Posture is most commonly defined as structure. Head up, shoulders down and back straight come to mind. This simple concept unfortunately does not as much as hint at the complexity and beauty that hides behind it. Human posture interacts with balance and movement. It is the stronghold of physical and emotional fair balance. Postural imbalances on the other hand result in interior misalignments, which disturb the organism, unsettle the mind and make a man sick.
Posture is the result of postural muscles, which closely wrap the skeleton. They essentially form a core of energy, which interacts with the force of gravity. This core reacts to perception, responds to intention, kicks off in anticipation and as such implements life. Fortunately core functions can be trained, which puts proper posture and balance, mobility and well-being in everyone's reach.
It was the merit of Dr. Ida Rolf (U.S.A./1896-1973) to notice the reciprocity of posture, balance and encompassing health. She attributed this interaction to the existence of a fascia skeleton, which as long as it is in its natural, genetically predisposed form sustains the exchange of gravitational force with the breath of life. This most elementary fact of life, incidentally, is confirmed by returning astronauts, who - after periods outside of the gravitational force - upon return feel like lead.
The fascia skeleton in more than one way rivals the structural skeleton in importance. All body parts such as bones, muscles and organs are enveloped in a delicate web-like organic fabric, which is as strong as it is elastic. For the reader's orientation, it is the grayish-white substance, which is removed for instance from meat, when it is prepared for consumption.
Fascia sheaths form a continuous web, which determines the body's shape and size. It appoints the position of motor, digestive, respiratory and all other body parts and regulates their distribution not only in relation to one another, but in proportion to the forces of gravity. This web also is the medium of movement. Tensions in the fascia web restrict body functions. And when muscles, joints and organs are curtailed body, mind and emotions are stressed. On the other hand a fascia skeleton in its predisposed proper form assures mobility, health and well-being.
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