Freedom is an interesting concept.

To me, one foundational freedom is the freedom to move our bodies. This includes movements that occur within our own bodies, like heart beating, breathing, and intestinal movements. More obvious ones may be: Do you have the freedom to reach overhead? Touch the floor? Step over fallen tree? Run away from danger? Duck under something?

An even more foundational freedom is hold our bodies in positions – to Pose. Can you hold yourself upright? Can you stand on one leg? Can you hold yourself in a ball? Can you do a handstand? Many of these poses require micro-movements to maintain balance.

What is unique about these freedoms in relation to those spoken of in the Bill of Rights is that they are pretty much a freedom one gives to oneself. As a massage therapist, I am often tasked with helping someone increase their range of motion, sometimes we make good progress, sometimes frustration abounds. However, I am not really increasing their range of motion for them. I am merely helping show them how they are limiting their own range of motion.

Most of our movements are regulated unconsciously. So, who is the mysterious one restricting our ROM? Who is responsible for neglecting our joint health until our kinetic freedom is restricted to the point that someone can look at us stand or walk and tell in a second how old you are?

What if humans were self-responsible for their own movement and postural systems? What effects upon lifespan could be gained if we started with this goal? What neurological changes could occur with a being that managed its movements and postures over time?