Why we need CORE strength
Invisible. Essential. Non-negotiable. And a little embarrassing.
The secret to core strength isn’t what you think. Here’s how I know.
Back in 2011, while on retreat with our confirmation students, I took a bit of a spill. I was playing a game called trash ball, so named because the “ball” is wadded up newspaper wrapped in aluminum foil. Two teams of a dozen or so players competed to score by throwing the ball into a trashcan held by a teammate standing on a chair.1
The game was played on a soccer-sized grassy field with “goals” at either end. The ball was advanced downfield by passing to a teammate without dropping it. The rule was made that passes had to alternate boy-girl to encourage some girls to stop talking and play. (so annoying) Trying to set a good example, I was extra enthusiastic and eager to demonstrate good sportsmanship. After dropping a pass, I bent to pick it up and toss it to the other team. I didn’t know I was standing in a muddy place.
You guessed it. When I threw the ball — by virtue of the something-or-rather law of equal and opposite reactions — the rest of me was launched backwards. My formerly planted foot flew out in front of me as I landed on my behind in the mud.
I’m sure that from a distance this looked comical, in a slapstick kind of way. That is, until I went to get up and couldn’t bear any weight. A 2 1/2-hour car ride to my local emergency room later and a few x-rays confirmed that I had completely ruptured my hamstring tendon.
“So, how did you do this?” my very helpful husband, a doctor, asked. “It says here, this injury occurs mostly in bull fighters and water skiers.”
My nine months of recovery gave me plenty of time to consider just how I had landed here. And it’s still speaking to me today.
You see, back in 2011 I was doing everything right, by my own standards.
I had launched a new business… preventing injuries in youth athletes.2 I was coaching youth soccer. I was working on a book. I was teaching Sunday school and confirmation classes and regularly attending women’s Bible study, often leading them. And I was juggling the family activities moving us in many directions at the same time.
Then came the slip and fall.
Hey, I had a strong foundation. The strongest. But the thing is, the world can pull the rug right out from under you any time it dang well pleases. You know that Bible verse that says, “He won’t let your foot slip …”? (Sorry, Lord, but in this case, I beg to differ.)
And I certainly was doing for others. A lot of others. But he thing about reaching out is that it shifts your center of gravity. Balancing becomes tenuous and, if you happen to be standing on one foot in a muddy spot, well…
Let’s just say, my footing was firm until it wasn’t.
Today, that has me considering what actually makes and keeps us upright, at our core.
Some people point to the mighty oak tree and say, “It takes a firm foundation.” Dig your roots down deep and nothing can topple you. Well, I believe there’s truth there. But, when we center ourselves in pursuit of the truth with too much I-doing and I-writing and I-knowing and I-showing, that soil may be sand. Or mud.
Other people who point to the bendable palm will say, “Be flexible and let your branches give with the prevailing wind.” This is surely true of palm trees, and it can get very windy down here in Florida, let me tell you. But being tossed about by every wave won’t move you forward. And it certainly can leave you at the mercy of the storm.
So, about core strength. Well…
The firm-foundation people want you to do sit-ups and crunches, at least a hundred every day. Muscle up that middle so you can’t be moved.
The be-flexible people want you to stay in downward dog for three breaths, then balance in tree, then eagle. Keep your eye on your drishti so you won’t fall.
I’ve found that building core strength happens in the middle of the two, as a function of the two and not apart from either. Firmly footed and reaching out.
It’s the simplest of physical principles really, that silly law of equal and opposite reactions. When our feet are planted firmly and we reach out to toss or to hold, our middle is our hinge and our core is immediately called into action.3 When we reach out holding something heavy, or something precious — especially something priceless — we activate the muscles at our center.
Voila! Core strengthening.
So what’s at your center? What claims your attention? Who do you reach for?
For me, this tends to be young people.
The other night, we went with friends to a local live theatre production of Agatha Christie’s, The Mirror Cracked, featuring the sleuthing skills of Miss Marple. As we’re taking our seats, I move down the row to find I’m seated next to a young woman sitting by herself; she is 40 years younger than anyone in the audience.
She beams a smile at me as I sit down, so of course, we strike up a conversation. Phoebe is a sophomore at Case Western University in Ohio, studying chemical engineering. She is here visiting her grandparents who are vacationing in Florida. Smart girl. She’s effusive, completely uninhibited telling me about her classes, her suitemates, her hopes for the future.
Aren’t young people wonderful?
At intermission, the Grands came over to say hello and to see how Phoebe’s doing. Spry folks, seats in back on the aisle for easy access to the restrooms. They’re all smiles and completely engaging. After they re-take their seats, Phoebe tells me her grandpa is so awesome. Always out biking. He’s 87.
When the show ends, Phoebe and I say goodbye. Then, as we slip past the seats toward the aisle, it occurs to me to add one more thing. Something I wish I had known when I was Phoebe’s age. “Get them to share their stories. You won’t have them forever.”
I know I am right about this.
The world has a way of pulling the rug out from under our feet, just when we thought we’d found our footing, or erupting in gale-force winds, just as we’ve gotten our balance.
Surely, it will go better for us if we’re strong at our center as we plant our feet and reach out. Especially, when what we’re reaching for is precious. Priceless even.
Still not sure how this game was safety-approved.
Insert sarcastic laughter here.
Be sure you bend the knees a bit and contract the core muscles!