We don't often think of the way we move as a choice. Although we know we can change our form, we often idealize the form of our favorite professional athletes and believe that the way they move is the way we should move. We then go out and try to fit ourselves into that form (even though we do not have the same body, or muscle balance that they do...at least not yet). While watching elite athletes move, I think it's easy to miss that they move with a purpose in mind. In training and racing, elite athletes explore new ways of moving with every stride or stroke and determine the way of moving that works best for them to achieve their goals in that particular moment. I think a major difference between elite athletes and armatures is that the elites embody a more fluid process of moving while armatures take on a more ridged one. Elite athletes tailor the way they move moment by moment while armatures tend to focus on the static form of their idealized elite. Focusing on this static conception of form allows athletes to forget their own bodies in the process. They do not see that the way they were moving a minute ago may not be the most productive way to move now. A predetermined idea of form takes away an athlete's ability to engage in the process of choosing the best way to move at any given moment.
The way you move can be a choice, but you only get the freedom to choose if you know how you move in the first place. Whether you want to get faster, more efficient, or healthier, reflect on how you move in relation to your goal. I am advocating here for self awareness. What is your goal? How are you choosing to move in a way that helps you achieve that goal? One way to become more self aware is to get a friend to film you while you exercise. Look at the film yourself and observe how you move. Remember that the way you move is neither good nor bad, it is just your default setting at that moment and you always have the freedom to change it. Consider what it looks like and how it feels to move in the way that you do. Then, consider the affordances and constraints of the way you move. How are you moving in a way that's slowing you down, using up energy, or causing you injury? In what ways are you moving that help you through the water, up a hill on your bike, or down a single-track trail on your run? After you observe how you move and consider the implications, you will have a good idea of how you might focus your form towards your goal. Then...take a jump and consciously make a change. Who knows, maybe you might just achieve something amazing!
The way you move can be a choice, but you only get the freedom to choose if you know how you move in the first place. Whether you want to get faster, more efficient, or healthier, reflect on how you move in relation to your goal. I am advocating here for self awareness. What is your goal? How are you choosing to move in a way that helps you achieve that goal? One way to become more self aware is to get a friend to film you while you exercise. Look at the film yourself and observe how you move. Remember that the way you move is neither good nor bad, it is just your default setting at that moment and you always have the freedom to change it. Consider what it looks like and how it feels to move in the way that you do. Then, consider the affordances and constraints of the way you move. How are you moving in a way that's slowing you down, using up energy, or causing you injury? In what ways are you moving that help you through the water, up a hill on your bike, or down a single-track trail on your run? After you observe how you move and consider the implications, you will have a good idea of how you might focus your form towards your goal. Then...take a jump and consciously make a change. Who knows, maybe you might just achieve something amazing!
I'm not arguing that we should't watch other people move. In fact, I think it helps to observe how others move and reflect on why their way of moving works for them. Instead of evaluating them in terms of what they are doing "right" or "wrong," simply observe what they are doing and consider why the way move they works for them. Instead of trying to fit yourself into their form, compare and contrast the differences between forms. This might give you some incite on why the way you move is working (or not working) for you. Check out Olympian Jono Van Hazel's stroke here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3HhNlysFDs. What can you learn from watching this video? What does his stroke look like? How do you think it feels to move like that? Why do you think he chooses to move in that way? Now... What does your stroke look like? How does it feel? Why do you choose to move in that way?
Have a great week!
Jon
jafecik@gmail.com
