week one

...we'll start simple...

TAKE YOUR SHOES AND SOCKS OFF

That's all. I know it's cold, but that's good for you too sometimes (more on that another day).

If you find that you have your toe-lock-socks and shoe-prisons on most of the day, then start slowly by slipping them off every now and again at work and IMMEDIATELY when you get home.
If your work and/or home are already free of the aforementioned then why not go all out (go on, I dare you) and get those feet in contact with as many different surfaces as you can throughout your week. The more texture, bumps and grooves the better.

If you start to notice that your day-to-day is filled with flat, even, hard surfaces then get creative about what you can find to walk on. There are grass verges EVERYWHERE and since you don't need that mat at your front door to wipe your shoes on anymore (cus you took them off right?!) then how about replacing it with a pebble mat! Google it (they exist) and make one!

Feeling all the texture the earth has to offer is a simple but profound pleasure and there are many many many benefits that accompany that pleasure. I recommend looking up Gary Ward (Author of What The Foot?) and Barefoot Ted (clues in the name) for some facts and figures and funny anecdotes.

Hello Again

So, a little behind with the whole new years resolution thing, but not because I'm to cool for school to make them. On the contrary, I bloody love imagining I'm capable of inhuman shifts in habit and I don't much care that the actual change is usually minuscule. I think of setting new years intentions like knowing in your skin what you can’t yet think in your brain and, since I am all for trusting those kind of feelings, I make many.

If you are also a sucker for resolutions, and you don't mind suggestions, then I have a movement focused one for you. It's something I spent last year trying, sometimes succeeding in, sometimes not doing at all (in no particular order) and to my delight some of these quirky little imaginings have become well rounded useful habits that help me day-to-day.

Each week (not accounting for lack of Internet connection, sickness and laziness) I will post a simple way to introduce a different movement nutrient into your daily life. I've gathered these from many places and will always credit my source where necessary, because it's the right thing to do, but also so that you can go and do your own research (if you so desire...and I wholeheartedly recommend that you do desire that kind of thing)

Week one to follow....

 

Saturday Cartoon

My Intent is to Allow My Body to Rest When It Needs It.

My intent is to be as fresh as a flower and as solid as a mountain.

My intent is to be fully present with loved ones.

My intent is to reflect the light of others.

Beautiful intentions from Yumi Sakugawa for intent.com

Wild Thing

" The claim that Wild Thing can be done safely might involve the same wishful/magical thinking as the claim that yoga and meditation will automatically “shift consciousness”, whether individually, communally, or “vibrationally”. Both claims seem to depend upon overlooking concrete material conditions in favour of nurturing faith in vague metaphysical principles. Concrete material conditions demand specific learning objectives. If yogis want to be smart on the biomechanics front, yoga needs physios, osteos, neurologists and kinesiologists. If yogis want to be at all relevant on the cultural front, yoga needs anti-oppression educators and activists."

If you have a bit of time to spare I would recommend heading over to Matthew Remski's blog to read his What are we actually doing in asana? posts. His latest addition to the ongoing project provides
a thorough biomechanical critique of what “Wild Thing” forces the supporting shoulder joint to do. 

His writings so far make for some thought provoking reading, every time I delve in I come away with the same simple question; 

 'What is my intention when practicing and teaching this stuff?'

It's an important question and Mr Remski (and others!) are opening up a well needed debate.

Go check it out!
(p.s. read the comments section too!)

Details

'It's refining the quality of intention. That's what yoga is.'

--Diane Long

(Source: seemoreandmore, via mrmoo8)