Reflections on efficiency and alignment
Greetings!
I hope you are still finding ways to get outside to play in this winter weather. I just did a great hike up Slide Mountain with the crew from Hanuman Health Club. It’s the tallest mountain in the Catskills and along with the steep incline, this cold wintery weather presented some fun movement challenges:
Like crossing icy rivers using fallen trees!
Climbing over and under obstacles in the path... Even if just for fun...
And of course the photo-op at the top!
As we approach my birthday month of February, I’m reflecting and planning a number of shifts. Reflecting on questions and comments I’ve gotten directly and indirectly from students over the last few months. The gist of which tend to be “Why”. Why does it matter if I can move my toes? Or why don’t you teach classes like you used to?
I love these “why” questions because they force me to think a little bit deeper and explain a little more clearly the concepts behind my work (and play).
The short answers to those two example questions are: If your toes don't move properly, that can change the way the rest of your body moves all the way up to your head. And I want people to learn to be efficient and aligned in their movement so that they can move pain free and feel more secure with a deeper movement experience in their daily activities and lives.
I’m no longer content in trying to achieve a movement or shape of the body through struggle or force - even if it is effective.
This is a great concept modeled by the Mov Nat school of thought: Effective is the ability to accomplish a task, but Efficient is the skill and ability to do it well with the least amount of energy wasted.
I’m about to explore this concept and the questions of why alignment matters (to borrow Katy Bowman’s book title) in a series of YouTube videos coming up... so stay tuned...
Speaking of which: I’m part of a new YouTube channel with Inwood Movement!
Every week, I and four other fantastic movement teachers from an array of disciplines will be posting videos on movement, alignment, and lifestyle tips.
So check us out and subscribe if you’d like to be notified of the new videos we post.
Efficiency and alignment don’t just pertain to movement of the body. I’m trying to apply them to lifestyle as well. And with that in mind, I’ve made a decision to make some schedule changes to align my classes toward what I’m excited to teach and also to allow more self care. This means a couple less early morning classes (Adequate sleep = improved efficiency throughout the day!!) but a couple more weekend afternoon classes!