Intelligence is present everywhere in our bodies...Our own inner intelligence is far superior to any we can try to substitute from the outside. --Deepak Chopra
As a mover and movement teacher, I value and appreciate being able to assist people in movement and also witness their bodies find more ease, greater strengthen and a more conscious sense of alignment. I have a couple examples of YOUR body's own intelligence and ability to release tension, strengthen and even realign itself a bit.
A Good Friend:
I have been teaching Pilates and movement to a good friend a couple times a week. We have worked on a lot of breathing, stability and alignment of the whole body. It is pretty amazing to see this friend's body at the start of our session and then towards the middle/end. I can actually see a difference in the openness of her shoulders. She is able to find a greater sense of ease and ways that her body can mobilize and strengthen. In fact, I view our sessions as a collaboration--she will often let me know when she has insights into what her body needs. For example, while doing footwork on the reformer, she will often crave treading through her feet, or stretching her calves in order to open up her ankles and lower extremities. I have insights as well based upon what I have learned about her, her body and also based on what I see. For example, I may see some energy get stuck around her eyes and jaw, or perhaps I will notice that one of her legs does not hold as much of her weight as the other. I truly appreciate the insight she has and find that this is what I find valuable about teaching and moving--We understand our bodies. Others can help guide us from the outside based on what they see and notice, but ultimately it is the individual within the body that allows for change and transformation.
Climbers:
I love watching climbers climb--I really do. I went on a trip to Spain with my husband a few years ago. It was a climbing trip--and I really wasn't much of a climber. We were in a beautiful setting and I actually enjoyed watching the climbing as much as participating (maybe even more). I didn't get bored sitting on the side of the cliff. As a dancer, I thought a lot about how climbing is like dance. The movement is specific and detailed--there is a technique to it; however, there is a huge amount of self expression and creativity. Climbers climb differently just as dancers dance differently. Climbing involves the whole body just as dance does. In order to execute a certain movement, one has to figure out how the whole body needs to adjust, move or adapt in order to move to the next hold or dance step. I love watching dancers and climbers figure these "problems" out. Slowly, their bodies start to adapt and they find more connection and strength perhaps by sheer repetition, or by allowing a shoulder to drop, a knee to change it's angle slightly, or simply by remembering to breath deeply and enjoy the process.
There is deep wisdom within our very flesh, if we can only come to our senses and feel it. --Elizabeth A. Behnke
What are some examples of your body's wisdom and innate intelligence?
Yours in Motion,
Laura
