Aspects Of Fluid Movement - A Cheetah Runs
Robert explores free fluid movement and how the fluid strength of galvanizing supports this fluidity when a cheetah runs. The species-inclusivity of Continuum practice reminds us that we also have this capacity.
April, 2019
Two of the main principles of the nature of water in a biological body are its ability to flow freely and to galvanize for stability. The word “galvanize” is used here to mean, “to densify the fluid to support weight.” These are states that we discuss in Continuum and use sound, breath and unchoreographed, natural movements to discover the felt sense truth of these states, using them to recognize the value of coming into form and dissolving into formlessness for the health of the organism in movement. Maintaining stability (form) all the time can lead to a fatiguing of the tissues and ill health.
I ran across this video yesterday at https://vimeo.com/53914149?cjevent=a84ad5ac49ba11e983ba001d0a1c0e12.
Watch this cheetah running at 60 miles an hour in slow motion for 7 minutes. (It goes dark for a few seconds in the middle so keep watching until the end.) You can see just under the skin, the behavior of the fluid muscles of this incredible animal. When it plants its front and rear paws on the earth ever so gently, the fluid muscles are galvanizing, stiffening to support its weight and provide the push off needed to maintain its speed. When the legs and paws leave the earth, you can see the fluid muscles begin to relax and elongate to their fullest extent. The paws and legs are not drawn back under the body until the undulation of extension is completed. Watch carefully at the final extension and you can see its toes waving in the wind, completely relaxed, open and dissolved from the galvanizing. Amazing fluidity and beauty in movement!
Notice too, how the cheetah’s head never wavers from its intention of moving forward with eyes on the prey. The tail is in congruence with the head movement, straight out, most of the time, with full elongation from head to tail through its torso. The cheetah comes into a complete gathering of its tissues, a C curve to gain the power to achieve complete full extension of its body as it follows through the movement with all four paws off the ground.
Continuum practice is “species-inclusive.” We appreciate the evolutionary wisdom that has been passed down to us through the bodies of all species. Watching a cheetah run or an octopus undulate under the sea inspires us to explore new ways of innovating fluid and galvanizing movements in our bodies. Enjoy!
