Get the Brain Onboard
Ever get tired of me doing homework? Wondering why we're always wiggling our toes or doing weird eye movements? I'm always learning new things and working them into my group yoga classes and one-on-one yoga therapy and bodywork.
What I am learning now:
I have been introduced to the ideas of using neurological functions (ie.; eye movements, smell, cranial nerve integration) to help open up restricted movements AND improve overall function in the body.
I've always understood that "it's all connected." Often when we experience pain in a particular part of the body, there is disfunction in a different part of the body. Not only is the physical body a complex system working to balance, our brain is providing unconscious signals to all of our tissues about how to function. Our brains are constantly taking information from our senses and sending out messages to help us move through the world. This means that we can turn up the volume on our efforts to improve/take care of the body by getting the brain onboard.
This means that in yoga class we will sneak in conscious breathing to help regulate the nervous system and use cross body movements to integrate the two halves of the brain. If you get on my massage table, I may work on your left shoulder and you feel less pain/discomfort in your right hip. You might feel that one side of your body has all the issues (pain, past injury, limited strength or range of motion). You could feel a big release or more balanced after you to engage your feet or move your eyes in a particular way. It's not magic ;) Sometimes it's just a "try" to see what works for you in that moment. Often times it's about getting the brain to feel safe (see Threat Bucket idea).
I'm still building a basic understanding of the complex neuro-body connections and how to get them working together. I am excited about the possibilities and some of the small ways folks have experienced big change from (seemingly) disconnected activities.
Where am I getting all this?
Missy Bunch - website (more general info, targeted to therapists) Instagram (lots of quick "how to" videos)
Z-Health - coming from a more athletic training perspective, but good info on the blog and Instagram for quick bites of information
Hopefully you can join in for group yoga, private yoga therapy, or massage to experience some of these techniques for yourself. In the mean time, take a breath, look around, and be good to yourself.