Alignment Snacks: Gotta Get Down to (Arm) Swingtown

Katy Bowman’s “Alignment Snacks” are short (20-30 minute) downloads which focus on body alignment. In each “snack,” Katy leads an unseen class through an alignment session consisting of various stretches and/or gentle exercises, which are performed while Katy provides information on proper alignment. The snacks currently cost $5 each; you can find them on her website (katysays.com or restorativeexercise.com) under the “Move” tab.

This review is for Gotta Get Down to (Arm) Swingtown. It runs 26:47 and the file size is 327.3 MB. This session is mainly informational, with a few nice stretches thrown in while she is talking. I wouldn’t call this a “workout,” necessarily, for this reason.

The session begins with Katy talking about the purpose of arm swings (moving the ams back helps propel the body forward), as well as the mechanics of them. At about the 2 minute mark, she begins stretching the top of the feet. This feels great! Then she is on to arm swings while she talks, culminating into some nice stretches for the shoulders. The next segment works on gait; Katy has you stand on one leg and swing your arms, and then you alternate legs for two cycles. This requires a bit of balance. The last 8 minutes of the session are a repeat of the foot stretches, a lovely stretch for the hands/fingers, and a repeat of the arm swing series (arms alone and on one leg). Katy finishes up with some calf stretches on a half dome and a shoulder stretch with a strap.

What I liked

The stretches in this one felt really good, and I found the information to be interesting. This may not change the way I walk (I’m always carrying something or other), but I hope to be more aware of my swinging arms when they are free. One of Katy’s points is that allowing your arms to go backwards tones your triceps, so I definitely will try to carry less and swing more!

What I didn’t like

While the stretches were nice, I didn’t feel really stretched out at the end. Then again, I don’t think that was the purpose of the session. This isn’t one that I’ll repeat often, but I’m glad I did it.

What You Should Be Aware Of

This isn’t a workout, per se. It’s more of a lecture with some stretches included. So if you’re looking for a stretching workout, this one is likely not for you.

Instructor Comments:
Katy comes across as knowledgeable, and she seems genuinely interested in helping people understand alignment issues.

shawnt