The Resets Within The Resets

Categories: Blog Dec 10, 2014

It was the dumbest exercise I had ever done. I was lying on my back, with my feet under a chair and held in place by the chair legs. I was looking right and turning my head to the right. Then I was turning my head to the right, and looking right. And I was only doing these for 3 reps. But you know what? It made the pain in my knees start to dissipate and I got to reclaim some of the lost range of motion in my squat, which had basically “frozen up.” So I was pretty happy. I only did these two drills for a couple of weeks and then moved on to more “advanced” mobility drills.

Fast forward 9 years and you know what? I’ve discovered that head movement is huge in recapturing control of your body and allowing you to move again like you were originally designed. It’s so simple and easy, yet so “advanced.”

Why?

Because the ability to control your head - “head control” - is, according to child development expert, Sally Goddard Blythe, critical for gaining and maintaining balance, posture, and coordination. Head control, especially head movement through full and intended ranges of motion, activates the vestibular system, which is connected to every muscle in your body, particularly the muscles in your abdomen and back - those all-important core muscles. And a healthy and sensitive vestibular system is critically important for healthy movement.

You know what else is important?

Breathing. Diaphragmatically. That’s right - into your belly. Belly breathing. Breathing so your belly expands and contracts.

Why?

First and foremost breathing is essential for life. Secondly, breathing diaphragmatically restores the balance between your sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system and your parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous systems, reducing modern day stress levels. Thirdly, breathing diaphragmatically restores proper function of your deep abdominal musculature that stabilizes your spine and your pelvis, enabling your hips, legs, and shoulders to move again the way they were designed again.

These two resets are so important, you can accomplish amazing changes in your body with just these two alone. In fact, they are so important, we call them the “resets within the resets.”

If you get “stuck” in one of the other resets - have limited range of motion - you can either breathe diaphragmatically, or perform neck nods, or do both, and instantly recapture lost ranges of motion and regain control of your movements.

For example, you can’t quite roll from your stomach to your back - breathe into it. Find your end range and simply breathe into your belly.

Or maybe your hips feel stuck while rocking. No problem-o. Breathe and do neck nods and watch those hips just open right up!

Amazingly simple.

Amazingly profound.

Especially when you think about this: All you’re doing is doing what you were meant to be doing all along - breathing deeply, and moving your head. Or taking in your environment. Breathing fresh air and looking up and down, and all around, marveling at this beautiful world in which we live.

Next time you’re doing your resets and you feel “stuck,” simply breathe, and look up, down, and all around. You’ll be amazed at how your body changes - loosens up and how you suddenly feel more in control of yourself - your body and who knows? Maybe even your life again.

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