“The lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house as a guest, and then becomes a host, and then a master.”�� Khalil Gibran
Recently I had an email from a reader who had enjoyed The Beauty in Being Barefoot article on the EED website. In�this email�she�shared how she is that most women in her age group are displaying very poor posture and nearly all are troubled by (and/or)�knee, foot, shoulder, neck, hip issues etc.
Ancient Egyptians clearly new the importance of good posture
I would have to agree -�in fact I would say this is not restricted to �a certain age� but it is endemic across all ages.�� From teenagers� through to the elderly, so many are clearly�displaying and experiencing the effects�of poor postural alignment.
Hardly any of us will get through life without some injury or muscular/joint complaint� � however allowing it to gradually impact on our lives �till there is no return is another issue.
One of the most exciting challenges I have as a teacher is integrating the body/mind of beginner students into an holistic dance experience.� Part of this preparation is�highlighting what has been unconsciously occurring to each individual overtime -� according to their daily practices – and then engaging them in a proactive reversal of this process.
Some of the improvements can be quite dramatic, others (especially if it has been going on for a while) � take some time. However I have witnessed enough miraculous transformations in my time to know that reversal is possible, even for those who tell me they are ‘too old to change’.
Once students become aware of their own bodies and how their issues can be addressed, they also become increasingly aware of the number of people they see daily (nay � hourly) who would greatly benefit from this knowledge. �One of the most frequently asked questions from new students is whether I feel compelled to approach women I see out and about and offer some advice.� Of course this is not possible, at best it would be construed as rude – not to mention professionally irresponsible.�� ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will appear’ ….unfortunately this wonderful proverb doesn’t work in the reverse!�� a variation on ‘None so blind as those who will not see’…..
From our day of birth we are all walking towards the final exit, but that doesn’t mean we have to run and jump into the open armchair of pharmaceuticals and other soft props without first exploring preventative or restorative possibilities. ��I have frequently noted that due t0 our natural ‘tribal’ tendencies, conforming to the tribe is often much easier than taking a different approach or attitude.
Let me explain a little.� Just as with everything else aging is not entirely exempt from peer or social pressure.� What the BFF or ‘tribe’ do can� become a�group policy, the rules of engagement – so to speak.� We often come under pressure in life to conform so others feel comfortable, i.e. why bother with exercise? – we are all going to die anyway; accept the inevitable now � less disappointment later!; �drink up- what�harm can it do?’; �this is what happens when you age, we all get there � you will too before you know it!;� �I don�t want to do that, and you shouldn�t be bothering with it either�; �it�s all part of aging�…. etc etc.� I am not saying aging isn’t going to occur, and we do need to relinquish gracefully…..but a little research and a little of the correct kind of exercise and diet can impact on the process of aging, delivering a quality of life other people ‘your age’ will marvel at.
This brings me back to the point of�this entry:� Posture, placement and technique is�integral, not�only�to exercise and dance, but to the very quality of our daily lives.
It is always�a challenge to emerge from our comfort zone and the longer�we have been there the more�scary it can be.��Excuses will abound!� When faced with the actual physical work of change some may choose to run �home� to the tribe for some validation, others might blame it all on aging or bad genes,- that is not to say that genes and other unforeseen circumstances (i.e. illness) do not play a part, – nature/nurture is a fascinating study and the research is still delivering exciting insights� – but here is the crunch: as adults�we can at least be responsible for our environment – can’t we?
We are born with�innate intelligence�and the capacity to hope, strive, learn, imagine and create (specifically to create change) for�good reason � and I believe the results are well worth any effort. The thing is – how much do you genuinely desire change? – or are you more content� simply finding excuses – blaming, complaining�and avoiding? Or perhaps you are hiding in the comfortable fold of a ‘tribe’?….whatever your blanket, remember:� if you can articulate the excuse, it doesn�t necessarily have to be the reason any longer.
�Juliet Le Page 2012� Egyptian Elementals: Dance and Movement
“The lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house as a guest, and then becomes a host, and then a master.”�� Khalil Gibran
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The Egyptian Elementals Beginners Introductory Course is a great way to reconnect with your body’s�full�physical potential�and rediscover your inner power!
Want to know the anti-aging secrets of the Ancient Egyptians?� Follow this link to read an article by our resident Egyptologist Suzette Hartwell on Beauty and Aging in Ancient Egypt
