Movement Philosophy

Movement is our first language. So much of life is played out through the conscious and unconscious movements of our bodies. By design, we are embodied creatures perceiving reality through our senses. Our hunger, pain, ease and emotional cues are made clear to us through a clear interoceptive sense. We feel what is “out there” and “in here” through our body’s ability to move and sense clearly. Why not learn more and be in friendly relationship with our bodies as our vessels for life? Why not develop movement practices to create trust, resilience and knowledge of our bodies? And why not make sure our practices help to deepen, heal and fortify our health and understanding of how we move? In a way, we can be more present in reality and in our own lives when we strengthen the clarity of our connection to our own bodies.

Easier said than done.

In a sedentary culture governed by perfectionism, comparison, and consumption, it can be really difficult to get into a good relationship with your own body. And even if we do attend to our vessels, it is often with the belief that we are split into brains that control and bodies that obey. It’s easy to understand how we lose track of ourselves in neglect or in over-control. But I believe it’s in our nature to be at peace in our own bodies. I believe we can reach an equilibrium where we honor the signals we feel from within and we gracefully adapt to our changing needs over time - without a competitive impetus or shame as our motivation. 

We are dynamic and resilient. We are capable of learning new skills and adapting throughout our lives. Change is a defining feature of being human. Our bodies show us this truth every day, but how we relate to this inevitability is where we can despair or thrive. As we train, recover, and live through all seasons of life, some movements can be done with great ease or even feel habitual, while some become more challenging and out of reach. From putting on our socks every morning to maximizing the efficiency of our squats and golf swings, adaptation takes effort! Greater still is the task of unwinding dysfunctional movement patterns that have created pain and immobility. Can we assert some agency over these changes? Can we train smarter, alleviate injury and become aware of our movement patterns so that we may live independently and harness our strength? The answer is yes. We are not fixed! We can become MUCH more aware. We can’t change everything, but we can create more options and live with a lot more ease in our human bodies. The key is our approach.