Besides your personality body alignment says a lot about how your muscles and joints are working. Learn more about assessing your postural deviations and how to fix them!
Many studies show that how you feel and look is directly linked to your posture. Even the people know how important is to have good posture, most them don�t do anything to improve it.
Many of you probably live with deformed backs and imbalanced hips, and, of course, deal with the pain that you think is normal.
How dangerous can be to live with bad posture? It can lead to plenty of problems:
� Chronic back, shoulder and neck pain
� Headaches
� Injuries to feet, knees and hips
� Fatigue
� Stiffness
� Difficulty breathing
� Muscle atrophy and weakness
� Impingement and nerve compression
� Digestion issues
� Carpal tunnel syndrome
� Sciatica
If you are suffering from any of these problems, you should understand proper posture and learn about your own postural deviations.
Contents
Correcting Your Alignment
To solve a problem, you first need to find out what causes it. Most of the postural deviations occur as the muscles that work to hold a joint in place are imbalanced.
You can correct imbalances by strengthening the underactive muscles and to stretching the overactive muscles
Standing Assessment
For you who are not sure whether your posture is good or it needs a little correction, do this standing assessment first:
� Put on form-fitting clothes,
� Stand shoeless, tall but comfortable, do not trying to force yourself to stay in perfect posture.
� For an honest assessment, close your eyes and march slowly in place a few times.
� Have a friend take a full body picture of you
Here�s what a properly postured body should look like:
� Picture � posture
Standing Assessment Postural Deviations
I � Back, Shoulders, Hips, And Head
Here�s how you can correct these deviations:
Deviation 1: Sway Back � Hips Press Forward and Sit In Front Of the Ribs
Overactive muscles: erector spinae, gluteus maximus and medius, hamstrings and quadratus lumborum Stretches: Runner�s stretch, seated glute stretch, world�s greatest stretch, hamstring stretch, lying crossover, hamstring self-myofascial release (foam rolling)
Underactive muscles: Iliopsoas, rectus femoris (hip flexors and lower abs) and external obliques
Strengthening exercises: Cocoon, hanging leg raise, exercise ball pull-in and scissor kick
Deviation 2: Lower-Cross Syndrome
Excessive Curve In The Low Back, Pelvis Is Tilted Forward
Overactive muscles: erector spinae (hip flexors and low back) and Iliopsoas
Stretches: quadriceps self-myofascial release, quadriceps stretch, pyramid stretch over ball, hug knees to chest and kneeling hip flexor,
Underactive muscles: gluteus maximus and abdominals
Strengthening exercises: Pelvic tilt to bridge, exercise-ball hip bridge, single-leg glute bridge, frog sit-up and leg elevated crunch,
Deviation 3: Rounded Shoulders
Shoulders In Front Of Ears
Overactive muscles: Pectoralis minor and major (chest)
Stretches: Front deltoid stretch, chest stretch on stability ball, dynamic chest stretch, elbows-back stretch, chair upper-body stretch
Underactive muscles: Rotator cuff, serratus anterior (muscles in the back surrounding the shoulder blades and rear delts) and lower trapezius,
Strengthening exercises: Seated cable row, shoulder external rotation, back fly with band, rear- delt row
Deviation 4: Forward Head
Ears In Front Of Shoulders
Overactive muscles: Neck extensors, levator scapula (muscles behind the neck that tilt the head back) and upper trapezius,
Stretches: Neck self-myofascial release, sternocleidomastoid stretch and chin to chest,
Underactive muscles: Neck flexors (muscles in front of the neck that tilt the head forward)
Deviation 5: Upper-Cross Syndrome
Rounded Shoulders With An Excessive Curve
Overactive muscles: Trapezius, pectoralis major and minor, levator scapula, neck extensors (the back of your neck, upper back, traps, and chest)
Stretches: Neck self-myofascial release, front-delt stretch, chin to chest, chest stretch on stability ball, elbows-back stretch, chair upper-body stretch and dynamic chest stretch
Underactive muscles: Rotator cuff, rhomboids, lower trapezius, deep neck flexors (muscles in the back surrounding the shoulder blades, rear delts, and in front of the neck) and serratus anterior
Strengthening exercises: back fly with band, seated cable row, isometric front-neck exercise, rear-delt row and shoulder external rotation,
Deviation 6: Head Tilt
Head Tilted To One Side (Can Be Accompanied By Rotation toward That Side)
Overactive muscles: Sternocleidomastoid tilted toward the midline.
Stretches: Side neck stretch, sternocleidomastoid stretch and neck self-myofascial release,
Underactive muscles: Sternocleidomastoid tilted away from the midline.
Strengthening exercises: Perform daily activities (e.g., chewing, pulling, lifting, carrying, and using a cell phone) evenly on both sides, isometric side-neck exercise
Deviation 7: Uneven Shoulders
One Shoulder Sits Higher Than The Other
Overactive muscle: Trapezius (muscle running from the back of the neck into the shoulder girdle) on the elevated side
Stretches: Side neck stretch, neck self-myofascial release
Underactive muscles: Serratus anterior
Strengthening exercises: single-arm high-pulley row, perform daily activities on both sides
Deviation 8: Uneven Hips
One Hip Sits Higher Can Give The Perception Of Leg Length Discrepancy
Overactive muscles: hip abductors, internal and external obliques, erector spinae and quadratus lumborum on the raised side
PUSH-as-Rx � is leading the field with laser focus supporting our youth sport programs.� The PUSH-as-Rx � System is a sport specific athletic program designed by a strength-agility coach and physiology doctor with a combined 40 years of experience working with extreme athletes. At its core, the program is the multidisciplinary study of reactive agility, body mechanics and extreme motion dynamics. Through detailed and continued assessments of the athletes in motion and under stress loads offer a clear scientific picture of body dynamics. This system also has helped many athletes come back from injury faster, stronger, and ready to safely return to their sport without losing a beat after recovery. Results demonstrate clear improved agility, speed, decreased reaction time and advantageous postural-torque mechanics.� PUSH-as-Rx � offers specialized extreme performance enhancements to our athletes no matter the age.
Here at PUSH we Are Experts In Specialized Techniques To Accommodate Your Body To What Ever Sport You Are Practicing.
Please Recommend Us: If you have enjoyed this video and/or we have helped you in any way please feel free to recommend us. Thank You.
PUSH-as-Rx �� is leading the field with laser focus supporting our youth sport programs. The PUSH-as-Rx �� System is a sport specific athletic program designed by a strength-agility coach and physiology doctor with a combined 40 years of experience working with extreme athletes. At its core, the program is the multidisciplinary study of reactive agility, body mechanics and extreme motion dynamics. Through continuous and detailed assessments of the athletes in motion and while under direct supervised stress loads, a clear quantitative picture of body dynamics emerges. Exposure to the biomechanical vulnerabilities are presented to our team. Immediately, we adjust our methods for our athletes in order to optimize performance. This highly adaptive system with continual dynamic adjustments has helped many of our athletes come back faster, stronger, and ready post injury while safely minimizing recovery times. Results demonstrate clear improved agility, speed, decreased reaction time with greatly improved postural-torque mechanics. PUSH-as-Rx �� offers specialized extreme performance enhancements to our athletes no matter the age.
Please Recommend Us: If you have enjoyed this video and/or we have helped you in any way please feel free to recommend us. Thank You.
Malik Decquir shares his reason for staying determined in sports by never giving up and being consistent. Malik found Push-as-Rx �� in order to enhance his physical performance and his experience changed his outlook. He expresses how happy and comfortable he is at Push as Rx and offers his greatest gratitude to the trainers who were there when he needed them the most, giving him great advice, and pushing him to become the best at Push-as-Rx �.
PUSH-as-Rx ���is leading the field with laser focus supporting our youth sport programs.� The�PUSH-as-Rx ���System is a sport specific athletic program designed by a strength-agility coach and physiology doctor with a combined 40 years of experience working with extreme athletes. At its core, the program is the multidisciplinary study of reactive agility, body mechanics and extreme motion dynamics. Through continuous and detailed assessments of the athletes in motion and while under direct supervised stress loads, a clear quantitative picture of body dynamics emerges. Exposure to the biomechanical vulnerabilities are presented to our team. �Immediately,�we adjust our methods for our athletes in order to optimize performance.� This highly adaptive system with continual�dynamic adjustments has helped many of our athletes come back faster, stronger, and ready post injury while safely minimizing recovery times. Results demonstrate clear improved agility, speed, decreased reaction time with greatly improved postural-torque mechanics.��PUSH-as-Rx ���offers specialized extreme performance enhancements to our athletes no matter the age.
Please Recommend Us: If you have enjoyed this video and/or we have helped you in any way please feel free to recommend us. Thank You.
Pablo Mena and his son came to Push-as-Rx �� with a great purpose, to gain strength and physical condition. After receiving care for a back injury, Pablo Mena was recommended to begin exercising at Push as Rx. That’s when Mena’s son joined in his workouts to continue supporting him and together with the help and patience of the trainers at Push, they were encouraged to finish their workouts.
PUSH-as-Rx �� is leading the field with laser focus supporting our youth sport programs.� The PUSH-as-Rx �� System is a sport specific athletic program designed by a strength-agility coach and physiology doctor with a combined 40 years of experience working with extreme athletes. At its core, the program is the multidisciplinary study of reactive agility, body mechanics and extreme motion dynamics. Through detailed and continued assessments of the athletes in motion and under stress loads offer a clear scientific picture of body dynamics. This system also has helped many athletes come back from injury faster, stronger, and ready to safely return to their sport without losing a beat after recovery. Results demonstrate clear improved agility, speed, decreased reaction time and advantageous postural-torque mechanics.� PUSH-as-Rx �� offers specialized extreme performance enhancements to our athletes no matter the age.
Please Recommend Us: If you have enjoyed this video and/or we have helped you in any way please feel free to recommend us. Thank You.
You could explore alternative treatments to treat your pain and other symptoms from degenerative disc disorder. As the name implies, they’re choices to medication, physical therapy, or operation�the typical “Western” approach to medicine.
You may consider going to your complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner; CAM is a group of practices and therapies which aren’t considered part of traditional medicine. It offers acupuncture, homeopathy, and massage. Many patients reported these treatments have helped.
Contents
Degenerative Disc Disease Alternative Treatment Overview
For degenerative disc disorder, you might want to try:
Acupuncture: Acupuncture uses quite fine needles�and no drug�to treat your pain. Professionals consider that you have an energy force called your Chi (additionally, it may be spelled Qi, but both forms are pronounced “chee”). You can grow physical sickness, for example back pain, when this force is blocked. Thus should free the Chi channels, which professionals call your meridians of your body up. Acupuncture works to restore a healthy, dynamic flow of Chi.
Acupuncture needles are almost as thin as strands of hair. Based in your symptoms and diagnosis that is precise, a professional will insert the needles; you’ll most likely have multiple needles fit during one session. Points that are exact will be targeted by the professional in the meridians of your body’s, and the needles will soon be made in for 20 to 40 minutes. It’s been suggested that acupuncture needles cause your own body to discharge specific neurochemicals, such as endorphins or serotonin, plus they help in the therapeutic process.
Herbal Remedies: Do your research, before attempting any herbal remedies and speak to your doctor. There could possibly be side effects that you simply are oblivious of� an herbal treatment could hinder a prescribed medicine you are taking, as an example. Some herbal remedies you might want to consider for degenerative disc disease are:
Devil’s Claw: Devil’s claw comes from southern Africa, where it has been put to use for countless decades to take care of arthritis fever, and gastrointestinal difficulties. It works as an anti inflammatory. Now, it’s used for conditions that cause pain and inflammation, like degenerative disk disease. It can be taken by you in a capsule.
SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine): It’s been suggested that SAMe is useful for the age-related “wear and tear” spinal conditions, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. As a bonus, there have been several studies that demonstrate it’s also great for treating depression. (Individuals afflicted by chronic pain can become depressed because of the means by which the pain changes their lives. Their continual condition can likewise change their body’s nervous system chemistry, resulting in a chemical imbalance and maybe melancholy.)
White Willow Bark: The white willow led in Europe to the development of aspirin. If you don’t need to choose the artificial variant (aspirin can irritate the gut), use white willow bark. It’s for conditions that cause pain or inflammation, like degenerative disc disorder. In addition, it provides relief for acute back pain.
Prolotherapy: This treatment has been tried by some patients and found that it works to reduce their pain from degenerative disc disease. Proponents of prolotherapy clarify that one of the issues associated with DDD is weak ligaments and tendons. Powerful, supporting ligaments and tendons are essential in your back simply because they help keep stability. Your ligaments and tendons need to work extra difficult to support your back, following your discs start to degenerate, basically weakening your backbone. Over time, though, they can degenerate, also; they can wear out or even tear. This leaves your intervertebral discs without the support they require.
Prolotherapy tries to stimulate development of new ligament and tendon tissues. Using an injection of a “proliferant” (a term utilized by prolotherapists�itis a mild irritant solution), prolotherapy is designed to kick-start the entire body’s healing process. The proliferant causes inflammation, which tells the entire body to begin healing itself by generating new tissue.
A prolotherapy injection goes right to the difficulty ligaments and tendons, and it takes several rounds of shots (and time) to have the effects. Speak to your physician in the event you think prolotherapy may be a choice for you personally.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic care is a safe and effective, alternative treatment option utilized to diagnose, treat and prevent a variety of injuries and conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system. A chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic, commonly uses spinal adjustments or manual manipulations to help correct the spine and it’s surrounding structures, improving and maintaining the patient’s strength, mobility and flexibility.
The exercises you do before your workout may matter just as much as the main event. That’s why we tapped David Reavy, founder of React Physical Therapy in Chicago, to show us the best exercises to become a better runner. According to Reavy, getting the body warmed up pre-run is key, since “your muscles aren’t elastic.” By easing into exercise, you reduce your likelihood of injury and prime your body for the activity head. The four exercises in the video above will prep your muscles so you have a better (and safer!) run.
Watch the clip above to see Reavy demo the key exercises every runner should be doing regularly, or read up on the important moves below.
Hip flexor release: Start with your stomach on the mat, using your elbows and forearms to prop the upper body up so your chest is lifted off the floor. Bend your right leg at a 90-degree angle at your side and extend your left leg long on the floor behind you. Bend the left leg at the knee, bringing the foot toward the glutes 30 times. Switch the positioning of the legs and repeat the movement 30 times on the opposite side.
Lateral quad release: Start with your stomach on the mat and use your elbows and forearms to prop the upper body up, so your chest is lifted off the floor. Place a foam roller underneath the left quad with the right leg bent at a 90-degree angle to the right side of your body on the floor. Bend the left leg at the knee, driving the foot from the floor toward the glutes 30 times. Switch the positioning of the legs and foam roller and repeat the movement 30 times on the opposite side.
Four-way lunges: Start in a lunge position with your left leg in front. First, continuously move your hands from chest-height toward the mat, moving your torso back and forth slightly with the movement. Return to a regular lunge. Next, continuously twist your torso from left to right. Return to a regular lunge. After that, raise your hands up, bending the elbows at 90-degree angles on each side. Continuously lower each elbow toward your waistline one at a time to stretch your side body on the left and right. Return to a regular lunge. Do 10 to 15 reps of a standard lunge. Repeat all four exercises in a lunge on the other side, with the right leg in front.
Inner thigh squat: From standing, complete 10 to 15 deep squats with the toes turned slightly out to target the inner thighs.
When celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser calls and invites you to do a 5-day intensive workshop with her that mimics the exact workout she does on her famous clients, you don�t say no. At least�I�don�t say no. Because Kaiser, founder of�AKT In Motion, is one of the most motivating, positive, brilliant minds in the fitness industry. And she kicks major ass. This worked out perfectly since I was in the mood for a major ass-kicking.
So I said a resounding YES and shortly after found myself waiting patiently inside her Nomad studio one Monday morning a few weeks ago for day�numero uno�of the aforementioned workshop. On the agenda: 5 days of intensive classes, all led by Kaiser, that would give me a taste of the full scope of the concept behind her workout. (Her method, by the way, is an exercise routine rooted in functional movement combining circuit training with HIIT, strength, toning, dance cardio, Pilates, and yoga.) Oh, and PS,�Kelly Ripa,�Karlie Kloss,�Shakira, and other beautiful bods in Hollywood all call her on the reg to whip them into shape.
Day 1:�Happy Hour, her signature dance cardio class (below). We start with a warm up before we start rocking out to a beast of a playlist that gets us through an hour + of sweat drenching cardio. Anna (who by the way just had a baby), is working harder than any other person in the room, as revealed by all of our heart rate monitors that are displayed on a screen at the front of the studio. Her energy is palpable, and I leave the class feeling incredibly inspired and excited for the week of classes ahead of me.
Day 2:�I leap out of bed in the morning without hesitation (this is rare. Unheard of, actually) and make my way to the studio for Sweat Dream, a cardio-strength combo class using resistance bands hung from the ceiling. This class is no joke. By the end of the hour I can barely move my arms. But just like yesterday, Anna�s energy gets me through it, no problemo.
Day 3:�I wake up this morning extremely sore, as anticipated. But I feel great. Today�s class is called Tone, which consists of 45 minutes of total body toning followed by 15 minutes of foam rolling and deep stretching. This is actually the perfect day for this class because I am in desperate need of stretching. I am 10 minutes late which puts me in a state of panic the whole subway ride uptown, but I finally make it. Bonus: My heart rate is already through the roof and I�m sweating, and I haven�t even started the workout. The first 45 minutes are a challenge (think Pilates and barre-inspired strength moves) but it�s the cool down that really throws me over the edge. Yes, the cool down. We work our fatigued muscles out on the torture device known as the foam roller and suddenly I�ve never been so desperate to get back to toning. It hurts. BAD. The best kind of pain that is so brutal yet you know is doing your body so much good. By the time 15 minutes has ended I feel like I just had a 90-minute massage. I leave class and head immediately to Paragon Sports to pick up a foam roller for my apartment. I�ve used it every day, ever since. It�s changed my life.
Day 4:�Due to the aforementioned foam rolling, I feel pretty good. I am sore from head to toe but oddly also feel refreshed and renewed. I head to day 4 of class, known as 4Play. (4 exercises x 4 circuits, done through a combination of HIIT intervals and functional strength training, using weights, bands, balls, and anything else you can think of). This. Is. Hard. SO hard. I think about quitting, but then I look over at bright-eyed bushy-tailed Anna, and I instantly erase that thought from memory. As a plow through a series of weighted squats, I ponder how it is that she is pouring sweat and exerting more energy than all of us, yet doesn�t look tired in the least bit. Then I think about how she has a newborn at home and begin to wonder how many hours of sleep she got last night (Two? Three, maybe?) I decide to squat lower and suck it up because I literally have zero excuses not to.
Day 5:�The last day of the workshop! One would think I would be thrilled to be done with this journey of torture, but in actuality, I woke up this morning feeling sad. For the entire week, I committed to something that was doing my body, mind, and soul an incredible amount of good. I started each morning with one of the most positive, upbeat, inspiring woman I know. I tested my body to its limit. And I feel incredible. I go to class (a combination mixer of all of AKT�s offerings) and give it my all. I collapse into a sweaty fetal position on my mat at the end.
What did I do after? Go directly to the spa? Throw my gym shoes in the trash on the way out the door? No. I immediately went to the front desk and signed up for a double class for the next morning. Crazy? Yes. True story? Double yes.
I�ve been addicted ever since. And my body has never felt better. Karlie, I understand your obsession.
We may know Amy Schumer as the funny girl who can crack a joke on command, but there is one thing that the star of the new movie Snatched takes seriously: her workouts.
The proof in this video, which shows�Schumer�sweating it out under the watchful eye of her trainer Harley Pasternak. Pasternak�recently posted this clip of the comedienne�performing a two-minute cardio burst on a Helix. (More on that later.)
RELATED: 24 Fat-Burning Ab Exercises (No Crunches!)
�First of all, Amy’s naturally an athlete,� notes Pasternak who says Schumer has an effortless humor that lights up the room� and makes everyone around her smile. �She played sports at a high-level through high school and college, and was an aerobics instructor. So she’s very coordinated, and easy to push in the gym.�
So how exactly does Pasternak help keep Schumer looking her best? The simple seven, he says�that is, a circuit of seven strength moves that target the entire body. �The exercises sometimes vary, but I usually pick one exercise for each of the seven major body parts,� explains Pasternak who offered up the skater lunge, dumbbell stiff-leg deadlift, dumbbell curl press, single arm dumbbell row, lying dumbbell triceps extension with hip thrust, spider plank and Superman. �Sometimes I have her just pick one of these exercises and do anywhere from three to five sets with 15 to 30 reps. Other times I’ll have her do all seven exercises, doing one to three sets of 15 to 20 reps.�
Pasternak also has Schumer hit the Helix, a gym machine that works the body on a lateral plane. �Most of what we do is forward and back, so to find something that works us more side to side I think is really helpful for those under-worked muscles like the abductors and obliques, while still hitting the glutes and quads,� he says. �I mainly use the Helix as a cardio burst when doing a circuit, but it can easily be used for more prolonged bouts of cardio.� Don�t have access to a Helix? No worries. Pasternak, says you can put two towels underneath your feet and slide side to side on a hardwood floor to mimic the movement of the machine.
For overall wellness, though, Pasternak reminds us that walking is essential. �This is by far the most important thing that I can ever tell someone to do,� he says. �Get a Fitbit, set a daily step goal of at least 10,000, and keep moving.�
Now that you�re armed with Pasternak’s A-list tips, give Schumer�s simple seven a try:
Contents
1. Skater Lunge
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Hinge forward at waist as you raise left foot. Push off right foot and explode toward the left, landing on left foot with knees slightly bent; touch right toes to the ground behind left foot. Push off left foot and explode back toward the right, landing on right foot with left toes touching behind it. Continue, alternating back and forth. (Click here to see a photo.)
2. Dumbbell Stiff Leg Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand, palms face thighs. Brace core, and keeping weight in heels, hinge at hips and lower torso as you slide dumbbells down the front of thighs. Weights should only go down as far as hamstrings will allow without your back rounding. Slowly rise to standing, and then repeat.
3. Dumbbell Curl Press
Stand holding a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing out, with� hands shoulder-width apart and arms hanging in front of you. Curl the weight toward shoulders and then press weights up directly over shoulders until arms are straight. Lower back to start and then repeat.
4. Single Arm Dumbbell Row
Start from a lunge position with left leg forward and�left elbow resting on�knee. (Or, place left knee and left palm on a bench.) Grab a dumbbell with your right hand. Row the dumbbell up along your ribs, squeezing the right shoulder blade. Lower back to start and then repeat. When you switch sides, switch legs so that the right is forward.
5. Lying Dumbbell Triceps Extension With Hip Thrust
Lie faceup with knees bent, feet flat and a dumbbell in each hand. Extend arms straight up; palms face each other. Hinge arms at elbows, and lower dumbbells back toward ears. Contract triceps and extend arms back up as you simultaneously engage glutes and push hips up as high as possible. As you lower hips, lower dumbbells back towards ears again; repeat.
6. Superman
Lie facedown with arms and legs fully extended and shoulder-width apart. Simultaneously lift legs and arms at least 6 inches off the floor; hold for 5 seconds, lower and then repeat.
7. Spider Plank
Get into the �up� part of a pushup. Lift right foot, bending right knee and brining it toward the outside of right elbow. Return to start, switch legs and repeat on the left side. (Click here to see a photo.)
Jordan Alexander (Trinity Valley Community College), Leandra Echi (Vermont Academy/Beacon High School) and Neidy Ocuane (Seward County Community College) have each signed national letters of intent to attend UTEP and compete with the Miners starting in 2017-18, head women’s basketball coach Kevin Baker revealed Tuesday.
Alexander and Ocuane will have two years of eligibility while Echi has four.
A bio on each of them, along with a quote from Baker, follows below.
Jordan Alexander Forward 5-11
Trinity Valley Community College | Skyline High School Dallas, Texas
“Jordan will be a strong presence on both ends of the floor for us this season. She can play the stretch 4 position which means she can step out and make the three point shot. She also has the ability to score inside and post with effectiveness. Jordan’s biggest strength is her ability to rebound the ball on offense or the defensive end of the floor. Also, Jordan can defend a smaller guard and out work a larger post player in the paint. Jordan will be able to help our team immediately.”UTEP head coach Kevin Baker
Will have two years of eligibility with the Miners after playing one season each with Trinity Valley Community College (2016-17) and Louisiana (2015-16) … last year helped TVCC qualify for its 10th straight trip to the national tournament and finish with an overall record of 30-6 … put up 6.5 points/game while also grabbing 2.5 rebounds/game … played in 35 contests, including 12 starts … reached double figures in scoring in eight games, including tallying 18 points in a home triumph against Panola College (1/11/17) … was 6-6 from the floor and 4-4 at the free-throw line in the contest … as a freshman with ULL appeared in 27 games, including eight starts, for a team that finished 25-10 … earned 10.1 minutes/game, pitching in 2.4 points/game and 1.7 rebounds/game … nailed 43.0 percent (23-53) of her shots from the floor and 87.0 percent (14-16) from the charity stripe … four-year letter winner at Dallas Skyline High School (2011-15) under head coach Cassandra McCurdy … the team won the district championship all four years of her career … as a senior the squad earned runner-up honors in the state … daughter of Patricia and Bobby Alexander … has three siblings … her sister (Ratysha) and cousin (Khamra Echols) both played basketball at Sam Houston State.
**
Leandra Echi Guard 5-8
Vermont Academy | Beacon High School Beacon, N.Y.
“Leandra is a guard who can do it all. She has the ability to play the point guard position as well as shooting guard. She is extremely athletic and has a unique ability to make plays and scoring opportunities for others. She plays extremely hard at all times and has a motor that never stops running. She will help our team on the defensive end as well because she plays with so much energy.”–UTEP head coach Kevin Baker
Led the Vermont Academy Varsity Girls’ Basketball team to its first New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class D Championship … named the NEPSAC tournament’s MVP … posted a huge double-double (19 points, 21 rebounds) in the championship game victory against Southfield (3/6/17) … aided team to 17-6 regular-season record to earn the top seed in the tournament … joined the academy for a postgrad year while also reclassifying into the class of 2017 …also helped the Vermont Academy soccer team claim a league title, scoring the lone goal in the NEPSAC Championship victory against Hebron Academy (11/21/16) … prior to her time at Vermont Academy had been a standout guard at Beacon High School … accounted for 20+ points/game, 10 rebounds/game and five assists/game as a senior with Beacon HS … poured in 28 points while securing 18 rebounds in a 60-49 road win at Fox Lane (12/18/15) … effort allowed her to reach 1,000 points for her high school career … sustained a torn ACL during her junior season, which made her numbers the ensuing year even more impressive … paced the team in points (16) and rebounds (five) in a 52-49 road win at Our Lady of Lourdes (1/12/14), which was believed to be Beacon’s first win in the series in at least 30 years … member of National Honor Society.
***
Neidy Ocuane Guard 5-5
Seward County Community College | CFP Dom Bosco Maputo, Mozambique
“Neidy is a solid point guard who plays the position the right way. She looks to run the offense smoothly and makes very few mistakes that result in turnovers. She can score the ball a variety of ways. She can really shoot the ball from the perimeter, drive to the paint to draw a foul, and has tremendous vision in the open floor. Neidy is the complete package at her position and will help our team the minute she steps on to the floor.”-UTEP head coach Kevin Baker
Will have two years of eligibility at UTEP after earning a pair of letters at Seward County Community College … squad went a combined 57-10 in those two season and in 2017 won the program’s first conference title in eight years … burst into the starting line-up as a sophomore (2016-17) … started 34 contests, pacing the team in assists/game (4.7) and steals/game (2.4) while ranking fourth in scoring (11.2) … her 82 total steals ranked 37th nationally, an even more impressive feat considering she was called for a total of 35 fouls on the year … nailed 39.0 percent (130-333) from the floor, including 34.3 percent (60-175) from distance … also connected on 76.9 percent (60-78) at the charity stripe … hit double figures in scoring in 22 games, including a career-high 24 points in an 83-78 win at Cloud County Community College (1/25/17) … credited with at least five assists in 18 contests, including a career-best 11 against Cowley College (2/4/17) … named the Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week (1/6/17) after averaging 15.5 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 steals in a pair of wins … appeared in all 33 games as a freshman (2015-16), earning 13.9 minutes/contest off the bench … chipped in 3.9 points per game and 1.5 assists per game … tallied a season-best 14 points in only 16 minutes in a romp against Pratt Community College (12/12/15) … drilled 4-6 from distance in the game … dished out seven assists vs. North Central Missouri College (10/31/15) … hails from Maputo, Mozambique … put up 10.1 points/game, 5.4 rebounds/game and 3.3 assists/game for Mozambique at the 2014 Afrobasket U18 Women’s Championships … accounted for 14.7 points/game, 3.5 rebounds/game an 2.0 assists per game with Mozambique in the2013 FIBA Africa U16 Championship for Women … played for Clube de Desportes do Costa do Sol under the direction of coach Calos Dezanove … selected as the team MVP after averaging 16 points and three assists … effort helped team post its fourth consecutive top-five finish … has two siblings.
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