Did you know that studies on the effects of exercise on cardiovascular health began as recently as the 1950s?
With the introduction and steady incline of automation in our everyday lives, we as humans no longer exert the same efforts when it comes to cleaning, cooking, and shopping. These institutions have evolved with society as well as our cravings to automate more and more in order to reclaim our time to simply exist and be human.
The catch here is that when our bodies exist in stillness, they will easily remain in stillness. By no means would we ever dispute the blessed existence of washing machines, or the convenience of easy dinner prep as the air fryer heats up. Technology is meant to exist to make our lives easier, just like our bodies are meant to exist in constant movement.
These truths are not mutually exclusive. While we sing the praises of convenience in our everyday lives, we must also remember the vocal warmup it requires to really get the message across, like a deep morning stretch before the epic journey to prepare the day’s coffee.
Those of us experienced in movement know that a body in motion will continue to crave motion. For the dancers among us, we know that sore muscles mean a day well-trained for the ever-developing skills required to grow with the art. We also know the best remedy for those sore muscles. Feeling the ache after dance class? That can be fixed… with another dance class! The same goes for other exercises like yoga, cycling, and weight training, and all other forms of movement including cooking, folding laundry, driving, styling your hair, and more.
In the age of the internet, we hold dear all that reminds us of our own humanity. If your physical abilities are limited, your body will still find ways to keep moving. Our bodies alone come with a beating heart, breathing lungs, and a brain constantly sending and receiving signals from every which way. Sometimes they don’t work like they should, which is where loving movement plays a big role.
We recently celebrated the first day of Summer with a Day of Play, and one of our readers submitted her adventure to welcome the new season! Valerie certainly didn’t choose an easy way of starting the day, but her dedication turned a chilly and early morning into a relay well-walked.
The season of action is upon us, and Summer is the perfect time to love your body with movement just like Valerie and her team! Here is a list of inspiration to get your body going, whether you’re a dedicated athlete or simply taking life one day at a time.
Stretch
Finding a good balance of movement in our everyday lives includes time and space for your body to breathe. While exercise and movement increases muscle, it can also increase tension in the body. Counter this by embracing a full body stretch.
Mind your posture
A wise dance teacher once said that practice does not make perfect – perfect practice makes perfect. This means that we cannot practice things like good posture with just the intention of repetition alone. We must be mindful and take action, checking in to see when slouching or tension occurs. Invite a deep breath and stretch while making adjustments.
Flex your core
Ever heard someone say to lift with your knees, not with your back? This is because the core of the human body is designed to support each limb. By activating your core, specifically glutes and lower abs, everyday movements like reaching to grab something or rolling over in bed are not only fully supported, they strengthen the support of your core over time. Win-win!
Praise your body
Not for what it looks like or how it’s presented, but for all of the big and small things it can do simply by existing and exploring the possibilities of movement.
In the celebration of movement, youth, and making a change, we want to shine the spotlight on this beautiful collaboration between Nike, Pendleton, and the American Indian College Fund.
The 50th Annual Prefontaine Classic will be held in Eugene, OR on July 5th. This meet began as a localized fundraiser and grew to become internationally anticipated as athletes from around the world would train to compete. Named after beloved long-distance runner Steve Prefontaine, this largely anticipated event continues his legacy of sportsmanship for athletes everywhere.
Nike’s N7 Collection honors and supports Indigenous communities through representation in design and edification for Indigenous youth from the Nike N7 Fund. For the 50th Annual Prefontaine Classic, pre-orders are now available for the Pre50 x Nike N7 x Pendleton blanket, a commemorative edition of Nike’s N7 Seven Peaks Blanket.
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