Dooley Noted: 5/10/2014
I didn’t need more evidence that the kettlebell is a perfect physical rehabilitation tool.
But I will never turn down evidence that shows up in my office.
Yesterday, a concerned mother brought her one year old son to see me for assessment.
As soon as she put him down, he did what every child around a kettlebell does.
He walked right over to it and sized it up. He grasped the handle and tried to pick it up.
Kids aren’t afraid of being strong. They aren’t afraid they will get hurt, because they are charged to test their systems. That kettlebell looks fun and challenging, so they always go right for it – especially the toddlers.
But we adults tend to get in their way.
We are afraid they will get hurt.
That’s fascinating to me, because we use that fear with ourselves as an excuse not to get strong.
It carries over into everything in life, like handstands, backbends, pull-ups, and push-ups.
We are afraid we will get hurt, so we make excuses.
“I’m too old.”
“I don’t move well.”
“I’ll mess it up and get hurt.”
You don’t have to marry these fears and keep yourself from healing and strengthening. Strength is at the base of all mobility and stability. You will need it.
You are hard wired for strength. Look at kids: they are mobile and stable because they aren’t afraid of being strong!
When it comes to a skill, all one has to do is get some solid instruction.
Get assessed. Get corrected. Learn some skills. Use some tools, be it your body weight, the kettlebell, or whatever you like.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley