Every morning when I walk my dog, I observe other people and the way they walk. Since I’ve become a somatic movement teacher it is fascinating to me and inspired this week’s blog. At the core of Hanna Somatic Education is restoring the ease of walking. All movements taught aid restoring the diagonal connect between the shoulders and hips and freeing the Soma to rotate and move with ease. Maybe you were able to see the short clips I posted on Instagram and Facebook displaying some of the most common ways we make walking more labored and uncomfortable. Here is a short description of the common bracing patterns displayed:
THE DONNA WALK
If you are a fan of the TV Series “Suits” you probably marveled at Donna’s unique walking style in high heels. Even though very impressive, it is not an efficient way to walk and can lead to discomfort and aches and pains. A lot of energy is wasted on the sideway motion, which would be great if we were crabs and moved sideways. The arms swing from left to right and the hips are predominantly moving side to side with less energy utilized for forward propulsion. As Thomas Hanna Ph.D. often reminded us in his lectures, humans are designed for “forward facing, bi-pedal locomotion”.
THE CHARLY BROWN WALK
This movement style is commonly associated with the Red-Light Stress Response pattern. The shoulders are rounded forward, the head is shifted forward and the arms hang by the side. The natural diagonal movement between the shoulder and opposite pelvis is not flowing freely through the Soma / center of the body. This tension pattern is often contributing to neck and shoulder pain as well as tight hips and sciatica.
MARCHING
When the Soma / torso becomes rigid, there is little to no rotation at the waist suppressing the diagonal connection between the shoulders and hips. The periphery – arms and legs – move without optimal connection of the center. In another blog post I described the Somatic principle of FROM THE CENTER TO THE PERIPHERY. When the torso becomes stiff and the sides are contracted a Trauma Reflex stress response pattern might be a contributor. When walking is no longer a whole-body movement it becomes strained and requires more effort.
ARCHED-BACK WALK
Walking with your shoulders pulled towards the spine and your back tight, almost arching like a bow, is associated with the Green Light Stress Response pattern. The hips are leading the way, the head and shoulders are leaning backwards. The body weight is shifted to the back of the foot, the heel, leading to tight hamstrings, calves and maybe even plantar fasciitis and back pain.
FUNCTIONAL WALKING
Take a look at the walking man below! The left shoulder and arm move forward as the right hip and leg lead the way. There is a small rotation in the torso allowing to shift the weight from one side to the other.
The walking man has become the hallmark of my teachings, restoring functional movements that flow through the whole body and therefore giving you greater range of motion, mobility and freedom from chronic pain. Experience it for yourself and join one of my classes!
FUNCTIONAL WALK
コメント