Bend to Not Break

Unless it’s the center of our focus, we often forget about one of the most important assets we have- our bodies. The better we take care of ourselves mentally and physically, the more we are able to give and care for our outer world. This is important to remember as we enter the home stretch of 2020. Whether it be Covid-19, politics, injustice, distance learning, or the holidays, there are plenty of reasons to be stressed. In the midst of it all, give a little extra thought to self care as you work. 
 
Here are a few simple practices that have saved my body in the kitchen, and that can be applied anywhere.

Bend Your Knees

We hear this in so many disciplines: “don’t lock your knees.” If you’re on your feet for even an hour, having a bent knee stance can save your back.

Try this: put one foot forward, with toes facing forward, and the other foot, shoulder width apart, slightly behind and at a 45 degree angle like the beginning pose to a dancer’s routine. Try it whenever you find yourself standing in place while cooking, cleaning, waiting, or working for extended periods of time. Practice shifting your weight from one foot to the other, keeping your knees slightly bent, and your body will begin to thank you.

Have the arms of a dancer

When you’re standing at the cutting board, notice how you hold your arms. Are your elbows tucked in at hard angles? Are your wrists bent like a t-rex? Open your arms into a circle, adjust your stance on the floor to allow for extra room, set your food in the middle of the cutting board, and allow your arms to relax. This will open your joints and let you achieve the same results with less effort.

Remember to breathe

Cooking can be stressful and often the pressure is ON. Remember to breathe. Fill your lungs and, as you release the breath, imagine it flowing through your limbs and adding energy to whatever you’re cooking. This is a bit of kitchen “magic”- When your family asks what you added to the recipe you can tell them you just seasoned it right!

(Pro tip: breath with your stomach rather than your chest for a deeper, stress reducing result.)