The Human Body as a Dynamic Organism

Most Americans understand the human body as a static organism. After all, anatomy is taught using still objects such as anatomical drawings and skeletons. Kinesthetic awareness and knowledge of the body as an organism designed for movement is not generally taught. Instead, physical education is generally taught within a context of competition, and rarely with regard to imparting an unified understanding of functional movement.

 

This practice tends to create a polarization of pursuits. People tend to be pigeonholed as athletes or as intellectuals, and it is the rare exception when a person gains an integrated understanding of the body as a moving organism. Fortunately, recent interest in Yoga and certain martial arts have been of some help in correcting this situation, but the day has not yet come when this awareness is as common as that of driving a car.

 

In addition, the understanding of the body as a static organism can lead to dysfunctional images of the body. For example: The anatomically correct location of the lungs is taught in schools. As a result, many people mistakenly expand their ribcage when asked to take a deep breath. A far more effective method would be to call for diaphragmatic breathing by asking them to expand their abdomens against the pressure of their belts.

 

 While some exercise is better than none, methods such as aerobics classes accompanied by loud dance music are not the kind of exercise that provides a profound understanding of the human body from the inside. Conscious aligned motion is key. This kind of movement may be found in Yoga and Qigong classes, as well a certain kinds of dance and martial arts.

 

The bad news is that there is no way out of it; in order to stay healthy and out of pain, the human body has to move, preferably in a way that promotes awareness and alignment, and one must set aside time for this on a frequent basis.

 

The good news is that the kind of movement that is called for is unlikely to cause pain or injury, and while it does demand daily movement, it doesn't demand a lot of time. In addition, simply substituting short walks where possible goes a long way toward the accomplishment of these aims.