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I like that my exercises move you but I’m even more hopeful that they inform you. Increasing your physical activity during class is great, but like other types of classes my intention is that you’re learning steps that you can take to move yourself well when you’re not in class. Going to a math class isn’t only to do math during class, it’s to learn the principles and concepts well enough to let math benefit your life in a broader way—and the same should follow for movement classes.
Movement is measured with tools, but these tools don’t need to be complex—they just need to provide some objectivity. Lately, my favorite tool to bring to exercise class has been the wall. It’s great for figuring out which planes all your parts are moving along.
The side-lunge/Warrior 2 move is popular and an easy one to measure. In this clip from one of my online classes, I demonstrate how to use a wall to see how your parts move relative to each other. Maybe you can get your knee into the move’s form, but not both shoulders. Or perhaps your shoulders can get on the wall, but the torso has to lean forward in order to do so. Being able to observe (with nuance) how your body parts are moving relative to each other gives you important information!
Follow this short exercise video to find your Warrior “score” and more importantly, to find your sticky spots.
All movement can be beneficial in some way, but many times we end up moving in an orientation that creates accumulative damage and in the long run this can make it so we can't move easily. Practicing corrective/precise movements for the sake of seeing how you move doesn’t need to make up the bulk of your movement practice but it’s important to take the time to check in with regular measure. This is what helps you move more efficiently when you go freestyle.
The wall makes an excellent objective measure. It’s like a relentless personal trainer LIVING RIGHT IN YOUR HOUSE. You just need to know how to use it.
Find this full class and three hours of other new exercise classes using the wall in our virtual studio. Read more about sticky spots and why they’re important to identify in Move Your DNA.
