Anamfitnessforliving

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Anamfitnessforliving Located near Fort St.

John Fitness for people with Scoliosis, Musculoskeletal Chronic Pain, Hypermobility (EDS, HSD and general instability) MS, chronic medical conditions, pelvic floor dysfunction, lung conditions, and Concussion.

Hypermobility Education Series Part 2: Hypermobility and ExerciseI have seen the difference that specific exercises done...
10/09/2026

Hypermobility Education Series Part 2: Hypermobility and Exercise

I have seen the difference that specific exercises done consistently can make for many hypermobile people, including those who are just bendy and those with suspected or diagnosed medical conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, Marfan Syndrome and others.

I have seen the positive effects such as:

· reduced joint and muscle pain

· increased stability and strength

· reduced fatigue

· increased coordination and balance

· work and activities becoming possible or easier

· reduced injuries

· and more

Even increased overall quality of life.

Regular exercise and active living are important for everyone for both physical and mental reasons, and often hypermobile people find it difficult to do these things.

Common points I would like to share from my knowledge and experience with hypermobile people and exercise. For more in-depth information, please use the link: https://www.anamfitnessforliving.ca/hypermobilityinformation.

· Starting levels may be considerably less than someone who is not hypermobile - due to many factors. (Might be 30 seconds of walking or 1–2 reps - not 3 × 10.)

· Progressive - many are surprised at how far they can progress with consistency! But this can take time and is done very carefully.

· Consistent - consistency is vital.

· Quality over quantity.

· Each day might be different - depending on a number of factors. Some days are progressing days, other days are maintenance days, other days are gentler days, and some may just be rest days.

· Adaptation - day-to-day, exercise selection, or adapting a particular exercise, and more.

· Working together to build a great toolkit - it is definitely a team effort.

The information in this post is based on my training (including a course called Hypermobility: Exercise as Medicine), my research, and especially my experience - both personal and work. This is not medical advice and is for informational purposes only.

Many youth continue to play or return to play while experiencing concussion symptoms.This matters because returning to s...
10/03/2026

Many youth continue to play or return to play while experiencing concussion symptoms.

This matters because returning to sport before recovery can increase the risk of more severe and longer-lasting problems if another injury occurs. Rare, catastrophic cases of rapid brain swelling and death have been described following a second head injury before recovery.

Why do young athletes continue to play?

There can be many reasons.

They may under-report or hide symptoms because they really want to keep playing. They may worry about letting down their coach, parents or teammates. And sometimes there is direct or indirect pressure from the adults and people around them.

A 2024 review by Western University researchers looked at 36 studies involving youth athletes ages 12–17 and found that between one-third and more than one-half of youth sport participants reported that they had not told someone in charge that they were experiencing concussion symptoms during play.

And it isn't always the youth making the decision on their own.

In one study of youth football parents, 13.8% of parents reported allowing their child to continue playing on the day of a suspected sport-related concussion, while another 6.9% allowed them to play the following day.

Many of these parents also reported that they did not feel they had adequate knowledge to manage the situation.

Another study found that 26.5% of athletes experienced pressure from at least one source (coaches, parents, teammates or fans) to continue playing after a head impact. Greater pressure from teammates, parents and fans was associated with lower intention to report a future suspected concussion.

This is why I think concussion awareness needs to be about more than knowing that a concussion protocol exists.

It is about creating an environment where the protocol is actually followed.

As a parent – it’s a great idea to learn more about concussions (the guidelines do evolve). It is okay to ask about the concussion policy at the beginning of the season:

What is the concussion protocol?
Who has concussion awareness training?
What happens if my child is suspected of having a concussion?

Many organizations already provide this information to parents and participants. Some may also have requirements for coach training.

In BC, the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) offers free training for coaches, parents, athletes and others involved in sport.

The Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport provides a national framework covering concussion recognition, assessment, management and return to sport. It is intended for parents, coaches, athletes, officials, teachers, trainers and health-care professionals, both in school-based and non-school organized sport.

Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport – Parachute:
https://parachute.ca/en/professional-resource/concussion-collection/canadian-guideline-on-concussion-in-sport/

Ontario has also made concussion safety a legal requirement through Rowan’s Law, including requirements around concussion awareness, codes of conduct and removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols.

BC does not have Rowan’s Law, but we do have guidelines and resources to help support concussion safety.

And I think the conversation with our kids matters too.

Talk to you kids about concussion protocols and why they matter. Why it is important to not play after a concussion or while still experiencing concussion symptoms.

It doesn't guarantee that a young athlete will always speak up.

But awareness, combined with adults who put their safety first, gives them a much better chance of doing so.

Learn more – including links to some studies, training, current Canadian protocol, Rowan’s Law, and more on my Concussion Resources page.

https://www.anamfitnessforliving.ca/concussion-resources

This is Concussion Awareness Week!Do you or a loved one have a concussion or post-concussion syndrome? Are you a coach o...
09/29/2026

This is Concussion Awareness Week!

Do you or a loved one have a concussion or post-concussion syndrome? Are you a coach or parent who would like to learn more about concussion symptoms or what to do when your child or a child on your team has a concussion?

I have provided some great resources on my new Concussion Resources page on my website. You can click the “Concussion Resources” button on the home page or find at this link: https://www.anamfitnessforliving.ca/concussion-resources

The resources include information about:

- Symptoms of a concussion
- When to go to the hospital or see a doctor
- What to do immediately after you think you or a loved one has a concussion — including in the middle of a game and right after. If I hit my head 30 minutes ago, but only have a little headache now, can I play?
- Do I just rest until I feel better after a concussion? (Hint: this has changed over the last decade.)
- If I don’t have a headache while I take Advil, but I do when I don’t take it — does this mean I am symptom-free and can return to sport? (Hint: symptom-free while taking medication is generally not the same thing as symptom-free without it.)
- Recovery strategies — including information about getting help if you are struggling to recover
- How long recovery normally takes — and how this may differ between age groups
- What post-concussion syndrome is
- Link for Free Training for parents, coaches, youth and more.
…and much more.

I am a Shift Concussion Provider and Medical Fitness Specialist, and I work with people who have concussions and post-concussion syndrome, often with the goals of helping them return to work or school and return to sport. I often work in coordination with a person’s health-care team. Medical clearance may be required.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

September is Pain Awareness MonthI work with people who have pain. This may be related to old injuries, chronic medical ...
09/10/2026

September is Pain Awareness Month

I work with people who have pain. This may be related to old injuries, chronic medical conditions, or other causes.

Chronic pain doesn’t always mean severe pain all day, every day. It can come and go, change from day to day, or simply become background noise because it has been there for so long.

Pain is incredibly individual. Two people can have a similar injury or condition and experience it very differently.

For some people, even movement can be difficult. Exercise intolerance can mean that exercise actually makes their pain worse.

This is where specialized movement can make a meaningful difference.

We start where the person is and progress within their tolerance. This can be different for each person.

I also listen. I ask questions. I look at the information my clients bring me. I help them think of questions to take to their doctor or recognize when another professional, such as a physiotherapist, may be helpful.

For the many clients who have committed to the process, I have had the privilege of watching pain decrease, movement improve, and people return to things they once thought they couldn’t do - Pilates, the gym, sports, hiking, golf, hockey, pickleball, hunting and simply living their lives.

Together, we find a path forward.

Slowly. Methodically. Within their tolerance.

I appreciate being a part of my clients’ journeys, and I love cheering them on along the way.

Reach out for more information or check out these great resources on pain.

Pain resources:

Pain BC — Movement and Pacing for Chronic Pain
https://painbc.ca/find-help/resources/downloadables/movement

Pain BC — information, support and resources for people living with pain
https://painbc.ca

Pain Canada — Canadian pain resources and supports
https://www.paincanada.ca/resources

Colleen Wandler
Medical Fitness Specialist
Pain Free Movement Specialist
Anam Fitness for Living

www.anamfitnessforliving.ca

[email protected]

Hypermobility Education Series Part 1: What is hypermobility?At its most basic, hypermobility means that a joint can mov...
08/11/2026

Hypermobility Education Series Part 1: What is hypermobility?

At its most basic, hypermobility means that a joint can move through a greater range of motion than is typical.

Some people are naturally very flexible and have no pain or other problems at all. Being hypermobile does not automatically mean something is wrong.

Others may experience things like pain, instability, fatigue, repeated injuries, or difficulties with movement and coordination.
Hypermobility can occur on its own, and it can also be seen in genetic and connective tissue conditions such as HSD, EDS, Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, Stickler syndrome, and others.

There is a lot of individual variation.
Someone may have one particularly flexible joint. Someone else may have many hypermobile joints. Someone else may have hypermobility as one feature of a diagnosed or suspected connective tissue disorder.
Having hypermobile joints does not automatically mean you have a connective tissue disorder and hypermobility does not automatically mean something is wrong.
For people who experience pain, instability, fatigue, difficulties with coordination (including but not limited to hand-eye coordination and tripping) or balance, or other symptoms or struggles alongside their hypermobility specific exercises can help!
Appropriately selected exercise can help develop strength, control, confidence, and tolerance for activity, and may help with pain and joint stability.

But to me, a bigger goal is to help people stay active and do the things they want and need to do, including the things that bring joy and fulfillment to their lives.
That’s what I love to do.

Want to learn more? I’ve put a longer, more detailed version of this information on my website and resource links. I’ll continue adding to this page as the series grows, so it can become a place to come back to for more information about hypermobility, movement, and exercise.
https://www.anamfitnessforliving.ca/hypermobilityinformation

Next up: Part 2: Hypermobility and Exercise

Youth Screening for Posture, Gait, & MovementPrivate one-on-one posture, movement and joint stability screening$50 - Lim...
08/06/2026

Youth Screening for Posture, Gait, & Movement

Private one-on-one posture, movement and joint stability screening

$50 - Limited spots available - book by August 20, 2026.

For youth aged 4–17 years, and young adults up to age 25 currently attending high school, college, university or trade school.

I created this Screening Service for youth who are interested in a postural and movement analysis (and parents that are interested in this service for their child) who would prefer to have a Screening over an Initial Assessment at this time

Some clients may have questions or concerns about posture, movement, joint stability, chronic joint or musculoskeletal pain, frequent sprains, or scoliosis.

Some clients may just be curious about their (or their child’s) posture, gait or movement.

What is included in the Youth Screening?

• 20-minute private screening (photos/video taken for further analysis only - with consent)
• At least 1 hour of my additional time for analyzing separate from the screening
• Emailed Observation Summary & General Recommendations

For more information, please click on this link: https://www.anamfitnessforliving.ca/screening or see picture of brochure with this post.

Colleen Wander

Medical Fitness Specialist

Anam Fitness for Living

[email protected]

www.anamfitnessforliving.ca

If this sounds like it may be helpful for you, your child, or someone you know, I’d appreciate you sharing this post.

Thanks!

I am often asked if I work with people virtually. Yes, I do!Working virtually allows me to work with people across Canad...
07/21/2026

I am often asked if I work with people virtually. Yes, I do!
Working virtually allows me to work with people across Canada. In fact, some of my clients I’ve only ever worked with virtually.
For my Peace Region clients, virtual sessions can also be a great option. You can come in for in-person sessions when it works, and when it doesn’t - because of weather, scheduling, travel, or vacation - we can meet virtually instead.
This flexibility can help with availability, consistency, and accountability while allowing you to continue making progress.
Phone or text: 2502618401
Email: [email protected]
www.anamfitnessforliving.ca

Thank you, Rume Brussow, for these kind words and for allowing me to share them. I am so glad I am able to continue to b...
07/10/2026

Thank you, Rume Brussow, for these kind words and for allowing me to share them. I am so glad I am able to continue to be a part of your health and fitness journeys and I appreciate your dedicated efforts!

Are you “bendy” or have you always been very flexible?Maybe you’ve always been able to touch your toes without trying, s...
06/29/2026

Are you “bendy” or have you always been very flexible?

Maybe you’ve always been able to touch your toes without trying, sit in unusual positions, or notice your joints move further than most people’s.

Or maybe flexibility isn’t what you notice anymore.

Maybe your joints hurt. Maybe they feel stiff. Maybe you’ve had repeated ankle sprains, or exercise always seems to make something flare up.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Pain, stiffness, and joint instability can have many different causes. Sometimes they may be related to hypermobility, old injuries, movement patterns, or connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD).

I specialize in helping people who experience joint pain, stiffness, instability, and hypermobility. I teach exercises that help build strength, improve stability, and increase confidence in movement. Many people find that as they become stronger and more stable, they also experience less pain—helping you do more of the things you enjoy.

I’m also putting together a new education series about hypermobility and joint instability. We’ll explore:
• What hypermobility and joint instability are
• Common signs to look for
• Why some people experience pain while others don’t
• How strength and stability training can help

Whether you’re just curious, wondering if any of this sounds familiar, or looking for ways to move with more confidence, I hope you’ll follow along!

Text: 250-261-8401

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.anamfitnessforliving.ca

Address

Charlie Lake, BC

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