Small changes to our movement habits can hold real promise for wellness and wellbeing.
"Our bodies change our mind, our mind changes our behavior, our behavior changes outcomes." That idea from Amy Cuddy's power posing talk stayed with me as we entered a new year.
As a movement professional, the phrase "tiny tweaks can lead to big changes" struck a special chord. We work with clients throughout the year, but the holidays and the start of a new year often spark new hope. Small changes to our movement habits can hold real promise for wellness and wellbeing.
Recently we hosted Dr. Philip Beach in our Charlotte studio, where he taught the principles of erector-sizes and archetypal postures. The basic premise is that getting up and down from the floor properly is one of the most important things we can do for the body.
Many of us go days or weeks without getting to the ground, and too many people cannot get back up without help. Sitting comfortably on the floor and rising again is our birthright. Too much chair sitting has taken away part of that natural ability.
Some basic postures to explore carefully include sitting cross-legged, sitting on the toes while resting on the heels, Japanese sitting posture, long-leg sitting, and squatting with the knees aligned to the toes.
Use these postures carefully and use pillows or pads if needed. Start on a softer surface such as carpet and progress to the floor. Gravity naturally assists the body back into shapes it understands, and learning how to stand again without help supports strength and confidence.
Spending ten minutes a day in floor time, practicing purposeful rising, and stimulating the feet without shoes can have a profound impact on the body and the mind.
Now that is Smart Movement(R).