BodCast Episode 228: How are Humans Designed to Move?
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The human body isn't just designed to move—it's engineered to thrive through movement, with every system from the nervous system to the vestibular system built to function optimally when we live in alignment with our natural design. Tim from Original Strength argues that modern life, with its 13-16 hours of stillness, creates a neurological 'silence' that makes the brain feel unsafe, leading to inhibition, reduced mobility, and emotional distress. The key insight? Movement isn't just exercise—it's medicine. When we move as we were born to—breathing through the nose, keeping the tongue on the roof of the mouth, engaging our gait pattern—we flood the brain with the information it craves, unlocking strength, flexibility, and emotional well-being. The nervous system doesn't just respond to movement—it thrives on it. And crucially, we never lose the innate movements we were born with; we can always re-activate them, no matter our age. This isn't about aging or 'sarcopenia' as a given—it's about demand: if we don't use it, we lose it, but if we create demand through intentional movement, the brain responds with supply. The tongue, often overlooked, is a critical piece of this puzzle: when it's in its natural position, it completes neural circuits, enhances breathing, and allows the brain to 'see' the body’s state clearly—like flipping on all the lights in a dark warehouse.
Movement is not exercise—it's the body’s natural state and the brain’s primary source of safety and information.
The tongue on the roof of the mouth completes neural circuits, improves breathing, and allows the brain to 'see' the body clearly.
If you don’t use a movement or muscle, your brain prunes it—neurological and physical efficiency demands use.
Sarcopenia is not inevitable; it’s a consequence of disuse, not aging itself.
The vestibular system detects gravity and motion—without stimulation, the brain starts dismantling bone and muscle mass.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to the Episode
Gina Schatz introduces the episode, sharing that she recently interviewed Tim from Original Strength at her Orthopedic Practitioner Spring Summit and is now sharing the conversation with listeners.
The Core Philosophy: Movement-Based Physical Therapy
Tim explains that movement-based physical therapy centers on the idea that the body is designed to move and functions best when living in alignment with its natural design, not as a fix for symptoms.
Movement vs. Exercise: A Fundamental Distinction
Tim distinguishes movement from exercise, arguing that exercise is a band-aid for a world that no longer allows natural movement, and that true health comes from living in motion, not just working out.
The Brain’s Need for Movement: Information Over Silence
“When we don't create information that the brain is looking for and we create silence instead, the brain doesn't feel as safe. It's always asking the question, am I safe? And lack of information means no, I'm not safe.”
The Gait Pattern and Brain Integration
Tim reveals that the gait pattern is not just for walking—it’s designed to link the brain’s hemispheres and coordinate the body, with the right shoulder tied to the left hip and vice versa.
“if your tongue is where it belongs, it's like a light switch being on and all the lights are on. The tongue completes the information going to the brain,”
“If I have a five gallon bucket of clear water, one drop of blue food color and won't turn anything. But eventually, if I do enough of it, I'm going to have a very blue bucket of water. And that's kind of how the nervous system is built.”
“When we don't create information that the brain is looking for and we create silence instead, the brain doesn't feel as safe. It's always asking the question, am I safe? And lack of information means no, I'm not safe.”
Host
Guest
Tim
person
Gina Schatz
person
Original Strength
organization
Orthopedic Practitioner Spring Summit
other
NASA
organization
Stranger Things
media
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