[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Movement. Energy. Health. Vitality. It\u2019s all tied together. We think it\u2019s important to take the whole into consideration. But to understand the whole, you must look at the parts, and vice versa.<\/p>\n
Movement is a key part\u00a0of what we teach in our classes and workshops because movement, in one way or another, is a fundamental part of life, and a key for staying healthy and happy.<\/p>\n
We want to cultivate flexible movement. To be flexible is also to be strong.<\/p>\n
In a presentation during one of our Nutrition + Health classes this year, our colleague Jordan Hoffman shared some philosophy and simple exercises of Aikido. Jordan is a longtime Aikido practitioner, and 2nd<\/sup>\u00a0Degree black belt, in addition to being an outstanding acupuncturist. He shared some valuable insights.<\/p>\n Because the class theme was bones, tendons and muscles, Jordan spoke about keeping the tendons and ligaments nice and open, and how this enables energy to flow throughout the body.\u00a0 In every healthy joint there is space. That space allows for comfortable, easy movement. When we\u2019re stressed, tight or tense, we tend to contract, reducing that space, which results in more tightness and tension. This also slows us down, and creates an environment ripe for injury. But if we\u2019re supple, we can move faster with more fluidly and grace. When presented with an obstacle, the more supple we are, the better we can navigate in the situation.<\/p>\n Think about the branch of a young tree. You can bend it and it won\u2019t break; it remains flexible; but an old branch can snap. Just so, we want to keep our bones and joints supple. We want to be able to move easily with the winds of change and challenge.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]