Cross Pattern? What’s That?

Babies crawl that way, wild and domestic cats and dogs (and many other animals) move that way. Elite athletes run that way. You can walk that way too! “Cross patterning” means advancing one leg together with the opposite arm (or paw). Then repeat on the other side. For humans with two feet on the ground, it means swinging your opposite arm forward as you take a step. Even though you tend to do it naturally, it doesn’t happen if you’re carrying a load. Besides being stimulatingly rhythmic, cross patterned walking builds the bridge connecting the two hemispheres of your brain, which helps thinking happen in a more integrated way. To strengthen this skill, walk around with an exaggerated arm swing, checking that your arms move about the same amount. Or try marching while tapping your opposite fingers on your raised knee. Oh, how about skipping with arms flying!

Suggestion from Mariah Kaye, Senior Fitness Specialist, offering more fitness choices through MoveAnyWayFitness.com.