Movement

I’ve been looking at some other fitness blogs.  It’s a lot of “lose weight!” & “get toned!”. And of course “bikini body”!

There is not much about movement. And that’s what exercise is.  Movement. We need strength and flexibility so we can move. Unless you just want to pose for pics and rack up likes.

I’m against the current anti-aging trend.  Aging is part of life. I want to stay focused on aging well. Not stopping age, which isn’t possible except through death!  Aging well involves moving. Moving the body to stay able bodied, whatever that means for each individual. We’ve all got limitations but if we keep moving we can increase our abilities or at least maintain what we have.

Having a 6 pack or “cut” triceps won’t make you more able to move through life. Being thin and “ripped” doesn’t mean you are moving well. And if movement mechanics are poor injury is inevitable.  And the funny thing is that if you move well your body will develop in a more functional and balanced way.

Pilates is movement with a focus on balanced strength, flexibility and awareness. It doesn’t need to be “pretty”, “perfect” or “graceful”. It just needs to practiced consistently with awareness.

Ive fallen prey to the cult of perfect movement. I’ve got the eye of an Olympic gymnastics judge. I see everything. And I’m great at helping clients correct all those little things.  But I’ve been realizing that it can be crippling to over focus. People get fixated on doing it right. Being perfect. I’ve been taking a new approach and trying to let people move with freedom. Bringing awareness to what’s most important but letting go of micromanaging every nuance.  Letting breath and movement be enough. Trying to make it about the doing, not some goal of perfect performance. I’m finding joy in my own workouts and I think my clients are having more ease and enjoyment in their sessions.

Many many fitness methods are of great value. But if there’s no focus on building functional movement patterns and it’s all about the “burn” the calories burned and “toning”, “squeezing” and “tightening” it might not actually serve a body that will move well.

I want joints that will still be in good working order as I age. A spine that can both stand tall and bend well as I move through life. I want to be able to do all the tasks I have to do and also do fun things like dance and play.  Crawl on the sidewalk to pet cats I meet on the street. Arms that can lift the groceries and change the lightbulbs.

Of course we all want to look good. But I’ve seen too many people who are working out in a way that makes them look “good” but feel awful. Getting injured over and over.  Feeling constant joint pain in the class but continuing anyway, thinking if they do more they will get better.

Exercise isn’t always comfortable.  Challenging our bodies does cause some discomfort, physically and mentally. But if it’s causing pain that is a sign that it’s not good. If your muscles are getting toned but your joints are hurting you might want to rethink what your doing. Our bodies are supposed to be hard and tight. Muscle at rest should be somewhat soft. A muscle that can’t relax is not healthy or functional.

Thankfully there are many people who are doing fitness for functional movement. It might not be “sexy” but it’ll keep you moving in a way that will support your life.

And at the end of the day would you rather look “good” or function well?  If you’re a living breathing person function is key. If you’re a doll on a shelf maybe looking good is all you need.

I know which one I choose.  I’ve looked “great” and been in serious pain. It sucked. Now, at 46 I don’t look as good but I can do the things I need to and most of I want to do.

I’m not perfect. But I’m still moving. And I’ll keep on moving and aging and breathing. And try every moment to accept my imperfections and be grateful for my abilities.

We are all works in progress. Be kind to yourself. And keep moving.