The legs play a central role in our mobility and freedom of movement. We only have to break or sprain an ankle to recognise the truth in that.
Your joints from the feet up to the spine work synergistically together, like a system of springs. They give you groundedness, stability and mobility at the same time.
When you’re not using your legs as efficiently as you might, strain, pain, and increased wear-and-tear can get in the way, exarcerbating instability and stiffness. Your own habits around movement can compromise the situation, so you might feel less well-oiled and more rusty.
A few years ago, I was fortunate to work with Ruthy Alon, a pupil of Moshe Feldenkrais. Despte being in her eighties, watching her move was extraordinary. She moved with the litheness of a sixteen year old. And it wasn’t because she didn’t have difficulties or a perfect body: she was dealing with a hip problem at the time. But her movement skill was high quality. And we can all improve how we move, no matter what hand we were dealt in the physical domain.
Transform how you move, feel and live 