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DisPatches

The A-B-Cs of Adaptive P.E. by Jeff Kamler, Adaptive PE instructor

sddd The purpose of maintaining the body in good health is to (make it possible for you to) acquire wisdom.

(Maimonides, Commentaries on the Mishnah, V)

Focus on ABILITYThe body is an amazing system. Think of all the wonderful things it does automatically, without having to be told. Breathing, heart beat, digestion, and temperature control are all functions which are carried out continuously, day in and day out. The ABILITY to sit, the ABILITY to move, the ABILITY to laugh, the ABILITY to cry, the ABILITY to feel, the ABILITY to think, the ABILITY to use the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)... these are the areas to remind oneself of how much we can do, how much ABILITY we have. From here, we can add the challenge of working on and improving other areas, to strengthen those skills and functions where we have the capacity to do more.

Establish BALANCE The left and right side are different, and that is one reason they have different names. They also happen to occupy different places in space. Yet, there is a line (or several lines) which connect left to right and right to left. One needs to find that line of BALANCE. It will be different for everyone, and very likely will be different for the same person given different situations or tasks. BALANCE is not necessarily straight or horizontal. BALANCE is even, whatever that shape or position might be.

Find the CENTER The point around which the ABILITY and BALANCE are in harmony is the CENTER. This can be the CENTER of the body, the CENTER of gravity, the CENTER of movement, the CENTER of focus, the CENTER of purpose, or the CENTER of being. This requires a sensitivity to oneself and one's body, and an awareness of place. From this point outward, one can focus on ABILITY, to establish BALANCE, to maintain one's CENTER.

Enjoy your A-B-Cs.