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Get Dem Bones a-Movin'

In my readings I came across some interesting thoughts about bones in Massage and Bodywork Magazine that I would like to share with you.

For many, the image of bones is those  white remains found on a beach, or  reproduced as an anatomical model - rigid structures encased in a sack of skin - an isolated system made  to move by muscles.

Yet, bones are wildly alive; regenerative, malleable, dynamic, and responsive.  Bones are living tissue, expressive of our genetic make-up, our ancient origins, and emotional wellness.  Bones tell us about who we are, and what we do, and what we stand for.

Dancer-turned human potential explorer Emilie Conrad developed a method of working with spinal cord injury patients through her inquisitive approach to bones.  She came to believe that what is called "paralysis" might be looked at in a different way.  She hypothesized that fluid still flows through and around the spine, and by utilizing that information in a new way, one could begin to build resilient, healthy bones. 

Using sound, breath, and micro-movements, Conrad saw tissue move in far distant limbs.  Fluid evokes waves, spirals, undulating swirls, and like all water, having no boundary, flows into many systems simultaneously.  Just as water moves form, fluid movement dissolves scar tissue, invigorates circulation, and forms new pathways, stimulating flesh, blood, and bone.

The hard, compact substance associated with bone has minute passageways filled with blood vessels that originate and carry living nutrients; the top, thin, white skin layer is full of blood vessels and nerves.  The deepest layer is a juicy, living marrow forming white blood cells for fighting infection, platelets to stop bleeding and red blood cells carrying oxygen.  All three layers of living bone tissue reverberate to the tempo of oceanic movement. 

What Conrad discovered was that the health of all connective tissue, no matter what function  it serves, is enriched by the movement of fluid.  Movement, sound, and breath are powerful forces for activating bones - new, old, sore, or paralyzed.

The Feldenkrais Method offers strategies to get dem bones movin'.

Judith