How You Move Matters

 Your belief system, especially in your ability to
physically do something, is learned from your personal experiences as well as the good and bad experiences
 of those you model (parents, peer groups, etc.).
~ Katy Bowman

Yoga and Movement

I have been a yoga teacher for 19 years, and yoga practitioner for 23 years.  The first 7 years of teaching was mostly at a yoga studio where students would attend an 8-week set of classes (AKA session). I would start out with 25 students in a beginner class and by the end of the session only 7 core students would remain. Point being that lots of people like to try yoga, which is perfectly fine and normal, but usually a core group of people would continue on seeing the benefits to movement exercises.

Fast forward to today. My second (and the best ever) husband and I live a little over an hour from a small college town where I raised my children. College towns have a lot of older folks who want to stay healthy plus an influx of new students every August who want to learn. It was a great place for me to raise my children and it had the added bonus of lots of people who wanted to attend and learn about yoga.

I currently teach at two locations: one weekly class is at a library and two weekly classes are at a health center for Native American tribal members. While I have a smaller pool of people to attract to my classes, I feel a direct and profound connection to my community - which is very satisfying.

When I first started teaching (out here in the “boonies”) I was perplexed at everyone’s inability to move well in their bodies. Getting up and down off the floor seemed near to impossible, plus any “traditional” yoga postures seemed like I was inflicting torture onto my students. I had a dilemma on my hands, for sure.

Sometimes a Question Must First Be Asked

I was at a yoga workshop about 4 years ago, when I discussed my problem with a friend and fellow yoga teacher. She kindly referred me to Katy Bowman’s work, and the rest is history.

Not only has Katy given me a different and refreshing approach to the body but also safe exercises and instructions that are great for all ages and body types. For instance, I am hyper-mobile (or really my connective tissues are more mobile than “normal” people’s tissues ~ and thankfully this is in just a few joints, not all) which can be problematic in yoga.

While one of my seasoned yoga teachers helped me deal with this hyper-mobility problem, I wished that it had been addressed sooner. I have a “nice” hamstring tear because I was over-riding my body’s ability to put the natural breaks on to protect my ligaments and tendons. Lesson learned now…..and to be discussed in a later essay.

When One Door Closes, Another Opens

I understand the need for a “quick fix.” What’s the answer so I can get on with life? Yeah, it isn’t that easy, or is it?

I do teach 3 classes per week on healthy movement exercises with a few yoga postures that I think are now achievable for my students. What I can say to you, dear reader, that walking is the ingredient that we desperately need to add to our movement diets. And if you think you “walk enough already,” you probably don’t.

For anyone to get out of the sedentary category, a person must walk OVER 5 miles A DAY. Just let that statistic settle into the old noggin. And don’t get me wrong, I am still working on getting more miles each and every day. Not even close at this point but I am moving in the direction of more miles. One step at a time, my friends. One step at a time.

The Key to a Healthier Lifestyle May Be Obtained by All

If yoga isn’t for you, never fear, healthy movements are for all. Here’s some suggestions that can get you started:

1.     Sit on the floor. Really. Not only will sitting on the floor open up your hips into different body configurations but the movement up and down will challenge most AND it will get easier with time.

2.     Park your car at the farthest end of the parking lot so you will be forced to walk more. Take that car back to the inside of the store instead of placing it conveniently (read: less movement) in a cart rack in the parking lot.

3.     Get a walking buddy. Walk with a friend daily which will help you both in a variety of ways. Share the fun!!

4.     Every hour that you sit in a chair (like at work) get up and move around for several minutes. If you can, go to a window and look at the farthest point at the horizon for several minutes. Your eye muscles need a workout, as well. Those computer screens can be hard on the eyes.

Link Below

I hope you found this info helpful and informative. The link below will take you to Katy’s website. She is an inspiration to us all to not only move more but to also move well.

https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/blog/ 

Take care. Be well. Move well.

~ Cat