Yep…just as boundaries are designed to keep the good in and the bad out—physically, territorially, emotionally—they can also be moved and shifted.
And we can apply that idea to our physical bodies and the way that we move. We tend to think of how far we can move as “flexibility”. But, let’s take that a step further. What dictates our flexibility, or lack thereof?
There are many ways to look at physical limitations or…boundaries. ;)
I invite you to be curious, to explore.
To not accept what is as just what is but instead…what is my body asking for? What is preventing this movement? What’s behind this tension I’m experiencing?
Yes, we may have experienced an injury in the past. But, once the tissue has “healed”, why is this area of movement still “grumpy”? Or—yes, I sit most of my day but what can I do to not take the shape of the chair I sit in?
Or—why did my hip “tweak” when I was simply putting my shoe on?
Right?! Who hasn’t had a similar experience?
In most cases (if not all) the brain is just doing its best to keep us alive and out of perceived danger.
If there’s any deficit in vision, hearing, balance—really any threat at all is enough to throw our ever protective brain into a panic and it will do ANYthing to “protect” us.
How so?
Ever get a “hammygram” (cramp) doing a pelvic curl?
Tweak your neck doing “nothing”?
Unexplained joint pain?
Chronically tense muscles?
All valid discomforts that might make us think— “I’m just getting old”, “ I’ll never get past this”, “it’s always been this way”—but again, I invite you to question. What is my brain predicting might be a danger to me?
OR…what is keeping my brain from predicting well so that it trusts my commands? And this is why simple eye exercises, smelling exercises (yep), listening exercises, facial exercises…can calm the nervous system and allow for better movement. Because when these very-important-for-survival skills are on point our brain can better predict. And better prediction, better movement!!
Stay tuned as we keep exploring short but highly effective drills to befriend our ever vigilant nervous system.
We’ve covered some eye movements and exercises and an olfactory (smell) drill and recently an ankle joint mobility drill on previous IG and blogs:
We can use Opposing Joints drill to address pain in a joint by moving the opposite one (more on that to come). And we can also move Opposing Joints to address simple imbalances in contra lateral movement.
Try this one for shoulders/hips that also “wake up” the core rotators and stabilizers before your next walk, hike or run!
If you feel a tad uncoordinated doing this…great!!! You found something to smooth those connections. The homework is the drill…do it before your walk/hike/run. 👣
You’ve got this! 💥
Aging Redefined
Simple Shifts for a Robust Lifestyle
Aging well is an art and a science, uniquely tailored to individual mental, physical, and spiritual health needs. Delve into the transformative insights of this book, guiding you to make shifts that redefine the experience of growing older—robustly and with purpose. Uncover the why, what, and how behind the inevitable physical and emotional challenges, providing practical strategies without the B.S.
Comments