floor. I had to learn about my body. I now feel like I have turned a corner. Now I'm working on balance.

I have worked for 3 years after the diagnosis recommending hip replacement. I was in constant pain. Finally, able to move with little limitations. I have modified my training all along the way. When things worked I continued with them. Interestingly, as I fixed on thing another thing would appear. Just kept plugging along. Now hips and knees are working well. Three years of work to prevent surgery! You have helped me so much on this journey!

Don't give up! Everything changed for me after I focused on glute and shoulder strength!!!

Thanks so much for this video. I have been going to PT for a couple of months and have been feeling discouraged because I don't feel I've made enough progress. I logically know that at 73 and with limited movement from hip and back pain, it is going to take some time to get better. But my brain and body want it now! I really needed to hear this!

I always feel you are speaking to me personally, just bec of your delivery. Yes, I have experienced a breakthrough just after what seems like a setback.

Hi Matt, great video. I'm a senior lady who fell and broke my hip a year ago resulting in a hip replacement. It's been one problem after another and now I'm afraid to move. Every symptom you described about yourself I now have, head to toe. The surgeon told me the only solution is more surgery. Nope. Not happening. I've asked several well-known physio therapists online where I should begin. They either don't reply or they try to sell me an expensive program. My frustration and hopelessness has been paralyzing. You answered my question beautifully. I now know how to begin thanks to you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. It means more than you know. Cheers from Canada.

I really needed to hear this today. I was convinced I had wrecked my knee but the doctor told me I had a hamstring injury. After weeks of physical therapy I am slowly getting better. However, I have frustrating aches and pains showing up in my other leg. I just don't know what to think sometimes and it's like you said- I want to give up! Thank you for giving me this much-needed reality check.

Thank you! What I noticed when I worked as a CNA was that most people did not anticipate pain after surgery. They fully expected, no matter who explained or how it was explained, that after surgery life would be perfect. Additionally when physical therapy (PT) arrived to help with exercises which would help restore function, the exercises hurt and so almost every one only did the bare minimum and only when PT was telling them "Do it!" The one exception was a 98 year old who had hip surgery. She was a dancer. PT came and this lady was non stop exercise after they left. She knew when to pause, but her goal of dancing on her 100th birthday was firmly in mind. Really appreciate every point you made here.

I NEEDED this vid today THANK U for the real talk This is a process that just simply cannot be rushed. You have to put in the work be patient consistency is key… I have to continually say this mantra to myself

Thank you so much, have reached a level of frustration where all I wanted to do was sit and cry, but got back up and kept up with exercising, went to a specialist who told me a different reason why I was having problems, bursitis, osteoarthritis of the hip. It's your hip joint, it's stiff, really I thought !!! He gave me one exercise and sent me on my way. So this morning saw your video and laughed, gave me more hope as I was seeing improvement but wanted to be better asap. So back to exercising with more hope then ever before

The reason I feel I can trust your advice is because of what you say about not being able to sit in the car. It's the most painful thing for my hips and sleeping on my side as well is a close second.

Yay! It was me! Thank you so much for doing this video Matt! Great takeaways, onwards I go, restarting healthy hips program. Was sick for a few weeks which set me back. Back at it... Slow baby steps.💪👍✨🔆💕

I watch ALOT of KZfaq, I have had Spondylolisthesis grade 1 for 4 years and just recently had a flare up for the first time since diagnosis, which meant that now I've seriously started with certain exercises to try help my condition, since the flare up I've considered surgery, but after watching this video I don't think that will ever be an option for me unless 100% needed, this had truly given me vision on what I need to do to try and improve symptoms, keep moving and keep trying!

I'm 30 and have had chronic pain in my back, neck arms, and legs since I was 25. Before then I was really obsessed with strength training and now working out seems to make the pain worse and I feel discouraged to put in the effort. Thanks for the video gotta keep on trying till you find what works for you!

Thanks Matt !.your own personal challenge motivates a LOT of people to not give into pain

I'm kindof freaked out at the 'dead on point' arrival of this video today. Last September i had to have a knee surgery to repair a serious injury, and while my knee is feeling better, my lower back has gone out of whak because of favoring the knee, and i literally said 'I GIVE UP' this morning. I'm going to look through your video offerings and see if i can find some inspiration. thank you

So interesting about how after you get frustrated, you solve a problem shortly thereafter. I've noticed something similar, like clockwork. Shortly after getting extremely frustrated, I notice some improvement later in the day or the next day. Or all of a sudden I am able to move my hip in a way I couldn't before Like there is something encouraging me to keep going. It is such a consistent pattern that I have noticed it as well.

THANK YOU! 🎉 I am so thankful that I found your channel because I have been searching!! I keep telling everyone about you because you’ve got me fired up! I appreciate you I think you’re highly intelligent, sincere and very entertaining and I laugh a lot Thx Matt 👍🏼🙌🏼

Listening to this now ! SO encouraging. Awesome video . Thanks

Thank you! You are appreciated. Your energy, vitality and flexibility is amazing and it helps to keep me motivated on this journey towards physical fitness.

Thank you Matt! I have watched a number of your videos. I appreciate your advice and your alternate point of view.

Thank you for this. I needed this now.

Thanks, needed this, I will redouble my efforts, and seek a new way forward

Thanks for sharing

Thank you for explaining what the feelings are and how the exercises fix them! My body might not be normal, but the explanations help me know what is happening and it might be a safe exercise for me!

👌Fantastic solid words of encouragement, thank you 😊

Thanks, great video.👍

Thanks! May God bless you!🙏

Thank you for addressing this!!!

Matt, I am where you say with my frustration! I thank you for setting my mind at a better place

Wow! You REALLY are inspirational! I've been having what feels like too many middle-aged setbacks, and they often feel way too overwhelming. The state of health I want to regain usually feels unattainable, and I then experience intense negative emotional reactions. Arghhh! I really needed to see this video. I love chiropractic care and acupuncture and massage, yet I also know its up to ME to prioritize all the suggestions you generously provide here. I fully agree with your thoughts regarding surgery. Thanks so much!!!

Thanks! I needed that.

Thank you so much for chatting about this topic. Very helpful as I am in the process. 😩 Also, very anti surgery option. I’d still have to correct my dysfunctional movement patterns, so may as well do that anyway. Appreciate your videos so much to support those of us who want to make improvements and will not do surgery as an option 😩👉😁soon I hope

Thank you😊

Never give up.

Thank you very much - truly

an important strategy that worked for me was when I wasn't able to exercise my way out of the pain I was experiencing ...it got to the point where I couldn't even walk up the steps...then i changed my diet to remove inflammatory foods, basically foods that cause inflammation, like nightshade foods, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, etc... I went on a three week, fresh squeezed OJ/lemon juice protocol where i would have two glasses of juice in the morning ,wait all day to have a salad at night, and within three weeks the inflammation melted away ..Now I stretch and strengthen my hips without any intolerable pain, only manageable discomfort.....diet is also key my friends...sometimes exercising alone won't be enough ...the more you alkalize your diet the less chance for inflammation of the joints..

I really find your videos sooooo helpful. This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you!!! My knees hurt a lot (diagnoses with arthritis) but I'm continue to work on it with the help of your exercises! I JUST started like 3 days ago so I need to give it some more time. :)

Very good …humorous and helpful videos…inspirational…thank you.

Thank You

This man, is a NIGHTMARE for AMA Doctors, Surgeons and their Checkbooks(which they use to please their mistresses) 😁

Serendipitous timing. I’ve been dealing with swelling from a deltoid ligament ankle sprain 2 years ago. It’s not weak or unstable and I have no pain or limited ROM. But when I sit or stand for too long it swells up. When I was living a relatively normal life it was manageable but a recent cross-country move was brutal. So much sitting. So it’s been more swollen than usual and it’s just so annoying. Lately I’ve been thinking “This. Just. Isn’t. Right. I probably need to get this looked at by a surgeon.” You’ve inspired me to not give in! Thank you!

It's good to know that I'm not alone on this path. Muchas gracias, abrazo desde Argentina

I've been watching your channel for a few weeks and I really like your presentation style (except for the 5 toddler-squat synonyms each time 😛). Your explanations make sense. I've been trying to build consistency with knee exercises to reduce my knee pain (age 59, 100 lbs overweight, office worker) and recover my toddler squat. I've been told I can have knee replacement surgery, and everyone I know who has had surgery is thrilled with it. But I'm not going to consider it until I'm no more than 20 lb overweight and I have been seriously exercising for a year and it's still a problem. The idea to keep track of my body's pain and capabilities makes sooo much sense. I've written down my current status and I really hope to do it weekly. I just wrote down everything for now because I'm not sure what my consistent metric(s) should be. Thank you for all your wonderful videos and encouragement.

Great vid!

These are great to remember. I don't have pain, but weakness caused by illness/sitting. So I expected to get those muscles going. Now I have more time for home therapy, but lost lots of muscle. Will keep going for 10 days 😀!

thank you you are correct, i am a lazy quiter.

Wow…I am so lucky I found. All your videos make sense and so ,so helpful. Thank you so much.

Thank you for this video Diagnosed with AVN it's almost a year wrong diagnosis leading to late correct diagnosis has caused more damage. Physiotherapy is helping and watching your videos on hip mobility has helped me gain confidence. So many people are being Diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis of Hip joints and hip replacement is the only thing being advised. Sometimes it makes me wonder if we are really advanced in Science and Medicine. Thank you for spreading hope 🙏🏼

Thank you for this insight. Your video is 100% on point. Not a proponent if surgery as well unless it is absolutely necessary. I am challenged with hip shoulder knee and feet pain. I am a physically active person on late 50. It is my hope to undo some of this pain with exercise, and stretching and massages.

I have managed to make improvements but not without some return of pain. Have to constantly do exercises to keep from full return of pain and at times this is frustrating. Just did a walk run of 4km and had much hamstring and gluteal aches and have been managing with doing sets of exercises for almost the entire afternoon. This is frustrating but worth it. So Matt thanks for normalizing frustration.

Thank you :)

Thanks - sooo helpful! Greetings from Munich, Germany.

Excellent positivity...I'm a believer...reinventing my hips due to atropy from steriods for cancer problem.

This was incredibly helpful and insightful, and I really needed it right now. Thank you! And I agree re surgery. You want evidence before doing something so drastic - large sample size, placebo controlled, peer reviewed studies that aren't paid for by anyone who stands to benefit financially from them, and that present statistics on absolute rather than relative risk. The descriptions on hospital and physician sponsored web sites are marketing materials and should be viewed as such - a sales pitch, nothing more.

Thanks Matt! I got a lot out of this. Frustration does seem to be a normal thing.

Matt, I think you must have some mind reading capabilities. Your videos, each time, reflect exactly how I feel. Thank you for your continuous support.

I'm recovering from a broken femur. At 7 months I've stopped making progress in PT and I had a setback with a strained glute muscle in PT. I met with the surgeon recently who pointed out the arthritis and cysts under the bone in the hip joint and talked about hip replacement. Argh. I was ready to quit and just sit in the recliner even though at age 76 that will kill me. But I found your video today. Thank you. PT has to end soon but I will give your program a try. I just want to walk without limping and get rid of the cane.

Good stuff ;)

Love the shoes, Matt!

Need this one. Muscle tears take longer to heal than I have patience for. Learning to chill! Maybe.

Thank you sooo much for this video! I really needed to hear this today, I am 25 now and it has been a struggle with both of my knees for the past 3 years… I am a dancer and It’s really hard some days to keep going and try to figure out how to help my body and what actually makes my knees flare up when doctors have basically abandoned me and give me random diagnoses that don’t even make sense or tell me it’s all just in my head.

"Peak frustration moment" as a signal that something is changing. Yes. This has so often been true for me. And Calibrating what is happening from time to time. Yes.

I got 3 heirnated discs lower back pain both sides plus hip pain life has been hell for over 3 yrs but I'm not giving up I have a a beautiful duaghter and I plan to get better one day for her

Perfect timing. I think this 10 day rule is true for me too. Maybe I am there right now with my right shoulder.

Good talk. I went backwards on knee issues, but hanging in there. Getting up after sitting long periods is difficult. Yoga, stationary cycling, rowing all part of my routine. Patience isn’t!

I'm NOT giving up. 70 yrs of this female body standing up straight. To wanting to stay bent over due to Hip/Leg pain. I DO give up on Western Dr.s Grrr Now a Dr. wants to start me on Meds cuz the Dexa Scan say's I have severe Osteoporosis. Sure I do compared to a 35 yr. old. Grrr Now I am working on but on weight w/ building muscles (not fat) to support my "Severe Osteoporosis". Not one Dr. has suggested weight gain and ATM. Don't one to be the one to fall and scream out "Help I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up" ATM Research Best words I heard from a Nurse when checked into Hospital for Insulin. She said: "Hmmm Diabetes, You need to Research read everything you can about Diabetes. RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH"

Matt do you think or have you seen people who were bedridden also be able to build strength in their muscles the same way that you say building strength around the joints and stretching will eventually help the pain to go away?? I feel like I’m in a different category than most people on your channel where I have pain but I have severe weakness and while I’m making micro steps forward I sometimes wonder if I’ll ever get to a place where it doesn’t feel like I have 100 pounds on my back. Thank you for everything that you do I love your channel sincerely and I’ve been telling everybody about it

Thank you! I'll be watching a lot of your videos regarding hips and shoulder joints. Age 61 and hopeful, after hearing you in this video, (and speaking to my son, who is a Physio) that with the right moves and exercises there is hope for improved and less discomfort living. The on and off of discomfort (or occasional pain) is very discouraging as we age, so thank you! Looking forward to a lot of learning with you and my Physios. :) Would also like to know where I can ask questions and possibly get some answers?

I know exactly what your describing and talking about when you're in the car. I've had to pull over and get out of the car and walk around before I could get back in. I can't drive very far before I am in agony and it doesn't matter if I lift my butt up and shift it slightly.

Thankyou! total frustration.. My shoulder hurst the most and feels like it's frozen in one place with no movement :( Gotta find something to do!

Ugh, yes, bodywide pain has been an issue for about 16 years! I hate fms. However, I'm not giving up.

Thank you for Motivation. But how to find the right excercises?

Thank you for an inspirational video👍😀 For me, like you said I try to remember that my frustration is because I 'think' I've tried everything!? Or it's just before that break through, when I think something should be working by now?! Re-set is different for me, I don't think about the issue for 24 hrs.. . When I get to a certain level of frustration I stop, walk away & switch off from the issue. Distraction is best strategy for me. I reset, start fresh the next day with new eyes. As if it was the first time I was doing the task!!? Then afterwards I'll reflex on how far I'd come?? Is that different to what to said about reset? What do others find helps them?

That was great thanks. I have a hip impingement, weak glute, tight flexor and all the good stuff on my left side. I can work out hard. Even legs. But walking is a daunting task. It is so painful and embarrassing to walk with a limp at my age. Have you considered making a video about walking techniques?

I feel that way ..its too much .

I had to have my hips replaced, the bones were crumbling. I had a keyhole surgery (SuperPATH) for both of them, it took away the grinding background pain, however, obviously, it didn't do a thing for the imbalances in my back and hip muscles. I knew that this would be the case, I've had those issues all my adult life and wish I'd realised that I also had shallow hip sockets, which were probably the cause of my SI, back and hip pain, and I might have been able to avoid suddenly needing surgery. Anyway, lots of small exercises and determination and time later, and I'm more flexible than I've ever been before. I'm still working on my mobility, but it's improving. This video is so on point, as my friend and I were talking about pain and exercise literally just hours ago. Thank you, I've shared this to my Facebook and Instagram.

I denial of hip surgery 1 and half ..years w cane a year , did some pt in fall ..after 6 th week ooops he pushed me too hard …so I stopped and doing non pinching exercises moderately .. so feeling lil better ..let’s see ..thanks for all your vids🙏 Oh how I wish you were in SE Florida 🙏🙏

Long story short: TOS for 8 months, tons of doctors, blablabla, "You need surgery", blablabla, gettind depressed - you all know the story. Sometimes it's difficult to keep going, above all because it's impossible to get the people (even the loved ones) aware of your sensations. If you try to dissimulate the pain, people will start thinking: "Ehi, he's ok!", but you're not. Thanks for the vid - much needed.

Thank you hip arthritis lft leg working with vibration mech one and therama gun what u think of them

I'm probably only just starting (I've done a mishmash of stuff on and off over the years, but never really consistently) and it feels like I discover a new weakness every time I try something. It's like your stretching examples, where whenever I try an exercise that seems like a good idea, I find a new pain point somewhere and it always keeps me wondering if what I'm trying is actually a good idea or only making stuff worse. It's probably better than not moving at all but it is somewhat frustrating

Matt, I love your words. But when people are older sometimes it’s different. I know you have mentioned older people who have had success but some people have serious things for which they DO need surgery. I know several people who had hip replacements with an excellent doctor and had great results. You can’t say the same for every surgery. I have a badly torn abductor tendon on the gluteus minimus and Maximus which they are recommending surgery for. I am sso confused but the pain is so excruciating that I don’t feel I can exercises that area any more.. When I do it affects me so badly I can’t walk. I think with older people it is often different and that has to be acknowledged.

Thank you for this video. I have what feels like ligaments or tendons rubbing every time I bend and straighten my knee on the outer right of my knee. I don’t know how to fix it. Any ideas? Maybe it’s meniscus. I don’t know. My knee is bone on bone. My range of motion is decreased a lot in my right knee. You don’t normally advocate knee replacement for bone-on-bone knees? Stem cells? I had the hyaluronic acid but only one injection and it wasn’t enough.

I'm on week 4 of the FAI Fix and feeling worse than when I started. I struggle trying to get into positions to stretch my glutes and have no activation on the left side at all. I have constant pain just below where my belt sits and sciatica. I'm wondering if the problem is my lower back. I bought healthy hips last year but gave in after a few weeks because sciatica pain was terrible.

Very interesting! I got rid of my pain in wrists and fingers, and I can say that four of my friends repeated it. Two things: 1) Related to what you mentioned :) These days our packaged food is loaded with sugar, refined carbs, cheap vegetable seed oils that cause insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Quit using that, return to the food your great grand parents ate. Too bad that over 90% of the supermarket isles are a no go area... All this food promotes inflammation, and yes, arthritis IS inflammation 🔥 2) Almost no doctor knows this, but some pharmacists perhaps know it.. In countries where the soil has no BORON (an element with properties close to Silicon), like Haiti, arthritis is abundant. In areas where Boron is mined, and it is in drinking water and vegetation, almost no arthritis occurs, like in Israel, Turkey and some areas in the USA. I make my own supplement, a low dose of boron in water. After 4-8 weeks I was pain free, and this works for 70-80% of people. Do your own research! Don't believe me on my blue eyes, everybody is responsible for his/her own health! You may search and download pdf's "Nothing boring about Boron" and "The Boron conspiracy". Then there is a Dr. Jorge Flechas with presentations on KZfaq. Very interesting and useful. You have to be persistent, but you'll find him. Again, it worked for me. So: Avoid inflammation and insulin resistance, those are leading causes for inflammation, disease and early death. Having said that: if you smoke, or use alcohol: QUIT doing that.. Not helpful. If you can, quit or minimize pain medication like Tylenol, Ibuprofen. It is a burden for your liver. Also stop using all the bad vegetable oils, only saturated oils are ok, butter ok, avocado, coconut, olive oil ok. Bad are rape seed, canola, cottonseed, soy, sunflower oils, margarine. They are easily oxidized and promote chronic inflammation. I hope you are not a vegan or vegetarian, meat is ok, processed meat only occasional. Forget the junk food, prepare your own stuff with products your great great grandmother would use. Eggs are super, if you can afford organic source. Seeds like pumpkin and sunflower seeds are good, some nuts, if you like it: fatty fish! Caught, not farmed. If you use refined carbs and sugar, quit those as much as possible.. Not easy, I know. Treat yourself as being diabetic, unless you lived a healthy life. I do intermittent fasting, I always skip breakfast. Oh, bread and cereals, cookies, cakes, deserts, sweets, most chocolate, sweet fruit, sodas are refined carbs too ❌ If you use medicines, find out for yourself what undesired effects they may have.. In that case do your own research for better alternatives and discuss this with your doctor. Never make changes without medical advice. As said. I use Boron, that is a great supplement for bones! It regulates calcium, magnesium and phosphor. Also regulates testosterone, estrogen, and helps your brain. It is anti-inflammatory, and anti-molds. May help sleeping better. *Very good against osteoporosis, when combined with vit D3 (best amounts above 4000 IU daily), K2 (most important, at least 100 micrograms per day, use the MK7 form), magnesium. at least 350 milligrams per day. Please note that when you are on Warfarin or Coumarin type blood thinners, you have to task to your doctor to change to another type of blood thinner. K2 and these drugs cannot be combined* I make my own Boron supplement. I purchased borax on the internet. Some $10=€10 per kg, this is good for 30 years of use! Dead cheap!! I dissolve 10 grams borax in 500 ml water. 1 ml solution contains 2 mg of active Boron. I take 5 ml daily, that equals 10 mg elemental Boron. Most important is healthy food and doing your own searches on Google and KZfaq. 🙏🏻💚

Thank you for your video it helps me a lot. I have whole body joint pain for more than a month now and it's hard for me to stand up because of my knee it hurts a lot. Im a filipino sorry for my english. Is there anyone here has a low blood count while having a whole body joint pain? Thanks

How come I did not get this notification?! It popped up when I was looking for something else but it was not in my notifications and I have my settings on

Are those Sofstar shoes?? U gotta try the the Primals!! The toe splay is purrrfect

I have sticker chart. Surprisingly effective!

Late to the party, can you offer exercises to strengthen after a hip surgery?

In Pakistan if you go to doctor for body aches(especially legs,ankles, feet) they immediately tell you to get your uric acid tested. And even if it is on the border line they get you started on the medicine(which has little or no effect; atleast for me,i had plantar fascitis ). Then I saw your video which mentions 3 stretches for plantar fascitis and ever since then i realised how important hips are in dealing with a lot that is going on with in our body. Would love to see a video on ATM vs stupid uric acid. Thank you a lot!!!

I've always been vehemently against the idea of surgery. Even if I were in a car accident or something crazy. You mentioned a couple reasons they may be valid, but was wondering what the scope of things that could only be fixed by surgery would be.

So glad that when I tore my meniscus that I got the orthopedic guy that I did. He looked at the MRI, he looked at my health history, gave me the 3 options he saw, and told me his preference was that I did PT before I tried surgery because in his experience, people with Ehlers Danlos don't heal well and it would never feel "normal" for me because the part that tore away from the bone shouldn't be there to begin with. Lol.

I need you as my doctor

I'm hyper mobile and it causes a lot of issues with my tendons especially my elbows. I had so much pain I finally got to PT. It took 6 months for my elbows to recover pain free. I made a lot of progress in the first 3 months. ROM and less pain. Then I hit frustration. I'd do something at home because I felt I was able (I couldn't before and I felt better) and I landed with a set back. I started to cry in PT. They showed me my progress and told me to go easy. I'd make progress and set back, progress, set back. What felt like set backs were actually not. I had progressed to a pain point and had to work through that to get to a new point to work through until 6 months later, I was pain free. But I spent many sessions feeling like I'd never be pain free and cried. One of my last sessions, I still had a knot of pain. The PT pressed on the area to release the muscle knot and just like that I was done with PT. Whenever I do too much and it starts to hurt again, I stretch it right away so I don't have 6 months of rehab again. Thank you for addressing this issue of recovery. 😊

Do you offer an 1on1 consultation

Do you recommend taking over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen to aid with inflammation

Re: Surgery. When the MRI showed me the herniated disk pinching my sciatic nerve, I knew there was no other option.

I love your videos, but I am so weak and have bursitis and arthritis. Plus terrible feet and ankle pain. My wrists have fused. Where would be a good place to start ? Thank you

Great to hear. I feel the same way. I found great success from chronic back/neck pain through the Feldenkrais Method over many years when nothing else helped It helped me functionally, but now 10 yrs later my feet are worse (flatfeet). Tendonitis, now painful finger joints! I am so stressed. Yet I have improved sooo much in other areas. I feel like a karmic mess. Now I'm old enough to be considered old. 61. 😩 I stay away from doctors & meds. I just realized I am gaining weight & haven't done aerobic exercise in 10 yrs! I believe it is my responsibility to improve function & life. I have a great PT helping build muscles to support my feet. $400 orthotics from the podiatrist feel totally wrong! Don't waste your money. I also find my mind is the real culprit & I must improve my thoughts & beliefs. Abraham Hicks is helping! I realize I need to keep up my practices longer than I do. Thanks & love your approach. Linda