In this community member highlight, we chat with Sharon Sherman, a licensed practitioner of East Asian medicine who discovered the world of rope flow and explored the unexpected connections between this practice and Eastern medicine.
What is Your Name, and What Do You Do?
Sharon Sherman, I am a licensed practitioner of East Asian medicine. More commonly known as an acupuncturist!
How did you find out about rope flow? What made you feel called to the practice?
I came across rope flow one rainy day when the internet sucks you in for no apparent reason. I saw the practice and immediately could see both the simplicity and the genius of the practice. First, the child-like quality of swinging a rope around…. How can you not love this? I also immediately could sense how it "works" the brain to perform a movement, to hold a beat pattern, or to switch to a non-dominant side.
In your current profession and experience, what things translate well from rope flow?
Encouraging people to go outside and play is great. Throwing in the added benefits of neuroplasticity, increased balance and range of motion makes for a very self-empowered, healing practice.
Have you found any concepts or ideas in your rope flow journey? Are there any theories you'd like to share? How important is it to you to practice rope flow as a mobility tool? How important is it to you to practice rope flow as a tool for emotional expression?
Since I started flowing, I've seen concepts/ideas from East Asian medicine. One example is how people tend to have an easier time with overhand vs underhand patterns. For months, I've contemplated that this expression of outward explosive energy armors us and is a "more prized" expression in our current culture.
Overhand is a movement that relates to punching and explosive outward movement. It's very male, yang, extroverted, domineering. Meanwhile, the underhand movements are more like our parasympathetic nature, female and yin - devoid of having to "protect self or our energy." It requires us to open the chest and expose our most vulnerable area - the heart - the area that, in East Asian Medicine, is where the spirit resides! An example of this hypothesis is to try to perform a Cheetah tail without unfurling yourself and opening the chest. This is what creates the face whipping and eyeglass breaking! To unlock this, it requires the chest be open, expansive and relaxed while coiling through the spine.
Another example that always makes me smile is when I see Community videos of one-handed drills. People instinctively place the hand they are not using to swing over their hearts. I know, I know, pragmatic folks would say I just need to move my other arm out of the way. But perhaps we should consciously explore this position. A way to acknowledge ourselves, honor our practice, our unique expression, where we have been, and our hopes and dreams. Taking a moment to sync the rope's beat with our heart. We use each beat as a prompt to keep growing in our humanity, wonder and curiosity. Maybe we can start some #HeartFlowPractice.
If you were stuck on an island and the only thing you had was a flow rope, what are some creative ways you'd use the rope?
Hmmm...I would hopefully have more than one rope with me…I usually do. I could unweave a rope that isn't a favorite for making netting for fishing. Using a heavier rope, I could harvest berries using overhand and overhand matadors to detach the fruit from its source, kinda like a combine harvester. When planes fly overhead, I could light the ends of my rope…..(again, not a favorite rope) on fire and attempt dual poi swings in hopes of rescue.
Where can people learn more about you?
Empirical Point Acupuncture
https://www.facebook.com/philadelphia.acupuncture
IG @heartflowpractice