The Foundation of Movement

We are not sedentary beings. Despite the amount of time we spend in the modern world seated-- in the car, at our desks, on the couch, this is not what our body is made to do. 

We are made to MOVE and movement is one of the foundations for our health. 

This is our final installment in my Foundations for Health Series where we’ve gone over the basic pillars for good health that are often overlooked. We’ve covered Sleep, Water, Food, and now it’s time to talk about Movement. 

Redefining Movement

I’ll bet when I told you we were talking about movement, your mind went straight to the treadmill. In some ways, our society has pigeonholed the concept of movement to be about weight loss and fitness, but movement is so much more than that. 

Movement can be a way to get fit and keep your body healthy, but it can also become a way to release stress, a way to ground yourself, and even a portal for spiritual connection. 

The biggest gift that movement gives us is connection to our bodies. And in a world where so much of our experience happens mentally (Hello virtual meetings and social media) coming back into the physical world through movement is game-changing. 

Let’s look at the different types of movement and what they offer to us.

Types of Movement

Aerobic

Aerobic movement is what we typically think of when we think of exercise. This is about getting our heart pumping! Aerobic movement is anything that increases our heart rate and breathing and works to improve our cardiovascular health. It also helps regulate blood pressure, improve mood, lower cholesterol, improves immune function, reduces weight, and improves sleep. 

Examples: Walking, Biking, Swimming, Running, Hiking, HIIT, Dancing, or even vigorous cleaning. 

Mobility & Flexibility

Maintaining range of mobility and flexibility is key in preventing injury, counteracting the effects of sedentary lifestyles, reducing joint pain, and maintaining good balance. These types of movements are typically slower and more intentional and focus on gradually increasing the range of movement or flexibility in your body,

Examples: Yoga, Stretching, Pilates

Strength Training

Before you go picturing a bodybuilder, strength training is a type of movement that is of great benefit to all and you don’t need to get ripped to see the benefits. The old adage is true “If you don’t use it, you lose it” and it is common as we age to lose strength in our muscles if we aren’t utilizing them. Strength training works to protect bone and muscle mass, improves mood and energy levels, helps boost your metabolism, aids in weight loss, and enhances mobility and cardiovascular efforts.

Examples: Weight Lifting, Calisthenics or Body Weight Exercises, Resistance Training

Energy Balancing

This is a lesser-explored area of movement, but the benefits are starting to be scientifically explored. There are certain styles of movement that focus on the movement and clearing of our “life force” energy (You may have heard it called Chi or Prana) In addition to being spiritually fulfilling, these movements also have great success in stress reduction, increased stamina and energy, mood improvement, as well as physical benefits of mobility and strength enhancement and increased balance and agility. 

Examples: Kundalini Yoga, Thai Chi, Qigong, 5 Rhythms Dance

What type is right for me? 

Every body is unique, and you should consult with your health care provider directly before starting any new exercise regimen. 

A movement routine can be as gentle or as vigorous as suits your individual needs, however, it is generally true that we should cultivate a practice that incorporates all four types of movement to maintain good and balanced health. 

Some types of movement also have multiple benefits, for example, Pilates can act as aerobic, strength training, and mobility enhancing exercise. 

I hope that this article has helped to redefine the way you look at movement, and encourages you to make it an integral part of your wellness and laying the foundations for your health. 

I created this series on the Foundations for Health because in our culture, we are always looking for some miracle treatment to solve our health issues and make us feel great, but many of us are neglecting to take care of our body’s basic needs: sleep, good food, hydration, and movement. 

Much like building a house, if you don’t have a solid foundation laid, there isn’t much point in building the rest. 

Here’s to happy, healthy bodies everywhere!