Hello!
I’m back with another Weekly Boost, a roundup of things I’m exploring, creating, or simply enjoying to help you get that extra edge this week.
My jam this week
I’ve been really digging this track by Stavroz. So far it seems to harmonize with any mood I throw at it.
Squat position for daily mobility
There are a few positions I try to incorporate into my mobility routine every day. One of them is a squat with heels on the ground, where I hang out at the bottom position for time.
We are evolved to be very comfortable in a full squat. As mobility expert Kelly Starrett puts it, this is one of our “native positions.” With a healthy body you should be able to achieve this shape with virtually no energetic cost.
I will stay at this end range for at least 30 seconds per day and sometimes up to 10 minutes if I’m putting extra attention on my capacity. It’s a great way to break up long periods of desk work while restoring function to your ankles, knees, hips, and back.
If you want to incorporate more routines like this, you might enjoy this post where I touch on the dead hang, another one of my favorite positions.
Self doubt as a compass
I’m revisiting this passage from one of my favorite books, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.
Self-doubt can be an ally. This is because it serves as an indicator of aspiration. It reflects love, love of something we dream of doing, and desire, desire to do it. If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), “Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?” chances are you are.
The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.
Did this post stir up any thoughts or questions? Let me know.
Enjoy the rest of your Thursday! ✊
- Matt
I'm glad you mention squatting for mobility. I couldn't hangout in a deep squat position for more than a few seconds until this year when my coaches at Atomic Athlete's introduced me to a deep squat stretch* similar to yours but with an added upper body twist. Now that I'm more comfortable in the position, I'm less likely to bend over to pick something up and strain my back. My legs just feel better. Mobility really matters.
*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT3AF9Hlu7I