There are countless ways to just move the body, for example; walking, hiking, cycling, jogging and even my favorite activity swimming are all amazing forms of physical movement and great activities that stimulate the entire body.
An added benefit to all these activities is that they allow you to get outdoors and get in sync with the natural world that’s all around us.
Even the most ordinary motions can be good opportunities to work out the body. Instead of thinking “ all the parking spots are taken” just drive to the back of the parking lot, plus it’s always less crowded!
So, every chance that you get opt for the stairs instead of the elevator by all means choose the staircase.
Sure, moving your body in a multitude of ways is essential and there are a plethora of different activities to do this with, each one is unique and offers the body a chance to move in a different way, however for the sake of longevity, I want to strongly emphasise the need for “smart, functional and therapeutic” forms of movement in your life.
Functional movement essentially means moving the body in a multitude of ways that either gently or vigorously activate and agitate certain muscles in the body like the tendons, ligaments, connective tissues, joints and even the fascia that encapsulates the entire body.
Even more appealing is how functional movement strategically prepare’s the body to conquer the world in the smartest, most efficient way possible.
Through the daily research and study of your own unique physiology, you will learn the perfect way to use and work with the anatomy of the body also how to correct muscular imbalances and alleviate structural discomforts.
Yes, the more that you study and work with your physiology, the more in tune and in sync you will become with it.
Simply put, “functional movement” instigates the body to operate and move in the way that it was designed to be moved.
“Long muscles equals a long life” - Qigong proverb
Now “therapeutic movement” means natural and regenerative forms of bodily movement that encourage long-term, sustainable movement that tends to the bodies unique ecology versus wearing and breaking it down from excessive overuse.
Therapeutic focuses on types of movement that you can “indeed” do throughout the course of your entire lifespan and well into old age.
Now, let’s be clear, I’m not talking about senior aerobics classes here.
First off, what I want to share with you are types of exercises that are both fun and enjoyable, because if it’s painful and agonizing, who wants to do it?
Secondly, we want to move the body in various ways that explore a multitude of movement exercises like the yoga asanas, Tai chi forms, Qigong energy cultivation, pilates strength training, primal pandiculation and even conscious dance to name a few.
Now, my intention isn't to overwhelm you, just hear me out for a moment.
Remember, we’re all granted the wonderful gift of life and this amazing biomechanical machine called the body. This magnificent body allows you, in all its grandeur and beauty, the ability to move and express yourself in the world.
Please don’t let it slip away or fall into the crevice of the couch or the lazy boy recliner 🙂
Every “movement modality” that is available to us, brings something singular and totally unique to the table, but they all compliment each other in one way or another.
For example;
- the yoga asanas work and tone the entire muscular system and adds overall flexibility to the practice.
- Tai Chi movement is more free flowing and much softer in nature.
- Qigong energy cultivation focuses more on building internal power and true stamina.
- Somatic body movements
- Conscious dance invites the practitioner to let loose in freestyle motion accompanied by dynamic exploration that also tends to the inner child, while simultaneously welcoming copious amounts of joy and happiness into the practice.
- I put a strong focus on being gentle and caring for each joint in the body by stimulating each individual one through specific “joint freeing exercises”, this helps release vital lubrication.
You see, each exercise and movement sequence seamlessly merges, overlaps and synergizes with the others into one cohesive, expressive movement routine.
My intention here is to explore a truly multifaceted approach that integrates the best of each modality into one simple and systematic “yet” always changing and evolving movement practice.
This can be designed into a half hour to one hour “daily practice”, and for each person it may be slightly different, but we will all be armed with the same foundational tools in the “longevity toolbox” to work with.
The goal in mind is to create a truly dynamic, ritualized practice, that can be repeated every day and tailored to each individual’s own needs and lifestyle design goals.
So, we arrive at a place where we can see the inherent beauty that each one has to offer.
The goal is to move, move and move everyday in as many ways as possible that challenge and stimulate the entire physiology of the body while also satisfying your unique palate of movement taste.
My goal is to help you transform the quality your anatomy and revolutionize your range of motion in everyday life.
Movement Is Medicine
Last updated on February 22, 2021
