We Think We're Hangers

I always ask those I coach where they are visualizing their movement coming from whatever the activity. I was surprised to learn that many people envision moving through life from their shoulders, like a set of clothes on a hanger. Rather than thinking of action initiating from the core, or the Dan Tien two inches below the navel (Zip It!), they tense up the upper back and neck and use that for the power to produce movement. Fascinating.

Before you read any further, close your eyes and just imagine you are getting up. What tenses up first (jaw, neck, back, etc.)? Really go through an inventory of your unique sequence of effort as you observe yourself rising from your chair/bed/sofa. Now get up for real. Are you initiating movement from the shoulders or from some other part of the body? The truth is, most of us default to habitual behavior patterns without ever thinking or making conscious choices about them (What Were You Thinking?).

The most efficient way to move is to initiate from the core, the lower abs, as well as from energy up the spine and out the top of the head (Basketball Head). Combining these two concepts in all of our daily activities and movements is the most economical way and the way the body was intended to function. Once we have observed the way we see ourselves moving through the activities of our lives, the next step is to inhibit the old pattern and consciously choose a new one.

And what is the payoff for making this extra effort to recapture the natural functioning of the body? First of all, supporting from the core and leading with the head (Head Over Heels) will release unnecessary tension patterns in the body for greater balance in the skeletal and muscular systems. This in turn allows for enhanced ease of movement which then becomes reflected in our overall sense of wellbeing (the bodymind). Imagine gliding freely through life supported from below and ascending towards the light of our best selves rather than dangling listlessly from the clothes rack of downward energy. It's time to update our wardrobe!

#wethinkwearehangers #movingfromthecore #patternsoftension #thedantien #zipit #observationtoawareness #habitualbehaviorpatterns #makeconsciouschoices #reclaimnaturalfunctioning #headoverheels #baskeballhead #whatwereyouthinking