The Intersection of Kinesthetics + Creativity

Movement is inherently individualized, shaped by a person’s one-of-a-kind physiology, experiences, emotions and intentions. No two bodies express motion exactly the same.

Whether a body is pedaling up singletrack, carving down fresh corduroy, bench pressing at the gym or dancing in the kitchen, movement serves as a deeply personal and physical form of self-expression.

Photos courtesy of Monument Physical Therapy

Fitness, Training + Athletics

“Movement is medicine, and its benefits ripple through every aspect of our physical and mental well-being,” says Nicole Fraser, physical therapist at Monument Physical Therapy in Grand Junction.

Every human body is wired to explore and adapt to movement that is efficient for the individual. That is why moving is not simply a series of predetermined actions, but rather an ongoing, innovative process.

Brad Flinn is a licensed professional counselor and holds a master’s degree in both sports psychology and clinical counseling. He is also the founder of Peak Performance and Wellness, a behavioral health practice in Grand Junction steeped in natural performance orientations and trauma. “The pursuit of selfactualization is working from the core of your individuality to manifest authentic creativity,” Flinn says. “Scaffolding these tenants through practice [and] repetition drive this pursuit.” This can be practiced on the treadmill, with dumbbells, in a yoga class, in the climbing gym or on any chosen terrain.

An individual’s end goal is imperative when it comes to being creative while in action. Josh Hardy, co-owner and physical therapist at Monument Physical Therapy, illustrates this through mountain biking — where riders instinctively make creative line choices, decide when to power down and gauge the perfect moment to catch air. He extends this concept to skiing and snowboarding, where the terrain elicits fluid, adaptive movements and each turn becomes a spontaneous response to the mountain’s variable conditions. Creativity, in these moments, isn’t a conscious effort but a natural byproduct of pursuing the ultimate ride.

Fraser applies this concept to her rock climbing endeavors. “It is crucial for me to be creative every step of the route. As I begin the climb, I assess the wall, finding the best footholds and handholds to create a sturdy base for my initial movement … As I ascend, I am focused on how my body feels and making small adjustments to maintain proper form, conserve energy and prevent overstraining,” she explains.

Rather than adhering to a rigid formula, athletes — intentionally or not — fluidly adapt to their environment, drawing on an innate, almost primal skill to navigate challenges and optimize their performance with individualized precision and flair.

Part of this work stems from pleasure in sport and/or physical exertion. Athletes often crave a certain kinesthetic feeling — a feeling that is specific to them. This movement “exemplifies their emotional and somatic attunement,” Colorado-based clinical sports psychologist Kate Bennett says. “The joy of movement comes for the willingness and trust to move with one’s body … Movement varies based on mood, energy, stress and socializing.”

This intrinsic connection between movement and individualism reveals how deeply personal and ever-evolving physical activity can be. This adaptability is not just about peak performance but about honoring the body’s needs in the present moment. As Bennett notes, movement is not static; it ebbs and flows with one’s mental state, energy levels and environment, making it a profoundly personal and dynamic form of self-expression and discovery.

The Brain-Body Connection

The human brain, intricately linked to the spinal cord and its network of vertebrae, serves as the command center for every muscle, bone, joint and organ. This complex system not only facilitates movement but also reflects how innovation is deeply ingrained in our physical being. As Flinn explains, “The brain maps and wires through experiences [and] intensities, informing upon the body the sensory data necessary to cultivate our individual realities.”

He believes that fitness and movement are foundational practices for training the body, mind and spirit connection.

This dynamic interplay between brain and body underscores that creativity is not solely a mental pursuit, but a deeply embodied experience. Every thought, every spark of inspiration, travels through a network of neurons, working with our muscles to create movements. As we condition our bodies, we also attune our brains to the subtleties of our craft, making creativity an active, ongoing process.

Furthermore, Fraser emphasizes the crucial role of sensory feedback from muscles during kinesthetic activity. This continuous flow of information helps the brain gauge the body’s position in space, allowing individuals to engage in their athletic pursuits with a sense of personal identity and unique expression.

Bennett also highlights the vagus nerve’s role in regulating the body’s “rest and digest” state as part of the parasympathetic nervous system. “Humans experience more gut-to-brain signals compared to brain-to-gut. With this in mind, we realize that sensing and intuition become essential aspects of athletics,” she explains.

Bennett encourages her patients to focus on movements that bring joy. She says that by embracing this connection, individuals gain confidence, trusting their bodies rather than feeling limited — leading them into a flow state where creativity and performance coincide.

Flinn practices this with his patients, too. He works with his patients so they can take sensory inventory of their body necessary to cultivate their kinesthetic realities. He coaches to the tenets of thriving, nutrition, movement, mindfulness, passion and gratitude. He says that each one of these works with the others holistically to cultivate ideal orientation.

At the intersection of kinesthetics and creativity lies a transformative potential to not only improve athletic performance but to unlock deeper layers of personal expression. Movement becomes a canvas, and the body, an artist in constant evolution. This dynamic relationship fosters a heightened sense of awareness, where creativity is not limited to the mind but is a fluid expression of one’s physicality. By embracing the intuitive and sensory aspects of movement, individuals are better equipped to respond to challenges in this way. Each motion becomes a manifestation of creativity rooted in the body’s unique experience.

The intersection of kinesthetics and creativity teaches us to trust our bodies, to listen deeply to its signals, to express ourselves fully through movement and lean into our individualities. It is here, in the mindful integration of body and mind, where creativity flourishes — not as an isolated cognitive process, but as a living, breathing practice, grounded in the body’s blooming wisdom and stamina.

Originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of Spoke+Blossom.