Continuing the review of Job's Body, we find in the introduction (pp. xxviii-xxxi) a discussion of the importance of subjective data regarding our health. We have been discouraged from applying "how we feel" to our diagnosis of our health and replaced it with objective data about the state of our health. Data such as weight and body fat (BMI), cholesterol levels along with a full battery of blood analysis is used to tell us whether we are healthy and to suggest medication and/or dietary changes necessary for us to meet the health norms. Juhan states that, "Behind that acculturated blindness lies the reason for most of the ailments, diseases and strokes that typify contemporary culture".
Rather than discounting the information provided by science, Juhan would suggest that we add to that our own awareness of the sensations that precede, accompany and follow changes in our physical wellbeing. His point to bodyworkers is that the body work "delivers self-awareness rather than pharmaceuticals or scalpels" to aid in making the changes necessary for health.
It has become my personal stance that we need to take full responsibility for our heath, our fitness, and our aging, if we expect to live full vibrant lives throughout, no matter what the age. In fact, that is the primary objective of this blog. I want to be fully aware of all information available from all sources, in order to make the best decisions based on self awareness. There are dangers in this approach, but much less dangerous than to allow the medical community to do this for us, using the same incomplete information.
One of my favorite lines relative to the role of science in our lives comes from The Fourth Way by P.D. Ouspensky, as he attempts to lay out the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff. Paraphrasing what Ouspensky says about science: "Science is not a cloudy picture of a real world, but a very clear picture of an unreal world." Suggesting that science does not tell the full story, in fact, obscures the full story.
In making the case for self awareness, Juhan states, "Far from being mere hedonism, 'the improvement of sensual pleasure' is self-serving in the broadest, most enlightened and responsible sense of the word. It implies an intimate embrace of the good things that both physical and mental sides of life have to offer, and a desire to enjoy those goodnesses with others".
Rather than citing examples from each and every one of my sources to support the above, I will make just a few comments. It is apparent to me that all movement modalities and/or manipulation therapies have at their base an enhancement of self awareness that in itself is movement towards health. Taijiquan and yoga directly bring awareness to our body's alignment, release of tension and an increase in essential energy called qi and prana respectively. Alexander Technique and Body Mind Centering are even more focused on the elements of self responsibility and self awareness in their contribution to letting the body heal itself.
In the movement system expounded in Supple Leopard there is equal treatment given to correct exercise techniques along with the maintenance of suppleness in connective tissue and joints. The level of attention given to the proper care of the body before, during and after exercise brings the Supple Leopard to the same level of self awareness that may seem more integral to the more meditative movement systems.
Not one of my stated sources, but a current source of information is Ken Wibur's, "A Brief History of Everything." I have taken from my current reading that changes in "World Views" is an evolutionary process and that there are signs that we are moving from a current "Rational/Industrial" world view to a post-rational world view; which, in my opinion, may very well included subjective self awareness as relevant in determining our state of health and how we attain and maintain it at an optimal level.
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Excerpts from Job's Body and connection to Taijiquan
Job's Body by Deanne Juhan makes the connection between bodywork and taijiquan. While most of the content is anatomy and physiology, the author never fails to note the interconnectedness of the systems of our A&P. Below are some excerpts to stoke your interest in exploring this resource more fully.
In the preface (pp xxii) Juhan discusses what body work can do. To paraphrase, he says, "Manual manipulation does result in mechanical changes which can relax muscles, free up joints and restore fuller range of pain free motion, but we are also a confluence of physics, chemistry, consciousness streams and quanta of energies that interpenetrate each other in complex ways".
(pp. xxv-xxvi) Again paraphrasing: "Thru friction on the skin, pressure on deep tissue, distortion of tissue surrounding joints, the organism perceives itself and, thereby, organizes its internal and external muscular responses. This sense of self becomes habitual and does not let us know when such movements may be harmful, as in misalignment, or cause unnecessary muscular tension". Juhan suggests that skillful touching of a manual manipulation therapist can penetrate this blockage and allow the body to heal. Trying to do this for oneself can be self defeating because of deep seated postural habits , sensory cues and mental images that tell us that all is normal.
Taijiquan note: Fong Song, roughly translated as release to loosen, is a common taijiquan dictum for the release of obstructions and tension which allows for the free flowing of these "quanta of energies", and is one description of qi (energy or life force).
Alexander Technique Note: The Alexander Technique refers to "Faulty Sensory Perception" in insisting that a client cannot self correct postural alignment problems or faulty "use of the self." Only through the releasing of postural and movement habits and relearning new ones, can changes take place. Hands on assistance by an Alexander Technique practitioner is critical to success. Alexander Technique describes, basically, the same precise alignment recommendations as you will find in yoga and taijiquan (see note below)
Taijiquan and yoga note: Tai Chi and Yoga use long term movement and stance practice to bring about the release of habitual misalignment and resultant tensions.
In Taijiquan it all starts with the 4 principles of alignment, 3 movement principle and 3 principle of harmonizing of the mind. These are clearly described in Yang Yang's book Taijiquan, Art of Nurturing, the Science of Power, reviewed in this blog.
Anatomy Trains note: Describes the changes that take place at the cellular level and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) through repetitive movements. Collagen may be laid down by fibroblasts in response to stress that is registered as a piezo-electric affect in the cells. In the bone osteoblasts lay down new bone in response mechanical stress and osteoclasts eat bone in the absence of stress. The result of these processes is a permanent change in the connective tissue and bone from repetitive movements. Permanent is a relative term, in that, over time, a change in movement patterns can again change the structure of the connective tissue.
Sensing, Feeling and Action note: Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen might describe such changes as "repatterning" which takes place in the presence of the body mind centering as described in her BMC approach.
Molecules of Emotion note: The question to ask is "what is the contribution of the neural feedback loop that includes neuropeptides and neuro-receptors, in how we feel as we move, learn and adapt in the use of our body (mind).
In the preface (pp xxii) Juhan discusses what body work can do. To paraphrase, he says, "Manual manipulation does result in mechanical changes which can relax muscles, free up joints and restore fuller range of pain free motion, but we are also a confluence of physics, chemistry, consciousness streams and quanta of energies that interpenetrate each other in complex ways".
(pp. xxv-xxvi) Again paraphrasing: "Thru friction on the skin, pressure on deep tissue, distortion of tissue surrounding joints, the organism perceives itself and, thereby, organizes its internal and external muscular responses. This sense of self becomes habitual and does not let us know when such movements may be harmful, as in misalignment, or cause unnecessary muscular tension". Juhan suggests that skillful touching of a manual manipulation therapist can penetrate this blockage and allow the body to heal. Trying to do this for oneself can be self defeating because of deep seated postural habits , sensory cues and mental images that tell us that all is normal.
Taijiquan note: Fong Song, roughly translated as release to loosen, is a common taijiquan dictum for the release of obstructions and tension which allows for the free flowing of these "quanta of energies", and is one description of qi (energy or life force).
Alexander Technique Note: The Alexander Technique refers to "Faulty Sensory Perception" in insisting that a client cannot self correct postural alignment problems or faulty "use of the self." Only through the releasing of postural and movement habits and relearning new ones, can changes take place. Hands on assistance by an Alexander Technique practitioner is critical to success. Alexander Technique describes, basically, the same precise alignment recommendations as you will find in yoga and taijiquan (see note below)
Taijiquan and yoga note: Tai Chi and Yoga use long term movement and stance practice to bring about the release of habitual misalignment and resultant tensions.
In Taijiquan it all starts with the 4 principles of alignment, 3 movement principle and 3 principle of harmonizing of the mind. These are clearly described in Yang Yang's book Taijiquan, Art of Nurturing, the Science of Power, reviewed in this blog.
Anatomy Trains note: Describes the changes that take place at the cellular level and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) through repetitive movements. Collagen may be laid down by fibroblasts in response to stress that is registered as a piezo-electric affect in the cells. In the bone osteoblasts lay down new bone in response mechanical stress and osteoclasts eat bone in the absence of stress. The result of these processes is a permanent change in the connective tissue and bone from repetitive movements. Permanent is a relative term, in that, over time, a change in movement patterns can again change the structure of the connective tissue.
Sensing, Feeling and Action note: Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen might describe such changes as "repatterning" which takes place in the presence of the body mind centering as described in her BMC approach.
Molecules of Emotion note: The question to ask is "what is the contribution of the neural feedback loop that includes neuropeptides and neuro-receptors, in how we feel as we move, learn and adapt in the use of our body (mind).
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