MOVEMENT : | move·ment |
noun
- the act, process, or result of moving.
- a particular manner or style of moving.
- Usually movements. actions or activities, as of a person or a body of persons.
- Military, Naval. a change of position or location of troops or ships.
- abundance of events or incidents.
- rapid progress of events.
- the progress of events, as in a narrative or drama.
- Fine Arts. the suggestion of motion in a work of art, either by represented gesture in figurative painting or sculpture or by the relationship of structural elements in a design or composition.
- a progressive development of ideas toward a particular conclusion: the movement of his thought.
- a series of actions or activities intended or tending toward a particular end: the movement toward universal suffrage.
- the course, tendency, or trend of affairs in a particular field.
- a diffusely organised or heterogeneous group of people or organisations tending toward or favouring a generalised common goal: the antislavery movement; the realistic movement in art.
- the price change in the market of some commodity or security: an upward movement in the price of butter.
- bowel movement.
– the working parts or a distinct portion of the working parts of a mechanism, as of a watch.
– Music
- a principal division or section of a sonata, symphony, or the like.
- motion; rhythm; time; tempo.
- Prosody. rhythmical structure or character.
What is movement?
When we say movement, we immediately think of something shifting from point A to B, whether they are obvious and big or subtle and small. Movement is some kind of an action that is mostly visible and felt.
When we think of movement there are several such ways of movement that come to mind eg: running, walking, playing, swimming, skipping, cycling, structured sports, dancing, yoga, karate, tai chi, cultural activities etc.
And now let’s also think of movement from a more rural perspective : tilling, sowing, ploughing, pulling, plucking, fetching, hammering, needling, climbing, playing, walking, running etc
When we move we are in movement, and our body likes to move. Even in sedentary lifestyles we are still moving by virtue of our daily activities. Not moving at all is something we are not designed to be as humans.
Unless we are in a physical condition which does not allow any kind of movement or if it is totally restricted we are always constantly moving.
Why should you move?
The physical aspects of movement that allow our bodies to remain healthy and active, and also, fit and strong along with emotional health is perhaps the most important reason for us to move.However, movement also brings along with it a lot more.
For eg: when you are at the gym, you see others working our around you and that can give you a sense of inspiration. Or when you choose to go for a walk with a friend, it becomes a time for bonding, likewise in community setups, at clubs or grounds or buildings, or in town squares and village lanes, we form our own groups and communities and they inspire, motivate and empower us to become better versions of ourselves. A sense of belonging is formed and it adds to the social value of movement.
As young children start to move in a more structured form via games and physical activities, it helps in their motor development and also as a skill for their entire life as an individual. In the same way when senior citizens or even older people choose to keep their bodies moving, it helps to keep their balance, their motor activities and daily life going smoothly along with keeping them senile and sane.
Using the energy we all have within our body does not deplete it but, it further propels into a huge surge for creating a life of vitality and living through its use. Latent energy is what causes all kinds of physical and other mental and emotional health issues.
Hence the choice to move in any way that an individual body likes is of utmost importance.
What if we don’t move?
How we move and why we move and where we move is entirely an individual’s choice. But, that we move is of most importance.
When we don’t move, our muscles go into a condition called atrophy or muscle wastage: Also, another case is that of muscle loss or failure.
In both of these cases, while there are medical conditions, injuries or genetics as a major part, a small percentage also comes from the unwillingness of an individual to move. Which in turn causes not only muscular issues but several lifestyle diseases of which Diabetes, BP, Obesity, cardiovascular issues etc tend to be on the higher side.
While we can see and evaluate physical aspects of non-movement, there are several other mental and emotional aspects that make movement a necessity. Like depression, lack of vitality, state of listlessness, sadness et. As these begin to engulf us slowly and unknowingly we are at times unable to get to the core of it and are mostly hovering around the peripheral issues, while it might be as little as a walk in the sunshine to feel happy and alive or swaying to the rhythm of a song one likes.
How should you move? Through EMBODIMENT…
To understand how should you move, we must also understand the word “embodiment”
Embodiment is when you are fully engulfed and become one within. It could be embodying a dance or your food, or as a state of being, like embodying love.
It is when you are one within it and everything flows like a river does to the sea. There is no push and pull or chaos, but only a smooth flow and rhythm.
Hence, how to move is then a very personal and individualistic choice, one that allows us to embodiment that movement.
It could be like dancing or as in yoga the flow of asana’s. Or it could be a footballer running through the field, his ball in tow towards the goal or the player who is playing his strokes effortlessly in his games.
Swimming like a fish or running like a horse, when we look at them, we see the joy and beauty of movement, that is how we should move.
Chewing your food slowly, being aware of every flavour that melts in your mouth to using all of your senses for enjoying a meal is in itself being embodied.
And hence, choosing any activity that makes us happy to move is the one that makes us embody it.
Taking breaks during long flights and meetings too is a movement. Or shaking legs endlessly while sitting. We all move in some way or the other, how to move is the only choice we have to make and identify. Sometimes we may have to do a bit of trial and error until we find something that brings us joy and happiness in that movement.
And so we can say that…
Movement is a human necessity. We are made to move. Our bodies are always indicating us to move, whether we listen to it and choose to move is entirely up to us. If we can teach physical literacy to our children and the necessity for movement while they are growing up as a life skill, we will essentially empower them to be self aware. They will then also be in control of their own choices towards their health and fitness. We, by virtue of our own choices, become role models for those around us and inspire more people to move.
Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. – John Kennedy.