Road Trippin' It

Road Trippin' It
Over the weekend my husband and I took a road trip to Ft. Lauderdale.  At one point in my life, these road trips created such mindful stress.  I needed to make sure the days leading up to the trip was as little stress on my body so my hip wasn't acting up while I was seated in the car for hours.   I know many other people experience or have experienced that inconvenience.
Car Dancing
Thankfully, I have come out of that place and can enjoy the trip.  I take this time, as a passenger since my husband likes to drive, to catch up on reading and delightful conversation!  Sometimes we're quiet and sometimes we bust out with the tunes.  I love to car dance.  I dance as much as I can in my seat!  I'm bouncing off my buns, shaking and wiggling my shoulders, chest, moving my spine forward, back, side to side and also wave, lift and move my hands and arms!  Yes, the cars driving by may wonder what the heck I'm doing or wish they were having as much fun.
As a driver, my husband tames down the car dancing but has his own trance dance.  He's been traveling for years and often times by himself.  He 'rocks' forward and back and uses his core instead of his legs.  While you're car dancing in whatever form, use your core and loosen up your legs, back and neck.

Car Posture
Whether you are on a long road trip or a trip to the store or work, being in the car is an important place to check your position.  Look to see where you position your bum.  Is one hip higher than another when you sit in your car, intentionally or unintentionally?  Another item of utmost importance is the position of your steering wheel.  If it's too high, your shoulders and neck may be in a constant state of muscle contraction (aka- tightness!).  Stretch the chest on the other seat by putting your hand behind the neck of the seat and opening the heart.  Oh, and about the neck of the seat...most of them today encourage a forward head position (bad idea).  If you can, take the headrest off or place it in a position where it allows you to place your head so your ears are above your shoulders (instead of your head jetting forward).  If you are on the road for a while, adjust the position of the spine (if you are not car dancing!).  Sometimes stack the spine (which is more correct posture), then roll the hips under slightly so you can stretch the low back and you should feel the lower abdominals a little more.  Also pretend you are hula-hooping  (both directions).
As you are making a turn or need to stop suddenly, get in the habit of relaxing your leg muscles, shoulders and neck and use your core!
If you need assistance getting in and out of the car from the handle above the seat, use your core strength (and I don't use those words lightly) first and foremost.  Then use the arm, the whole arm,  which would include actions from the shoulder, wrists, chest, and bicep along with the lower body.  If you use assistance getting in, are you always using the same arm and leg to pull creating a repetitive movement (not always a good thing).  If you use assistance on the exit, do you always step with the same leg first and pull with the same arm?
Be aware of your body!  Joseph Pilates states that 'Perfect Posture Aims to give you mastery of the mind'. 
 





Body and Mind Enrichment. A unique way of exercising your body and mind!  www.bodyandmindenrichment.org

Awareness

Use this new year like a clean slate. We're starting fresh, right?? Be alert and aware of your body from the inside out. When you see a 1/2 of a glass of water is your first thought that it's half full or half empty? When you put on clothes in the morning, do you always step with the same leg first to put your skirt, shorts, pants, etc. on. When you step up stairs, do you always step with the same leg. When standing, do you have more weight on one foot or side of the body? When seated, do you have more weight on one hip or 'cheek' more than another? Check if you carrry a bag, purse or items in the same hand or shoulder. How are your shoes - snug, old, worn out? Position your ear ontop of your shoulders.

All of these every day movements and positions play an integral part of our posture which affects so much! Look at yourself in a full length mirror in your birthday suit. The more you look on a regular basis, the more you'll learn! Look from the feet, ankles, knees, hips, waist, shoulders, neck - is one side higher than another? do you have a natural tendency to angle your head (maybe in the direction that you hold your phone??) Don't foget to look in the rear view mirror! I have included a video on finding your connection to the transverse abdominis. Please use that as an important took to building your core. Throughout the day, tap into your body!


Body and Mind Enrichment. A unique way of exercising your body and mind! www.bodyandmindenrichment.org