Holistic Movement Center
845 Napa Ave, #A Morro Bay, CA 93442   Ph: (805)-909-1401

Core Issues!

The center of gravity of the human body lies right below the navel, a spot often referred to as the “power center.” Throughout the world’s healing traditions, the abdomen is seen as an important center of energy and consciousness.  Many of India’s spiritual adepts sport a jelly belly. These obviously happy bellies were considered to be full of vital energy. In China, Tai Chi and Qi Gong emphasize the lower abdomen region as an energy reservoir called the Dan Tien – “field of the elixir.”

It’s in the abdomen with it’s various organs that we process food and make it available for production of energy and building materials. In Ayurveda – India’s ancient health science, it is generally considered that whatever you can’t digest, will digest you. If the processes of digestion and elimination are out of balance than we become toxic, overweight, emotionally unbalanced and even ill.

It can also be a core issue if we suffer chronically, or not, from back discomfort, poor posture, when we are unable to eloquently express our movement and have trouble with certain exercises, even balancing.  We often see martial artists move against gravity with unimaginable eloquence.  We see dancers floating through space in elegant jumps. We admire petite gymnasts balancing with accuracy and control while we wonder how do they do it.

The answer is simple – core strength. Core strength is the ability to attain and maintain proper alignment of proximal body parts during movement in order to heighten the efficiency of distal body parts.  In short – “use the force Luke…”

Core strength is not the same as six-pack abs.  Here are a few important points to remember: crunches will NOT automatically lead to six-pack abs. Not everyone will be able to achieve the effect of six-pack abs because genetics play a huge role. The key to six-pack abs is losing body fat so the muscle will show through the skin. Strong abs are strong abs whether they are visible or not.  

The six-pack is the rectus abdominis muscle group, which is actually a 10-pack that runs from the pubic bone to the breast bone. Its purpose is to get you out of bed each morning. The internal and external obliques on the side of the torso twist and side bend the torso. The transverses abdominis, located horizontally underneath the rectus abdominis and the obliques flattens the stomach when sneezing, coughing, child birth and other activities that need a push.

These muscles are supposed to be both flexible and strong. If abs are too tight, as we are conditioned to lust after flat bellies and tight fitting jeans, they can cause severe problems like shortening of the breath and flattening of the lumber curve which leads to misalignment of the spine and from there to back aches.  Tight abs lead to physical and mental constipation. Chronically tight abdominals aren’t any healthier that chronically tight hamstrings, or neck.

On the other hand weak abdomen fails to protect the contents of the abdominal cavity and fail to provide proper support and stability when walking, running, lifting weight, turning, and everything else this body needs to do every day.  Weak abs also cause back pain as the back muscles are recruited to do the job of the abs. 

As you are headed to the gym wanting to look good this summer, consider instead some yoga. Yoga will not only help you to safely strengthen your core, but also connect you with this area of your body and help you understand it. For a healthy body, contentment and a joyful spirit – choose yoga!!!