Why Does Movement Matter?

Movement is an essential part of life. 

Movement is able to impact our health not only physically, but spiritually, strengthening both body and mind.

Movement can’t be boxed into one definition or expression. Movement creates the space for possibility. It opens the door to transformation. 

And it’s everywhere. It takes place without your permission, and its power is always readily available for you to tap into. 

Movement matters. We can uncover why by diving into both the physical and energetic components of our being. By understanding our own composition, we can understand how movement fuels us, heals us, and elevates our consciousness. 

The Importance of Movement

Life exists because of movement. 

Movement is crucial for the health of our planet. Animals trek great distances kicking up dust and rippling water. Small saplings reach upward and spread their branches in every direction. Ocean tides swell and rush against sandy banks, retracting and pushing forth, undercurrents and waves carrying with them an underworld vibrant with activity. Even the earth itself spins. 

Movement is crucial for our health as well. It revitalizes the physical body and the energetic (or subtle) body. The body and mind are interconnected, working together. 

It is said that for every physical knot in the body, there is a corresponding mental knot that needs to be worked out and vice versa. The more connected we become to our physical bodies through movement practices, the easier it becomes to untangle the mental knots that hinder our growth and transformation. 

The Physical Body 

Of course, we know that movement is beneficial for the human body. Physical exercise strengthens the muscles, releases endorphins, boosts energy and stimulates brain activity. 

Widening our lens, we can (begin to) appreciate the unconscious movement within the body that keeps us alive. 

The blood pumps through the heart and travels throughout. The digestive organs help circulate nutrients. Our lungs expand and contract, as air moves in and out. On a cellular level, there’s movement- lots of it.

Yogic tradition recognizes the importance of caring for these physical aspects of the body. The word Kosha translates to “sheaths” in Sanskrit and is a concept that organizes the body into different layers. You can think of the koshas like Russian nesting dolls. B.K.S. Iyengar in his book Light on Life says that all the layers blend seamlessly together when we are at our healthiest. 

The outermost layer is the Annamaya kosha and it is made up of muscles, bones, skin, and organs. Movement is a basic necessity to keep this kosha in balance and the body healthy. 

When we learn to care for the physical body, the outermost layer, we can begin to cultivate the same kindness to the inner, more subtle layers of our being. 

The Energetic Body 

Movement is related to the third chakra, which is called Manipura or the solar plexus chakra. This energy center is located just above the navel and is associated with power, warmth, mobility, and transformative qualities. 

This chakra corresponds to the element of fire. In ancient times, it was invaluable to keep coals burning in a pit or makeshift stove. Depending on the time of day or the task at hand, a stick or two would be added to increase heat for cooking. In the cold evenings, a thicker log might be added for a slow, steady burn, one that would be consistent and keep the dwelling warm. 

When the fire went out, so did the ability to cook, clean, or boil water. The dwelling would become cold and uninhabitable. Fire was life.

In each of us, there is an eternal fire always simmering. Sometimes, it’s necessary to leave it be, allow it the space and time to subtly burn. But, this level of heat isn’t always enough to take care of every need. Sometimes, more heat is needed to burn off energy, to relieve stress, to sweat and release what no longer serves us, to increase vitality and to supply our bodies the movement they crave. 

Our internal fires need to be stoked so that we can move through life with ease and have the essential health and ability to accomplish what needs to be done on a physical level. Movement keeps the fire burning, but under control. When Manipura is in balance, you feel confident, motivated and grounded in your purpose. 

It is both the natural directions of movement and intentional movement practices that help keep the physical body healthy and the energetic body vibrant and balanced. 

Movement Practices 

One beautiful part of being human, is the many ways in which we can move. We don’t have to only think of movement within the confines of structured exercise. The body can express its strengths, abilities, and creativity in many different ways. 

Yoga 

Asana is one piece of the huge pie that is yoga. And though asana refers to the physical postures, the benefits of an asana practice are intended to expand beyond the physical. So yes, while you may tone the muscles through practicing yoga, you are also training the mind for more connection and focused awareness. 

There are many different styles of yoga. A modern Vinyasa class is usually most people’s first taste of yoga. This fluid style of class found most often in our Western studios combines movement with breath and thoughtful sequencing of many different postures. 

This is certainly not the only way to do yoga. Some other popular styles are Restorative, Yin, and Gentle yoga which are all slower ways to move and connect to the body. 

Yin typically offers gentle stress to different areas with long holds and deep stretches. Restorative makes use of props like bolsters and blankets to support the body and allow it to fully relax and heal, and gentle yoga involves a little more movement, but at a slow and steady pace. 

Kundalini Kriyas

Under the yoga umbrella, we also have Kundalini, which is a practice that blends movement, mantra, mudras, and breathwork for a powerful spiritual and physical experience. 

Kundalini is a potent form of movement that involves manipulating your own stored energy. With Kundalini, you are able to tap into the power of movement and how specific movements can be used for certain intended effects. 

Pranayama 

Prana = life force. 

Yama = extension or control. 

Another important piece of the yoga pie that helps us to move the energy within our body is pranayama. Pranayama refers to intentional breathwork and there are many different pranayama practices. 

This is potentially one of our most transformative forms of movement. Through breathwork, you can learn to control your body’s energy. You can calm yourself down when you are anxious, and you can muster up vitality when you are feeling tired or down. 

Yoga (in its many forms) is incredibly beneficial. However, it’s important not to get hung up thinking that it is the only way to move the body. There is an entire world of ways to get the body in motion.

Dancing, Figurative Movement, and Play

The last thing a movement practice should be is rigid. Movement is at its most enjoyable when it doesn’t feel like a requirement or a chore. 

Dancing and figurative movement can be a beautiful and fun way to express yourself through physical activity. This can be as structured or as unstructured as you like. Getting lost in the music or completely immersed in a drum circle can help you connect with your body and shake free inhibitions and tension. 

Hiking, biking, jogging, running around with children, jumping and swimming are all ways to move the body and tap into a childlike sense of joy. 

Some people find lifting weights or running on a treadmill to be the most enjoyable way to break a sweat. Others may prefer slow strolls down the sidewalk or taking a kayak out in open water. The options are truly endless. 

Find ways that you like to move your body and do them often. It’s as simple as that. 

Somatic Movements

The body can hold onto negative emotions and intentional movement can shake these emotions loose. Somatic movements are aimed at releasing this stored tension which can be the result of trauma, chronic pain, or mental health disorder like anxiety. 

Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) are a specific set of muscular based movements that activate shaking or trembling in the body. This is believed to help the body let go of deep patterns of stress and tension. 

The positive results of somatic movement and somatic therapy reaffirm the connectedness of body and mind and are a perfect example of the power of movement. 

Movement is Love

In each of our offerings, we touch upon the 5 Essentials of life in a way that aligns to your Highest Self and Deepest Desires. We discover what makes you shine and we work to incorporate these at a fundamental level. 

Incorporating the first essential- movement into your life doesn’t have to be complicated. 

Movement facilitates positive change and transformation. It stokes the fires of discipline and courage and heats us up from the inside out.  Through motion, we embrace, encompass, release, give, and serve not only our own bodies, but others and the world at large. 

Movement is an expression of love. What does movement mean to you?