By Brian Beatty
In the spirit of year-end, best-of advice, the simple can sometimes be the most powerful and profound. When we move our bodies, the fundamental laws of physics always apply. In particular, a force acts on an object as if acting on the center of mass of the object. Though this may sound obscure, we all intuitively understand it. Think of the balls in the game of pool. The cue ball strikes another ball and the struck ball moves in the direction of a line drawn from the contact point through its center. If you want one simple focus as you run, ride, swim or do any movement, then focus on moving your center forward as efficiently as possible.
In order to do this, it helps to know where the center of the body is. A simple way to find your center is to stand erect with your thumbs in your navel. Allow your hands to relax on your lower abdomen and the tips of the index fingers to touch lightly in the midline of your body. Turn one hand so that the finger points straight into your body. While keeping the other finger at the same level, trace it around to your side until you get two-thirds of the way back and point it into the middle of the body. Bring your attention to the point in the body where the lines of the pointing fingers connect. This point, in the center of the pelvis, just in front of the base of the spine, is much lower and farther back than most of us realize.
The concept of changing our attention to leading our runs or swims from our center can have a big impact on how efficiently we move. Any motion of the center of the pelvis away from the desired path is wasted energy at best and body strain waiting to happen at worst.
This month’s “Core Corner” exercise demonstrates an effective training method for embodying the concept of attending to and moving from center in walking and running. Give it a try with a willing friend. We wish all of you the feeling of being centered and powerful as you finish this year and move into 2015.
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Brian Beatty, PT, CFP can be found looking for his center most days at Proaxis Therapy & Balanced Movement Studio in Carrboro and the surrounding woods and trails. If needed, you can find links to videos of this demonstration at www.proaxistherapync.com.
