The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu is credited with writing the Tao Te Ching more than 2,500 years ago. This book, whose title translates into "Classic of the Way," contains 81 poems outlining a philosophy that stresses uniting with and yielding to the natural flow of the universe.
"We're soft and
supple when we're born
Hard and rigid when we die
Living plants are
pliable
Deadwood is brittle and dry
The hard and stiff are bound to
break
The supple bends and goes along"
I recall a specific interpretation of this poem that I had when I was reading theTao in my early 20’s and attending graduate school for my Doctorate in Chiropractic. The Tao, verse 73, in relation to your health status, level of fitness, and daily habits:
Think about how this poem speaks to you in regard to the following: your current state of flexibility, your posture, your level of health and fitness, your chiropractic adjustments, stretching on the Power Plate or FitBall, etc. Now, please read that poem again and try to find its powerful message.
Did you know that as we age the general trend of the human body is to become stiffer, less elastic and pliable, more brittle and rigid? Notice, that I said trend. I use this word to indicate that this is merely the common course or direction. This is unfortunate because there are alternatives to becoming brittle and dry or hard and stiff… as the poem points out. You can in fact remain soft and supple as you age. But, it does require a certain amount of diligent effort and awareness on your part.
I am constantly aware of this fact, and as a result I put forth an effort to retain the soft, supple and pliable nature of my body. I know what the alternative is, and I do not wish to head in that direction. In this office, we are trying to keep you from heading in that direction as well.
Many of you ended up here because you allowed your body to become excessively hard and rigid. Your body tissue may have become excessively brittle and dry as well. What you are feeling is not “old age”, but rather a process that you allowed your body to be a part of.
The good news is this. Many of you have experienced the positive aspects of changing course or reversing direction. As a result of the adjustment, traction, exercise, home stretching, improved postural awareness, etc. you have noticed what it is like for your body to become softer and more pliable again. This is only the beginning. Imagine if you just kept moving in this positive direction. Imagine if you became even more aware of your posture in daily activities. Imagine if you increasingly exerted more effort each year to increase or retain your current level of strength and flexibility. Are you trying to remain the living plant or are you allowing your body to become dead wood… as the poem suggests? As the New Year approaches… so does the opportunity for positive changes!
Speak up and educate others,
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