Spine
The natural s shape of a healthy spine has 4 curves and is made up of 24 independently moving vertebrae and 9 fused vertebrae. There is shock absorbing connective tissue in between each vertebrae to support easy and flexible movement. The flexibility and stability of these bones is created by muscles, ligaments, ribs and pelvis.
The spine connects your head, chest and pelvis, and distributes the weight of your upper body through the pelvis to the legs. It also protects the spinal cord and nerves.
Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a tubular bundle of nervous tissue and it support cells that extends from the brain. The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system.
It starts at the occipital bone and extends down to the space between the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord does not extend the entire length of the vertebral column.
- In men it is about 18 inches or 45 cm
- In women it is about 17 inches or 43 cm.
- It ranges from 1/2 inch thick in the cervical and lumber regions to 1/4 inch in the thoracic area.
Protected by the vertebral column it’s primarily function is the transmission of neural signals between the brain and the body. It has neural circuits that can independently control many reflexes and central pattern generators. There are three major functions of the spinal cord:
- As a conduit for motor information
- As a conduit for sensory information
- A center for coordinating certain reflexes
The spinal cord is described in three parts and each has a level of body function as follows:
Cervical Spine
- Neck flexors
- Neck extensors
- Supply diaphragm
- Shoulder movement, raise arm, flexion of elbow, externally rotates the arm
- Extends elbow and wrist
- Flexes wrist
Thoracic Spine
- Flexes wrist
- Supply small muscles of the hand
- intercostal and trunk above the waist
- Abdominal muscles
- Thigh flexion
- Thigh adduction
Lumbar Spine
- Extension of the leg at the hip and knee
- Flexion of the leg at the knee
- Dorsiflexion of the foot
- Extension of the toes
- Plantar flexion of the foot
Symptoms that have visibly eased in students influences by the somatic movements of Feldenkrais have been in the diagnosed conditions of:
- Anxiety, depression & mood disorders
- Arthritis
- Carpal Tunnel
- Chronic Pain
- Eating Disorders
- Edema
- Fear
- Fibromyalgia
- Injuries
- Intimacy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscle Tension
- Muscle Pain
- Nerve Pain
- Parkinson’s
- Spasms
- Stroke
- and more………
Why Feldenkrais?
It’s not a philosophy & there is no guru
The focus is upon a natural learning system & development building blocks that may have been interrupted through one’s lifetime
The wonderful integration focus of micro-movements in this somatic system of learning stimulates confidence and inner-strength. It’s singularly focus is upon activating one’s learning awareness within themselves that increases a more complete and natural system of support. In many students these patterns of micro movements has reduced the conditions and attachment to any diagnosis they have had. It appears that changing movement patterns can decrease years of habits and reaction contributing to the diagnosis.
Feldenkrais is a self-focused learning system uniquely designed to increase ones abilities to function in the world.
The only way to change is action
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More on functional Awareness:
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Feldenkrais integrates well and supports:
- Awareness through Eating Programs
- Actions motivated by integration of somatic experience using focus of attention, intention and manifestation
- Awareness through Food Programs
- Cultivating awareness of foods for optimum function
- Awareness through Goals
- Integrating universal, human and earth energies
- Doable action focus to support intentional manifestation
- Awareness through Living Integrative Programs
- Somatic Dialogue Programs
- Integrating universal and human energies
- Balancing somatic experience in relationships
- Effective and intentional dialogues
- Effective and intention listening
- Balancing somatic experience in relationships
- Integrating universal and human energies
- Awareness through Environment Programs
- Integrating universal, human and earth energies
- Balancing somatic experiences using focus and intention for manifestation of health, wealth & and harmony
Effective Movement Posture Mentoring Programs Available:
1st Level – Getting Started (Introduction & Pattern)
2nd Level – Getting Intouch (Experiencing & Connection)
3rd Level – Integration (Embodiment)
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by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP @ Inside Awareness, Living in Natures Love Blog
& Renee Lindstrom Live
Copyright 2014 – 2024 Renee Lindstrom, GCFP
Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Awareness Through Movement®, Functional Integration®, are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild® of North America. Feldenkrais Method®
Inside Awareness blog posts on hidden patterns (environment) of early learning of movement behaviours:
- Shifting perspectives through movement – can be the new reality
- Awareness of walking
- Mico-movements and the classroom chair for developing a child’s ability to age well
- Hidden influences of the decor in a Classroom learning environment
- An intro to hidden patterns of learning in classroom that lead to reduced mobility through the spine
- Feldenkrais and early learning for aging well
- The need for rounding the edges in design to increase spinal rotation in the classroom
- Cervical Spine Function
- Spinal Cord & Nerves
- Vertebrae & the Spine
- The need to shift theory observations to clear observations in physicality
Discover more from Learning Center for Inside Awareness
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