So often in winter weather we slip on the ice and/or we walk around fearful of slipping and falling. This creates tension in our bodies and minds which actually makes us more unstable. Alexander Technique can help. By pausing and doing less, we can be more balanced and actually enjoy walking outside in inclement weather. After all, a snowfall can be beautiful to experience, especially in the park or elsewhere in nature.
Standing and walking requires some effort on our parts, but we don’t want to grip our muscles. We only need the effort necessary for the activity of walking. Tightening our glutes and leg muscles often makes us feel more stable, but actually, it makes us less so.
Try it out.
Stand up and tighten your glutes, thighs and calves and feet. You may notice that when you do this you are actually pulling your feet away from the floor. You will also tighten your leg joints which should be free to walk and move.
To be well balanced and stable, we actually want to be grounded so that our feet are connected to the floor and we are free in our leg joints.
How can we do this?
By working with the Alexander Technique as follows:
-When you are feeling tense, pause. Let yourself breathe.
-Instead of tightening and tensing, release the tension in your glutes, thighs, calves and feet.
-Let your feet soften into the support of the ground.
-Allow your leg joints (ankles, knees and hip joints) to free up.
-Then walk again.
– And, whenever you start to tighten and feel unstable, pause and release again.
Taking this little bit of extra time to check in and undo will help you be safer and happier walking outside in the winter.