Welcome

A woman is stretching on the floor with another person.

I learned to love the journey, not the destination.I learned that this is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get.-Anna Quindlen
Credit: SQNSport

About Me

With over three decades of experience, I am passionate about guiding individuals towards improved strength, movement, and overall well-being. My mission is to help you become stronger for the activities you love while supporting your journey towards achieving your unique health and fitness goals. 

Having worked with top-tier athletes in the vibrant sports town of Sun Valley, Idaho, as well as with countless inspiring everyday people, I understand both the thrill of peak performance and the challenges of recovery. I excel at quickly identifying musculoskeletal imbalances that may causebor contribute to muscle and joint pain, so I can promptly implement targeted strategies to address issues and keep you moving forward. 

In 2004 I was struck with spondylolisthesis, a painful slipped disc in my lower back. I was living with chronic pain. After undergoing surgery to fix my back I continued to focus and expand my education on the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex, and how to manage and prevent back pain. Flash forward to the present, I am now a recognized Corrective Exercise Specialist in The BioMechanics Method ( TBMM-CES ).

Since 2000 I have also studied yoga with world-renowned yoga teachers, so if you train with me, you will surely do some yoga. Balance is huge for people over 40. So is the necessity of bringing together muscles and mind to move more efficiently, to relax when we need to relax, and to be powerful when power is needed. For example, have you ever noticed that a great skier’s upper body is always relaxed?

When you first begin working with me, you will undergo a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. Results from this assessment then guides us to understand what muscles and other soft tissue are contributing to your condition. Each program is designed specifically for your needs and goals. We’ll look at any musculoskeletal imbalances and design a corrective exercise program to help you move better, if that’s what you are more interested in. If your goal is weight loss, we incorporate full body moves with high metabolic cost, as I want your time working out to be maximized. Whether your goal is fat loss, feeling better, or returning to your favorite sport, I will bring abundant enthusiasm and the best programming to design your workout. ( Plus, when you train with me I can guarantee you that you will not be sore on the first day of ski season.)

As a former junior ski racer, my greatest passion skiing. I love to run, bike, practice yoga, and rock climb, taking me to the cliffs of the Greek Islands, Sardinia, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Thailand. Hiking with our Golden Retriever, Izzy, is also high on my list of things I love to do.

Here is a list of my credentials:

  • Corrective Exercise Specialist in The Biomechanics Method ( TBMM-CES ), the industry’s highest-rated CES credential.
  • American College of Sports Medicine ( ACSM ) Certified Exercise Physiologist 
  • American Council on Exercise (gold level)
  • Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research
  • Active Isolated Strengthening Therapist (a method of fascia release used to facilitate stretching)
  •  International Dance Exercise Association Elite Level Personal Trainer  ( the highest level of achievement in the personal fitness training industry)
  • TRX Suspension training coach.
  • Author of the Essential Core Poster ( click on link front page ! )
  • 30 year author of a popular monthly health and fitness column ” Fitness Guru ” for the Idaho Mountain Express
  • Yoga training with www.judithlasater.com, www.seanecorn.com, and www.erich schiffman.com
  • YMCA Group Exercise Leader

A woman is stretching on the floor with another person.

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Fitness Guru: The posture shift that changes everything

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-Checking vertical alignment between cheekbone and collarbone.

  • Photos courtesy of Connie Aronson

Example of forward head position-note the misalignment

It’s to your advantage to have your head perched directly above your spine—not just for good alignment, but for how you feel and move throughout the day. A head in optimal alignment with the neck can reduce tension, improve your body image and even change the way you carry yourself.

Try this: Imagine your head as a helium balloon floating gently upward. Your neck and spine are the string, soft and flexible like wool. This simple mental image can instantly relax your shoulders, lengthen your neck and help you stand taller—without effort or strain.

Now, consider the weight of that “balloon.” The human head weighs anywhere from 9 to 12 pounds. When it’s aligned over the spine, your body carries that weight with ease. But for every inch the head shifts forward, the effective load on your neck doubles. That forward head posture—common with screen time and stress—can wreak havoc on your neck, shoulders and overall alignment.

Here’s a quick way to check your head position:

The forward head scan

1. Sit near the edge of a chair.

2. Place one index finger on the part of your cheekbone that sticks out just below the eye.

3. Place your other index finger directly below it on your collarbone.

4. Look in a mirror or ask someone to check: Are the two fingers vertically aligned?

If the finger on your cheekbone is ahead of the one on your collarbone, your head is likely too far forward for optimal alignment.

Awareness is the first step. Use both the visual imagery of the floating balloon and this hands-on check throughout the day to gently guide your head back to center. When your head is naturally balanced at the top of your spine, your whole body follows.

A small shift at the top can create big changes in how you feel, move and carry yourself—no equipment required.

Connie Aronson is an exercise physiologist and Corrective Exercise Specialist ( TBBM-CES ) Visit her and her Golden, Josie on Instagram @Josie_thegolden and www.conniearonson.com

Published in The Idaho Mountain Express October 24, 2025

https://www.mtexpress.com/wood_river_journal/features/fitness-guru-the-posture-shift-that-changes-everything/article_f3cc9071-4dd9-4b09-91fb-2953c180bb88.html

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