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Several years ago, a skeleton of unknown identity was discovered. In an attempt to identify this skeleton, it was taken to a forensic anthropologist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The anthropologist determined the following:
- The skeleton was that of a woman. Among other things, the pelvis of a woman is wider than that of a man.
- A bony projection on the upper arm called the deltoid tuberosity was extremely large on the left side. On the other arm it was of normal size. This projection becomes enlarged if the arm frequently lifts weights above shoulder height.
- Certain bony projections normally present on the lower limb bones were also enlarged. These features indicated that the woman's calf muscles had been contracted for long periods.
Using this information, the anthropologist hypothesized that this woman had been a waitress, carrying trays above her shoulder with her left hand. He further hypothesized that the restaurant required her to wear high heels. The authorities focused their search on missing persons who had worked as waitresses in fancy restaurants; and their search proved successful.
Amazing? Yes, but this is how the body works. If you do the same things repeatedly, over extended periods of time, your body will adapt and conform to the most efficient shape for those movements. This holds true whether you are slouching and you wind up with a hump on your back, or you are stretching and you grow taller. You can actually change the very bones in your body.
Our bodies are what we make of them. The physical and mental habits and stressors of our daily routines, mold the body into the shape we live with.
My interest in this phenomenon began with my professional life, as a singer/actress. I learned that it was only with correct posture and breathing techniques, that I would be able to produce fully supported beautiful sound. My acting training made me a keen observer of body language, as well. Here began my fascination with the secrets we reveal through our posture and the way our bodies move. As a performer, I also took dance classes of all kinds and then an exercise class designed by a former dancer.
I realized that all movement is fine tuned by control of the abdomen and back (the core) muscles working reciprocally and that these along with proper alignment allow the body to function efficiently.
Over the years I have used a wide variety of exercise modes for my clients and myself, whether my clients interest was in Body Building or in Energy Work; the starting point for every program has always been learning how to breathe and support the body from the core. I have grown to feel, that it is not which school of exercise you follow, but rather, the attention to the correct use of the body as you do them, that optimizes the results.
In the early years I successfully changed the shape of my body and the way I move. My upper body is toned and my hips, legs and buttox, have slimmed so that they are now in proportion to the rest of me. I did not become a tall, leggy, Barbie, but when I look in the mirror, what I see gives me a great feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. I was able to do all of this, by allowing my program and techniques to adjust gradually to my changing body. This is the same method I use with my clients.
For me, training clients involves an ongoing dialogue that includes what they feel and what I see happening as they move. We work together to perfect the movements so that the clients' body responds quickly and without injury. Tell me more ... |
