Not As Bad As I Thought
Posted by terrepruitt on August 23, 2021
One of Nia’s principles is Awareness, with that we think of things like “Dancing Through Life”. Any movement you do could be considered a dance. Everyday tasks can be thought of as a dance. It is somewhat the same for exercises. I am always encouraging my students to incorporate stretches and poses into their everyday life. One can be standing in line or doing dishes and balancing on one foot. Instead of bending over one can squat or even do the bend more in the shape of a forward fold. Three times a week I set up my studio and I am always reminded that I am not tall enough by about 2 inches to comfortably untangle the hooks for my curtain. This got me thinking about having to reach and stretch to do things.
What an opportunity we have. I would imagine that pretty much everyone has experienced being exactly not tall enough to reach something. Some of us have the experience more often than others and when I think about it, I think it has provided us with a lot. I know that I am constantly balancing on my toes to try to do things. My feet get a workout by being on the ball of my feet. Also when I am balanced on my toes (balls of my feet) my ankles get to practice stability.
Most of the time when I am reaching for something I am lengthening my spine and reaching my arm (or arms) out so they are getting to practice flexibility. All of these things are incorporated into Nia routines with the Nia 52 Moves, but I am talking about everyday life when I just need that extra inch or two to reach something.
I get to add that extra “exercises” or “stretch” or practice of stability into my day. Just this past week I thought of this and it made me laugh because I always (used to) complain about not having that extra height.
I also get extra movement in when I have to just give up and go get the step stool. All of that adds another level of movement.
Where do you stand on this? 🙂
Terre Pruitt's Blog 
Alien Resort said
I used to put a telephone book on top of the step stool. It’s probably good that there aren’t any telephone books any more because that was always precarious.
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terrepruitt said
Yes, you are fortunate you didn’t injury yourself. But now that you mention it, I remember standing on one a few times. It was just the right height. Your use was a bit more scary!
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KDKH said
I had to sit on a fat cushion or phone book to see over the steering wheel of my parents’ car when I learned to drive. Phone books can be very useful. Luckily, we lived in a big city, so it was about 4-5 inches thick.
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terrepruitt said
Yes, there were very useful for not just finding phone numbers and addresses. 🙂
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Alien Resort said
There is trick you can use to tear one of those phone books in half and look like you’re super strong. I’ve done it a few times. You grasp it with two hands, pages facing your palms, then push your hands together a little to make a bubble, then tear.
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terrepruitt said
WOW! That would be an amazing trick!!!!
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KDKH said
Ha, ha, I stand about 5’ tall. Do some things require stretch- most require a stepladder. And even the stepladder isn’t enough to reach a blasting smoke detector that needs a battery change. So many times , I get no exercise at all other than calling for my husband or son.🤭
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terrepruitt said
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! So funny. You are getting your husband or son to exercise. I do often thing of people that are less tall than me and I marvel at their patience. I get so impatient when I am just an inch or two away.
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