Cross-Training Body Mind Emotions Spirit | Rachael R. Resch

Here are some benefits that the practice of Crawling brings.  (For more about the practice of Crawling, please see my post The Five Stages of Self-Healing: Crawling.)

Body:

Freedom of movement coupled with physical stability.
Co-contraction of the rotator cuff and stabilization of the shoulder joint.
Stability for spine and neck. 
Activation of deep abdominals.
Coordination of arms and legs. 

Mind:

Mental mobility coupled with mental stability.
Childlike spontaneity. 
Ability to interrelate broadly with the world. 

Emotions:

Playfulness.
Fluidity. 
Natural ferocity.
Groundedness. 

Spirit:

Remembering your animal nature.
Connection to animal ancestors and relations. 
Fluidity in your state of being. 
Pulling Earth’s energy up through front and back paws.  

And here are some applications of the practice of Crawling to Nia’s three movement arts:

Dance Arts:

Free expression of the tail in Jazz Dance.
Free expression of the natural soul in Duncan Dance.
Playfulness of Duncan Dance. 

Martial Arts:

Coordination of arms and legs around your center.
Animal energies in martial arts forms, e.g., bear claw swipe.
Animal instincts bring just enough power needed in the moment. 

Healing Arts:

Relationship of four limbs to torso in Yoga’s alignment of bones.
Practicality of Child’s Pose in Yoga.
The sensation of reciprocal motion of the limbs, shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle in Feldenkrais.