Hubert Godard: Masavoi workshop

Day 1

a.m.

The workshop’s focus: Explore restrictions of self, psychologically and as regards movement, which often is the same. Working with a an other (a human partner or a Pilati machine especially redesigned for this class) or alone out there - in open space.

Everyone has an image of the movements he or she performs. There is a picture of the spine, the core, a sense of presence, the chi, a center line, the center.

The core relates to deep muscles, which surrounds the spine and cooperates with orientation. The center line is in touch with gravity and expresses a vector dynamic.

The human new born learns first to express him/herself. In relationship with his/her mother or earliest caretaker it finds out how to make himself known and how to relate. The full use of the legs is last in the line of development. The development of the senses begins with the sucking instinct of the mouth, followed by vision.

There is focal vision directed at wanting to know and perfected in the brain. And there is peripheral vision directed towards the geographical surrounding and rooted in the core.

There is a new understanding in anatomy of the pelvis. It may be circumscribed as “letting the pelvis disappear (or the hidden pelvis)” and rather concentrate on the continuity of the spine’s full length, including the sacrum. In support of this new vision of the body’s base is the following fact: the majority of hamstring muscles come up the back of the leg and attach to the sacrum directly. Only a minor part attaches to the seat bone.

A number of motions, which aim at separating the perception of vertebra and pelvis in the illio-sacral joint are introduced. Introduced as well are feet and hands and their role to initiate movements connecting to the core. As is the raising of the head.

There is practice of standing up/sitting down and bending down/raising up, all worked from the sacrum and the energy of the core.

The interdependence of moving from the core freely and using peripheral vision is introduced. A recommendation: close the eyes while doing exerises if there are any restrictions in peripheral vision because of for instance an accident.

Two exercises with the reverse Pilati machine are introduced. Both aim at a conscious use of core muscles and at strengthening them. One, pushing outward between hands and feet, pulling back with the inner abdominal muscles. Two, redistribute the body weight to a point of balance in which the machine begins to lift you in an up and forward direction.

The latter is as well the standard for walking. The rear foot initiates the movement. It lifts the same sided haunch and shoulder forward and creates a smooth transition to the other foot and leg.

p.m.

We begin with floor work.

Lessons are in this morning’s context: using the psoas, which makes for posture and not the illiopas, which makes for movement. Calling on the flow of energy between the feet, the core, the head and the hands. (On a side line: the importance of peripheral vision. With the loss of vision come problems of the hip and ankle. I am reminded of Fabian’s loss of vision in the left eye and recent problems of stability).

Exercises feel like automations. Stretched out on the back, one knee bent, use the positioned foot to effect the raising of the arm by the hand only. It feels a bit like pushing a gas pedal with the foot to make the arm move. The energy passes through the psoas and the core. Likewise effect a turning of the upper torso. In a similar fashion effect the turning of the pelvis from the hand positioned next to the neck. This exercise by the same token permits the upper neck vertebra to rotate freely.

After the coffee break walking forward and backward, alone and/or with a partner. The emphasis on finding the body’s upright posture and gravitational center. In addition practice to work towards another’s hands, not from muscular efforts in the arms and shoulders, but with an energy coming from the core and the surface of the hands alone (I am reminded of my dermatome hypothesis). Again it feels like an automation. The energy flows from the core to the hands into the other.

At last, first corrective exercises. Leaning with both hands, arms stretched towards a wall, moving the thorax vertebra back and fore between the shoulder blades. I get to practice an additional motion, which equals a recreation of my arm sockets in my mind’s eyes: doing the same, however, only with one arm at a time or, while the arms are wobbly, lean on the elbows.

Another round of letting the machine lift you and walk accordingly rounds up the day.

Day 2

a.m.

Yesterday’s focus was moving the lower spine from the core. This morning the use of the toes and their role in the transmission of weight from one leg to the other in walking is added.

One piece of information plays an important role in this process: at the moment of the psoas’ complete lengthening it shortens automatically, providing a much desired forward push in walking.

Likewise the neck vertebra is surrounded by inner postural muscles, which play a role in triggering movement. Don’t hook down the chin, but rather lengthen the muscles at the neck’s front, to coordinate with the leg that pushes off.

In the improvement of locomotion the emotion of the head plays a big part (I am reminded of those equine big movers, which get their head pulled down to the chest for control: an irony in breeding history). If necessary do face work to impact the muscles of the jaw.

New research (which?) has revealed, that (1) the inner ear provides a plomb line for balance, (2) the semi-circular canal in the inner ear permits the eyes to see and focus while moving, (3) a connection of the inner ear to hearing, which remains to be researched further and (4) the sense of smelling relates to the core.

In therapy, the therapist has the following options to improve a patient’s well-being. (1) Body manipulation, (2) improvement of body coordination through the creation of new synapses (nerve combinations in the brain), (3) a change of perception.

In this context the ever changing homunculus was introduced. It represents a mammal’s sensory and motor activity. And the fact that but only 3% of the motor cortex’s activity relates to movement, 97% go to coordination.

I did not catch the relationship between the change of perception and the homunculus.

(4) Address the symbolic level. The later points demand further exploration in light of the impact of life (fate, circumstance, emotion etc.).

Only the alignment of the bodys position in space with the organisation of internal space permit proper proprioception (awareness of self).

This morning’s exercises again addressed the fact, that core muscles are activated by the axial points: hand, feet, eyes and the plomb line of the inner ear.

To activate the psoas, which stretches from L1 down to the upper thighs, the feet must lift from the toes. Another aspect was the release of each individual vertebra. The upper spine, the ribs and breathing are affected negatively by individual or groups of vertebrae in the thorax that tend not to release.

One exercise, using an upright pole, was used to bring greater awareness to the interdependance of core muscles and axial points. The other using a horizontal pole was the first to address the release of individual vertebrae in the dropped back.

p.m.

The afternoon’s first exercise was again done lying on the back, feet up on the wall: a succession of pushing up the front line from the toes, the back line from the heels and the head up from the center line. Letting the hand flow up from a push of the same sided foot. Continue into a turn of the torso initiated by the hand.
Next, using a second machine, was a side stretch of the torso, worked between hands and head

and a side stretch of the leg, worked between the feet and the head. Both exercises serve well to control and balance the abduction (ABD) and adduction (ADD) of the limbs. Both carry emotional meaning and expression beyond the immediate physical value.

‘Blooming feet’ was the surprise of the day. This exercise works as letting happen (wu wei) only. The outward extension of one foot produces an energy that moves upward and lets the body move along. The body returns by a movement of the knee. This exercise is done, lying flat on the back on the moveable part of the second machine. It activates and consolidates the body one side at a time.

And, finally, an exercise with undeniable training value (meaning I really felt it all over me). Kneeling on the same sliding board pushing back while mounting and releasing the spine, one vertebra at a time. Returning with a reverse movement of the sacrum, while effecting a release of each vertebra in a dropped back pulled up by the head.

Day 3

a.m.

There were several preliminary questions this morning.

(1) How to repair and/or stimulate the functions of the inner ear. A distinction was made between physiology and phenomenology. Specialized doctors heal the inner ear. In body work the functions of teeth, jaw, inner ear, eyes and nose are percieved as one system, which – more than anything - through peripheral vision relates to the functions of the core.

(2) Which energy is activated in the blooming feet exercise (see yesterday)? There is a core energy, that one needs not to add to or interfere with. It can connect to another’s energy.

On a side line an example: the hamstring, being a gravitational muscle, responds to the core through orientation. It releases with a resetting from muscular to core activity.

(3) Human boundary is plastic. It is not the skin. Haptic functions play a role in it. An example: experiments with breast cancer patients have shown, the most successful scar treatment is the result of human hands plus patients’ permission.

Leasions may in truth be inhibitions. Body image, space of action and cultural self awareness blur. The body readily incorporates objects attached to it (protheses, a feather on the hat, the pen in hand) in its movement schemes. But will the mind go for it?

In the 1940s Sherinton discovered the stretch reflex of the psoas. He was keenly aware of the role of postural muscles and in fact called them the shadow of movement. Postural muscles (which are they?) anticipate changes in the gravitational field. Doing so they remain in the shadow. Their action does not rise into consciousness. They define what’s up and what is down.

Activities in the shadow should not conflict with gestural activities. Therefore we explore and learn to understand the postural system and its relationship with orientation before we begin to shape movement.

On the side line: meditation, prayer, posture, orientation, healing and dealing with fear are a continuum. The effects of forgiveness register in the shadow. Posture provides potential for movement.

Concerning breathing: breath begins in the neck. The breathing nerve (scalini) connects from the diaphragm to the neck. It as well connects to orientation. C1 – eyes. C2 – nose. C3 – jaw. All three relate to orientation and the core.

A general rule: getting back to the core and expanding core activitiy strengthens orientation and creates health.

Tonic muscle. How is it effected by the orientation system?

An example: Akido’s unbendable arm, which is attributed to the chi (life force, which enters a newborn with the first breath), in fact is the result of giving up the struggle against the body’s provisions.

Research results confirm a false action of the biceps rather than its antagonist in the arm that gives to pressure. Verses the action of the core activated by an orientation of the hand towards the horizon in the unbendable arm. Sounds like man is meant to be invincible.

Several exercises were added, which trigger core activity through the axial points and effect a release of the hamstring.

Hamstring and biceps are gravitational muscles, which tend to fight against core activities. Why?

The pelvic floor consists of two sets of muscles, one gravitational, the other belonging to the core. The ischio-coccygene, belonging to the first group, is the biggest of the muscles mentioned. It connects the coccy and the seat bones (lowest parts of the pelvis).

The latter consists of three layers, of which the uppermost rubococygeon not infrequently is cut or ruptured in women during child birth. This core muscle works with the transvers abdominus?

Problems with the hips and the external rotation of one or both haunches are often the result.

Several exercises are introduced. They aim at a greater awareness of the pelvic floor and its relation to coccy and sacrum. They are reenforced by further exercises, which raise the awareness of the psoas as it lifts the leg in walking.

At last the role of the head in walking is introduced. A small up movement of the chin unlocks the neck and frees a rotating movement of the pelvis. The pelvis must feel like hanging freely from the head. As well effected are the scalini and breathing freely. Walking like this is a pleasure.

p.m.

A whole battery of exercises, aiming at slow body movements from the core, while integrating orientation and awareness. Stretches of the hamstring, turns of the upper body, the forward cobra, the reverse cobra, a cobra like movement while stretching the hamstrings, two and one sided stretches between hands and feet, which activate the psoas, pushing down and lifting between toes and knee using either muscles in front or in back of the torso.

To round up: walk in meditiation.

Day 4

a.m.

The first time God is mentioned, “... Thank God, this is so and so...”, and in private conversation.

A book on the plasticity of the brain is recommended: Norman Doidge, “The Brain That Changes Itself”. The Italian title is “The Infinite Brain”.

Today’s lecture is on the posture of the spine and how it relates to intrinsic (i.e. core) muscles and orientation.

In C1 eyes and head are independent of the spine. The spine, as seen from the side, is curved. Turning points are T9/10 (ribs at the end of the sternum) and C7 (at the base of the neck). Torsion (turning) and bending of the spine (or, for that matter, a stick of any material) function in unison. The bending prepares for the torsion.

I.e. a completely flat spine is unmovable. A change of turning points arrests the movement of the spine and puts unnecessary pressure on the discs. It is the result of attitudes in (which?) and towards life. It as well affects breathing.

Exercises, sitting on a chair, address the balance of feet, pelvic floor, C1 and eyes. Restrictions in turning are removed by asking where did the restriction originate? In the feet or in the perception of space?

Turning the head while keeping the eyes in one and the same direction balances and reeducates the semi-circular canal in the inner ear.

Turning the raised elbows from one side to the other opens the multifidie ? and prepares the spine for greater ranges of movement.

Sitting and moving fore and back on a rolling stick balances the hamstring with the front as well as the back of the core.

A cobra-like movement pushes up with the head and in the process opens the front of the chest. A cobra-like movement, elbows on the wall, does the same standing up, permitting to check on breathing as well.

All amounts to a fine tuning of the core. Without attention to the activity of the core the exercise “Opening to the Sun” for instance is but gymnastic of small or no value.

p.m.

The afternoon is devoted to the movement of the shoulder, which - as a ground rule - should come from the serratus, without any involvement of the pectoris or the serratus’ antagonist, the rhomboid. Mentioned: in the horse the serratus supports the thorax on the base of the front legs. And to the mobility of hands, wrists, lower arms, elbows and arm sockets.

More exercises for moving the spine fore and back between the shoulders, plus pulling in the knee from the transversus.

An exercise which balances the pushing action of the serratus and the pulling action of the transvers.

At last, an exercise in ABD letting go throughout the sides and ADD coming back up through the core. These two motions require completely different emotions. They create a dynamic that goes beyond the physical into the psyche. A lesson in the interaction of motion and emotion.

Day 5

a.m.

Yesterday’s sessions were on the role, possibilities and limitations of the spine. Today the subject is breathing.

The spine is shaped by walking and breathing. It has a momentum, which must be balanced.

Disc problems in L5/4 for instance are due to mal positioned turning points (i.e. displaced from their natural position in T9/10 and C7), which cause a loss of the spine’s elasticity.

The skeleton’s spiral motion begins with the turning motion in the arch of the foot. A turn of the hand pulls on the spine.

Breathing problems are the result of incompetent posture. I.e. no ground orientation, no relation to space.

The voice is part of breathing.

There exists to date no good book on the bio-mechanical aspects of breathing. The following misconceptions persists. Physicians recommend belly breathing, which, however, can not supply more than 30% of total human breathing capacity. The remaining 70% are supplied by chest breathing.

At the Roman physician and author Galen's time there was a debate about the diaphragm’s position in breathing. In belly breathing the diaphragm moves down, in chest breathing it moves up, which was Galen’s position.

Chest breathing effects an acceleration of sympathetic functions. The adrenalin level rises and prepares the body for action. It depends on the core’s orientation and stabilisation and supports performance. Belly breathing on the other hand accelerates the parasympathicus, which calls on hormonal functions. It suits rest and relaxation.

The diaphragm is able to push the lower ribs outward. Attached to the diaphragm is a tendon (chura ?), which is not part of the mesoderm and innervated differently. It appears to have a function in the lifting of weight. In continuation of the central tendon it connects the lower lumbar area with the heart. The heart in turn is connected to the neck by ?

Exercises.

A free for and back movement of the lumbar vertebra in belly breathing indicates the release of the chura. An unreleased chura effects the participation of the transvers in breathing and causes havoc in the functions of the pelvic floor, further research pending.

Chest breathing begins with the orientation of the head and the activation of the core. It causes the neck vertebrae to rise, which activates the breathing nerve (scalini). Chest breathing is the automatic result.

Language and with it breathing are subject to cultural differences.

There is a detail worth knowing about the succession of the breath. Breathing in and out are not the result of opposing directions but happen in a kind of circular motion, which is interspersed by a pause at the diaphragm’s lowest postiton.

(Note: an extension of this pause causes a double oxygenation of the metabolism (Zilgrei). It releases muscular activity, including that which cause the major blood vessels to originate high blood pressure).

p.m.

Fine tuning exercises.