I love the way your videos focus on the diagonals. Great release of tension. It seems like the instructional videos of many other somatics educators on RUclips focus mainly on front and back.
Thank you, Heather. Front and back are very important in Somatics because front and back are the general areas of stress response tension. The system is so beautifully complex and adaptive. The vast possibilities of the fan-shape of muscle vectors can be stuck holding us in so many possible ways. With this movement, you are using gravity to clarify each vector of the fan, and giving the system a lesson on how to let it go. There is almost an infinity of angles to explore. Thank you so much for your comment.
Some of it is a combination of alchemy and mystery. It think it is true that somehow the exploration reconnecting with the control of your body blooms into a new relationship with life. Of course we cannot completely be in control of life. But at a deep level something shifts. For me, my relationship to life has become one of more control and adaptability. Know who you are deep, deep down. Without the overlay of tension. The tension's gonna be there over and over again. Life is challenging. You know you can come out of the tension, to return back to you. That's a powerful knowledge. Thank you so much for all your comments.
I’m a massage therapist who’s been following different somatic teachers with great results. Now I’m following your work and it’s another layer of work for me. I was dx with neuropathy with no know cause. (I feel it’s from my low back due to numerous injuries)
I can only answer in a general way, as I don't know your specific situation. I had long term, deeply ingrained holding pattern that made lots of pain. As I saw that Somatics made some improvement, I decided to take it further and deeper. I encourge you to look deeper in your practice. What are the small areas that don't know how to change their distance/space? Sometimes there are compression issues far upstream of neuropathy expressions. Here is another Wishbone version: *The Wishbone | Pandiculation for a deep RELAX of your BACK* ruclips.net/video/D8AJ3J9qWc8/видео.html Also look carefully at the relationship of the sides if there is any asymmetry in the expression of your neuropathy. *If Your Sides Are Different Playlist, Reconnect to your Sides Playlist, Basic Starting Scoliosis Playlist:* ruclips.net/p/PLFLw4vgr7ayj1sC-HRPGz7rv_koiiaWVk Often a deeper root of tightness of the back is that there is a more hidden holding of an opposing tight front. Perhaps work from through some of these movements (from the top of the list on down): *Hunched Postures, Rounded Shoulders, Sunken Chests Playlist:* ruclips.net/p/PLFLw4vgr7ayj0YgnU5JKNCjOzUTfgZpTF If you'd like to have a zoom session to discuss the specifics of your situation, please let me know. inspiresomatics.com/contact/ or eric@inspiresomatics.com
Thank you for your kind comment. This is one of the most important movements for relaxing your back. A relaxed back helps unburden the entire system. Practice this one often. Please let me know what you discover.
HI Eric Thanks so much for these amazing videos. I heard you mention "5 minutes" - I rarely have time (or space on a floor) for the full session so I was wondering if you have/might have some 5-10 min videos to deal with tight back. Also if they can be done sitting or standing we could use them to punctuate the work day? thanks so much
Greetings Trish, Although I can lie down and free myself in a few minutes, to explain it in a video expands the time. That is why a personal practice, with movements that are right for you, is important. You can focus the awareness, in 4 -5 different movements, enough to have the brain remember and build a familiarity of those places being free. ruclips.net/video/bvM2JCJe4As/видео.html is the Lazy Saturday Morning Sequence I go through 6 movements in 9 minutes. That's sort of the pace I go in my general practice. Other times I zoom in and increase the resolution as high as possible by being careful and slow. The Metronome and the Wishbone are not very adaptable to seated. Oh, the Places Your Back Pocket Can Go ruclips.net/video/SeblFHleWlY/видео.html is very adaptable to seated. The basic standing sequences are good seated I am working on a better video of this type of sequence. So far, two very imperfect versions: ruclips.net/video/BlFTyqNoDf8/видео.html ruclips.net/video/Q-JTekPq_RQ/видео.html More seated sequences in the works.
This is the movement I do most often for my back. You can vary the intensity. Throughly relaxing your back before bed allows the muscles to be strong and vivacious in the morning. Pair this movement with a movement I call: Unsitting ruclips.net/video/wGhKFAoaiZI/видео.html and you have a total decompression of your low back. Make sure you are not going into any strain or discomfort in your practice of these movements. Teach your brain to give your muscles a chance to rest and recover. The full solution for a fussy back is to also de-escalate the other side of the tug-of-war. Make sure you focus adequately on the front and the sides for a more complete solution. Please contact me if you need guidance for your specific situation.
The final vector - from hip pocket to hip pocket is really great! How would you modify this to change the vector to from hip pocket to front pocket - so diagonal through the pelvis from, say, back of left hip to front of right hip? - sort of like your Inner-X movements but across the whole torso, but only inside the pelvis. And what about the vectors across the front of the pelvis? The stretch would be if you were sitting on the floor cross legged but then lay back, but with legs remaining crossed in the same position - so opening up the front of the pelvis - how would this become a pandiculation?
Greetings Max, I'm happy that you are exploring it and finding it valuable. The diagonal through the pelvis, as you describe is a brilliant adaptation. I was just sitting and trying that interconnection, back pocket to opposite front pocket. It supplies its own resistant opposition and an opportunity to control the relax. One of my diagonals, in this line, has a lot more Sensory-Motor Amnesia. I will continue to reconnect to that line. Contract the line, to clarify and complete the line. Then, can you control the slow relax? Can you slow it down to the count of 10 or 12, little steps if needed. I encourage you to continue to be creative in your pandiculation practice. They're pandiculations, not actually stretches.
@@ericcoopersomatics I was thinking that the body position for The Croatian Twist might be better for getting that pelvis diagonal, and the rotational force of knee to shoulder could be directed through the pelvis (by using the other knee), rather than through the torso. What do you think? I've found that my upper torso twist is born from that lateral, diagonal pelvis vector, and so I can then use the Croatian Twist to follow up the effects of that pelvic band through my body, all the way to the tip of my skull. It has a strong effect on twisting and crushing my skull, and I got a lot of relief from pressure around my eyes from tracing up the effects of that pelvis diagonal. My brain feels like it has more room now, my jaw sits more comfortably, my neck doesn't click, my voice is deeper, my breathing is easier and fuller and I can get into the dead spots immediately, even after having failed with so many other explorations from other movements. It's great when you find that one thing that is like a key to release so many others!
@@maxdeniroAu That's beautiful. Freeing the breathing constrictions gives a lot of slack to the system. Thank you so much for the detailed description of what you are able to change. You did that, you gave your nervous system a good lesson on how to let you out of it. I have lots of twisting movements. Have you tried this one: ruclips.net/video/jUnusSTTdjY/видео.html which is the next step beyond the Croatian Twist? One note about contracting the line through the pelvis from back pocket to opposite front pocket: That type of movement of the pelvis, although a wonderful exploration of muscle control and a good hunt for Sensory-Motor Amnesia, may or may not be good for people with sacrum and SI-joint pain. I try to be extremely careful to not make people's sacrum discomfort any worse than it is. I have to be cautious on the issue. I will consider how to zoom out to consider how torso holdings move the pelvis in that way. I like to look at how it relates to breathing space. You may be on to something. Thank you for the suggestion. A whole series of movements can relate to your suggestion. Back low ribs on one side can pull to front low ribs on the other side. Lots of exploration is possible.
Greetings Max. Again thank you for this insight. As I explore looking at the lines through the body, these lines that you describe have become more clear to me. They are walking. This is how the pelvis moves when we are walking. the diagonal lines opening and closing. I had never seen it before. Yes, Walking! It links into rotation of the torso and the lines you describe can be further explored in the Propeller: ruclips.net/video/4rvJmWr4Kc0/видео.html Again, thank you for the idea. I would like to build a movement video around walking and these intra-pelvic diagonals. I will credit you for the initial concept. Thank you very much for your suggestion.
@@ericcoopersomatics I'm going to be famous! How exciting. I hope good stuff comes of it. I was thinking that these lines are intimately tied to the pelvic floor muscles, including obturator internus. Do you have any movements that target specifically those muscles?
If there seems to be too much resistance to rolling the pelvis this way, do this movement first: Unsitting ruclips.net/video/wGhKFAoaiZI/видео.html
I love the way your videos focus on the diagonals. Great release of tension. It seems like the instructional videos of many other somatics educators on RUclips focus mainly on front and back.
Thank you, Heather. Front and back are very important in Somatics because front and back are the general areas of stress response tension. The system is so beautifully complex and adaptive. The vast possibilities of the fan-shape of muscle vectors can be stuck holding us in so many possible ways. With this movement, you are using gravity to clarify each vector of the fan, and giving the system a lesson on how to let it go. There is almost an infinity of angles to explore. Thank you so much for your comment.
these work I know for sure I can become in control this here life Thank you I'm blessed as we all should be Mikayla
Some of it is a combination of alchemy and mystery. It think it is true that somehow the exploration reconnecting with the control of your body blooms into a new relationship with life. Of course we cannot completely be in control of life. But at a deep level something shifts. For me, my relationship to life has become one of more control and adaptability.
Know who you are deep, deep down. Without the overlay of tension. The tension's gonna be there over and over again. Life is challenging.
You know you can come out of the tension, to return back to you. That's a powerful knowledge.
Thank you so much for all your comments.
I’m a massage therapist who’s been following different somatic teachers with great results. Now I’m following your work and it’s another layer of work for me. I was dx with neuropathy with no know cause. (I feel it’s from my low back due to numerous injuries)
I can only answer in a general way, as I don't know your specific situation.
I had long term, deeply ingrained holding pattern that made lots of pain. As I saw that Somatics made some improvement, I decided to take it further and deeper. I encourge you to look deeper in your practice. What are the small areas that don't know how to change their distance/space? Sometimes there are compression issues far upstream of neuropathy expressions.
Here is another Wishbone version:
*The Wishbone | Pandiculation for a deep RELAX of your BACK* ruclips.net/video/D8AJ3J9qWc8/видео.html
Also look carefully at the relationship of the sides if there is any asymmetry in the expression of your neuropathy.
*If Your Sides Are Different Playlist, Reconnect to your Sides Playlist, Basic Starting Scoliosis Playlist:* ruclips.net/p/PLFLw4vgr7ayj1sC-HRPGz7rv_koiiaWVk
Often a deeper root of tightness of the back is that there is a more hidden holding of an opposing tight front.
Perhaps work from through some of these movements (from the top of the list on down):
*Hunched Postures, Rounded Shoulders, Sunken Chests Playlist:* ruclips.net/p/PLFLw4vgr7ayj0YgnU5JKNCjOzUTfgZpTF
If you'd like to have a zoom session to discuss the specifics of your situation, please let me know.
inspiresomatics.com/contact/ or eric@inspiresomatics.com
So simple yet so effective! Thanks Eric! Spread the word
Thank you for your kind comment. This is one of the most important movements for relaxing your back. A relaxed back helps unburden the entire system. Practice this one often. Please let me know what you discover.
HI Eric Thanks so much for these amazing videos. I heard you mention "5 minutes" - I rarely have time (or space on a floor) for the full session so I was wondering if you have/might have some 5-10 min videos to deal with tight back. Also if they can be done sitting or standing we could use them to punctuate the work day? thanks so much
Greetings Trish,
Although I can lie down and free myself in a few minutes, to explain it in a video expands the time. That is why a personal practice, with movements that are right for you, is important. You can focus the awareness, in 4 -5 different movements, enough to have the brain remember and build a familiarity of those places being free.
ruclips.net/video/bvM2JCJe4As/видео.html is the Lazy Saturday Morning Sequence
I go through 6 movements in 9 minutes. That's sort of the pace I go in my general practice. Other times I zoom in and increase the resolution as high as possible by being careful and slow.
The Metronome and the Wishbone are not very adaptable to seated.
Oh, the Places Your Back Pocket Can Go ruclips.net/video/SeblFHleWlY/видео.html is very adaptable to seated.
The basic standing sequences are good seated
I am working on a better video of this type of sequence.
So far, two very imperfect versions:
ruclips.net/video/BlFTyqNoDf8/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/Q-JTekPq_RQ/видео.html
More seated sequences in the works.
I threw my back out in working in the garden this week. This video was a big help, I am glad I didn't go to the chiropractor!
This is the movement I do most often for my back. You can vary the intensity. Throughly relaxing your back before bed allows the muscles to be strong and vivacious in the morning.
Pair this movement with a movement I call: Unsitting ruclips.net/video/wGhKFAoaiZI/видео.html
and you have a total decompression of your low back.
Make sure you are not going into any strain or discomfort in your practice of these movements. Teach your brain to give your muscles a chance to rest and recover.
The full solution for a fussy back is to also de-escalate the other side of the tug-of-war. Make sure you focus adequately on the front and the sides for a more complete solution. Please contact me if you need guidance for your specific situation.
The final vector - from hip pocket to hip pocket is really great! How would you modify this to change the vector to from hip pocket to front pocket - so diagonal through the pelvis from, say, back of left hip to front of right hip? - sort of like your Inner-X movements but across the whole torso, but only inside the pelvis.
And what about the vectors across the front of the pelvis? The stretch would be if you were sitting on the floor cross legged but then lay back, but with legs remaining crossed in the same position - so opening up the front of the pelvis - how would this become a pandiculation?
Greetings Max, I'm happy that you are exploring it and finding it valuable.
The diagonal through the pelvis, as you describe is a brilliant adaptation.
I was just sitting and trying that interconnection, back pocket to opposite front pocket. It supplies its own resistant opposition and an opportunity to control the relax. One of my diagonals, in this line, has a lot more Sensory-Motor Amnesia. I will continue to reconnect to that line.
Contract the line, to clarify and complete the line. Then, can you control the slow relax? Can you slow it down to the count of 10 or 12, little steps if needed.
I encourage you to continue to be creative in your pandiculation practice. They're pandiculations, not actually stretches.
@@ericcoopersomatics I was thinking that the body position for The Croatian Twist might be better for getting that pelvis diagonal, and the rotational force of knee to shoulder could be directed through the pelvis (by using the other knee), rather than through the torso. What do you think? I've found that my upper torso twist is born from that lateral, diagonal pelvis vector, and so I can then use the Croatian Twist to follow up the effects of that pelvic band through my body, all the way to the tip of my skull. It has a strong effect on twisting and crushing my skull, and I got a lot of relief from pressure around my eyes from tracing up the effects of that pelvis diagonal. My brain feels like it has more room now, my jaw sits more comfortably, my neck doesn't click, my voice is deeper, my breathing is easier and fuller and I can get into the dead spots immediately, even after having failed with so many other explorations from other movements. It's great when you find that one thing that is like a key to release so many others!
@@maxdeniroAu That's beautiful. Freeing the breathing constrictions gives a lot of slack to the system. Thank you so much for the detailed description of what you are able to change. You did that, you gave your nervous system a good lesson on how to let you out of it. I have lots of twisting movements. Have you tried this one: ruclips.net/video/jUnusSTTdjY/видео.html which is the next step beyond the Croatian Twist?
One note about contracting the line through the pelvis from back pocket to opposite front pocket: That type of movement of the pelvis, although a wonderful exploration of muscle control and a good hunt for Sensory-Motor Amnesia, may or may not be good for people with sacrum and SI-joint pain. I try to be extremely careful to not make people's sacrum discomfort any worse than it is. I have to be cautious on the issue. I will consider how to zoom out to consider how torso holdings move the pelvis in that way. I like to look at how it relates to breathing space. You may be on to something. Thank you for the suggestion.
A whole series of movements can relate to your suggestion. Back low ribs on one side can pull to front low ribs on the other side. Lots of exploration is possible.
Greetings Max. Again thank you for this insight. As I explore looking at the lines through the body, these lines that you describe have become more clear to me. They are walking. This is how the pelvis moves when we are walking. the diagonal lines opening and closing. I had never seen it before. Yes, Walking! It links into rotation of the torso and the lines you describe can be further explored in the Propeller: ruclips.net/video/4rvJmWr4Kc0/видео.html
Again, thank you for the idea. I would like to build a movement video around walking and these intra-pelvic diagonals. I will credit you for the initial concept. Thank you very much for your suggestion.
@@ericcoopersomatics I'm going to be famous! How exciting. I hope good stuff comes of it. I was thinking that these lines are intimately tied to the pelvic floor muscles, including obturator internus. Do you have any movements that target specifically those muscles?