Every once in a while I pick up something from a book that adds dimension to what I know in the subjects that interest me most – like the combination of music and movement (exercise).
Right now, I’m reading “Music Quickens Time” by Daniel Barenboim. I was up to pages 21 and 22 before I read anything that grabbed me, and then he wrote, “We can close our eyes but not our ears. Sound penetrates the human body.” I closed the book immediately so I could think about that simple statement. No wonder I believe in exercise to music every morning! The penetration of the music through the body gives me twice as much value as exercise done without music. Not only that, but it supplies enough energy to meet my needs for the whole day because of the penetration from full extensions with isometric control.
And Dr. Oliver Sachs, in his books, frequently says that music has the power to make a person move in ways he or she could not move without it. I personally prefer classical music for movement because of the smooth articulations through the joints, but whatever you like should do it for you.
I have written about the power of music in exercise in previous blogs, and will continue to do so when I tell you other wondrous things that can be done with the combination of music and movement in physical therapy situations.
Now if I could only get people to talk more quietly when they’re walking down the streets of the city with those things in their ears, or talking into a cell phone in full voice. When I realize they’re not talking to me, I feel like I’m listening in on their conversation because I can’t shut my ears.
