Hey People,
Friend or Foe? I would say a bit of both. Our imaginations are powerful tools and can be put to great use for us. Take visualization for instance. They say that our minds have a great power over our bodies, down to a cellular level. Now, I have a VERY active imagination, but I’ve never really enjoyed visualization. However, I do believe the concept of changing things at a cellular level using our minds. I’m not saying we can cure ourselves completely by doing this, but I do believe we can use it as a tool in certain situations. For example there was a study done at the University of Chicago by a Dr. Blaslotto on visualization and physical exercise. His research showed
“ that visualization can actually increase productivity in nearly the same extent as physical exercise”. Athletes often use visualization as part of their training.
One can even visualize themselves exercising whilst lying in bed. I really like the idea of this. I wonder how much power we have to change our bodies doing this? It may take a bit of practice.
So, How does Visualization work?
With each experience, a neural pathway is formed. Neural Pathways in short, are clusters of neurons in the brain that work together to create a memory or a learned behavior. Dr. Blaslotto explained, “As your brain conceives of an act, it generates impulses that prompt neurons to ‘perform’ the movement being imagined by transmitting those impulses from the brain to the muscles.” This in turn creates a habit, or neural pathway in the brain, programming your body’s actions as if you physically performed the activity….
I was told about a particular technique called the Feldenkrais Method. It sounds very interesting to me. I have just done a small amount of research on it at this point.
“The Feldenkrais Method of somatic education is a system of learning that offers a different paradigm for the exploration of human integrity, function, maturation, and overall health. Feldenkrais® lessons are designed to change the way you think, move, and sense yourself in the world. They use movement, attention, and imagination to enhance your awareness and improve your physical, mental, and creative performance.
It is an instrument used to explore the landscapes of your interior self and to investigate habitual patterns from past conditioning that may be hindering your ability to live fully. Feldenkrais will help you find different ways of organizing yourself to meet your environment and will influence the quality of awareness in your day-to-day life”.
Amanda Lynn Halldorson, thenatureofmovement.com
“Most of us accept the ways we move as if they are a part of our genetic makeup, whereas in reality, we learned to move by trial and error, and our nervous system is wired according to our experiences. Unless we are challenged to question this wiring, and to explore new possibilities of movement, we limit our range of expression.
Who Benefits from the Feldenkrais Method?
Anyone—young or old, physically challenged or physically fit—can benefit from the Method. Feldenkrais is beneficial for those experiencing chronic or acute pain of the back, neck, shoulder, hip, legs or knee, as well as for healthy individuals who wish to enhance their self-image. The Method has been very helpful in dealing with central nervous system conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and stroke. Musicians, actors and artists can extend their abilities and enhance creativity. Many Seniors enjoy using it to retain or regain their ability to move without strain or discomfort.
Through lessons in this method you can enjoy greater ease of movement, an increased sense of vitality, and feelings of peaceful relaxation. After a session you often feel taller and lighter, breathe more freely and find that your discomforts have eased. You experience relaxation, and feel more centered and balanced”.
Here's a link to a video on the technique. For some reason I'm having troubling uploading it.
I have been told that this method is perfect for people with such limitations as ours who want to strengthen their bodies as if doing a workout. I really like the idea that you get to use your imagination and learn new ways that the mind and body are connected. I am going to do a lot more research into this and hopefully find somewhere near by where I can do classes. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to say about it in the future.
Now, moving on to the Foe part, and our imaginations ability to trick us. This applies to the sick and the healthy. However, here I am concerned only with those of us who are chronically ill. I’m still dipping in and out of the book I talked about a few posts back ‘After the diagnosis’. I am currently reading the chapter ‘Intermittent Depression’, which she says is a natural part of living with an illness that has forced change and loss on us. She talks about these depressions being largely unavoidable. However, she does talk about ways we can look at and prevent how bad we feel at times. Here, she talks about the ‘phantom psyche’.
“that is, the composite image of how life would be without any limitations”. As long as we allow this to exist “the phantom psyche has the power to haunt and belittle our current efforts”.
The unrealistic components––their idealized past and exaggerated expectations of the future––tend to perpetuate depression”.
Pg. 130, After the diagnosis, JoAnn LeMaistre.
This is something that is talked about a lot in Buddhism and believed to cause suffering. They tend to call it writing a story in our heads. That’s why they teach you to only live in the present, the present moment, which is the only true reality we should spend more mental energy on... If you are interested in this I would suggest reading Joann’s book and looking into Buddhism. I have mentioned before how helpful I have found ‘The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying’. I have a link for it in the side bar.
Of course some of my depressions are phsiological in nature. In fact, I had a depression like this over the weekend, and I just felt numb. Nothing triggered it, and I wasn’t upset with my circumstances. But above I am mainly concerned with depression that is somehow triggered when we are reminded of what we cannot do anymore (situational depression). I am currently working on trying to be aware of what triggers certain responses in me. Often triggers cause us to act out, whether this be over doing it to prove something to ourselves, etc. I’m hopping that if I have some of my triggers listed and thought out that I can deal with these issues more.
As for the ‘phantom psyche’. Can I have a show of hands for all of those guilty in this area?? : ) This is something that tricks me time and again, so I am working hard on this one.
There will be lots more on this I’m sure…
I hope you’re all well…
Speak soon,
Treya : )
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