Twisting and Turning in the Garden: January 25 2022

^{A very pretty garden opposite the Botanic Garden with tiny lights threaded through the shrubbery and trees.}

A low step count can belie a busy day with lots of load-bearing, twisting and turning, rocking and rolling and balance activity, if not much locomotion.

Long ago, when I trained as a primary school teacher (an occupation soon abandoned when I got to the reality of doing the job), that was what we were taught about physical activity. That there were four elements - rocking and rolling, twisting and turning, balance and locomotion - and our job was to help children understand those different ways of moving, and how to combine them imaginatively in different sequences. "Design a sequence with two twists or turns, three forms of locomotion, some rocking and rolling and a balance," we'd say, "using all the equipment/apparatus available to you." And we'd devise different combinations of the apparatus, or provide or restrict small items like blocks and balls and beanbags, hula hoops and mats (rolls must always be done on mats to protect the spine, never the wooden floor).

There'd be a running about, stretching activity to start, then the focused apparatus work, after which each group would demonstrate their sequences, and then some cooling down activity before everyone ran off to get dressed for the next thing - reading or numberwork or cutting and sticking.

The idea was to build confidence and skill and creativity in moving and enjoying moving, with diverse activities that helped develop the long bones and muscles of legs and arms, and the precision of small joints like fingers and toes and hands, and the sheer joy of exploring what your body (you) could do.

Gardening comes closest to that experience now, as I balance on the edge of the sleepers holding up the garden terraces, reaching for fruit or pruning back vegetation. The back and forth to the compost heap or garage with tools and wheelbarrows, compost and mulch, small plants and seeds. Twisting and turning to trim ivy, or cut the invading branches of next door's weeping something or other. You don't get much chance for rocking and rolling, unless by mishap, but otherwise, gentle day to day gardening will take you through the range of movement.

My Slimming World pack has a section devoted to moving, with certificates along the way. This week I've chosen get outside for ten minutes everyday. Some days it's easy to fit in a walk, other days, work days usually, or when the weather is grim, getting outside is more of a challenge. Although every venture, even opening the back door and sticking your head outside (unless it is blowing a gale at that moment), is refreshing. You might also see a neighbour passing and exchange a greeting or a smile, and four days of the week there will be fresh milk or vegetables waiting to be brought in.

This week, I started preparing the beds for summer growing. The perpetual spinach has made it through the winter so far and started growing new young leaves. I trimmed the old battled scarred and occasionally rotting slimy leaves to allow the new growth room and light. More sweeping of leaves along paths and borders and throwing them on the beds as mulch. Trimming the hawthorn of the suckers that sprung up after the tree was cut down this time last year. Inspecting the invading bamboo, legion, making its way from next door.

I was inspired by the de-cluttering videos of The Minimal Mom on YouTube. She often has videos illustrating what you can do in five/ten/fifteen minutes, complete with manual timer. The idea is to break tasks down, do a little every now and then, rather than be overwhelmed by the size of the task (clearing the garage) and all the decisions that have to be made. It works well for gardening, ten minutes sweeping or washing seed trays, planting things or trimming shrubs.

This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io

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