Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman

Jeannette Loram, a biologist and movement teacher known for her insights on human biomechanics, joins the conversation to explore the concept of a 'right' way to walk. They discuss the phases of walking gait, what constitutes an 'abnormal' gait, and the importance of balance and efficiency. The talk delves into how our modern lifestyles impact our walking patterns and the relationship between human and animal locomotion. Moreover, they tackle listener questions about the peculiarities of race walking and advocate for understanding individual movement as a path to better health.

Dynamic Aging Retreat Oct 3-5 2025In this episode, biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram talk about menopause and movement. They discuss menopause as a natural developmental phase that humans share with only a few other highly social marine mammals. They explain the evolution of menopause in relation to the role of grandmothers within human—and whale—societies and also explore the movement diet of postmenopausal women within hunter-gatherer tribes.Katy and Jeannette discuss health concerns that arise around menopause: bone osteoporosis, muscle loss and cardiovascular issues and how movement is key to maintaining those tissues. They speak to the loud media noise around ‘heavy lifting’ and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) as the ways to stay strong. They explain that we absolutely require muscle strengthening and bone loading activity as well as some intense heart and lung movement. However, the way we get those movements could be, but does not have to be, in a gym. They share ideas on how to get the movement our bodies need, in ways that we enjoy and work for us as individuals.Finally, don't miss the end! Katy remembers to talk more about the benefits of  menopause, particularly in relation to remodeling of the brain.

Dynamic Aging Retreat Oct 3-5 2025Biomechanist Katy Bowman talks with biologist Jeannette Loram about lung movement.Katy and Jeannette debate whether the lung surfaces are actually outside the body, similar to the tubes of the gut, and discuss how lung movement is not only important for breathing but also for immunity. They discuss the anatomy of our lungs and the mechanics of lung movement and explain how our lungs, just like our hips, have a range of motion that they need to be moved through on a regular basis.They discuss humans as endurance-adapted animals and explain how our ribcage anatomy is adapted for greater lung movement compared with non-endurance animals. They also discuss postural issues such as hyperkyphosis and forward shoulders that can limit our ability to take good breaths.Finally, they touch on some unique breathing scenarios such as high-altitude and aquatic environments.

Dynamic Aging Retreat Oct 3-5 2025Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram talk all about swimming. They discuss the history of human swimming; whether humans are natural-born swimmers, evidence for swimming in the past and physiological adaptations found in swimming and diving cultures.They discuss the four classic swimming strokes as well as other ways to move in the water and explore the movement macro-and micro-nutrients found in swimming. They talk about joint and bone support and the trade-offs of exercising in buoyant water. They also offer tips for avoiding swimming-related neck and back pain.Finally, Katy and Jeannette touch on the aquatic Olympics and athletic longevity and also share their personal swimming histories and favorite ways of moving through the water.

Katy Bowman, a biomechanist, Jeannette Loram, a biologist, and Vybarr Cregan-Reid, an English professor, dive into the fascinating relationship between books and physical health. They explore how reading fosters empathy and mental workouts, discussing the evolution of storytelling across cultures. The trio debates the physical toll of writing, shares personal strategies for maintaining well-being, and reflects on the historical significance of reading. Their insights highlight the complex interplay between literature, identity, and the body.

Katy Bowman, a biomechanist specializing in movement science, teams up with biologist Jeannette Loram to tackle all things hiking. They discuss essential preparation tips, gear choices, and ways to manage fatigue or pain while on the trails. Discover why downhill hiking can strain your knees and calves, and gain insights into biomechanics that improve your hiking form. Katy also shares a weekly exercise plan to bolster your hiking experience alongside the benefits of pairing hiking with swimming for a well-rounded fitness routine.

Dynamic Aging Retreat Oct 3-5 2025To Hiking pole, or not to hiking pole, is the question that biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram address in this episode.The use of poles has become a hotly debated topic among hikers and Katy and Jeannette dive in to help explore the issue. They discuss how poles are used in fitness and hiking scenarios, as well as their potential advantages and disadvantages. They specifically get into how the arms and upper body can be used during hiking and explain the mechanics of walking uphill and downhill with poles. They discuss how poles can be useful tools to support balance, decrease fatigue and prevent joint discomfort, but also explain how relying on poles all of the time can leave us missing important movement nutrients and leave some parts of us undertrained.

Dynamic Aging Retreat Oct 3-5 2025Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram discuss bunions; what they are, how they are created and what to do about them. Inspired by a recent article in National Geographic, they unpack the idea that bunions are a failure of evolution. Rather than being due to a poorly engineered toe, Katy and Jeannette show how bunions are actually created by forces of habit: restrictive footwear and certain walking patterns create forces that push and pull on our big toe and foot with every step we take. Find out how you need to look to the hip, as well as the foot, when working and walking to correct bunions.

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and Parent Coach Mary Van Geffen discuss how movement can regulate emotions in 'spicy kids'. They talk about using outdoor play, big-body movements, combative play, and controlled destruction to help kids express feelings and foster autonomy. Learn how parents can support kids' physical and emotional needs through physical closeness and modeling movement.

Jeannette Loram, a UK-based biologist and co-host, dives into the transformative ideas from Katy Bowman's upcoming book, discussing the concept of movement as nutrition. They introduce the S.L.O.T.H time budget model to help listeners enhance their daily physical activity. The conversation shifts to reframing movement from a punitive obligation to a nourished joy, encouraging a mindfulness approach tailored to individual needs. Jeannette emphasizes creating personalized movement plans that align with personal motivations, transforming how we engage with movement in our lives.