Awareness Through Movement #360

Stretching the stretch on the back – AWARENESS – barefoot or toesocks

I’ve changed the title to Toe Foot Diagonals for my own purposes and now yours to give you a stronger sense of what you’ll be doing tonight.

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Tonight was supposed to be Marianne Rivington delivering this lesson, and it would have been.. except… I gave her the wrong lesson number and she prepared tomorrow night’s lesson - so we’ll all (me included) be doing her recording at 8pm…

the ZoomRoom will open as per usual at 7.45pm.

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With tonight’s lesson I was curious to hear what Grok would say about it, so I pasted the whole edited version in to its question box and asked
”tell me what the neurological benefits there are from this lesson with a hand/foot connection”,
it came back with this:

The lesson you've described involves movements that integrate the coordination between the hands and feet, promoting several neurological benefits. Here's how these exercises can impact the nervous system:

1. Enhanced Neuroplasticity:

   • These movements involve complex coordination between different parts of the body, stimulating the brain to form new neural connections or strengthen existing ones. This can lead to improved motor control and cognitive flexibility.

2. Improved Proprioception:

   • By engaging in movements where one part of the body assists another (like lifting the leg with the opposite hand), there's an increase in awareness of body position and movement in space. This enhances proprioceptive feedback, which is crucial for fine motor skills and overall body coordination.

3. Bilateral Brain Integration:

   • The exercises require cross-lateral movements, which involve both hemispheres of the brain. This can enhance communication between the left and right brain, potentially improving functions like problem-solving, creativity, and even reading skills.

4. Increased Sensory-Motor Integration:

   • Holding toes with hands while moving different parts of the body stimulates multiple sensory inputs (touch, proprioception, kinesthesia) which must be integrated by the brain for smooth, coordinated movement. This can refine sensory discrimination and motor planning.

5. Stress Reduction and Mind-Body Connection:

   • The slow, mindful movements encourage relaxation responses, reducing stress by lowering cortisol levels. The focus on movement quality over quantity fosters a deeper mind-body connection, potentially aiding in emotional regulation and mental calmness.

6. Balance and Coordination:

   • Balancing one leg on the knee of the other while coordinating hand movements challenges balance, which is governed by vestibulo-ocular reflexes and cerebellar functions. This can lead to better postural control and coordination.

7. Muscle Memory and Motor Learning:

   • Repetitive but varied movements help in building muscle memory, which is essentially a form of procedural memory where the nervous system learns to automate complex motor tasks, making them more efficient over time.

8. Flexibility in Movement Patterns:

   • By practicing movements in various directions and with different limb combinations, the brain learns to adapt to new movement patterns, which can translate into daily activities, potentially preventing or reducing the risk of injuries due to repetitive strain.

9. Activation of Core and Stabilizing Muscles:

   • Many of these movements require core engagement for stability, indirectly strengthening the neuro-muscular pathways involved in maintaining posture and balance.

10. Cognitive Benefits:

    • The requirement to remember sequences and coordinate movements can boost cognitive functions like attention, concentration, and memory, as these activities demand active mental engagement.

These benefits are not only immediate yet they contribute to long-term neurological health, supporting brain function as one ages by maintaining or even enhancing neural pathways through consistent, mindful practice.

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At least it’s coming back with different information each time… which is impressive… now let’s see what image it returns..

oh nice!!! has me wonder… what would happen if you imagine this is what’s going on through your cells as you move through this lesson.

Here’s the lesson, enjoy learning more about your Self in this thirty three minutes and four seconds.