Removing Constraints
Most of us, at some point in time, have found ourselves in a rut. Ruts come in all forms, and movement can be one of those forms. For instance, historically I would find myself going through the same exercise regimen week in and week out with little change, then something might start to ache. That was always my cue to change things up. Typically, anymore I make a change before the ache begins because what I eventually came to realize was that the exercise program had become a constraint. That constraint was limiting my options and variability.
Movement is fundamental to our health; we need it to maintain tissue quality and all aspects of life require some form of motion. Finding ways to continually challenge our different physical characteristics is one way to promote healthy tissues. This involves removing previous held beliefs or altering our patterns. The routines we find ourselves in become limitations, and those self-imposed limits can eventually lead to unintended consequences.
They say that variety is the spice of life, and this holds in the world of human movement too. If you typically spend most of your exercise time participating in yoga, consider going to Pilates, or swimming. Weightlifting is a great way to stay fit, but if it has been the only form of activity you have been getting, consider taking a few weeks and focusing on your aerobic capacity. The changes do not have to be, and probably shouldn’t be enormous. Slight changes in how we do things can have massive influences on not only our physical bodies but also the ways we think. Making an alteration, changing something can give you new perspective.
We all have lenses that we see the world through. Too often we find a lens that works, and we stick to it with little consideration for developing a new viewpoint. This probably applies in a number of domains, but when it comes to exercise it is certainly present. Consider removing the constraints on your current program and stick to it for a couple of weeks. Notice the changes, see how it influences you and maybe you will then see the world of movement through a different lens.
Austin Ulrich, Physical Therapist
