A system of Springs
Your joints from the feet up work synergistically together, like a system of springs. They give you stability and mobility at the same time. Your legs play a central role in our mobility and freedom of movement. You only have to break or sprain an ankle to recognise that.
Learning to move more efficiently is important if you’re looking to reduce pain, or wear-and-tear. If you have injured your legs, most of us will create adaptive movement patterns to adapt. Once the injury mends the patterns don’t always reset, so the adaptive patterns get woven in. Fear of pain can also compromise your movement. Over time, you might feel less well-oiled and more rusty.
It’s more about movement skill
A few years ago, I was fortunate to work with Ruthy Alon, a pupil of Moshe Feldenkrais. Despite being in her eighties, watching her move was extraordinary. She moved with the litheness of a sixteen year old. It wasn’t because she didn’t have difficulties: she was dealing with a hip problem at the time. It was due to the wonderful level of her skill in movement. Her ability to feel her whole self in action.
Transform how you move, feel and live 