by: Jon Hinds
Balanced Activation is the creation of extension and expansion in the body. Extension is a lengthening of the body while expansion is the widening of the body. At the Monkey Bar Gym we focus on Balanced Activation, because many of the things that we do in life create a flexed posture, like sitting at your desk in front of the computer, riding your bike, or sitting and watching television.
This flexed position creates lengthened, weak muscles in the back of the body, and shortened, tight muscles in the front. Most workout programs enhance this flexed position; for example, a bench press tightens up muscles in the shoulders, leading to chronic internal rotation; a pull-down does the same thing. They both cause the spine to be more flexed than extended, creating a forward head and rounded shoulders. This internal rotation can be corrected by expansion. The effect of practicing intentional extension and expansion is to strengthen those weak muscles and open the body up. When you are in a position such as prone mountain, a position that we do many times after a Body Power class, you are creating extension by consciously lengthening through the spine and expansion by reaching wide through the shoulders. My body has stayed healthy, and I have had little chance of injury because I practice extension and expansion. I want the members of my Gym to have the healthiest bodies they can and the “cool downs” after class are the perfect way to incorporate this into your daily activities! Enjoy!