Movement & Psychology Workshop
Rebuilding the natural ecology of movement
The natural ecology of movement
An ecology is a complex of relationships that constitutes a system. A living forest is an ecology: plants grow from nutritious soil, on which animals feed and reproduce seasonally. When there is balance between these component parts, an ecosystem thrives; but when this symmetry is broken, all sorts of unpredictable changes occur.
Human movement has its own ecology; populated by muscle, tendon, emotion, sensation and all sorts of neural functions. When there is symmetry between these component parts, we are powerful, intuitive and resilient. When that symmetry is broken, we are anxious, depressed and we lose the glow we had as children.
To rebuild the natural ecology of movement, this workshop shares scientific research on mind and body:
Movement is naturally motivated by emotion: invigorate your movement through curiosity and courage. Movement is naturally goal-directed: empower your movement by extroverting your attention. Movement is naturally reflex-coordinated: improve your movement, by rooting it in evolutionary patterns. Movement is naturally in response to the present environment: attune your movement, by working with meditation techniques.
For further reflections on the theory behind the workshop, read on:
Absolutely present
Abstract thought means focusing on what we cannot see, hear, touch, taste or smell. Where animals are generally stuck in the present, we have the ability to project our minds into the past & future and to simulate the points of view other people. We use this skill to form a self-narrative; allowing us to make sense of past events and to plan for the future.
Whilst abstract thought enables us to do many things, it also has a cost. When I worry about my past or future self, I am no longer in the moment. My attention has been drawn away from what is immediately around me.
Abstract thought becomes problematic when it is our default state. Because present moment sensitivity is needed for a variety of physical and psychological processes, losing access to this world of direct experience is consequential. We become less happy, less able to perceive our basic needs and less able to use the reflexes that naturally support our movement & psychology.
Presence in practice
Find deeper levels of release by practicing equanimity; the equalisation of attention
Connect with the eyes and the breath to practice thoughtless movement
Pressure test presence by practicing under a variety of conditions
Reflex coordinated
Reflexes are fast, automatic movements, that are coordinated by parts of the nervous system that operate beneath conscious awareness. Because of their extreme speed, these powerful and flexible responses are only stimulated by present moment sensations which occur on split second time scales.
Think about the doctor hitting your knee with the little hammer, as an example. This reflex movement of the knee occurs near instantly. When the tendon is stretched, a signal is sent to the spinal cord and then back to the quadricep muscles, which rapidly contract to move the knee.
Reflexes do not always work. By anticipating the movement of the knee, the reflex arc can be disturbed. This phenomena of “reflex modulation” can occur in any set of reflexes, such as those related to posture, digestion and sexual arousal. In this way, the quality and direction of our attention is a fundamental part of the ecology of movement.
Reflexes in practice
Rebuild postural reflexes and expand them into acrobatic righting reflexes
Rapidly reorient by integrating crossed extensor reflex into acrobatics and roughhousing
Reduce protective reflexes to regain freedom of movement under stress
Goal directed
Animals naturally focus on what they are moving towards, not on how they are moving. A goat jumping across a great chasm is not concerned with pointing his toes on takeoff. He is focused on reaching the other side of the valley; getting to what is important to him.
In this way, movement is naturally directed by its desired result. Focusing on a goal, my body will offer flexible and fast solutions, adapting to the environmental constraints that are present. When I focus inwardly, paying attention to my hand to catch a ball, my movement is more constrained and less effective & efficient.
This kind of cortical steering, where movement is coordinated consciously, makes us more vulnerable to performance anxiety and lack of progression, and removes the spontaneous joy of movement many of us fell in love with in the first place. We make a fuller use of ourselves when we focus outwardly, and are more constrained when we are self-conscious. Learning to move without self-consciousness, supported by present sensitivity, thoughtless reflex and external directedness, makes movement more potent, adaptive and vital.
Goal direction in practice
Improve power production by altering the distance of attention in acrobatic and athletic movements
Remap your body image with an external focus to remove limitations on balance, speed and force production
Find confidence and commitment with partner supported acrobatics and parkour tasks
Emotionally motivated
Emotion affects movement significantly. In a state of anxiety, protective reflexes come online more easily, discouraging us from exploration and challenge. In a state of joy, we are physically and psychologically expansive, seeking new connections and experiences.
Like the motor reflexes, emotions also have specific arcs of activation that are consistent across individual instances. We might call these affective reflexes. Working with these reflexes is a rich way to reconnect with yourself, reinvigorate your art and organically push your comfort zone.
Curiosity is an example of an affective reflex. When we experience safe enough uncertainty, a cascade of physiological events occurs, directing our attention towards what we cannot yet explain. Sensing and integrating the curiosity reflex affords a means of creative exploration, risk navigation and authentic communication.
Emotion in practice
Guide explorative behaviour by sensing the natural passage of emotions in response to changing perceptions of uncertainty
Transform the paralysing emotion of anxiety into the mobilising emotion of fear
Integrate courage and curiosity in risk management and creative explorations
An invitation
Lord Byron said that “to command nature, we must obey nature.”. What I understand by nature is what has grown by itself. Because human life is shaped by abstract concepts, in my opinion, we largely exist outside of nature.
I am not suggesting that we move back to the forests and jungles. My invitation is to restore a more natural relationship between these different functions of emotion, attention, reflex, sensation and thought. Abstract thought, as it distorts many of these relationships, is a key lever to work with in restoring this natural ecology.
I am also not suggesting that we relinquish all abstract concepts or thoughts of the future. As Feldenkrais said, “the intellect is no substitute for vitality”. By restoring the natural ecology, my goal with these workshops is to make some steps towards re-vitalising, re-invigorating and re-enchanting the experience of movement and perhaps everyday life.