Our bodies are meant for motion, for movement. This starts from the very beginning! The doctors and midwives look for the movement of vital breath when we first come into the world, parents eagerly look for growth and development, first steps, and keeping up in sports, playing instruments, social playing and of course intellectual growth. Many of us participated in activities that kept us active and moving. I know I did and like many people I can say “when I was younger I used to do this and do that” but as we get older and gain more responsibility or conveniences creep into our lives we tend to sometimes put aside our intentional movements practices.
In today’s world it is so vital to have an intentional movement practice for continued good health. The term “movement practice” is becoming more widely used and if you don’t have one it is critical to create one in you daily life routine. Sometimes as we navigate through life and we leave behind the days we use to be regular movers; we lose how to get that back as more life experiences enter our line of focus. There are many movement practices that accommodate each developmental stage of life. Additionally, there are many free resources for us to partake in and create the movement practice that fits our lifestyle and grows with us. While walking is one of the best simple low impact movement practice that we have available FREE to us, there are some people that cannot do the daily walking. So, I have learned as a Certified Yoga Teacher that Yoga is available to all those who have an open mind and willing heart to the practice. There is chair yoga for example, and you can find these on YouTube for free along with living room walking and a plethora of movement options through free streaming apps as well. I will leave a few links below that could help you get started, especially if you are shy and don’t like walking outside or don’t feel safe to do so alone.
There are many ways to get started in creating and implementing an intentional movement practice, there are simple and more complex methods to go about it. I could offer a few and you can look to get started on your own or with a friend or family member, co-worker, pet etc., but because creating an intentional movement practice for your health involves a physical, physiological, and psychological element I will be general in my advice here.
In basic foundational terms it takes all three of the following to occur at the same time you are ready to implement a movement practice or each of these may need to occur very near to each other and that is:
1) knowledge and awareness that movement needs to happen or continue,
2) willingness to do so or to continue what you are doing,
and
3) a method or a means of doing your movement practice
Sometimes it takes doing your practice even when you don’t feel like it and if that continues too long you may need outside resources and experts to help you get started, to help you continue your movement practice or to get back into your movement practice right away.
Try to recognize which phase you are in and where you need professional or familial assistance to take action for your health. For the improvement of your physical health ask for assistance if you can’t start the program on your own. Sometimes implementing a new habit or changing it a bit requires self-reflection (I journal or write mine) and study but not too long, for it is the action of implementing and intentional moving that is the most important of them all!
Here are just a of my favorite free resources on YouTube:
“Journal: Reflect on Life’s Moments” free APP on apple phone, you can write a much or as little as one word, one sentence, picture etc.
If you can find a gym you like and it is convenient (money and time) then go, but if you don’t go, then don’t spend more money there than time, implement your own free routine with some of the above resources give you a start then grow from there!
Dr. Tee
To Your Best Health
March 2024 (W2)
Comments