Posture and balance in one of forty plants, which during the Masavoi workshop June/July 2008 with Hubert Godard in Altrei I picked in less than half an hour from a meadow of the Italian Alpes.
Posture is the root of movement. It also determines balance and well-being. Posture roots in the body's core. This core encompasses the bony structure of the spine (1), the sensory-motor system, which constitutes the central nervous system's core (2), muscle systems, which direct and protect the spine (3), and the psoas, which - while connecting lumbar vertebrae and upper thighs - monitors the sacrum (4). The core in other words is a tensegrity, animated from within. It covertly and yet noticeably draws on some sort of energy. It interacts with gravity. It implements intention, reacts to perception and kicks off in anticipation. Functions of the core it turns out can be trained, which puts posture, balance, movement and well-being at fingertips.
Movement - yes, and balance is implied, but what does well-being have to do with posture? It was the merit of Dr. Ida Rolf to first notice the reciprocal action of posture and balance and encompassing health. She attributed this interaction in the body to fascia, this unattractive body mass, which butchers cut away when preparing meat for consumption. Fascia research nowadays has exploded. It produces information on such divers issues as body repair, internal information transfer and the immune system.
Modern fascia research promises to fill a void, which to date exists concerning the in between of body texture's known elements. It informs as well on a so called fascia skeleton. This elastic structure in the body supports bones, muscles, organs, senses, etc.. It determines their distribution not only in relation to one another, but to the forces of gravity. And it acts as medium for motion. If tensions in this web-like structure are imbalanced and its freedom restricted, all stresses. Organ functions leave alone well-being are curtailed. If on the other hand the body's parts are in correct relation to each other and the gravitational field, all is well.
