In other forms of exercise I learned the dead bug. Where you lie on your back and put your limbs up in the air as if you were a dead bug. In Nia one of our 52 moves is called Creepy Crawlers. I ALWAYS call it Creepy CrawlIES and sometimes I say, dead bugs. In Nia the move is part of the Upper Extremities in the Nia 52 moves, the hands to be exact. It is where we turn our hands to allow the palms to face up and we wiggle our fingers. Truly NOT a dead bug because dead bugs don’t wiggle there legs . . . in general. I will work on calling it by the correct name Creepy CrawLERS.
This is a simple, simple move that provides great benefits. I don’t know how often you are around the elderly if ever, but losing the use of their hands, losing the dexterity is a very common issue. So as the Nia Technique Book says, “Practicing Creepy Crawlers helps your fingers, hands, and forearms remain strong, flexible, and agile.” It is very important to move your hands. And not all of the things we do in everyday life allows for that type of flexibility and agility. So this move is so great.
To practice it according to the Nia Technique Book you just wiggle all of your fingers, including your thumb. Keep the elbow bent which helps keep the shoulders and next relaxed. Change palm directions.
This is one of those moves that is pretty much always teamed up with another move. Usually we have a foot pattern while we do the Creepy Crawlers. Or we are moving around the room. Usually, but not always. Sometimes it is nice to concentrate on the movement on the fingers. Really wiggle them with intent. Make certain ALL ten fingers are moving. Notice how it affects the tendons in your hands and arms. Watch the movement in your arms.
If you are constantly moving your fingers in a wiggly motion while doing choreography with your feet you are allowing that brain to work. Most people understand that the brain needs to stay active . . . just like the body . . . in order to function well, so we consider it fun to get our brains going as part of our movement, as part of our dance.
So as with all of the Nia 52 Moves that I have explained. Sometimes we do them a little different from perfect as described in the book. Doing Creepy Crawlers in a routine might have us straightening our arms. Or we might even be moving the hand all around while the fingers are wiggling. But the point is the fingers. Moving the fingers, wiggling the fingers. Bending each and every joint in the finger.
This is also a really fun move to do with kids. They love the idea of Creepy Crawlers, bug legs. You know kids? So many of them love anything to do with bugs.
So, I encourage you to do some Creepy Crawlers. Especially if you work at a computer or do repetitive motions with your hands. This will help keep them moving in different directions/ways.
So, did you try it? See how easy it is?
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