This is part of the Somatics in the Gym blogs.

A bit of context first. The back on mammals is a vulnerable place, it’s the part that is exposed during an attack.  So as a result the animal is constantly trying to keep things in front of it if it senses danger. The belly is protected by the curling of the body. This is great if you walk on four legs.

For us humans, because we walk on two legs, our back and belly are both exposed, and the scapula (shoulder blades) protect the heart and lungs. In order to build muscles here, we need to actively pull on life or on some machine or device that lets us use the grasping and acquisition movements of our bodies.

In the gym this translates into back exercises; rows and lats. Today we’ll look at the Rowing exercises as these are the ones that are most important and activating. For all of the exercises, it would be good to have music and lyrics that support your movements and also to say to yourself some version of the following: “I Pull Life into Me.”  In other blogs, we’ll talk about allowing and receiving, but for now the focus is on active engagement.

Low Rows activate both the emotional feelings and kinesthetic responses to life. If you were suppressed as a kid or even now as an adult, this movement will allow those feelings to be modulated and reframed by action.

Straight Rows are often done sitting down with your eyes forward towards the horizon. This allows for a dense clarity to happen where you are focused on what you want and as you pull it towards yourself you are in constant eye contact. This is vital for relationships and a deep connection with the people in your life.

High Rows activate some very primal feelings of being a little kid, this is because the head is tilted back and the arms are up overhead (see Lats). This is the same position that children find themselves in when looking up at adults. It is a position that would be picked up from, or a position that you would ask from.

Try it now by putting your arms up and reaching out in front of you. Notice the feelings, thoughts, and images that emerge. Pay attention to whether the idea of doing this disturbs something, and do it to get a feel for what shows up. Great.

Now, take these thoughts and feelings into the gym with you and try these back exercises with the idea of pulling life into you and be aware of what’s different afterward.