Taking Hits

Our first class was "Taking Hits." This class was based on Newton's Third Law which states that "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." This law is at work everyday for our bodies. Walking is a great example of this. When the foot the hits the ground placing one's body weight onto the ground the ground is now thrusting the body weight back towards it. To attenuate this force the body goes through "pronation" or the act of rolling onto the big toe. This turns the lower leg then the upper leg then the pelvis. All of this force attenuation comes with a cost, work. When the joints bend they become unlocked and muscles exert a force to not allow the body to fall to the ground.

When we take emotional hits, the question is raised "what do we do to attenuate the force of the emotional hit?" One could argue that the person or event that gives the emotional hit is also getting hit but we will ignore this as we have very little control over another person or event. I make the case that we can emotionally "pronate" or coil in order to attenuate the force of the hit.

If we do not somehow coil or absorb this emotional hit we can become damaged or hurt. It is a normal reaction to be hurt when a blow is dealt but as the emotion lingers what do we do with it. Everyone seems to have their own answer. I certainly do not have one for everyone.

I would like to issue a challenge or little "homework" if you will to those of the class or that may have missed. Make two lists. One that lists the emotional hits you have taken and how you dealt with those blows and the second list of how you could have let the blow roll off or been attenuated more effectively.

As I said before, pronation comes at cost. The cost of work of the muscles. Realize that emotional pronation takes emotional work. It's up to you to decide how much and what it will be. Good luck and see you next time!