body = brain - embright · 2016-05-04 · koch, l (2012) the psoas book, guinea pig publications...

© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

BODY = BRAINPart 2: Embodying Social & Emotional Intelligence

Take a Stand

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

Personal QualitiesEI: self-mastery

Somatic competency: Centering Interpersonal Skills

= YOU ARE HERE

Roadmap

Courage Take a StandResilience

Purposeful Action

Change

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Self-Awareness

Empathy Social Skills

Self- Motivation

Se

lfO

the

r

Awareness Action

Self-Mastery

adapted from Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence

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TAKE A STAND

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

ALICE’S STORY

http://www.polyvore.com/standing_up_for_yourself/thing?id=53468667

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

POSTURE COMMUNICATES

http://www.indiabix.com/body-language/leg-barriers-gestures/http://www.characterdesigns.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6147&sid=defaa5f2a5a9f2ddbb820e628ae54499

http://www.supercoloring.com/pages/strong-man-is-proud/

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

PSOAS

http://www.crossfitsouthbay.com/2012/01/muscle-spotlight-psoas/

http://www.psoasuniverse.com/psoas-and-back-pain.html

http://www.oralchelation.com/calcium/DegenerativeHipJoint/p7.htm

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Text

http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000W5jRhaSHJmo/s/600/600/85947DS.jpg

Psoas

Psoas is a deep core

muscle that

impacts organs & nerves

© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

PSOAS & FEAR

http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/how-to-run-away-from-all-your-problems/ http://www.mirablack.com/2011/06/running-away-with-the-circus-pg-1/

fight / flight / freeze actions

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PSOAS & SAFETY

http://stresseraser.com/science-of-the-stresseraser

Parasympathetic

SNS

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PSOAS + DIAPHRAGM

http://www.sciencepicturecompany.com/search.html?q=psoas&Search=Submit+Query

http://davidlasnier.com/2012/my-favorite-breathing-exercise

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

3 DIAPHRAGMS

http://davidlasnier.com/2012/my-favorite-breathing-exercise

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/10/why-voices-squeak-during-puberty/

image source: Staugaard-Jones (2012):

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

POSTURAL STABILITY

Breathing contributes to stability & mobility of body & mind

Breathing high in your lungs (aka “hamster breathing”) activates SNS and creates instability in the whole body

Pelvic misalignment and psoas strain can also activate SNS

Structural alignment & diaphragms working in sync activates PSNS and creates stability

Healthy breathing patterns are dependent on all three diaphragms plus a healthy psoas and a balanced pelvis

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

POSTURE IMPACTS...

Stability and mobility of body & mind

ANS function

Emotional response flexibility

Ability to embody dignity and take a stand

Behavior, sense of agency, and hormone balance

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

POSTURE IMPACTS BEHAVIOR

PhysiologicalPsychologicalBehavioral

http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/power-poses-really-work-25322/ image source

Amy Cuddy

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

THE BIG IDEA

Posture impacts brain and behavior

Habitual posture or structural limitations to posture will affect your whole body-mind state and may limit your ability to take a stand (remember: stress response is tied to social communication)

This is one of the reasons informed touch & bodywork is so important!

Centering is not ABOUT posture, but it is EXPRESSED through posture

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

PRINCIPLES FOR PRACTICE

Create structural balance in the hips & pelvis

Soften and strengthen the psoas

Release restrictions to breathing

Practice an open, expansive posture

Center around what you care about

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

REFLECTION / FIELDWORK

Next time you’re somewhere busy (grocery store, airport, train station) watch people walking. What does their posture communicate about their mood? Their ability to take a stand?

Change your pelvic tilt for a day. Walk, sit, and stand with your hips tilted either more forward or more back than is typical for you. How does this impact your breath? Your mood? Your sense of agency?

Try explaining to a client how posture, pelvic tilt, and breathing all affect stress response and subsequent action. Alternatively, you could try writing a few paragraphs about this.

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

RESOURCES & REFERENCES

Carney, D; Cuddy, A; Yap, A (2010) Power Posing: Brief non-verbal displays affect neuroendocrine levels and risk tolerance. Association for Psychological Science

Carter, R, et. al. (2009) The Human Brain Book, DK

Cottingham, J; Porges, S; Richmond, K (1988) Shifts in pelvic inclination angle and parasympathetic tone produced by Rolfing soft tissue manipulation Physical Therapy 68: 1364-1370

Koch, L (2012) The Psoas Book, Guinea Pig Publications

Goleman, D (2006) Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition, Bantam

Parker, S & Winston, R (2007) The Human Body Book, DK

Staugaard-Jones, J (2012) The Vital Psoas Muscle: Connecting Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Well Being, North Atlantic Books

Strozzi-Heckler, R, (2007) The Leadership Dojo: Build Your Foundation As An Exemplary Leader, Frog Books

Strozzi-Heckerl, R (1997) The Anatomy of Change: A way to move through life’s transitions. North Atlantic Books

Taylor, MJ (2011) The Three Diaphragms Model YouTube video Matthew J Taylor Institute

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© Amanda Blake 2013 | embright.org

Purposeful Action Personal QualitiesInterpersonal Skills

SI: empathy, social skillsSomatic competency: Presence

= YOU ARE HERE

Roadmap

Communication Coordination Conflict ResolutionConnection

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