From a certain perspective, we may regard our sense of body as, "complete" -- meaning that we trust we are perceiving things in a "whole" way -- and believe that we don't have gaps or distortions in our perception.
Even if we think that we do -- or do not -- have gaps or distortions in our perception, the experience of having gaps is quite different from what we may think about it.
Having "gaps" is not experienced as "something", but as a "non:thing"; it's the absence of an experience that we don't know isn't there because it's an absence in us, so gaps are commonly missed.
So, it is said that people see things about us that we do not see in ourselves, and roundabout the other way.
Now, it's interesting that the same condition has a corresponding manifestation in the "motor" body (understanding that the notion of "a sensory" and "a motor" body, as "two" is only a device to get us to look at aspects of ourselves; it's not literal. It's a device. Really, the two are two aspects of a single experience.)
Back to the "motor" body -- the "motor" body has to do with the physical carrying out of our intentions, producing lingering traces of results in the tangible world.
It also shows up in our Nervous System Neural Network Patterning -- or NSNNP, for short. This patterning is the collection, the constellation, the array, the 4-dimensional collection of memories, with tendrils of connection to imagination and dreams -- the whole of which has the cohesiveness we call, "ourselves".
That patterning is visible in the way that person holds, contains, and involuntarily maintains tension. To some degree, our neural network ("NSNNP") is in a state of "SPROINGGG!!!" -- a state of arousal or activation due to the residual effects of intense memories that accumulate in a person. SPROINGGG is the way the person remains perpetually at-the-ready with his or her competencies and/or emotional reactions; SPROINGGG shapes our character and temperament.
Now, our SPROINGGG is a complex pattern or collection of memories imprinted on our NSNNP. Memories act as a Strange Attractor -- a time-warp tendency to gravitate toward certain experiences. So, the complex of memory imprints, the imprint of SPROINGGG on our NSNNP, tends to shape our attention, which attracts us toward or biases us toward certain kinds of experiences.
SPROINGGG is durable; it persists. The NSNNP, when imprinted by SPROINGGG, tends to keep the SPROINGGG experience as a lasting memory, which then functions as a Strange Attractor/Black Hole (SA/BH) which tends to draw us back to certain experiences. Again. And again. And again.
It's imprinted all the way into, not just the cellular (most shallow) level, but the entire neurological network (NSNNP) which is involved in physiological/psychological checks and balances. The whole person is affected, as residual SPROINGGG tension shows up as heightened muscular tension -- muscular hypertension -- the objective manifestation of SPROINGGG state (which we experience subjectively).
What, we may ask at this point, might muscular hypertension have to do with vascular hypertension? Just asking. Just asking. It's a little clue.
SPROINGGG tends to appear as a-symmetrical (off-balance) patterns of tension. That's what makes them disturbing, apart from the fatigue factor SPROINGGG introduces.
Now, just as muscular tensions appear in an asymmetrical way in the physical body, they appear as asymmetrical activation of their nervous system, especially the cerebrum and cerebellum. (which I speak about at more length in "Two Brains Out of Three", another one of these entries).
SPROINGGG states affect the formation of the neural network in the cerebrum, which participates prominently in moment-to-moment voluntary actions throughout the day (fluid memory or RAM), and also the cerebellum, the repository of long-term, often used, and instinctual action patterns, general templates for action, such as, "How To Turn a Steering Wheel". They're general templates for movement. The Hard Drive and The Backup Drive.
Now, what would it be like if one day your computer's hard drive took over the show and started controlling your computer, while your keyboard and mouse responses went unheeded?
Powerless. Out of control. Running Amok.
Hmmmm. Sound familiar? Having a virus does that. So does a glitch in your brain-conditioning.
Back spasm.
Awkward balance.
Perpetual crouch.
Yes. It's true, Your SPROINGGG imprint on your NSNNP (neural network) is at least partly responsible for whatever state of disarray you are in, and also (very likely) for your chronic physical pains and awkward liabilities. Yes, it's true. Your NSNNP integrates both sensations and movement-control patterns (coordination), and SPROINGGG shows up as tight muscles, awkwardness, and in-coordination. Think Jerry Lewis.
Your hard drive is running amok. We must veer away from SAs (Strange Attractors) . However, since SAs are both strange and very attractive, you have three options: (1) attempt to escape whatever SA you are (like Charibdis) nearby (2) go for it -- head straight into the SA/BH, or (3), alternate going into and pulling away from that "nearby SA" until you pop out of it, now newly being in control of your own NSNNP. You are in the command seat and the NSNNP is doing your bidding, using general template patterns resident in your cerebellum and "steering" them with your moment-to-moment awareness and voluntary control.
You see?
But your NSNNP functions somewhat erratically due to your NSNNP being asymmetrically activated.
Zo. You must learn new, better-balanced movement.
And once you learned better-balanced movement, you must let go of that balanced pattern, too, to have freedom -- necessarily so, for you must be able to move freely between activity and rest.
Now, how do we go about imprinting patterns? And isn't that brainwashing?
Ah, if only brainwashing were what the word implies.
No, this is true brainwashing -- self-washing of your NSNNP of residual SPROINGGG.
ahH HAH! I knew it!
It's like this: the first step of activating the neural net is, in little humans, gross motor control, primitive movement. Then, movements get refined as the NSNNP develops more and more internal inter-connections as it integrates the sensations and movement patterns that repeat the most and/or have more intensity. Stimulation patterns show up as network integrations and memory imprints, both healthy and SPROINGGG, accessible, in large measure, through patterns of movement that show up as patterns of sensation (memory).
And so it goes.
The way Out is In. Remember diving into the SA/BH? Well, there are both sensory-motor and memory/imagination techniques. Here's one.
Tha' tha' that's all, for now, folks!
SEE SOMATIC EXERCISES THAT ACTIVATE AND BALANCE BRAIN FUNCTION
Showing posts with label somatic exercises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label somatic exercises. Show all posts
Freeing Tight Hamstrings
To free tight hamstrings, it's important to understand their four movement functions.
If we do not gain (or improve) control in all four movement functions, one or more of those movement habits will dominate control of the other movement(s).
In addition, the hamstrings of one leg work alternately with those of the other -- as in walking; when the hamstrings of one leg are bending or stabilizing the knee, the hamstrings of the other leg are extending or stabilizing the other leg at the hip. In those movements, the hamstrings coordinate with the hip flexors and psoas muscles. (Co-contraction of hamstrings and hip flexors/psoas muscles leads to hip joint and ilio-sacral (SI) joint compression.) So our approach (being movement-based) must take those relationships into account. Otherwise, we never develop the feeling of free hamstrings in their familiar movements.
LEG EXTENSION AT THE HIP JOINT
That's the "leg backward" movement of walking. The hamstrings are aided by the gluteal (butt) muscles, but only in a stabilizing capacity. The major work is done by the hamstrings. In this movement, the hamstrings, inner and outer, work together in tandem.
LEG FLEXION AT THE KNEE JOINT
That's the "getting ready to kick" movement and also the "pawing the ground" movement. In these movements, the hamstrings, inner and outer, also work together in tandem (same movement).
To the anatomist and kinesiologist, it may seem incomprehensible ("paradoxical") that the hamstrings are involved in both movements -- leg forward and leg backward -- but that's how it is. Though the hamstrings are involved in both cases, different movements cause a different feel.
LOWER LEG ROTATION AT THE KNEE
That's the turning movement used in skating and in turning a corner. In this movement, the inner hamstrings (semi-membranosis and semi-tendinosis) relax and lengthen as the outer hamstring (biceps femoris) tighten to turn toes-out and the inner hamstrings tighten to turn toes-in as the outer hamstring relaxes and lengthens.
STABILIZATION OF THE PELVIS WHEN BENDING FORWARD
The hamstrings anchor the pelvis at the sitbones (ischial tuberosities) deep to the 'smile' creases beneath the buttocks (not the crack), so one can bend forward in a controlled way, instead of flopping forward at the hips like a marionette. In this movement, the hamstrings coordinate with the front belly muscles (rectus abdominis).
In most people, either the rectus or hamstrings dominates the other in a chronic state of excessive tension, so freeing and coordinating the hamstrings involves coordinating and matching the efforts of the two muscle groups. When the hamstrings dominate, we see swayback; when the rectus muscles dominate, we see flat ribs.
TRAINING HAMSTRING CONTROL
In training hamstring control, it's convenient to start with the less complicated movement, first. That's the anchoring movement that stabilizes bowing in a standing position. (See first video, above.)
After we cultivate control of "in tandem" hamstring movements, we cultivate control of "alternating" hamstring movements. (See second video, above.)
By cultivating control of "in tandem" and "alternating" movements, we fulfill the requirements of functions (1.), (2.), and (4.). The exercise linked in the paragraph above indirectly addresses function (3.) (lower leg rotation at the knee). Other exercises that have this effect exist in the somatic exercise programs, "The Cat Stretch" and "Free Your Psoas", for which previews exist through the preceding links.
- leg extension at the hip joint
- leg flexion at the knee
- rotation of the lower leg at the knee joint
- stabilization of the pelvis when bending forward
If we do not gain (or improve) control in all four movement functions, one or more of those movement habits will dominate control of the other movement(s).
In addition, the hamstrings of one leg work alternately with those of the other -- as in walking; when the hamstrings of one leg are bending or stabilizing the knee, the hamstrings of the other leg are extending or stabilizing the other leg at the hip. In those movements, the hamstrings coordinate with the hip flexors and psoas muscles. (Co-contraction of hamstrings and hip flexors/psoas muscles leads to hip joint and ilio-sacral (SI) joint compression.) So our approach (being movement-based) must take those relationships into account. Otherwise, we never develop the feeling of free hamstrings in their familiar movements.
LEG EXTENSION AT THE HIP JOINT
That's the "leg backward" movement of walking. The hamstrings are aided by the gluteal (butt) muscles, but only in a stabilizing capacity. The major work is done by the hamstrings. In this movement, the hamstrings, inner and outer, work together in tandem.
LEG FLEXION AT THE KNEE JOINT
That's the "getting ready to kick" movement and also the "pawing the ground" movement. In these movements, the hamstrings, inner and outer, also work together in tandem (same movement).
To the anatomist and kinesiologist, it may seem incomprehensible ("paradoxical") that the hamstrings are involved in both movements -- leg forward and leg backward -- but that's how it is. Though the hamstrings are involved in both cases, different movements cause a different feel.
LOWER LEG ROTATION AT THE KNEE
That's the turning movement used in skating and in turning a corner. In this movement, the inner hamstrings (semi-membranosis and semi-tendinosis) relax and lengthen as the outer hamstring (biceps femoris) tighten to turn toes-out and the inner hamstrings tighten to turn toes-in as the outer hamstring relaxes and lengthens.
STABILIZATION OF THE PELVIS WHEN BENDING FORWARD
The hamstrings anchor the pelvis at the sitbones (ischial tuberosities) deep to the 'smile' creases beneath the buttocks (not the crack), so one can bend forward in a controlled way, instead of flopping forward at the hips like a marionette. In this movement, the hamstrings coordinate with the front belly muscles (rectus abdominis).
In most people, either the rectus or hamstrings dominates the other in a chronic state of excessive tension, so freeing and coordinating the hamstrings involves coordinating and matching the efforts of the two muscle groups. When the hamstrings dominate, we see swayback; when the rectus muscles dominate, we see flat ribs.
TRAINING HAMSTRING CONTROL
In training hamstring control, it's convenient to start with the less complicated movement, first. That's the anchoring movement that stabilizes bowing in a standing position. (See first video, above.)
After we cultivate control of "in tandem" hamstring movements, we cultivate control of "alternating" hamstring movements. (See second video, above.)
By cultivating control of "in tandem" and "alternating" movements, we fulfill the requirements of functions (1.), (2.), and (4.). The exercise linked in the paragraph above indirectly addresses function (3.) (lower leg rotation at the knee). Other exercises that have this effect exist in the somatic exercise programs, "The Cat Stretch" and "Free Your Psoas", for which previews exist through the preceding links.
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