Back to the core: What about balance ?

Sitting is bad, Standing is bad, clearly the body is not made to hold the same posture for long hours.

What, I cannot sit ?

Body Adaptation:

When locked in the same posture, the muscles becomes stiff, shortened, always contracted. All muscles works in pair. When one side is pulling, the other side is loose. If one muscle get stiffer, the other one get weaker, always stretched out. Eventually, getting in and out of the posture will become increasingly difficult.

What is holding will be holding harder and harder, and what is trying to pull out, weaker and weaker.

What , I cannot stand ?

Body compensation:

Except if you plan to sit all your life, you may have to go out of your chair someday. At that point the shortened muscle will stay shortened, and your body will have to compensate.

Typical example: Pain in the right leg. You move your weight on the left side to diminish the pain by relieving the pressure. Moving your weight on the other side, you contract the left side muscles in your back. They eventually becomes stiffer. Now, when you try to re-balance your body weight to the center, they pull you on the left side. As you may still want your head to be horizontal, you end up to bend your neck to the right. Now you have neck pain.

Who to believe ? Your right leg that is hurting, your left part in the back that is hurting, or your neck, that is hurting too  ? What is the source ? When did it start ? Was it the chicken or the egg ?

This example is based on a real story, extracted from the book of Thomas Hanna, but my wife confirmed she sees it all the time in physical therapy.

Somatics: Reawakening The Mind's Control Of Movement, Flexibility, And Health

Have a look to the comments on the Amazon page. Looks it is working.

Side note:
Do not be worry if you dont believe in those "holistic" approach, I was very critic too ( Yoga, Qi Gong, Somatics, Pilates even if they seem very different, they  have a lot of common as well. In the big picture, it kind of make sense eventually, Once you scrap the mystical "flavor" layer).
On the other, if wellness was easy and accessible, that will be a big issue for this society. Think about it. Think about the industry that do not want you to prevent sickness or injury. Certainly Coca Cola would lost a couple of points on the market. As well as Bayer. 

Cannot sit, cannot stand, barely can walk....

Jeeezzzz ! I CAN RUN !!!!!

If we are not born to be sitting, may we are born to run ?

Ok, maybe running 100 miles is not for everybody. And even with an iPad, it is unlikely that you can work while running. And they suffer too. A lot ...
(On a side note, i was not able to run anymore until i read this book and change my shoes. No kidding. I may post on this later, this is a life changing experience.)


Is it really bad  if i do not want to be a triathlete or an ultra-runner, why bother ?

Maybe not, but could I balance ?

How do you balance your body ? By strengthening your core. (In fact, Yoga just do that, coincidentally).


Paul Goodman, in his article "Connecting the Core" in the November 2004 issue of the NSCA's "Performance Training Journal," identifies the lumbo-pelvic-hip area as a complex conglomeration of 29 muscles that attach to the core. 

This musculature, Goodman says, is responsible for stabilizing, transferring, reducing and producing force when your feet are in contact with a solid surface.

What does that mean ? Those muscles are the foundation of your body. And paradoxically, underestimated. By example, what does it mean for the runner ? (just in case you still want to run!)

Speed : As you extend your stride or quicken the rate of your leg and foot turnover when you're trying to pick up your pace, the lower abs-including the transversus and rectus abdominis-and lower back are called into action. The stronger and more stable these muscles are, the more force andspeed you can generate as you push off the ground.

Uphills :The glutes and lower abs support the pelvis, which connects to the leg muscles needed to get uphill. If the core is strong, the legs will have a stable plane to push from, for a more powerful ascent. When you swing your leg forward, the hip-flexor muscles, such as the rectus femoris, pull on the pelvis. As you push off the ground, the glutes and hamstrings are engaged.

Downhills :When you're flying down a slope, you need strong gluteal muscles to help absorb the impact and counter the momentum of the forward motion. As fun as it may be to zoom down, without the core strength to control your movement, your quads and knee joints bear the extra pounding of your body weight, which can lead to fatigue, pain, and even injury.

Endurance : As you're nearing the end of a race, a solid core helps you maintain proper form and run efficiently, even through fatigue. With strong lower abs and lower-back muscles, such as the erector spinae, it's easier to stay upright. If your core is weak, you may end up shuffling, slouching, and putting too much stress on your hips, knees, and shins.

Lateral Movement :Whenever you have to suddenly move to the side-to turn the corner on a track, dodge a pothole, or navigate undulating terrain-the obliques provide stability and help keep you upright. If your core is weak, then you may end up leaning into the movement, which can put excess weight and strain on the joints in your legs and feet.

"Your core is like a power plant".

[ http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-263--13030-1-1X2X3X4-5,00.html ]

Well, hopefully, an energy alternative power plant. Based on sun, wind and food. Don't think you can digest oil, can you ?

...

Finally, as an exercise,  think about it: Why is it a very bad idea, after reading this blog, to put your shoes on and go for a long run when you did not workout since ages ? 

Do you think that running is improving your core or poaching in it ?

(And, in this case if you really want to burn some carbs right away, go swimming instead).