[Guest post] “Movement heals all wounds” by Street Wisdom host Sylvia Tillmann

In our busy, often desk-based lives we often underestimate the power of movement. From alleviating physical pain to healing emotional wounds, movement is a potent tool for fostering well-being.

As the saying goes: "Movement heals all wounds".

I was unable to identify the source of this quote; it might have been Gabriele Roth, the founder of the Five Rhythm dance movement, who coined it. It might be by Joseph Pilates.

Even Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, realised: "Walking is man’s best medicine."

I'm sure he was right.

Life in the 21st century can be busy. With heavy workloads and tight deadlines, many of us spend hours glued to screens, sitting at desks and then – after work – lounging on sofas in front of the TV, as “it's so relaxing”.

As an antidote to busyness, many advocate stillness – mindfulness is on trend, as is meditation.

And while I don't want to negate their benefits, as a somatic practitioner I firmly believe that our bodies crave movement. And I also hear from many clients that they can't or don't want to sit still, hence meditation would be the last thing on their minds.

Isn't it time to recognise the impact that physical activity has on our overall health and well-being and make a plea for movement in our daily lives?

And this doesn't mean running a 5k on a daily basis.

Not at all.

Did you know that Japanese people tend to have better overall health compared to many Western populations?

One reason is that they incorporate quite a bit of physical activities into their daily routines by – wait for it – walking. They don't seem to be a nation of gym-goers, they do their bit by walking. A very simple and achievable lifestyle change.

Our bodies are designed for movement rather than sitting around. We have muscles, joints and a cardiovascular system that thrive on physical activity, hence movement is intrinsic to human life.

From the earliest stages of development, we express ourselves and interact with the world through movement.

And movement helps us release physical and emotional tension and stress, which can improve our overall health and well-being.

Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators.

Additionally, movement enhances circulation and increases our heart rate, delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs and stimulates our metabolism.

On an emotional level, engaging in movement-based activities can help us to process and release pent-up emotions, leading to a sense of relief and balance.

Movement also enhances cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain, promoting the formation of new brain cells, and improving brain plasticity. This translates into better memory, sharper focus, and improved problem-solving skills.

And this is where the World Wide Wander comes in.

As a World Wide Wander facilitator, I have seen in myself and heard from previous participants that a conscious wander around town can also spark creativity and get the unconscious moving.

That's why I like the World Wide Wander movement – I'll be facilitating my third walk this year and want to encourage you to check it out for yourself.

Come with a question and an open mind and explore how you can see things differently.

Things you've walked past umpteen times, without even noticing, sounds you have never appreciated – both might spark ideas when you are pondering over your question.

My top advice though: Don't try too hard.

You might know the feeling when you are trying too hard and really, really want to find a solution. You then probably overanalyse and wonder if everything and anything is a sign.

Well, this might not result in any answers.

My recommendation is to simply wander, go with the flow and trust the process.

Concentrate on the movement of your feet and the sensations that you notice: the things you see, the sounds you hear, the gentle – or not-so-gentle – wind in your face and so on.

So, join us and be curious, be open-minded, but don't over-analyse and don't try too hard.

Walking has been shown to improve divergent thinking, which is the ability to generate new ideas. Street Wisdom taps into this by encouraging participants to see their environment from a fresh perspective, sparking creative insights.

In a world that often encourages stillness, let’s champion movement. Let’s listen to our bodies and honour their need for motion – a call to action for a healthier, happier and more vibrant and creative existence.

After all, humans are rhythmical beings - our bodies are regulated by rhythmic patterns like breath, heartbeat or sleep-wake cycles.

So, get up, stretch, and take a step forward and then another one, find your rhythm, find your answers.

Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you.

Intrigued? Join me in Ramsgate, East Kent, or join any other World Wide Wander facilitator around the world. Check out the website here.

And if you can't find anybody near you – join an online Wander. Well, the Wander is IRL – in real life – but the people who are walking with you are online.

So, have a think ... what question will you bring?

I can't wait to hear all about your stories and lightbulb moments.

Bring it on, get your walking shoes ready and register for this unique experience.

Sylvia Tillmann is a TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) Provider and teaches her clients how a TREmendously amazing, innate body movement can help us to get rid of physical health challenges like tension, aches, pains, teeth grinding, gastrointestinal issues and also psychological issues such as anxiety, (menopausal) irritability and anger. She's a World Wide Wander facilitator and is looking forward to her third event in Ramsgate, East Kent. Visit Sylvia’s website here.

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Inspired? Fancy some more Street Wisdom? Join a Walkshop near you, or head out for your own wander right now with our Audio Guide. Buy a copy of founder David Pearl’s book Wanderful, all profits go back into Street Wisdom to help keep it free. Share your insights and follow us @StreetWisdom_

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