Everyday Movements

I am taking a Martha Graham contemporary dance class summer intensive again. That woman was a genius! The classes are superb for the spirit-mind-body connection!

One of her primary movements is the contraction, whether lying down, sitting, standing or jumping. You contract your abdominal muscles while keeping your head and spine aligned and tall. Much motion is contained in your torso; you feel exaltation and pain there. She created moves where you open up from a contraction, much like resurrecting from pain or feelings such as self-doubt and hurt: pure genius. it is such a great expression and release.

The male teacher today said imagine you are doubling over from a stomach ache when describing how to do a move standing up with a contraction and then moving toward the toes. I thought that it would be great to include a blog post about really moving in everyday movements to express emotion and get a workout. When you are dusting, ironing, sweeping, vacuuming or other , feel you body and muscles. Inhale when relaxing the primary mover muscle, and exhale when contracting the primary mover muscle. Work through the full range of motion. This way, you can be training even out of the gym, and increase good balance and posture.

For the past several blog posts, I have not created exercise programs. Look to past posts or search by muscle group, and you will find them!

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional, such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.