Breathing
Deep diaphragmatic breathing should be the first thing
taught to students of exercise. This method of breathing
is the single best method and most essential component
of present moment self-awareness and developing the transverse
abdominal muscles, deep pelvic floor and diaphragmatic
reflex. Increasing the students awareness of the
mechanics of breathing and identifying shallow breathing
habits and patterns is essential for long-term success.
Flexibility
I would say that flexibility is equally as important as
vigorous activity. If you dont make the time to
stretch out each day, the effects of that days activity
will sit in the body until the next day. When the body
is repeatedly experiencing stress, day after day, it stores
the memory of the most repeated positions and it becomes
tight in some areas and loose in others. If daily activity
produces dysfunction, then a strength and flexibility
program should be used to combat those issues. Whether
you are a person that sits at a desk all day or a professional
athlete, increasing resistance and neutralizing the effects
of over use should be a high priority.
Creating
New Neuromuscular Habits
If you think changing a movement disorder, such as inappropriate
extension of the neck in bent over actions, is going to
be easy youre in for a little surprise. Based on
my own observation, it takes at least six months to re-establish
correct movement behavior. The subliminal reflexes that
have brought about pattern habits are so deeply entrenched
in the psycho/physical system that in many cases it may
take more time than that. To
get an easy understanding of this concept try moving your
garbage can to a different location in the kitchen for
a while. See how long it takes this repetitive habit,
or stimuli/response cycle, to be replaced by a new stimuli/response
cycle
habit. You might find yourself dropping trash
on the floor where your garbage can used to be.
Recommended
Reading:
The
Warrior Athlete
Dan Millman
Stillpoint Publishing
Therapeutic
Exercises using Foam Rollers
Caroline Corning Creager, P.T.
Executive Physical Therapy, Inc.
Light
on Yoga
B.K.S. Iyengar
Schocken Books
Awareness
through Movement
Moshe Feldenkrais
Harper Collins
Total
Body Training
Richard H. Dominguez, M.D. & Robert Gajda
Moving Force Systems
Traditional
Goju-Ryu Karate
Don Warrener
Masters Publication
Moola
Bandha
Swami Buddhananda
Yoga Publications Trust
The
Tao of Natural Breathing
Dennis Lewis
Mountain Wind Publishing
Body,
Mind and Sport
John Douillard
Crown Trade Paperbacks
Anatomy
of Movement
Blandine Calais-Germain
Eastland Press
Motor
Control and Learning
Richard A. Schmidt, PhD
Timothy D. Lee, PhD
Human Kinetics
The
Art of Expressing the Human Body
Bruce Lee
Compiled and Edited by John Little
Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc.
Explosive
Power & Strength
Donald A. Chu, PhD
Human Kinetics
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