Original TMBW Blog Post
Good Morning! I hope had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!
I had a delightful weekend! I’ve been playing with the idea of movement as a primary problem-solver for some time and had fun expanding my ideas.
Idea Roots:
During a training exercise in CA, we imitated animal movements. I had a wonderful time gracefully moving my arms in strong powerful eagle’s flight patterns.
Later, I participated in incredible drum circles – a guest drummer would keep the beat and we danced to our complete contentment.
I was struck with how I moved differently and felt differently. The training and the drumming circles each provided fun opportunities to be curious and play. Exploring different ways to move in the world was insightful. Frankly, it was empowering in an curious, unexpected way.
Idea Evolution – I: Storytelling & Archetypes:
Later, I played with the idea of archetypes. I was fascinated by the thought that our brains’ internal structure is optimized for storytelling – both as actor and as listener.
Joseph Campbell, of The Power of Myth fame, was consulted for the writing and production of Star Wars. The idea is that certain stories and their archetypes are inherent to our human knowing. We readily relate to a “Hero’s Journey” whether in the ancient Greeks “Jason and the Golden Fleece” or the modern classics like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.
Evolution – II – Clinical Psych & Neuroscience:
Neuroscience and Exercise Science have also helped us learn much about movement and the brain.
Llinas and the Embodied Cognition movement have produced research emphasizing the importance of movement to the human condition. Llinas wrote,
“That which we call thinking is the evolutionary
internalization of movement.” (Llinas, 2001)
And so, according to Llinas,
We Move, therefore We Think.
Wolport went on to say,
“We have a brain for one reason and one reason only, and that’s to produce adaptable and complex movements.
Movement is the only way you have of affecting the world around you. (Wolpert, 2011)
Separately, we all know about Fight and Flight –
- each is movement-based and
- each has it’s own unique thought patterns
We often don’t realize that the 3rd option, beyond Fight and Flight, is to Freeze. Freeze is the human condition,
- without movement, that
- holds the expectation that we may not survive.
My research suggests that overwhelming stress can produce a Freeze response. In freeze, we assume:
- we have no “real” options, and
- we become physically less, if not completely, immobile
Similar, to Fight and Flight, with Freeze, the way we move and how we think are influenced by the Freeze response.
The good news is that we’re inherently mobile, movement-oriented beings and so movement is part of our “DNA” and holds a key to getting us beyond the experience of being “stuck.”
I am convinced that if you
- Move the Body, and the Mind will Follow.
- Shift your Thoughts and Your Body will Shift it’s stance and Movement Patterns
- Combine Mind, Body, and Emotions and you now have a powerful trifecta for creating new possibilities.” (Eckery)
Hippocrates once said,
“If you’re in a bad mood, go for a walk…
If you’re still in a bad mood, go for another walk.
Try it.
First, think of something that is bothering you – a problem to be solved
Second,
- Go for a walk. OR
- Play – Flow like an eagle in flight – Flap your mighty wings
- Imitate the stance and the walk of a warrior archetype, or
- Move across the room like a priest
Third,
Remember, A simple shift of your feet affects your brain and your thinking. And, the more whole-bodied your movements, the more your brain and your thoughts are affected.
After you play with the above movement experiment 5 – 10 minutes is all you need to get started.
Then, pause and think about the issue you’re working on. Let your body influence you. Answer these questions:
- How do you think about your issue now that simple movement is part of your problem-solving routine?
- What new insights do you have into solving your “problem”?
- How do you feel now that mind and body are working together to solve your problem?
- How has the combination of Movement and Thought affected your sense of Hope
Movement is a great symbol to our brains – I am convinced that mind-body problem-solving is our key to getting beyond our current situation and to creating the reality we prefer.
Have a Great rest of the week and Weekend!
Schedule Now! and Let the Summer Fun Begin!
Have a Great Week!
Christine
The Mind Body Whisperer
– Dedicated to Helping You Optimize for Your Favorite Sport and Pain-Free Living!
Click Schedule Now to schedule online or
Call or Text me, Christine Eckery, at
302-593-9262 with your date and time preferences
You can also find me at TMBW.Massage@gmail.com
Bibliography:
Wolpert, D. (2011, November). Transcript of “The real reason for brains.” Retrieved May 30, 2016, from https://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_wolpert_the_real_reason_for_brains/transcript
