• ABOUT
  • —> START HERE <---
  • SHOP
  • DOTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS

Eat.Move.Meditate.Wellbeing for women of culture

Simple habits. Sustainable health. Wellbeing for women of culture.

HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR BODY MOVEMENT PATTERNS FOR HEALTH

June 28, 2020 move

From the time we learn how to walk we start to develop biomechanical patterns aka body movement patterns. Our brain, nervous system and muscles optimize these patterns so they become second nature, we can do them without even having to think about it.

Remember the last time you walked from point a to point b, how much did you think about it before doing it? Chances are you not at all. That’s because walking has become an ingrained body movement pattern.

However, just because a posture or pattern of movement is optimized, it doesn’t mean it’s optimal for your body. Let me explain…

bruno-nascimento-149663-unsplash.jpg
Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash

Our bodies have evolved to do two things: 

1. Conserve energy 

2. Take the path of least resistance. 

In keeping with these two principles, our bodies develop and habitualize patterns (such as running or riding a bike) until they feel intuitive and effortless.

The problem is, just because you developed a biomechanical pattern, it doesn’t mean that it’s a healthy one. Some people walk in a way that’s bad for their knees for example. 

The problem with suboptimal patterns

Suboptimal patterns cause unnecessary wear and tear on your body resulting in joint injury, stiffness, and even pain.

Guy staring at phone.jpg

For example, let’s take a look at this  photograph of a guy looking at his phone. I think it’s safe to say that this posture can’t possibly be good for his neck, but more importantly he has no clue he’s doing it. Can you relate? We’ve all been there before, zoned out into our devices oblivious about our body mechanics.

So how do we make sure our bio-mechanical patterns are healthy ones for our body? 

Step one: Recognize asymmetry in your movement patterns. For instance, my right side is stronger than my left and when I do squats, I tend to rely more on my right side – especially when I’m tired and at the end of my set. 

Step two: Correct the asymmetry. So, in the case of my lop-side squats, I will stop and take a break if my form starts to go and I will do additional exercises just for my left hamstring to let it catch up the right in terms of strength.

If you want to find out what unhealthy biomechanical patterns you have and don’t know where to start, ask for help. Simply ask a friend to look at how you walk, a colleague how you sit, or a fitness studio buddy how you do exercises and if something looks off. Then work slowly to correct these patterns. 

Remember, if you are trying to correct something like how you walk or sit, be patient as it can take a while to create new patterns.

Pin this story …

Leave a Comment

SHARE
« 3 QUESTIONS TO SPARK KINDNESS WITH YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS
EVER HAVE THE FEELING THAT LIFE HAS TAKEN YOU HOSTAGE? »

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • Upcoming Event: Mindful Eating and AsanaUpcoming Event: Mindful Eating and Asana
  • welcome to eat move meditateEAT MOVE MEDITATE : YOUR PRESCRIPTION TO WELLBEING
  • What are you afraid of?What are you afraid of?
  • Monday Meditation: Keep on movingMonday Meditation: Keep on moving

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi I’m Ritu (Ree-thu)! A primal girl figuring it out in a modern world.  I’m obsessed with living healthy and keeping it simple.

Fortunately, I don’t have to do it alone, neither do you. This blog is a curation of simple habits shared by wise women (I personally know) from around the globe. Together we are building a culture of wellbeing that works.

If you’re looking to make the healthy choice the easy choice… you’ve come to the right place.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

PRESS PAUSE: MEDITATION

https://youtu.be/sfb6HX5TvmU

SHOP WELLNESS PRODUCTS WE LOVE

NEVER STOP LEARNING

WHAT I’M EXPERIMENTING WITH?

Eat: truBrain Nootropics

Move: Bikram Yoga

Meditate: 5 Minute Meditation

 

[instagram-feed]

© 2018 EAT MOVE MEDITATE

THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS