The movement of bones at joints and in muscles occurs in spirals. Each of the joint surfaces in the body is curved. No joint surface is flat. The form of joint surfaces results from the natural organization of energy and fluid flow found in nature. Be it water currents, how plants grow and even the shapes found in the distant galaxies.
Spiraling is also found in the organization of muscle tissue. The actin and myosin myofilaments spiral within them selves and also in relationship to each other. This organization in turn mimics the spiraling of DNA. At every level of organization, we see curves and spirals. Movement of the body may be seen as the expression of our DNA. There remains a three-dimensional quality of our movement even when considering examples of movement in two-dimensions when we may be seen as moving in a ‘straight line.’ The apparent straight line of movement results from many spirals and curves working in concert with each other in the body and in the mind.
To accommodate and hone our curvilinear nature, movements and exercises deliberately engaging this natural aspect of ourselves include, qigong, tai chi, some yoga, Gyrotonics, Basic Neurocellular Patterns, dance, walking and swimming to name a few.
So consider all the curves and spirals going on in your body the next time you reach for a glass or reach out to shake some ones hand. Enjoy.
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AUTHOR
Bob
Bob Lehnberg here. I am a certified teacher of Body-Mind Centering(R) with over 30 years experience teaching somatic touch and movement to students of massage therapy, qigong and yoga. Embryological and psychophysical aspects of qigong inform my practice and teaching.
