Born to Walk, Second Edition

Book excerpt: The revised edition of the definitive book on the mechanics, mysteries, and methods of upright walking The ability to walk upright on two legs is one of the major traits distinguishing us as humans, and yet the reasons for its development remain a mystery among scientists. In Born to Walk, author James Earls explores the mystery of walking's evolution by describing the complex mechanisms enabling us to be efficient in bipedal gait. Viewing the whole body as an interconnected unit, he explains how we can regain a flowing efficiency within our gait--an efficiency which is part of our natural design. Based on Thomas Myers's Anatomy Trains model of human anatomy, as well as the latest science in paleoanthropology, sports medicine, and anatomy, Earls's work demonstrates how the whole body collaborates in walking, and distills the complex actions into a simple sequence of "essential events" that engage the myofascia and utilize its full potential. The second and revised edition of this book provides bodyworkers, physical therapists and movement teachers with new research on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment approaches. Earls offers a convenient model for understanding the complexity of movement while gaining a deeper insight into the physiology and mechanics of the walking process. This book is designed for movement therapy practitioners, physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists, and bodyworkers hoping to understand gait and its mechanics. It will also appeal to anyone with an interest in evolution and movement.