Tip 5.5 – An Arch Made of Arches

Arches in the body mirrored

I mention this idea in almost every lesson.  The body is a spring  made of springs, or an arch made of arches.  This is true in every structure and every combination of structures within the body.  As shown in the images below, every part and structure of the body forms an arch.

Curves in bones
Every structure and combination of structures in the body forms an arch. There are no straight lines.

 

What that means:

People often look for straight lines in the body, but really, the body tends toward a roundness and openness both in structure and in action.

What you can do:

  • Allow for a feeling of roundness in the space between your between your arms.  This will make your chest feel more open without having to pull your shoulders back.
  • No matter your position, think of your body as a spring from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet.  Instead of pulling yourself down toward the ground, think of your body as expanding away from the ground.
  • When standing, recognize that you rise also from the arches under your feet.  Even the flattest foot has some remnant of an arch– don\’t discount it.

More on Arches:

Your Body Is a Spring

Video: Point Your Shoulders

Video: Good Posture Is Like a Wave

The ideas here are partly based on fractal geometry and self-similarity. Click here for more information on  self-similarity and fractal geometry in the natural world.

 

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