The Dog Investigates: Can we Skip Our Way to Happiness?
We have all observed children skipping along joyfully. It seems to be a very age specific way of movement and if an adult does it they are said to look foolish.
This morning, while doing my cardio exercises I decided to skip along as an experiment. I'm telling you, I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face as a giddy feeling of happiness welled up inside me. Was it just a psychosomatic reaction in that moment or was there more to this? I decided to investigate.
Try not to laugh and smile while skipping. You can't do it! Image from pixabay.com.
My Joyful Skipping Raised in my Mind Some Interesting Questions
- Is skipping hard wired into children's genetic code?
- At what age do we generally stop skipping and why?
- Can a "forced" skip really make me happier?
- Does skipping actually cause a change to the brain?
You can learn a lot about the effects of skipping on both children and adults from the documentary film by Tim Heath Leuzarder out called “Skipping Joy”.
In order to whet your appetite here is the trailer for the film:
Joyful Facts About Skipping
- The fact that it is cross-cultural has some cognitive neuroscientists believing that it is somehow innate in us all.
- In making the film Tim Heath Leuzarder was surprised at how quickly people experience happiness, or a shift in their state when they begin to skip.
- At the site iskip.com ( which was created by super skipper Kim Corbin way back in 1999) you can find all types of articles, advice for getting started, support groups, tips and answers to frequently asked questions.
- During an interview for the Huffington Post Kim Corban stated:
While I could go on and on about the positive impact having a regular skipping practice has had on my life, the bottom line is that it is the most fun and uplifting way I’ve ever found to be fully present in the moment. It integrates body, mind, and spirit in numerous ways.
How do You Feel About Skipping?
- Would you like to try skipping in order to bring back child like joy?
- Would you be too embarrassed to do it in public?
- Will you be a closet skipper?
I hope that you enjoyed this article about "Skipping Your Way to Happiness"
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
Remember, I reward the best comment(s) on each of my posts with my "The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone" program! So please re-steem and follow so that we can spread the wealth!
But what about your dignity!!!???
I lost that many years ago!
Hey, I know where the body might be buried :-)
Lol. I believe you. You sure do know a lot of things!!!
funny
@kus-knee, this is an excellent article and a subject close to my heart as well.
I have been working mostly in elementary & primary levels schools for over 20 years now and have observed first hand the results of skipping. I conquer: the ones skipping are happier, in a general sense, Meanwhile, some kids may be finding themselves on a sad spectrum, when they start skipping, a lot of the clouds lift!
Even yesterday, as one of the last child was about to enter the school, I gave him a few little Charlie Chaplin jumps sideways and an automatic smile started... Well, maybe I looked like a fool from the perspective of some adults but no matter what, the kid had an easy smile to start the day with.
Last month, again, I must have had at least 12 children learning to do the Chaplin skip as I was walking outside on a magnificent sunny day. The joy was pervasive both for the kids and I. I can't help to believe that such activities greatly influence an experiential aspect of our being that connects with times of our lives when we felt energetic and joyful and, therefore, the simply action of skipping must be triggering these memories right up to the surface. But, by now, I can't wait to hear whether or not it is the case since, I am assuming that you have heard the answer in the documentary, YOU know that answer?!?
Thanks for another healthy brain tickle, keep your smile, maybe even skipping in public to bring back some joy, as in the movie "Life is Beautiful" and namaste :)
What great observations from a man with experience working with kids. When my son was in primary school the kids would never walk out the door of the school but they'd run, leap and skip for joy! I want those feelings back!
It is within all of us, yet what shape is it going to take? More importantly, what shape are you going to give it? In terms of sustainability, one simply can't skip forever and, therefore, must find an alternative. I'd have to call it "soul skipping" then. Often found in terms of humorous activities under the label of compassion toward oneself, in a sub-rubric titled "How not to take oneself too seriously and be patient with it". Emotions are the thoughts to which you have given colourful energies and the feelings travelling along with them can make for healthy or not so healthy friends. You seem to have a rather healthy arsenal of healthy ones under your belt and we all gain from it, especially you. Thanks for your candor and presence of heart & spirit. Namaste :)
The "King of Commentors"strikes again!
Thanks a again for your kind words and, especially for the tag category you filled my comment under: JOY! Namaste :)
The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone For Your Nice Comment!
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Remember: I reward the best comments on all of my posts so continue to follow me and tell your friends!
Much JOY in deed!!! Thanks a bunch, again for your generosity, greatly appreciated. Namaste :)
I have bad knees and can no longer skip- therefore, in the interest of equality, I demand that everyone stop skipping immediately! After all, we live in a culture based on equality of outcome. And while we're at it, I demand that the NBA be disbanded because I can't slam-dunk a basketball (clearly discrimination against short people). Bwahahaha... Don't make me call Al Sharpton!!!
Love your comment! So funny and so current! Thanks!
Thanks... I guess I'm just a closet comedian!
You've officially been outed!
Whenever you feel sad, start skipping! Maybe your brain tells you it's a stupid idea and as you begin to consider it, you start to realize how stupid it really is then you begin to laugh at yourself. The laughter goes on and you start to skip harder. You end the skipping panting like a child and feeling all the joy and excitement in the world!
Thanks so much @fisteganos. I think that you might have found one of the keys! I know that it is scientifically proven that if you look up and smile you cannot be sad. There is a mind body connection on so many levels. Thanks for coming and giving some input!
If you see an adult skipping, do you think that this adult is foolish, or somehow incompetent, stupid, mentally ill, or otherwise inferior?
I don't! And people who do can suck my ass.
That sort of condescension level over a fun style of movement is totally bullshit, and it's the person who judges people over how they move, or express themselves that should be ashamed of being so judgemental.
When you see a person skipping, you already know they're in a great mood, and ready to smile. So say hi, and skip with them!
Nothing is more important than sharing love and community spirit in the form of smiling and skipping with the people around you!
Life is beautiful, so enjoy it, and smile.
Hey @heretickitten I love your passion and you make a lot of great points! Thanks for your input!
The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone For Your Nice Comment!
Please check your wallet!
Remember: I reward the best comments on all of my posts so continue to follow me and tell your friends!
like me in a small time jump rope. who jump higher will be many women who love. your post is very nice, reminds me of the jump rope, although no relationship to your post. but I think this is a good moment for you. thank you for sharing.
@kus-knee
Good points and thanks for sharing!
You're welcome, @kus-knee
Haha! It works! I told the ladies in the Seated Exercise class that I teach on a Monday morning about skipping. Since most of them are in their 70s & 80s, and one has MS, they weren't very inclined to try themselves, so I had a go myself for them. It amused them no end, and certainly they couldn't feel down while they were laughing at me! Or with me, as they insisted.
The Old Dog is Throwing You a Bone For Your Nice Comment!
Please check your wallet!
Remember: I reward the best comments on all of my posts so continue to follow me and tell your friends!
Thanks for the tasty bone - I WILL continue to follow you :-)
Very nice to hear. Thanks for letting me know!
In my opinion, skipping will definitely make you feel more comfortable in the situation as well as getting an unstoppable feeling of happiness. Due to thoughts about the past and the (hopefully) wonderful childhood, we start smiling, according to the amazing feelings we had in the this time. So yes, there's nothin bad about trying it again!
I think that you've hit the nail on the head!
What a great comment. I'll keep experimenting.
Thank you.
#clapclap
I love your vlog..keep up the good work...btw can you follow me thank you
I'll have a look. Thanks for the visit!
a great circuit breaker for a world that has become too serious, uncaring and less humanistic in our interactions with each other. Thankyou @kus-knee
You're right. I'm going to keep experimenting!