Participating in our Movement for Longevity classes has raised my awareness of actions I take that may be contributing to my dysfunction and discomfort from time to time.

In class, we do all the different movements and drills on both sides. In doing so, there is often a “strong side” and a “weak side”. Getting down to the floor and back up used to be fine on one side but was totally awkward when leading with the other leg or going to the “weak side”. Over time, with practice, I was able to even them out so that both sides feel about the same.

I suffered from chronic sciatica for a number of years due to an injury. It is mostly resolved but still flares up now and then. Recently, I noticed that when I am sitting at our kitchen counter, I have a habit of tucking my left foot under my right leg. I also realized how it dramatically tilted my body to one side and I wondered if it could causing imbalances that might contribute to my sciatica. I decided I should try switching to the other side to balance things out. Wow, did that feel like the strangest and most awkward movement ever! Clearly I’ve got some work to do here.

Now that I am committed to breaking this old pattern, I have started to notice how often I (almost automatically) do this. Over the past week, I have paid close attention and shifted my position to give equal time to both sides. I have also make a conscious effort to get into a more neutral position. It still feels awkward and a bit of a stretch to switch sides, but they are slowly starting to even out a bit.

Where might you benefit from making new patterns or strengthening a weakness?