Re: [Paddlewise] To Roll No More/muscle memory

I missed a couple of rolls during my first roll session last winter and was
very surprised.  My son was watching the second time and said that it looked
like instead of a hip snap I was sitting up.  Afterwards it occured to me
that it was probably "muscle memory" taking over.  I had just done quite a
few rolls and became a little complacent.  My body reverted to a stomach
crunch as its "default motion" rather than a hip snap.  I generally do
200-300 crunches per day as part of a regular workout routine and it is my
theory that that muscle memory is more firmly implanted than the snap/roll
reflex.  I have worked on concentrating since that time.  Someone posted a
while back that a roll should never be done casually or haphazardly.  I
thought that was a little extreme at the time, but now agree.  Maybe with
enough repetition I will be able to roll without thinking about it, but for
now mental concentration and  a "can do" attitude are important.

Walt Chudleigh

p.s.  the stomach crunches are great for strengthing the abs and back to
avoid injury while rolling.  I suffered through a whole summer with a pulled
back muscle after rolling in a river several years back.  No problems since
increasing the number and variety of crunches.

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