The pressure in our heads rises as our bodies become increasingly stagnant. Everything seems only ever slightly out of reach. If you didn’t want to move at all, that would be entirely possible to support, which is incredible for accessibility- however as many things are, not the best when taken to extremes and stripped for convenience and profit.
That brings up the question, who doesn’t want to move, and why?
The most common answer would be those of us increasingly exhausted by school, work, the political and economic state of the world, and trying to keep up a decent social life to not go completely insane. It’s a valid feeling, and it would be even more remarkable if people weren’t crumpling under the weight of society’s continuously high expectations.
The core problem it seems is that moving has shifted from less of a necessity to more of a desire. Feeling doesn’t necessarily need to be transferred into an art form; maybe what you need is motion. Dance and other artistic sports are a great crossover between the two, helping many express what they cannot articulate.
Sports are the antidote to our dystopian circumstance; while they can’t fully replace what a functioning society full of human interaction looks like, they’re the closest thing to it. They provide community, discipline, and most importantly, a space to stop thinking and start being.
It’s imperative to recognise the high barrier to entry for many sports, often a financial commitment exacerbates the time commitment they pose. There are ways around this, with ones that are much more accessible than others.
It often seems that sports are placed on a pedestal – you don’t have to be the next Yuzuru Hanyu or Eileen Gu, or the next Trischa Zorn or Andy Murray. It is okay, and very much encouraged to just be yourself. Whether or not you’ve always been inclined to physical exercise, this is your sign to try everything you possibly can until something sticks- because it will! There are more horizons to explore than the ones at the forefront of your mind, because there’s truly a niche for everyone.
“Yoga” by j / f / photos is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
