I just finished watching Thomas Myers being interviewed by Naudi Aguilar of Functional Patterns and there were some terrific take-aways. I was first introduced to Myers in 2010 when I was working at Equinox. He has always been a supporter of movement practitioners (trainers, yoga instructors, group fitness instructors, etc.) as he views body awareness and "self-remembering" as an essential part of health maintenance. He also mentioned something at the end of the interview that really resonated with me, especially as I've been able to spend more and more time outside and think about the environment more.
He said: "Conservation of our own energy will help with conservation of the environment." Preach, Tom!
If we all have a better understanding of how our bodies work, how energy moves through our bodies, how our digestive system works, then our appreciation for the Earth has to grow. We're all made of the same stuff, it's our patterns that distinguish us.
He said: "Conservation of our own energy will help with conservation of the environment." Preach, Tom!
If we all have a better understanding of how our bodies work, how energy moves through our bodies, how our digestive system works, then our appreciation for the Earth has to grow. We're all made of the same stuff, it's our patterns that distinguish us.
He has a fantastic message for movement practitioners at 24:32.
And if you don't have time to watch it...a quick summary of his message: movement practitioners are educators, and it is our shared responsibility to figure out what "children need to know to make it on this planet in terms of their physical movement." He refers to this as "kinesthetic literacy" and two of the big ideas to consider are:
- Reflexes: computers/tech aren't going anywhere, and are only going to become more and more in tune with our brains and how they work. Having quick reflexes and improving processing will help us keep up.
- Original movement: I think what he's saying here is that the good old Presidential Physical Fitness test of sit-ups, pull-ups, push ups, and the sit-and-reach doesn't really prove that you're fit. Did it ever? So what if I can do 15 push ups one week, and 20 push ups the next? What about doing a minute of 10 different push ups one week, and come up with 10 different ones the next? We have to get out of these linear, segmented models of accomplishment when it comes to fitness.
Myers also gives us a nice reminder that the world of biomechanics and research is in a very exciting but every-changing place. We should hold what we think we know lightly, because everything could change in five years! If we are grounded in our principles with our clients and students, then they too will be comfortable going along for the ride.
- Reflexes: computers/tech aren't going anywhere, and are only going to become more and more in tune with our brains and how they work. Having quick reflexes and improving processing will help us keep up.
- Original movement: I think what he's saying here is that the good old Presidential Physical Fitness test of sit-ups, pull-ups, push ups, and the sit-and-reach doesn't really prove that you're fit. Did it ever? So what if I can do 15 push ups one week, and 20 push ups the next? What about doing a minute of 10 different push ups one week, and come up with 10 different ones the next? We have to get out of these linear, segmented models of accomplishment when it comes to fitness.
Myers also gives us a nice reminder that the world of biomechanics and research is in a very exciting but every-changing place. We should hold what we think we know lightly, because everything could change in five years! If we are grounded in our principles with our clients and students, then they too will be comfortable going along for the ride.