Friday Book Report: Topobioloby

Topobiology:  An Introduction to Molecular Embryology by Gerald M. Edelman might not be everyone’s choice for light reading.  I freely admit that the bulk of the scientific detail went straight over my head since biology happened to me a long time ago.  That said, the overall conception of the book is fascinating.  The book considers the interaction of genetics and epigenetics on the development of organisms, even going so far as to describe some possible ramifications for brain structure and development.

Edelman is a skilled writer, able to describe and synthesize complex histories and theories in graceful prose.  He remarks, for example, “Truth often lives on the outskirts of ancient controversies and moves to the center of town only when both thesis and antithesis are transformed” (p. 4).

I admit to a fascination with how linear information like DNA transforms into three-dimensional structure.  (The fascination explains some of why I like knitting, too…)  Recognizing that time and place and experience influence development along with our coded data seems to enhance my conception of how the world works.

Unfolding

I am not, by nature, a patient person.  I like to get started and get whatever it is done.  This is one reason that Pilates is good for me; I have to slow down a little.  I’m pretty sure I’m not the only person who finds this useful, if occasionally frustrating.

When we slow down, we begin to notice things.  Maybe an exercise is easier on one side than the other.  Maybe there is one particular area of our spines that needs more warming up than the rest.

Some of those noticings can travel into regular life.  We find that we are shifting the way we hold our pelvis while standing in line at the store.  We realize that the desk chair is not helping our lower back pain.  Perhaps shifting the backpack to the other shoulder could help with that crick in the neck.

What might we see if we take the time to breathe?  What might unfold?

Practice...

We learn what we practice.  Of course we do.  That’s obvious.  Except it isn’t.  We think:  I work out; I can do whatever.  If we primarily work on strength training, cardio challenges may flummox us.  If we spend all our time on the treadmill, those moving boxes may prove more challenging than we expect.  There are several ways to work with this.

One way is to cross-train.  We all need to work with our cardio, our strength, and our flexibility.  Balanced workouts keep us, well, balanced.

Another way is to accept what we are.  Some of us, like Gimli, are natural sprinters.  Others excel at heavy objects.  We can do the minimum of the things that come less naturally and focus on what we love.

We will improve what we work on.  Let’s work!