Have you ever watched a toddler just learning to walk move around a room? Once, when my son was about 14 months old, I watched him for three minutes and kept a tally of how he was moving his body (the quirks and perks of having a health-minded research-administrator mom). He’d toddle around, squat, turn, pick up a toy, triumphantly run it over to me, drop it midstride, squat, pick it up, stumble sideways, hand it off, and start the process all over again.
He did 24 squats in three minutes. That’s one squat every seven and a half seconds!
And these weren’t just casual squats – these were perfectly aligned, weight-in-heels, chest-lifted, eyes-forward, knees-behind-toes movements that I sometimes spend weeks coaching adults on doing properly.
My point is – kids are natural movers. As they learn to move and grow, their proprietors develop, allowing them to sense where their little bodies are in space. They fall down, recalculate, and try again.
They are persistent learners. They fall, maybe cry and look to a parent or caregiver for some comfort, then they’re off again.
We can learn a lot from them!
The next time your kid is moving around – whether a toddler or a tween – take a moment to watch and soak in how they are doing it. Physically, they are aligning themselves with perfect form. Sure, their flexibility and mobility looks alien sometimes…how does a kindergartener pop down into a butt-to-calf squat to look at a bug, then jump up and sprint sideways, then skip in a wide circle chasing his friend?
How does a kindergartener pop down into a butt-to-calf-squat to look at a bug, then jump up and sprint sideways, then skip in a wide circle chasing his friend?
They have the benefit of youth, of course…but they are free from self-judgement. They aren’t thinking about how to move, they’re just doing it. They’re letting nature dictate their movements.
Most importantly – look at their faces. You’ll probably see joy, concentration, and focus. These kids aren’t thinking about tonight’s homework or yesterday’s slight on the playground. They are completely in the moment.
Here’s my point – a lot of times when I’m working with clients on alignment-based exercises, it’s more about undoing the limitations we’ve imposed on ourselves and rediscovering how to move freely. More about understanding how other small parts of our lifestyle add up to affect how we move our bodies through space. If I always carry a heavy bag, or a kid on my hip, or favor one hand on the bannister when taking the stairs….all those small accommodations add up to change how I move my body during the few minutes each dat when I am giving it my full attention – during a workout.
So here’s my challenge to you – designate a time this week for a “play” workout. If you have kids, join in when you see them do it! Or remember what it was like to run around as a kid yourself. Play frisbee with your dog then chase it down. Create an obstacle course in your living room. Whatever it is, focus on moving your body as it feels good to you today. Focus on the freedom of movement.
If you’re local to Charlottesville and have kids ages 3-7, consider joining me at Mindful Movement for Kids, my monthly community class, on April 2 and May 7 – you can read more and register here.
The joy I feel running around with kids and having fun is what keeps me most connected to my why – why I choose to keep my body fit, why I try to practice letting my mind and body inhabit the same space throughout my day.
I hope you unleash your inner kid today!
Moira Johnson Customized Fitness 