At Essentrics, we understand the science of clean alignment is the key to unlocking the full potential of our bodies. We all want to move with ease and grace. When our bodies are aligned, movement becomes effortless. We feel lighter on our feet, have a greater range of motion, and less pain.
The human body is an intricate system of interconnected parts. Your body is your home; the most important structure in your life. Like a home, it requires care and attention for optimal function. Every part – from the foundation to the roof – needs to work in harmony.
Alignment affects how we stand, walk, and move, and can even impact our overall well-being.
What do we mean by clean alignment?
For proper alignment, consider four crucial elements: bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments.
You can think of your bones as the foundation of your body, like the sturdy base of a house. Bones provide the support and stability your body needs to move around. When the foundation is weak or out of alignment, it can cause problems for the rest of the structure.
Muscles are like the electrical system; providing the power and force you need to move. Balanced and strong muscles work together to support your joints and keep your body stable during movement. If they’re weak or imbalanced – it can cause your body to move in ways that put you at risk for injury.
The joints in the body are like the hinges in the doors and windows of the house. Just as hinges allow the doors and windows to move, open, and close, the body’s joints allow us to move our limbs.
In addition, like hinges and joints that can become rusty or worn out over time, joints in the body can also be subject to wear and tear. Joints that fall out of alignment are like having windows that don’t fit together quite right.
The ligaments are the ropes, cables, and other structural elements that help to hold the house together. Ligaments keep our bones and joints in place and provide stability. They also prevent excessive movement that could lead to injury.
For our bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments to come into clean alignment, we need to start with a strong foundation, which is why Miranda always begins alignment practices by focusing on the feet.
The feet play a crucial role in maintaining good alignment!
The arch is the strongest and most powerful structure in architecture. The three arches within the foot contribute to the springiness we experience when we walk. The medial longitudinal arch, which runs from the heel to the ball of the foot, is responsible for shock absorption. The lateral longitudinal arch, which runs along the outer edge of the foot, helps to support the foot’s weight. The transverse arch, which runs across the ball of the foot, provides stability and helps with balance.
To maintain good alignment, it is important to stand on all three points of the foot: the ball of the foot below the big toe, the ball of the foot below the pinky toe, and the heel. Distributing the weight evenly across all three points maintains stability and supports the arches of the foot.
Clean alignment reenergizes the body
The benefits of standing evenly on all three points go far beyond just the feet. When we have a strong foundation in the feet, it helps to keep our knees, hips, and glutes in proper alignment as well.
For example, standing with our weight evenly distributed helps to align the knee joint, reducing the risk of injury and preventing unnecessary wear and tear. When the knees are properly aligned, stress is reduced on the hip joints, allowing for hip health and mobility. The muscles and tendons in the feet are connected to the muscles and tendons in the legs and hips, creating a chain of support that runs throughout the entire body.
The most important benefit of proper foot alignment is the effect on the spine and posture. Feet that are in alignment create a stable foundation for the rest of the body, allowing the spine to maintain its natural curves and reducing the risk of back pain and injury.
Without this foundation, the body becomes unstable – leading to aches, pains, imbalances, and injuries that can limit mobility and freedom.
Just like a house needs a solid foundation to stand the test of time, our bodies need proper alignment to thrive. Practicing clean alignment is the key to unlocking the full potential of our bodies and building a healthy, active lifestyle for years to come.
Contributing writer Andrea Strudensky
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