Why not tummy time for adults?

I’ve found that lying on stomach is not a favorite position for many adults. Some people even believe they should never lie on their stomach because it is so uncomfortable and painful.

I find it very interesting that we (adults) encourage babies to do lots of tummy time because of developmental benefits, but somehow over the years tummy time becomes unnecessary, or even detrimental to our bodies. Or more accurately I should say that our perception and belief about tummy time change over time.

Why is tummy time so important in the first place? What are the benefits? What do babies learn from tummy time?

From a perspective of sensory-motor development, babies are yet to develop muscular strength to lift head against gravity (all extensor muscles: neck, back, hips). They learn to orient their head (eyes and ears) towards stimulation (mother’s voice, toys, food, light, etc). Because of their desire to move towards their interests or move away from unpleasant stimulation (odor, painful object, loud noise, etc), they will start to learn to organize and coordinate their bodies. Without this process, they will not know how to creep, crawl, walk, and run. All higher level function activities we do would not have been made possible without learning all fundamental movement patterns.

So, tummy time for adults can still play a huge role in improving all our functions. Just because we have learned at one point of life, it doesn’t mean that we should stop learning now. It probably won’t be as pleasant, smooth, easy, or comfortable as it was a long time ago, but if we take a deeper look and pay close attention to how we organize, coordinate our bodies and move and how we can find more ease and smoothness with our movements there, I guarantee that you will improve quality of your movement.

If this interests you and you need a guidance, join my weekly class, or check out my movement video series!