Confession: although I truly should know better, I'm a boot camp junkie. I love being pushed, I love strenuous cardio. I know there are other ways to work up a sweat, but, when one is busy, this is a quick endorphin rush and cardio burst. But truly, after working in therapeutic Pilates and physiotherapy for over ten years now, I've seen a cautionary number of injured boot camp and cross fit clients. It's not hard to see why; group fitness trainers simply cannot safely guide thirty people through a rigorous workout. And yet, I know that, if I still crave these things, certainly less body-aware people do as well. So, with that in mind, here are some tips for surviving boot camp:
And, if at all possible, avoid boot camps. The truth is all of our bodies are incredibly different. Engaging in fitness mindfully and healthily requires a well-educated instructor and, ideally, a personalized experience. But of course not all of us can afford one-on-one daily sessions. So listen to your body, educate yourself, and by all means just get out there and do it.
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I had the immense privilege of attending a workshop with the venerable Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen last weekend at the University of San Diego. For those of you who are not familiar with her work, for over fifty years, Bonnie has been at the forefront of the mind-body movement. With the detail and finesse of a hybrid between a medical professor and a dance teacher, she teaches embodied anatomy, guiding students to a deeper connection to our neurology and physiology through mindful movement.
This particular workshop, "weaving and tonifying our central core," addressed how our "core" is more far-reaching - both in space (anatomically) and in time (from embryological origin) - than is often understood. We explored the dynamic interweaving of the structures of the diaphragm/s, vis-a-vis Bonnie's hypothesis that the diaphragm's crura extend both lower and higher than most western anatomical texts attest. And we explored the effect that this hypothesis has upon peripheral joints through movement, novel schematic paradigms (largely of an embryological bent), and touch. As a result of this new information, I am slowly exploring motions for new awareness and connectivity - both personally and in my clients, motions that are so commonplace to pilates instructors, like knee folds, squats, and leg circles. I am finding that both Bonnie's emphasis upon the diaphragm's crura and her explanations of its embryological origins radically affect how I conceive of and initiate motion, which has far-reaching implications upon how I teach movement, but also upon how I conceive of musical expression - both as a musician and teacher, and even upon how I move through the world. Personally, this has been a lot to take in. While I have known of Bonnie's work for several years, to study with her in person led to much greater depth of understanding, physically and intellectually. It honestly feels more like the very beginnings of understanding. My previous confidence in my anatomical knowledge seems almost liminal. And, while that's scary to admit, it's also ok. For, as I mentioned in my previous post, being unsettled makes us more deeply aware and attuned. And that's a great thing. copyright © cicely nelson 2016 |