Functional Movement
Proper movement along with diet is the foundation of
an effective health regimen.
Movement is a fundamental aspect of life. It is more than just getting our 30 minutes of exercise in. Movement is an integral part of how our body is designed. Blood is circulated, toxins are released, joints are lubricated, the benefits are countless. The positive effect it has on mental health has been widely documented as well. Lastly, dedication to an art such as dance, tai chi, or yoga can serve to elevate us on a spiritual level.
The human body should be both strong and flexible, stable yet fluid. The metaphor used in tai chi to describe this type of body is “steel wrapped in cotton”. Soft to the touch, but inside it is unbreakable.
Strength without flexibility leaves one clumsy and rigid. Flexibility without strength leaves one flimsy and fragile. The true potential of the body arises only when strength and flexibility are balanced and in harmony.
Most forms of orthopedic pain are due to improper movement patterns. One muscle or part of the body becomes stuck in tension while the antagonistic muscle becomes comparatively weak. Over time, this imbalance changes the alignment of the body and pain is the result. In order to fully cure most forms of orthopedic pain, the improper movement pattern must be retrained through awareness and intention.
“Perfect practice makes perfect”
Only by training correctly will you get correct results. The key to moving consciously is through:
Awareness
This refers to the feeling of the movement itself. Without first being able to feel and sense what is happening, we would have no chance of moving in the proper direction.
Intention
Intention is the direction given by the mind. In order to reverse the unconscious movement patterns of the past, we must engage our mind to give the body a new direction and way of movement.