Few myths survive in the modern world, however, misconceptions about movement are an exception, so many people still believe that the ability to move well is inborn. This is simply not the case. Whilst some people have an innate understanding of movement, everybody with sufficient levels of mobility and health can develop their quality of movement and make substantial progress. The notion that co-ordination can only be learnt in the teenage years is another false premise. Movement skills can be cultivated into advanced years.
The anatomy of the body is highly logically formed, and the body’s movement pathways are equally logical. Movement can be broken down into its component parts through bio-mechanics, in the same way as the functioning parts of an engine can be. Science in the form of bio-mechanics has been analysing and bringing method to bear on the efficient generation of movement for several decades. Nowadays anatomy of movement is widely used in sports science, dance, and increasingly in fitness. It is a particular feature of Pilates.
Learning how to move better has two parts. Firstly, it involves understanding how a movement is optimally structured. Secondly, it requires practice to establish the kinetic chain within the body’s movement patterns. People too frequently give up on a new movement or physical skill, because they do not realise how much practice is needed. In the region of three hundred repetitions are needed to accomplish a movement. When we were learning to walk and to write as children, we put in thousands of repetitions to gain the skills we needed to learn.
As adults we do not usually have the same amount of time available to learn new moves. Working with a coach can pay dividends, in this respect. Attending a Pilates class regularly or working with a personal trainer can be pivotal in building skills swiftly and efficiently.