I believe there is a difference between function and purpose. Both answer the question, “what does it do?” but I think purpose also answers, “What is it for?” Purpose explains intention. That said, I am always interested in the structural similarities and functional cooperation between the upper and lower body.

The sutras* offer lines of continuum throughout the body, and call into connection parts of the body that are related in structural and functional similarity. Interestingly we are aware of these similarities as infants. When we are startled, our upper and lower joints flex together drawing everything inward to protect the vital organs in our front body. Differentiation between the joints is only honed as we enter society and learn the common uses and purposes of these joints. We don’t use our pelvis-knees-feet to connect with people! That is the purpose of our solar-plexus-shoulder-elbow-hands! Similarly we don’t stabilize the body with the upper limb complex, but these purposesare trained, and this training has had an evolutionary effect on our structure.

“You are the product of your life, the proof of your approach”… except we are also the product of the approach of all of the history of the human race! The purposes of the parts of the body are engrained in their architrecture because of the way those parts have been used advantageously (or not so…) over thousands of years. But imagine that this is not necessarily the case. Consider monkeys who open bananas with their toes and acrabats who walk just as easily on their hands! Imagine if our pelvis was for greeting others?! What would that change about the value of sex and the vulnerability of the front body?

*the sutras are pathways of connective tissue that can be physically dissected, but enforce energetic connection between parts of the living body.