This Comprehensive Approach to BodyMind Therapy starts with the Musculo-Skeletal Structure which outwardly displays the inner presence of the bodymind in Posture & Action. In other words, our Posture & Action reflects the inner realities of the Psycho-Neuro-Muscular/Myo-Fascial Systems. The muscles are our very Vehicle of Self-Expression.
The Central, Organizing Principle of DSL EdgeWork:
Chronic, Excess Muscle Tension is the primary focus of DSL EdgeWork. It is the nexus of the whole system. Many factors converge in the phenomena of a muscle's deceptively simple capacity to contract and, hopefully, relax.
First, it is all too clear — but not widely known or understood — that a vast range of conditions, syndromes, symptoms, illness and disease are the result of the chronic accumulations of excess muscle tension. They are accumulated in small, micro-increments over the years of a person's lifetime. (Many micro-tensions and stresses eventually lead to MACRO-tension and stress.) Some people have accidents or traumatic events(physical, psychological or emotional) that speed up this accumulation, sometimes dramatically and instantly. More often than not, though, it slowly, quietly sneaks up in the background.
Second, left to it's self, this tension and stress process is automatic, and we must consciously work to counteract it. The only difference is the degree and speed to which this process affects any particular human being. ... Well, another difference is whether we choose to act proactively and preventively, intentionally reversing the tension accumulation process, or wait for it to become a problem before taking action. The costs of waiting are far higher than working preventively, but it is very difficult to convince most people of that truth, no matter how many times they have heard it.
Third, we have tools available to reverse this process. These tools consist primarily of our own intelligence, our body and its functions, although we can occasionally apply an external tool, or a prop, or another human being, to assist us in reversing our tension accumulations. ... DSL EdgeWork uses as its primary tools physical and mental yoga and hands-on bodywork. The bodywork can be self-applied, applied by a family member or friend, or by a trained massage or bodywork therapist
In Reality, all this is not just about muscle tension, which is only the Nexus; there is, of course, much more to it. On one side of the nexus are all the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues that contribute to our levels of muscle tension, which must all be addressed or accounted for in the healing, maintenance and growth department. The physical apsects also include metabolic function: diet, nutrition, detoxification and environmental inputs (such as toxic chemicals).
Mental Elements are not all psychological, either. Many, if not most, of them are unconscious, more-or-less mechanical functions of the brain. Addressing stress and habit patterns of the Brain is different than those of the Mind. — On the Philosophy, Psychology & Science pages we'll look at the significant differences between the subjective mind and objective brain.
On the other side of the Nexus is the outward expression of the internal drives and the state of the neuromuscular system. All of these internal drives and reactive mechanisms are, at any given moment, holding our bodies in a particular posture, producing a specific range of motion, or taking action. We "See" the state of the neuromuscular system by our posture, movement and action. At an even deeper level, these reveal, to varying degrees, the inner workings of the mind, emotions and brain.
- *Here, my use of the word See implies a deeper, more complete sense of Awareness, rather than just a visual stimulus.
The 2 Main Components of DSL EdgeWork that are common to both yoga and bodywork are:
PsychoMuscular Release & Bio-Structural Balancing
PsychoMuscular Release addresses the issues of how do you Let-Go of or relax (De-Contract) the chronic, excess muscle tensions, the physical and mental stresses, and the counterproductive habit patterns we all accumulate over our lifetimes? Although muscle tension is the outward expression of the psychological, mental and emotional inner realities, it provides an avenue by which these aspects of being human can be observed, explored and addressed. We can literally talk (assuming we learn the language of the body, which is NOT English) to much of the mind and heart via the nervous system by effectively contacting the human skin and myofasical structures. ... Conversely, the more sensitive our neuromuscular and neurofascial systems become, the greater access we have to listen to, to feel, what lives in our hearts and minds.
PsychoMuscular Release can be achieved by physical (hatha) yoga, mental (jnana) yoga, relational yoga, tai chi and chi kung (conscious, relaxed movement exercise and internal energy work), various kinds of movement therapy, and the myriad of massage and bodywork techniques available. Certain aspects of this release can also be achieved through processes such as body-centered psychotherapy (i.e., Hakomi or Phoenix Rising, to name just two).
Bio-Structural Balancing starts with the physical posture and movement patterns which are determined by the levels of tension and balance in the muscles and, to a lesser degree, fascia. Being able to see where the bones and joints are held — by postural evaluation — we can determine which muscles, and which parts of which muscles, are most responsible for any limitations being imposed on a bodymind. This also gives us a lot of information — even though they are only well-educated approximations — as to which muscles must be addressed and in what sequence.
DSL EdgeWork is Unique in that it is Principle Based. Because DSL focuses on fundamental realities of the human bodymind, regardless of which techniques or modalities you're using, DSL applies to whatever you're doing. Because it is a principle based and open-ended system, you can apply DSL EdgeWork to whatever system of therapy or personal growth you are using.
(You can read an older article — written in a more academic or text book style — HERE. )
|