Less flail, more pirouette, please.
September 5, 2011 1:41 PM   Subscribe

I want to be more physically graceful. What're ways I can introduce this into my life that don't take up a lot of my non-existent time?

If not physically clumsy, certainly not graceful; Not bungling my way into self-immolation, but less fluid than I'd like to be. I imagine a better version of myself that doesn't slip on the mossy wet rock or that can move in a sleeker, more self-confident way.

My balance generally isn't terrible (I used to be able to unicycle and can still balance on a horizontal pole if need be), but I can't help feeling that I flail into achievement rather than pirouette.

Important information: Physically, I am an extra-medium-sized male in my early thirties. I also don't have close to enough hours in the day, so signing up for a class is a nonstarter. I have a slight physical issue in one leg, so too high impact isn't possible.

What're things I can do throughout my normal day (e.g., invisible exercises, brain challenges) that will help me become less Gomer Pyle and more Gene Kelly?
posted by history is a weapon to Health & Fitness (13 answers total) 22 users marked this as a favorite
 
You can try practicing balancing one leg. First just concentrate on staying up. If you can hold it easily for, say, 30-60 seconds, try shifting your center of balance around. Hold your leg out in one direction or the other. Lean forward or back.

I know you said you don't have time for a class, but you'd be surprised how easy it is to fit in a 45 minute karate class twice a week.
posted by mewohu at 1:51 PM on September 5, 2011


Slow down?

Seriously, if you scale down the sped in which you do things then normal activity becomes much easier and more graceful. Be more observant. Economy of movement with being aware of what that movement is to entail, seems (to me) to be what grace is all about.

It can be done, but speed and grace do tend to work against each other.
posted by edgeways at 1:51 PM on September 5, 2011 [1 favorite]


When walking, imagine a thread is pulling you forward by your sternum. As you take each step, let your ankles nearly brush each other and place one foot almost directly in front of the other. Not quite a tightrope walk, but maybe like walking on a board. These two things should help avoid slouching, foot shuffling, and meandering when walking.

Also, don't bend over to pick up something from the ground. It looks ungainly and awkward. Instead, stand next to the item, then take a step backwards with one foot and bend down knees. This keeps your back nearly vertical, and you won't have your butt sticking up in the air.

And I agree with edgeways: don't rush.
posted by The Deej at 2:03 PM on September 5, 2011 [1 favorite]


Check your shoes. If you pronate or supinate, you might want to see about inserts--it's hard to be graceful when you don't have the right support.
posted by Ideefixe at 2:10 PM on September 5, 2011


Stretching and soft tissue work have helped me a ton. It's definitely hard to be graceful when you have limited range of motion. (I like that particular site because the videos are entertaining and helpful, although I could wish it was sorted by joint.)
posted by restless_nomad at 2:13 PM on September 5, 2011


I think awareness is key (and it's part of slowing down). For example, if you see a full glass near the edge of a table, move it towards the center of the table. Look for ways to minimize accidents, mishaps, bumping into people, etc.
posted by Leontine at 2:13 PM on September 5, 2011 [1 favorite]


I have to second the standing on one foot exercises. To add a degree of difficulty, try spelling the alphabet with the raised foot.

I have had several leg surgeries and other reasons to be on crutches for a long time, the stretching and lower leg muscle exercises during rehab made a huge difference in my balance which directly affects my coordination and reaction speed. After those I have found myself catching things that normally would fall to the ground after knocking them off my desk.
posted by Nackt at 2:19 PM on September 5, 2011


if you're a public transportation type: I always stand on the metro. Not holding on, so I'm usig my core and legs to keep me from falling over. Also, I like to stand on my tiptoes in (let's call it) 4th position [ballet]. People sometimes stare, but whatever. Also, don't do this if the train is too full.
posted by atomicstone at 3:30 PM on September 5, 2011 [1 favorite]


In dance or athletics grace is a product of being aware of your body's position in space. Be mindful of your body, how it moves, where it is relative to other things. The most effective way to do this is to actually have a need to be mindful, such as doing a sport or working out. But since you don't have time to do this pay attention to yourself as you walk to work or do any of the mundane things you do in your day.

Japan folklore is full of examples of martial artists who became masters of their craft without touching a sword or throwing a punch. They became masters of zanshin and that is at the very root of grace.
posted by munchingzombie at 3:35 PM on September 5, 2011


When I go too fast, I can bash in to stuff. As a mental exercise, I try to purposefully control each and every motion all the way through, from taking a step, to reaching out for a doorknob. You can't do it all the time because it'll mentally exhaust you, but spend some portion of your day thinking all they way through each and every motion you make, and make it with an intention. Know why you're doing it, as well. If you don't know why you're doing a thing, stop.

Even though I don't do that 24/7, I've found that it does carry over into times when I'm not necessarily concentrating on bodily motion, because I've practiced the purposeful intent thing. I have to keep it up regularly though, or I'll eventually go back to flailing. Like last week, I pushed on three different doors clearly marked "pull" because I wasn't slowing down enough to focus on why I was making a motion.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:44 PM on September 5, 2011 [1 favorite]


Ever spend a lot of time waiting for something? On line? That's time you can be using to practice motor skills, one way or another. I have become fairly adept at tossing and catching small objects that way, and following the balance practice suggestions at such a time isn't a bad idea.

People stare less than you might think.
posted by Strudel at 8:11 PM on September 5, 2011


I found yoga tremendously helpful to my clumsy self. Since starting, I have better balance, better posture and my love:hate relationship with gravity is improving. Try an introductory class or two to get and idea of the basic poses and incorporate some of the less obvious ones into your day? After all, you can't subtly downwards dog in the office.
posted by arcticseal at 2:51 AM on September 6, 2011


For dancers, a lot of it is done by practising during other activities. You're driving the car - fix your posture. You're sitting in church - fix your posture. You're walking down the hall at work - fix your posture.

It takes a long time initially, because a change in posture - even a correction or improvement - puts the forces and weights on different muscles, and your body isn't built for it (yet). Over time, it adapts into something better.

The key thing is that there are many hours in the day in which to be practising. You'll just got to sustain it.
posted by -harlequin- at 2:53 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]


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