Step in Time: Heighten your own awareness

The ankle joint is a mass of ligaments(the function of which is to maintain alignment of bones at a joint). There is no direct muscle attachments around the ankle joint itself, therefore muscles are unable in this case to meet their primary function of giving stability of a joint.

When a heel strike is outside normal limits the ankle joint will either seize up(hypomobile) or be too loose(hypermobile).

When either of these happen the function of the feet are impaired which in turn creates instability; both for the feet and how the whole leg functions.

A simple way to lessen the detrimental effects of a poorly aligned ankle joint is to wear footwear that supports the ankles e.g. boot type styles.

Prevention is always better than cure. Work with your mind brain and body to create improved stability by supporting your ankles in your normal day to day activities.

Step in time.

Heighten awareness of what you are feeling is happening as your body moves.  

Step in Time: Heighten your own awareness.

The correct head , neck and shoulders for the Central Nervous System(CNS) to function at it's optimum is critical.

The CNS consists of the brain and the spine.

So, when the upper body is incorrectly aligned due to poor posture arising from bad habits.There has to be a detrimental affect on the CNS as well as the musculo-skeletal structure - See below.

 

Strive to attain and then maintain good posture.

Step in time and stay comfortable.

The way we move is the only aspect of our lives we have total control of.

Step in Time: Heighten your own awareness

Energy is stored in the body in a molecule called Adenosine Triphosphate(ATP).

This molecule fuels everything from thinking and moving to dealing with infection.

ATP is created as part of the process of glucose and oxygen interacting.

ATP is involved in every muscle contraction.

It is finite. Once used it has to be replaced. It is one of the products of what we eat and how we breath.

So when posture is poor due to being round shouldered and head to far forward lungs are slightly compressed as a consequence the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood will be reduced. This often leads to muscle cramps and difficulty concentrating.

The solution is simple : Strive to attain and maintain good posture.

Step in Time

Step in time: heighten your own awareness.

Does your neck or shoulders frequently ache?

Especially when sitting working at a desk or on a lap top. If so this is an indication your body is misaligned.

Listen to your body. This is your body conforming to your enviroment and letting you know it is wrong.

Make your enviroment conform to your body. Get a more comfortable chair; raise the computer monitor; sit correctly. Get out of the chair more often.

Work with your body. Try not to take it for granted.

Step in time. 

Step in Time: Heighten your own awareness

Everyday aches and pains often arise because joints are incorrectly aligned.

If knees and feet are not pointing in the same direction the body is moving when walking on flat level ground, then there is a problem.

Often it is simply a twist in the knees which are very common and occurs when changing direction is done incorrectly.

This happens because often there is a total lack of awareness of how our body changes direction.

Heighten your awareness of how you move.

Remember thought and feeling occur in the same moment.

Step in time.

Step in Time: Heighten your own awareness

Are aches,stiffness and pains a constant companion?

If so, this is your brain making you aware that within your habits and routines there are movements occurring that are creating postural imbalances,leading to muscles being damaged and joints misaligned.

Strive to consistently improve posture when sitting standing and walking.

Prevention is always better than cure.

Step in time

Step in Time: Heighten awareness

Our body is a mass of different diameter tubes. When our body is incorrectly aligned for long periods of time, e.g. sitting for hours in front of computer screens or a tv with poor posture.

Then kinks will occur that impair blood flow and nerve pathways, resulting in stiffness, numbness,aches, pins and needles sensations.

Always be mindful of the fact we are NOT thinking creatures that can feel.

We are feeling creatures that can think.

This is a quote from Gill Bolte Taylor's book 'My Stroke of Insight'. Worth a read.

As soon as there is a sensation of some form of discomfort then move for a few minutes, then blood will flow with greater ease.

Excellent blood flow is essential for a healthy body.

Focus on prevention

Step in time