Hands | ||
classes qigong tai chi kung fu about us reviews a-z
Technology & toys
Modern people use their hands continuously.
Technology requires us to tap buttons, slide our fingers across screens and
repeat the same movements again and again.
But how much of this technology was designed
with health in mind?
Any of it?
The future will no doubt see a massive increase in
arthritis from using a computer mouse, mobile phone
or a videogame controller.
Repetition
When it comes to technology, high repetition is the norm. People
hammer away at keyboards all day long. They manipulate touch screens, swipe and
push buttons.
Many of the movements are very limited; using only a few muscles.
The problem lies in over-use and
strain.
We are checking our smartphones on
average 221 times a day. Recent research found that 80 percent of
millennials look at their phones upon waking; this addiction is a strong
one. As a result, our cognitive processing has become shallower and we have
become so distracted that we play directly into the hands of the autopilot.
Digital devices are the modern day equivalent of tranquillisers. They instil
a trance-like state almost immediately as they are anchors for our
subconscious to take over.
(Chris Barez-Brown)
Think small...
It is easy for most people to perform large, extended movements that
rotate the shoulder joint or bend the elbow. No particular skill is involved.
Whilst large movements may indeed exercise some of the muscles and the joints,
they fail to address the full range of potential movement.
The real skill lies in the small, in the subtle. Your hands in particular need
to be good with small movements.
Jerky
Making very small movements is difficult initially.
In modern society, our bodies are not encouraged to make small, smooth,
controlled movement. Everything is jerky and abrupt.
Jerky movement agitates the nervous system and
this in turn leads to anxiety and a lack of calm.
e.g. if you simply flick the wrist, the joint is not exercised properly but if
you move the wrist extremely slowly, you feel a very notable stretch throughout
the entire movement.
Tension
A keyboard, mouse and monitor are interfaces that enable you to
use the computer. The same is true of a mobile phone or videogame controller.
They were not designed with health in mind.
Be aware that your health must be your own concern.
Continual use of a restricted number of muscles leads to muscular
tension in the arms, wrists and hands.
Refined movement
Modern technology is re-shaping how we use our bodies. Jerky, sharp
movement is coarse and unrefined; clumsy.
The joints of the body are capable of a wide range of movement.
Excessive use of toys is limiting those movements; emphasising the same actions
repeatedly.
e.g. if you watch an Asian dancer, the hands perform intricate shapes and minute
movements which look simple but are very hard to replicate.
Flexibility
Most adults lose flexibility in their hands as they grow older. This is
often the result of neglect and misuse.
In our tai chi school we often ask new people to try and use
baoding balls.
This is usually quite telling. Baoding balls are 2 metal spheres held in the palm of the hand and rotated
using the movement of the hand and thumb.
Most people are exceedingly inept.
Their hands simply will not move adequately
to perform the exercise.
Baoding balls?
Heavy, large baoding balls are best for training dexterity.
These are not usually found in the shops.
Most shops stock cheap, gaudy
imitation baoding balls that look nice but do not adequately exercise the
hands.
Look on-line. Read the description. Large. Heavy.
Within reason you want the largest balls that you can fit into the palm of your
hand.
Dexterity
We cannot afford to lose our manual dexterity. We need it because our
hands are employed continually throughout our lives.
Rather than reduce and impede dexterity through excess use of technology, we
need to exercise our hands more
mindfully; more completely.
This requires conscious, deliberate training.
In our school we teach people how to massage their hands and gain an increased
degree of dexterity. Both left and right hands are employed equally.
Sensitivity
If your fingertips become dull and desensitised from tapping a
keyboard then your nervous system is impeded.
Rather than experience physical contact, pressure and
sensation in a heightened, rich,
tactile manner... your fingers become dull sticks that poke at things.
Re-training
The first step in improving your hands is to observe what you do with
them. Just how often do you use a keyboard, a mouse, your mobile phone or
tablet? Be honest and sensible.
You will probably notice that your hands only perform a very limited range of
movements on a daily basis. Most likely you do no conscious hand exercises or
massage.
Habits
Once you are aware of how infrequently you vary the range of hand
movements being performed, you can implement change.
Form new habits.
An easy starting place is to reduce the frequency that you use certain
technologies. Impose limits. Switch things off.
e.g. nobody needs their mobile phone to be on all day and all night. It uses up
power and encourages over-use. Switch it off as early in the evening as
you can manage.
Remember - night time is for sleeping.
Tai chi
When performed correctly, tai chi
extensively works the hands. The joints are moved
comprehensively. Both left and right hands.
Some styles of tai chi do not flex the hands
whilst others seem to move only the hands and not the entire body...
Be cautious. Not all styles and classes
are the same.
Tools, of course, can be the
subtlest of traps.
(Neil Gaiman)
Arms back problems feet hands hip & Groin joint health Knees legs pelvis shoulders
Page created
18 April 2005
Last updated
16 June 2023
▲