As a manual therapist and movement educator I see and feel the effects that our daily habits, exercise programs and movement practices can have on the body. I am most interested in how the parts of us, mind, body and spirit, can work as a happy whole and not how ripped or shredded one muscle may be developing. I believe it is through integration of all our parts and pieces that we can develop the skills to live and feel great in our bodies for our lifetime. One of my best teachers is my own body. I've moved around a lot in this body, I've been injured and I've abused and misused many parts of me. Here I am trying to educate my shoulder at the end range of flexion in external rotation in preparation for a backbend. This movement is called 1/4 urdhva dhanurasana or 1/4 wheel pose. I learned this from my teacher, Jill Miller creator of Yoga Tune Up. This is a challenging position for me given that most of my time is spent with my arms forward and internally rotated ... massaging and computering (ha) !
This is one small way that I work to integrate my bodywork through movement and awareness. Why might I need to use this movement in real life? Lifting a box up off the ground, putting objects from the floor up high on a shelf, picking up a child, cooking, changing a tire on a car. We never know where we are going to need our strength or worse when it may not be there for us. I've been that person who bent down to pick up a pencil only to have my back go out of me. I was only 30 years old! Whole body integration is a simple yet profound way to take care of ourselves on a regular basis. Check out my instagram post at the link below to see an easy way to strengthen your shoulder, ribs and pelvis relationship.