Nov 2006

Tip of the Month

Focus on Relaxed Knees

When the knees are relaxed, the muscles of the buttocks and legs receive the information they need to help you move efficiently. This translates into legwork that strengthens the muscles on the inside and outside of the hips, legs, buttocks, and thighs. The sensation of relaxed knees is a feeling of strength and relaxation in all of the leg muscles, and balance coming from the ground up, from your feet.

Dance and keep the knees relaxed by using your feet and your ankle joints to move the body. Sense movement in your hip joint, the ball and socket dance that occurs when you feel the earth below you and when you move with relaxed and stable knees. When you sink, relax your knees by moving the buttocks behind you, away from the knees. This will keep the knees open at the front and moving without effort. If you feel tension in the knees or if you lose your base, your balance and control, rise up so that the knees can maintain the feeling of relaxation. Keeping the knees soft as your weight shifts improves power and flexibility in movement.

Tip: Become aware of the degree of knee bend that is most advantageous or seems optimal and comfortable for you. Sense Dynamic Ease by sensing power and grace. If your breathing becomes too erratic, or if you feel out of control, ease up and find the place of relaxed knees.

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