An often discussed but perhaps overly simplified subject. Some days it’s probably enough to just not fall over. At a high level, there is the coordination of dissimilar but related elements.

Identification of those elements is the first step, followed by the development of an understanding around their connections, and lastly the refinement of a harmonious method of interaction.

Let’s take standing up as an example. If we get both legs on the ground and don’t lean too far in one direction, we’re probably good. But what else could we do with that? At a superficial level, there’s two legs, the angle of the torso, and the position of the head. Next would be to stack these elements and work on developing a relatively stable structure.

Now there’s not a lot of connection or linkage yet, adding the spine could help there. Linking will also require a transition from stacking to pulling. Otherwise we are restricted to a bottom up balance which would be difficult to maintain while in motion or under pressure.

Pulling also requires distinguishing between another couple of elements, pulling on bone would result in a general stiffness and robotic like movements. A gentle tension focusing on soft tissue, would allow us maintain a balanced, structure capable of moment and adaptation to pressure.

Combining these elements yields a fundamental balance equation with soft tissue interactions independent of bone, a gentle tension upward from the top of the head through the spine and a second tension from the bottom of the feet to the spine.

The result is the beginning of balancing of upward and downward forces, soft tissue and bone. Next would be to move on to balancing the 6 directions and additional internal elements. Then it’s on to a lifetime of study.