How are your knees today? Do you ever ask your body that question? As a Sensation Scientist, a person living in constant awareness of sensation, it is a good practice to do. One of the ways I say hello and check in with my knees is by activating my 13 joints every morning after I wake up. This simple exercise let's me know how my knees are doing as well as circulating energy throughout my whole body. Good morning knees!!
Your knee joint is the largest joint in your body and is uniquely designed to carry most of your weight. Practically everything we do throughout our day engages our knees.: walking, sitting, running, dancing...the list goes on. It's important we bring awareness to our knees so we can keep them strong and healthy in order to move efficiently and comfortably - no matter what our age is.
Before Nia I ran, as well as participated in many aerobic activities. I did not pay attention to my knees and the impact I was putting on them, which resulted in crunching noise and pain in my knees. Through Nia and awareness, I have healed my knees and I move in ways that continue to support my dance of life. Here are a couple of things you can do to care for your knees:
- If you sit or stand for extended period of times throughout the day, rub your knees, shake them, bend and extend them so you can bring circulation into your knees as well as your ankles.
- Avoid locking your knees by keeping them spring-loaded. This sensation is like you are on the edge of a diving board getting ready to jump in. They are loose and relaxed which allows synovial fluid to flow and keep your knees lubricated.
- Using a foam roller made a big difference for me! I rolled the sides of my thigh which relaxed the connective tissue and muscles that were pulling on my knees.
- Notice how you are walking. Are you engaging your hips and ankles? Remember, everything is connected so if we engage the joints above and below the knees, our knees will be more relaxed and function the way they are designed. When sitting, release your hip joints and really sit back into your chair so you knees can "exhale".
- As I mentioned above, activate your 13 joints, which includes your knees, every morning. I also practice the Nia 5 Stages of Healing every morning which is excellent for your knees and your whole body. Talk to me more on this if you are interested.
Ahh...our beautiful knees. Let's dance this week with awareness and love for our knees and see what happens. You can read more about the knees from last month's Nia newsletter that includes tips from my fellow Nia trainers to include our lovely Adelle! Go to: http://www.nianow.com/story/
My classes this week:
Monday (today) and Thursday at 5:30 pm
and Saturday at 9:30 am all at The Synergy Studio
Learn more and go deeper into the connection with you body and your life by taking a Nia White Belt Intensive. Our next intensive is coming up on October 5th. Sign up and receive pre-training materials! http://www.nianow.com/joanie
Love & Light,
Joanie Brooks, Nia Training Faculty, Nia White Belt Trainer, Nia 5 Stages of Healing Facilitator, Journey Dance Facilitator, Mindful Change Coach
http://www.joaniebrooks.me/
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