Paola Cuman
Postural gymnastics
Postural education and the Method have many common aspects and principles, so much so that they integrate and blend perfectly.
The SoulSpension tool in fact proves to be a useful device in achieving the objectives of postural education with a method and timing that is sometimes lower than normal.
1. What is postural education
When we talk about postural education, we generally immediately think of the disharmonies of the spinal column which often present themselves from school age, or of all those pains which can be traced back to "back pain" at any age. such as lumbago and sciatica.
Generally it is used to alleviate or eliminate pain and acquire correct attitudes.
1.1 Why is correct posture so important?
From a physical point of view, having a correct posture promotes better awareness of one's body, adequate distribution of loads and better functionality of organs and systems.
From a psychological point of view we are more aware of ourselves and this allows us to face every situation with greater confidence and "serenity".
Posture is nothing other than the attitude that our body assumes in space, as a physical, mental and emotional adaptation to the environment that surrounds us.
So our attitude communicates our state of well-being or discomfort. Unfortunately, an altered posture has consequences on the body that influence our entire organism and give rise to a state of "chronic stress". The latter induces our neuroendocrine system to excessive production of a hormone, cortisol, which determines:
decrease in immune defenses
greater water retention
altered sugar metabolism
Postural imbalances are responsible for the appearance of muscle tension that causes traction on the joints. It follows:
headaches
muscle pain
cervical pain
low back pain
sciatica
alterations of the intervertebral discs (protrusions and herniated discs)
Postural disharmony also leads to muscular compensations which, if prolonged over time, lead to well-known alterations of the spine such as:
scoliosis
hyper/hypolordosis
hyper/hypokyphosis
pelvic imbalances
alterations in foot support
dizziness – sense of instability
balance disorders sometimes associated with headaches or migraines
The objective of postural education is therefore the recovery of a correct posture with the reduction or resolution of spinal pain and the relaxation of derived blocks, with benefits that go beyond the physical aspect, and also concern the psychological, emotional sphere and relational.
Thanks to the work and studies carried out by many authors who have dealt with posture, such as Tribastone, Mézierès and Souchard, we have returned to considering the person as a whole: that inseparable whole, well known by the ancients, of soma and psyche.
Today we also refer to the integrated psychophysiological model (Ruggieri) on the basis of which the correct posture and the re-educational path to achieve it are defined.
Therefore, the concept of correct posture has acquired a broader meaning with a definition of postural attitudes in a bioexistentialist context, through the study of the biological and psychological components of the individual considered in his social and relational context. 2. Breathing: basic principleof postural education Method and SoulSpension "I didn't have to take in air, it entered me from the moment I began to feel instead of think."F. Leboyer
Postural education has its basic principle in breathing: it is in fact through it that you acquire greater awareness of yourself and your body: the respiratory muscle chains (anterior and posterior) are stimulated, which become more toned, strong and harmonious with a significant benefit also on a psychological level.
The multiple benefits of breathing are also highlighted in a greater expansion of the rib cage and vital capacity, improved blood and lymphatic circulation, increased joint excursion and flexibility.
Furthermore, correct breathing calms, relaxes and produces a flow of endorphins which activates a profound state of well-being and psycho-physical relaxation. Therefore the emphasis is on sensations and on the "felt", a concept that is extremely familiar and widely developed by the " Method" and through the use of the "tool" SoulSpension
2.1 SoulSpension and postural education
The SoulSpension proves to be the ideal tool to immediately come into contact with your body and in particular with the spine, opening up to a sensorial experience that crosses over from the physical sphere to the psychological and emotional one. New sensations activated by proprioceptive stimulation of the spine which gives a different perception of one's body and its movements.
SoulSpension in fact promotes spinal alignment and muscle lengthening, giving a sense of openness that is felt first at the thoracic level, and then expands and involves the body and mind.
I have been experimenting with SoulSpension for almost three months with people of very different ages and problems and the feeling of releasing tensions and of greater "expansion" is evident from the first approach.
With Federica - over seventy years old, overweight, with knee replacements, low back pain and difficulty walking - I gradually incorporated the use of SoulSpension into our sessions.
We started with 15/20 minutes every 3 days for a couple of weeks, with guided breathing exercises, already acquired through the postural program, accompanied by rotation and flexion-extension movements of the arms to encourage the mobilization of the shoulder joint -humeral, of the dorsal section of the spine, and the general relaxation of the paravertebral muscles.
Continuing with the sessions, we extended the time of using the SoulSpension by doing exercises:
while sitting to improve the elasticity of the muscles and the general mobilization of the spine; antero/retroversion and pelvic rotation movements; and sensitization of the pelvic floor muscles;
while standing, the proprioceptive work stimulated the plantar and lower limb muscles in order to improve balance and load distribution. The significant stress on the circulation also made the lower limbs lighter and "decontracted".
on the ground supine, (often with legs bent at 90° resting on a chair) we alternated various exercises synchronized with breathing, such as: antero/retroversion and rotation of the pelvis, flexion-extension movements to increase lengthening and mobility of the spinal column, and lengthening movements to promote relaxation of the musculotendinous structures of the coxofemoral joint.
For Federica, not all days are the same and despite the work done so far, the low back pain sometimes still creates some discomfort, but by using SoulSpension complete with "extensions", the back quickly feels lighter: the more intense stress in fact , "dissolves" the accumulated tension, giving almost immediate relief.
Over the course of these months, Federica has observed that thanks to the use of SoulSpension she has developed a progressive ability to "abandon" and a pleasant sensation of "emptying" on a mental level. As if she had finally allowed herself to take time for herself and was able to let go of her body, with all its weight. A relaxation of tensions that results in a lightness that remains even after the session and makes her feel physically safer, but also more lucid.
The work carried out in the different positions led Federica to visible results such as the consolidation of balance and general flexibility and tone of the various parts of the body. The greater capacity for relaxation, both muscular and psychological, can be clearly seen in his postural attitude and facial expressions.
A statement that thrilled me at the end of a session was: "I feel good, on my feet, free and easy in my movements, but most of all, since we have been using SoulSpension I have the impression that my head functions differently, in a positive sense. Now I think more about myself....
Confirming that "re-posing" on SoulSpension gives multiple benefits and becomes a unique way to take care of ourselves.
From other experiences I have been able to see that SoulSpension can be offered to anyone, even to those with a more "mental" approach. with difficulty focusing attention on their sensations: the transformation in fact comes naturally.
As with Francesca, when I started working with her, I immediately perceived that she was not at ease: eyes open, struggling to let go, I would say annoyed. We talked a bit and it emerged that she is not given to abstraction, she is very alert and has a strong sense of control.
I then continued the session with a different tone of voice, precisely indicating the movements and what needed to be moved and relaxed. I adapted my communication to what was most congenial and familiar to her: she focused on breathing and movements in a more "functional" way. that "sensory", with the result that tensions have eased, and she has conquered "her" feeling of well-being.
The subsequent sessions led to an evolution of the approach with the instrument, SoulSpension has in fact facilitated and stimulated a transformation of the perception of the body, increasingly weakening the initial "mental" control in favor of a new "felt" sensation.
Conclusions
Generally I propose the SoulSpension as a simple mat, without specifying that it is "magic". For me it is an effective tool that manages to facilitate the achievement of postural objectives, but also to dismantle those psychological blocks that cause the muscular tension at the basis of many contractures and disharmonies.
Which in its simplicity is "magical", then people discover it for themselves thanks to the feeling of well-being, harmony and "openness" that they feel after a short time using it.
From experience, it is clear that SoulSpension is suitable for everyone. Regardless of the movements that may be suggested, what makes the difference is our empathy.
The ability and sensitivity to empathize with the people we treat, using the most appropriate language, allows them to appreciate this tool and come into contact with themselves.
From the feedback received from those who have tried SoulSpension, it clearly emerges that the well-being that is experienced persists over time and quickly becomes part of everyone, a sensation that accompanies every moment of the day.
The ability to ease physical and emotional tensions makes any moment ideal for "re-resting". on SoulSpension and for many it arises from the desire and sometimes from the need to find a sort of balance and "resent" present.
And' in fact, it is curious how SoulSpension becomes everyone's oasis, the solution to resort to or simply, one's own moment for oneself, when one feels the need to feel relieved of all burdens. It often happens to me that the people I work with wait for the moment of SoulSpension just like their "cuddle" personal.
When the sensations of our body, free from tension, are internalized and we feel "centered", a transformation begins: the rhythm with which we do anything, such as eating and speaking, changes. By changing our awareness, new and better neurological pathways are created which in the long term are leading, from what I am observing, to the establishment of healthier habits, respecting ourselves, others and the environment around us.< /p>
In light of the experiences made, Postural Education Method and SoulSpension integrate and blend perfectly, both acting on a psychophysical level. SoulSpension is the additional tool that, by placing complete and deep breathing at the centre, promotes the encounter with ourselves and opens us up to new ways of relating.
In summary: "re-rested" on the SoulSpension breathe, relax and be reborn!