If you want to learn anything today, there’s probably a YouTube video for it. That’s a gift—we have access to more knowledge than ever before, no matter where we are or how old we are.
But this abundance comes with a trade-off.
We watch, listen, and passively consume content at a steady clip. Just as we begin to grasp something, another video appears. We’ve barely caught up with the last four when the fifth drops.
It creates the illusion of learning without the substance of it.
Because real learning—whether it’s managing money, improving health, or developing a skill—requires effort, repetition, and recall.
Memorizing what we learn isn’t old-fashioned. It’s how we build skill.
Working from memory vs. external input
My piano teacher says playing music from memory helps build my musicianship — that is a fancy way to say you build your skills as a musician.
I’d imagine that applies to a few other crafts too — including movement.
When I teach clients, I often repeat short movement sequences and encourage them to remember just three or four exercises.
Over time, they begin to anticipate what comes next. They don’t wait for cues. They move with more confidence and continuity.
By repeatedly practicing certain movements and movement sequences my clients are building long-term memory — implicit and explicit.
Implicit and explicit memory
There are two ways we remember:
- Implicit memory (or procedural memory) is what allows us to act without thinking—walking, typing, dancing. It’s often called “muscle memory” or “procedural memory”.
- Explicit memory is conscious recall—remembering a recipe, a set of steps, or a sequence.
We’ve always focused on consciously memorising — building explicit memory as we age. There is growing evidence, that procedural memory— automatic motor skills — is also important as we age. It is key to how we learn, adapt and recover from cognitive challenges.
What is a movement sequence or routine?
A sequence (or routine) is simply a set of movements performed in a particular order.
A dance routine is the clearest example—each step flows into the next, creating something coherent and expressive. Movement practice isn’t very different.
When I design a sequence for a client, I focus on three things:
- Purpose – What is this sequence trying to achieve?
- Suitability – Is it appropriate for the individual?
- Flow – Does it feel smooth and connected?
When these come together, the sequence feels harmonious—and it becomes easier to remember.
Why does recall matter
Movement itself supports brain health. But working from memory adds another layer of benefit:
- It builds skill and independence
- It improves focus and attention
- It increases physical efficiency—you move without constant interruption
- It shifts your attention inward, helping you refine form and reduce injury risk
- It makes it easier to enter a flow state, which can feel calming and absorbing
In contrast, constantly relying on external cues keeps your attention fragmented.
Start small
You don’t need to memorize long, complex routines. Try this.
- Select three or four movements. Remember their names.
- Understand the names, the why and the how. If you understand the logic, recall will be easier.
- Practice — repeat them regularly. It might feel boring at first, but you will discover things about yourself and the skill with each repetition.
Over time, you’ll not only remember them — you’ll trust yourself to build and adapt your own practice. That sense of independence is powerful.
Use social media to learn if you need to. But don’t stop there. Make the effort to remember what you practice.
You will build skill, self-reliance and long-term memory.
In a world that constantly feeds you the next thing, choosing to actively learn and remember—even a few simple movements—is what turns information into skill.
Reference: Procedural Memory – https://theconversation.com/what-is-muscle-memory-and-can-i-improve-mine-277471