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Copyright©2009byAlainandJodyHerriott.Allrightsreserved.Noportionofthisbook,exceptforbriefreview,maybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorby any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without thewrittenpermissionofthepublisher.Forinformation,contactNorthAtlanticBooks.
PublishedbyNorthAtlanticBooksP.O.Box12327Berkeley,California94712
IllustrationsbyLisaZadorDisclaimerThisbookisnotintendedtobeasubstitutefortheservicesofhealthcareprofessionals.Neitherthe authornorpublisher is responsible for any consequences incurredby those employing theremediesortreatmentsreportedherein.Anyapplicationofthematerialsetforthinthefollowingpagesisatthereader’sdiscretionandishisorhersoleresponsibility.
Quantum-TouchCore Transformation:ANewWay toHeal andAlterReality is distributedby theSociety for the Study ofNativeArts and Sciences, a non-profit educational corporationwhosegoalsaretodevelopaneducationalandcrossculturalperspecitvelinkingvariousscientific,socialandartistic fields: tonurture aholistic viewof arts, sciences,humanities, andhealing; and topublishanddistributeliteratureontherelationshipofmind,body,andnature.
North Atlantic Books’ publications are available through most bookstores. For furtherinformation,visitourwebsiteatwww.northatlanticbooks.comorcall800-733-3000.
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows: Herriott, Alain, 1950-Quantum-touchcoretransformation:anewwaytohealandalterreality/AlainandJodyHerriott;editedbyGenevieveM.FewellandColleenHomRocero.
p.;cm.eISBN:978-1-58394-810-11.Healing.2.Energymedicine.3.Touch–Therapeuticuse.I.Herriott,Jody.II.Fewell,GenevieveM.III.Rocero,ColleenHom.IV.Title.[DNLM:1.Mind-BodyandRelaxationTechniques–methods.WB880H567q2008]RZ999.H4672008615.8’22–dc22
v3.1
v3.1
Appreciation
Thanksmustbegivento:Risa,Vanda,Michelle,Genevieve,andRichard,withoutwhomthisbookwouldnothavebeenpossible.
—AlainandJodyHerriott
Contents
CoverTitlePageCopyright
ForewordPrefaceIntroduction
Chapter1:CoreTransformation:OpeningtheDoorAnOverviewCoreTransformation:Highlights
Chapter2:TheBodyasaMatrixTheBiologyoftheBodyMatrixABiologicalViewofEnergyBlockagesTheBodyasFlow:AnEnergeticLookBetheExampleMeditationBeforeYouBegin
Chapter3:TheCoreBreathHowtoFindTheCorePointOtherWaystoPlaywithExhalingWhatMostPeopleDoWrong
Chapter4:MovementandExercisesAwarenessThroughMovementBeforeYouBeginInspirationandExpiration
TheFiveDiaphragmsGroundScan
Chapter5:ElongationsTheBiologyandPhilosophyofElongationsTheGroundingExerciseTheStandingKnee-BendElongationAnchored-SacrumExerciseAwareWalkingPouringForwardMeltingAroundaTennisBallElongationwithaTowelSpiralingUpandDownMicro-MovementsUsingtheExercises
Chapter6:PerceptionandtheHealingAspectFeelingtheEarthFeelingtheRiverExercisePerceivingEnergy
Chapter7:TheHealingTechniquesIntroductionTheSteam-ReleaseTechniqueWombingTractor-BeamTechniqueWombplusTractor-BeamTechniqueExtendingthePresence,PokingwithaStick,orTheChaserTechniqueHealingthroughMakingSpaceorLeveringOpenaJointShowingYourClientHowtoPourForwardSelf-HealingandCheck-In
SelfasLogDistanceHealingWorkingonAnimalsAGuideforWhentoUseWhichHealingTechniqueExamplesofWhentoUseYinorYangTechniques
Chapter8:QigongABriefHistoryofQigong
Chapter9:WorkingonWaterandFood
Chapter10:HealingStoriesHealingStoriesAnimalHealingStories
Chapter11:BasicGuidelinesforUsingtheCoreTechniques
Chapter12:FrequentlyAskedQuestions
Glossary
InPraiseofCoreTransformationWorkshops
“Enrichingspectrumoftechniques,valuabletoolsforhealthtocomplementthebasictechniques.”
—CaroleAmos
“Mystructurechangedcompletelyduringthisworkshop,whichfacilitatedbothphysicalandemotionalrelease.Iwasamazedthatsuchsmallmovementsbroughtsuchprofoundchange,butthatishowmuchbreathingincreasestheprocess.”
—DawnDonalson
“Reallyenhancedmyabilitytogoinsideandenterthesilence.Icontinuetobesurprisedasmyself-imposedlimitationsfellaway.”
—DanielleHanneken
“Lotsofinformationandawarenessphysicallyandemotionally,downtothecellularlevel.”
—RosvelGarza
“Veryinformativeandtransformational.Alainisalwayswillingtoanswerquestionsandsharehisknowledge.”
—RosieNadwodny
“Theamountofinformationprovidedonalllevelsofthisworkisunbelievable.”
—LizSharp
“Itwasafun-lovingenvironmentforfindingspacewithin.…Ihopetocontinuetoexpandmyawarenessandunblockmyselfaswellashelpotherstodothesame.”
—JonathanLea
“CoreTransformationismeaningfulwork,transformingwhatwehavenowbackintowhatisourownnaturalbirthright.”
—BHOK
“Wow,trulyopeningandinspiring.Amazingpossibilities.Ilookforwardtousingthiswork.”
—RickHopton
“Icametothisclassdepletedofenergy.…Ihaven’thadenergytowalkoutsideorinsidemorethanbetweenchairsandmybedfortwomonths.Thisclasshasgivenmehope[that]IcanbringupmyenergywhenIneed[it]duringmystruggle[with]thecancerthathastakenmehostage.NowIhaveanewtooltopryitoffmybodyandeliminate[it].”
—KristinGudjonsdottir
“Justlearninghowtobreatheisamazing.It’sabsolutelyperspectivechanging.”
—S.G.
“Ireallyhadnoideaofwhatthe‘yin’wasuntilthisworkshop.Theexercisesweregreatandtransforming.Andthehealingtechniquesweregreattools.Everythingwasexplainedverywell.”
—S.F.
“Whatanawesomeandmagnificentmodality.Suchaneasytechniquethatisnothardtodowithpositiveresults.”
—S
“Practical,informative,empowering,anddelightful.Iamclear,I’mempowered,andmyfriendsandclientswillbe.”
—JackBennett
“IlikedtheYintechnique,Ireallyfeelthistechniquewillbeusefultomeeverydaypersonallyandwillspeeduptheprocessforclients.”
—KayFinly
“[Iam]…gettingtoknowmyselfbetter,whileknowingthatitisopeningtheclientatthesametime.Itmakesthishealingseemsoeffortless.KnowingtheYinofmeisfantastic.
—JuliaTsien
“Itisaveryeffectivetypeofhealing.Theentireconceptispeople-friendly.Thehumilityisveryappealing.”
—EllenQuagliaroli
“Anamazingnewtreatmenttechnique.Therearenoboundstowhatthemindandourintentioncando.”
—BN
Foreword
Inthe30yearsthatIhavebeenusingQuantum-Touch,theprocesshascontinuedtoamazemewithitspower,ease,andeffectiveness.
Conceptually,thebasicQTworkhasthepractitionerlinkingbreathingandbodyawarenesstechniquestoraisetheirownenergyfield.Thenthroughaprocessofresonanceandentrainment,theclientisabletomatchorentraintothathighervibration.Bodyintelligenceusesthatenergytoitsbestadvantageforboththepractitionerandclienttoacceleratehealing.Theresultshaveinspiredphysicians,chiropractors,andahostofprofessionalandlaypeopletoteachorpracticethisworkinover45countriesaroundtheworld.
CoreTransformationworksinanentirelydifferentmanner.Insteadofraisingone’sownvibrationfortheclienttomatch,thepractitionerlearnsaprocesstoemptyout,shifttheirattention,andbecomesoprofoundlyquietthattheclientmatchesthepractitioner’sstateofinnerpeace.WhilethetechniqueshavebeenmorechallengingformetolearnthanthebasicQTwork,theresultshaveattimesbeennothingshortofastonishing,ordareIsay,miraculous.
IcantellyouwithoutanyexaggerationthattheCoreTransformationworkistrulytransformationalforthepractitioner,aswellastheclient.Onediscoversthatbytransformingoneself,theworldoutsidechanges.Thisisaspectaculardiscoveryworthyofthegreatsages,andiftakentoitslogicalconclusion,causesustoopentoamuchlargerandexpandedsenseofself.
Alainlikestosay“Thereisno‘outthere’outthere.”Whendeeplyunderstood,thedepthofmeaninginthatshortsentenceislikeajewelthatcanpropelustodiscoveriesandwondersbeyondthelimitedboundsofourcurrentidentity.Drinkdeeplyofthiswork,foritistrulyagifttohumanity.
—RichardGordonauthorandfounderofQuantum-Touch
Preface
WhyDidWeChooseToExpandOurJourney?
TherewerethreequestionsstudentskeptaskingduringtheSuperchargingQuantum-Touchclasses.Thesequestionswere:
1.HowdoIworkonmyselfaseasilyasonsomeoneelse?
2.HowcanIsenseor“see”whatishappeninginsomeone’sbody?
3.Whydo/doespainorphysicalproblemssometimescomebackafterasession?
JodyandIbeganexploringotherpossibilitiesandintheprocessofthissearch,wehadtheopportunitytoworkwithawomannamedRisaKaparo.Shewasteachingamethodofworkingwiththebodythroughyogaandbreath,andwefoundhermethodsveryinteresting.RisabroughtherownflavortoVandaScaravelli’swork(anItalianYogiandauthorofAwakeningtheSpine),whichusedaspecificbreathingmethod.Shelinkedthisbreathwithexercisesbothforhealingandformovementingeneral.Thisbecameinvaluableinthesearchtoanswerthesethreequestions.NowwebothutilizeandbuildonRisa’swork.
AswithQuantum-Touch(describedinQuantum-Touch:ThePowertoHealandSuperchargingQuantum-Touch),CoreTransformationisalsoanentrainmentprocess.InQuantum-Touch,thecliententrainstotheactivityofthebreath,ora“raised”frequency.BobRasmussen(fromwhoseworkRichardGordonderivedtheQuantum-Touchhealingwork)changedthisapproachtotheQuantum-Touchenergyworktowardtheendofhiscareer.Hebegantoslowthebreathingcycledowndramaticallyandbecameabitsecretiveaboutthework.Wefeelthathealsofoundanapproachsimilartowhatweareabouttointroducetoyou.
WhatIstheDifference?
Oneofthefirstquestionspeopleaskwhentheyhearaboutthisworkis“HowdoesitdifferfromtheQuantum-Touchthatwearealreadyfamiliarwith?”Inthebooks,Quantum-Touch:ThePowertoHealandSuperchargingQuantum-Touch,thetechniquesaredesignedtoraisethevibrationofwhatyouareworkingon;asthisvibrationisraised,theclient’sbodymatchesit.Thisisaccomplishedbysweepingandbreathingandsendingtheenergyintoyourclient.Wecallthisan“active”or“yang”approachtoenergyworkbecauseyouareconsciouslyoractivelyraisingthevibratoryfrequencyoftheclient’ssystem.WiththeCorework,wewillintroduceyoutothe“yin”formofenergywork.Wearegoingtoaskyoutothinkaboutentrainingtoquietratherthanactivity.Wearegoingtoshowyouhowtomakeyoursystemsoquietthatthecliententrainstothisquietstateandshiftsbecauseofit.WecalltheCoreworkyinenergywhenwecompareittowhatwehaveknownpreviouslyintheBasicandSuperchargingworkshops.Thisisthenatureoftheyinandyangview.Energies,objects,thoughts,philosophiesaremoreyinoryangwhencomparedtoeachother.Inthiscase,itmeansaquietapproachratherthananactiveone.
BoththementalspacethattheCoreworkusesandthebodyawarenessitengendershavebecomeanintegralpartofourlives.WenolongerhavetoconsciouslyputourselvesintheCorepointbecauseaftersomepractice,wefindourselvesgentlyconnectedwithouteffort.Thisallowsustobeinamoreopenandflexiblespacebothmentallyandenergetically,whichmakesourdaymuchsmoother.Physicaltensionsareeasilyreleasedwithjustaquickbreathortwoalongwithamoment’sattentiontothebody’sflows.
Wehopeyouenjoythisjourneyofdiscovery!
Introduction
CoreasTransformationofSelf
Oneofthemostdesirablepartsofhealingworkistheinnerjourneythataccompaniesthisprocess.Wehavefoundthatthemoremeditativethisprocessis,themoreintriguingitbecomes.Activemeditation,specificallycontemplationlacedwithintent,isthebasisofthiswork.Manypeoplehavetoldusthat,afterexperiencingtheCorework,itissomethingtheyhavelookedfortheirwholelives.Notonlydotheybegintoexperienceadeepquiet,butitfeelsliketheentrypointtosomethingsomuchbigger:abiggeruniverse,abroaderviewpoint,etc.
Whatisdiscoveredwhilepracticingthisworkisuniquetoeachperson.Themoreyoupractice,themoreyoudiscover.Thisdiscoveryisnotlimited;anythingyouputyourattentiononbeginstounfold.Ifyoustayoutofyourownway,thatis,youdonotallowlogicalthoughttointerfere,whateveryouplaceyourattentiononhasitsownnaturalwaytoexpressitself.Thisappliesto:healing,business,emotions,orsomethingasmundaneasmowingthelawn.
Theseexperiencesallowyoutorealizethatyouaresomuchmorethanyoueverthought;thatyouarethecentralkernelororiginpointfromwhichyouexpandandexplorewithin.WefindthattheCoreTransformationworkgivesusmoreaccesstoandpossibilitiesforhealingthaneverbefore.Thisispartlybecauseoftheimageryitproduces,aswellasthealmostdream-likequalitythatispresent(i.e.theCoreworktakesusoutofthelogicalthoughtsofhowthingsare“supposed”tobe),whichallowsustoreducethingstotheirbasecomponents.Wethenmovebeyondthisstatetowhatfeelslikeasparkofcreation.Atthispoint,atleastintheory,allthingsbecomepossible.IfyouhavebeenpracticingBasicQuantum-Touchand/orSuperchargingQuantum-Touch,youwillhavetoshiftyourwholepointofviewtogettheproperfocus.
Beyondthis,regardlessofyourformerexperience,italsorequiresyoutobeyourself,i.e.tobepresent,fullyattentive,orconsciousfortheexperience,eventhoughthestatemightfeeldream-like.
Chapter1CoreTransformation:OpeningtheDoor
Vibrationiseverywhere,ineverything.Ateachmomentineverydayweareaproductofthisvibrationandtheentrainmentitbrings.
TAnOverview
HECORETRANSFORMATIONWORKhasasitsfoundationanewtypeofbreathworkcoupledwithauniqueinternalfocus.Thisuniquefocus
combinedwithanequallyuniquebreathingpatterngivesusanentrypointtoopeningtheself.Thisopeninghassomanyapplicationsandassociationsthattheyfarexceedthemajorfocusofthisbook.Wehavefoundthatthestateproducedisextremelymeditative.Thisismeditationwithaspecificintent,thatofhealing.Yourintentisnotlimitedtohealingwork,however;youcanalsouseittofocusonself-discovery,orhaveitbeacontemplationof“beingness”alone.Thisfocuscombinedwiththebreathisanentrypoint.Whereyouchoosetogowithitfromthatparticularpointisreallyuptoyou.Weinviteyoutoenterthemysteryofwhoandwhatweareasindividuals,asspiritualbeings,aswellaswhatandhowtohealwiththismarvelousmethod.Thebreathingtechniqueswewillteachyouanswermanymorequestionsthanthethreepreviouslymentionedinthepreface.Itgoestotheheartofbeinganddoingatalllevelsofone’slife.
ThewholepremiseoftheCoreapproachtoentrainmentistoopenyouto“quiet.”Thisquietisconsciouslyorpurposefullylinkedtoasubtle,sensateablefeelingofrelaxationand,atthesametime,asenseof“melting”or“unraveling”withinyourbody.
Asyouexperimentwiththiswork,alwayslookforthereleasethatiscreatedbythebreathwhenitiscoupledwiththespecificfocus.Whileitmayfeelelusiveatfirst,themoreyoupracticeit,themorerelease/reliefyouwillfindyourselfabletoexperience.Themoredefinedthisbecomes,thequieteryoursystemwillbe.Asyoursystembecomesquieter,youwillexperiencemorereleasewithinyourownbody:thusyouwillbeabletoofferyourclientsmorechangeastheyentraintoyournewstateofbeing.
Fluidity,Flexibility,andBeingYourSelf
Whenyoulaugh,howdoesyourbodyfeel?Formostofus,itisasif
Whenyoulaugh,howdoesyourbodyfeel?Formostofus,itisasifeverythingstartstoletgo;webecomemoreflexibleandfluid.Wearein“abandon”—notexamininghowwelookattheworld,wearejust“being,”wearejustpresent.Thisisonewaythat“being”expressesitself.Itisawaytorecognizethatwehavebeenholdingtootightly,orviewingtheworldthroughtoorigidawindow.Itisthechangefromtensiontoreleasethatpointsouthowtight(bothmentallyandphysically)wehavebecome.Wehaveallreadthatlaughtertherapyisoneofthewayspeoplehavecuredthemselvesofcancers,elevatedtheirperformanceabilityinsports,andmuchmore.Thiscanbeeffectivebecausethelaughteropensthesystem,thuscreatingmoreflowandoptimizingthephysicalsystemaswellasone’spsychologicalbalance.
Ifweapproachflowingwithabeginner’smind,wearenotstriving,norareweuptightaboutit;instead,wearecuriousandexploratory.Ifweareaskedtohavefunwiththismethod,wemaynotbeabsolutelysurewhatthatmeans,butitdoesgiveuspermissiontotrynewtechniqueswithoutourinnercriticgettingintheway.Beingplayfulduringthisprocessisanotherwaytoflow.Alsokeepinmindthatfeelinglove,atanylevel,asyoudotheworkisawaytoentera“freer”ormoreopenstate.
Throughdifferenttechniques,suchasbreathingormovementorbyquietingyourself,youcangiveyourselftheopportunitytobeina“state”thatisn’tdemanding.Itwillbeaboutlettingyourselfgoorreleasingatadeeperlevelthanmostofusareusedtoallowing.Thiscanbedoneconsciously,andcanbedeepenedthroughtheCorework.
WithCoreTransformation,weofferyouonewaytogetintoaverydeeplyallowingstate(seesectionbelowforanoverviewoftheterm“allowing”).Weaskyoutofocusmainlyonwhathappensontheout-breath,inacontinuous,flowingmanner.Thisnewquietstate,likelaughter,isdeeplyrelaxingandprovocativeinthechangesthatitcanofferyourownbodyandmind,aswellasyourclient’s.
WhatIsAllowing?
Allowingisastateoffree-flow,ormaximumflexibility.Whilewehave
Allowingisastateoffree-flow,ormaximumflexibility.Whilewehaveanintent,inthiscaseforsomeonetoheal,theultimatedesireistobeopentowhateveroccurs.Atthesametime,whatoccursbecomesaneventinitselfandthiseventisallowedtounfold.Asappliedtohealing,thismeanswehaveanintentforthebodyandmindtomovetowardswholeness.WeallowthebodytofinditsownwaytowholenesswhilewesimplycreateastateusingthevariousCoreTransformationtechniques.Changeisallowedtounfold.Thisisaboutnotbeingattachedtotheoutcomeortheexactunfoldingoftheprocess.
TheBodyasYinandYang
Wearegoingtodescribethebodyintermsof“yin”and“yang.”Whensomethingisconsideredyang,itisthoughtofasactive,dynamic,orhavingmotion.Whensomethingisthoughtofasyin,itisconsideredquiet,receptive,andallowing.Thereisalwayssomeyinwithinanexperienceandsomeyangwithinthesameexperience.The“yin/yang”symbol,“ ,”wascreatedtodemonstratethisidea.Alongthislineofreasoningyoucanalsosaythat:highandlowsupporteachother;lightanddarkexplaineachother.ThisisthebasisofTaoism.Comparisonsofflows,orenergymovementinoraroundthebody,canbeexpressedinthismanneraswell.Ifyouareinterestedintakingthisconceptbeyondtheboundariesofthisbook,wesuggestyoureadthe“TaoteChing”byLaoTseandexperiencethemainexpressionofthisviewoftheworld.
ThepurposeoftheCorebreathistocreateanawarenessofyourinternalterrain.This,inturn,helpsyoubegintheprocessoflearningorexperiencingquiet.Wecanhearenergeticstaticor“bodynoise”betterbecauseofthis.Thismeansthatyouwillbeabletodiscernenergyatamuchfinerlevel.
Getusedtotheideaofflowsandfields.WhencomparingtheBasicQuantum-TouchtechniqueswiththeCoreTransformationtechniques,wecandescribethebasicworkasyang,andtheCoreworkasyin.Theyangworktosomedegreedependsontheamountofallowingbythepractitioner.Howeasilythisoccursisdependentonthepractitioner’sstateofmindandfocus.Nowwewilltakethisallowingtoamuch
deeperlevel.Thetwostylescanbuildononeanotherbutdonotdependoneachother.
WithintheCoreTransformationprocess,asyoulearnquietness,allowingbecomesdeeper.Asyouallowmore,youareabletojointheflowsthatexistwithinyouand“be”theexperienceratherthanobservetheexperience.
CoreTransformation:Highlights
TheCoreTransformationworkfacilitatesworkingonyourselfaseasilyasworkingonothersanditgivesyouaccesstoanawarenessofwhatishappeningwithinanotherperson’ssystem.Italsomakesitcomparativelyeasyforyoutonoticehowyoumoveoruseyourownbody,whichthenallowsyoutochangehowyouapproachmovementandtheflowsorpatternscreatedwithinmovement.
WorkonYourselfEasily
Whenbreathingwiththisparticularfocus,whichwecalltheCorepointortheCoreBreath,itiseasytorelatetoyourphysical,mental,andspiritualforminthethird-personviewpoint.Thismeansthatitisalmostlikeworkingonsomeoneelsewhenyouworkonyourself.Thismakesitmucheasiertoaffectyourownsystem;infact,itisjustaseasyasworkingonsomeoneelse.
Additionally,inordertoofferchangetosomebodyelsewiththistechnique,youbeginbycreatingastateofquietandunravelingwithinyourself.Soyou’vealreadybeguntoworkonyourselfanyway!
Senseor“See”intoOthers
Youcansensetheenergiesinanotherperson’sbodyfairlyeasilybecausetheactofmakingyourownsystemveryquietallowsyoutorecognize“noise”orimbalancedcurrentsinsomeoneelse’sbody.Theseareasdonothaveasmoothenergeticflowtothem.Aperson’sflowcanbeexperiencedinakinestheticway,avisualway,orthroughanyofthesixsensesincludingthe“knowing”sense.Thekeyistogetyoursystemquietenoughtonoticedifferencesinanotherperson’ssystem.Thisismosteasilysensedonthelevelofflowsormovementsofenergyinaperson’sbody.
person’sbody.
DealwithRecurringPatternsand/orPain
Painoftencomesbackbecausepeopledonotchangetheirhabitualwaysofmoving.Theycontinueusingthesameposturesandwaysofdoingthingsthatprobablyhelpedcreatetheprobleminthefirstplace.
Whenwearephysicallyactive,mostofusmoveinhabitualmovementpatterns.Forinstance,ifyoupickanobjectupfromthefloor,youusuallyuseyourbodythesamewayeachtime.Thisoccurswithjustabouteverythingthatyoudo.Asyoulearntoquietyoursystemthroughtheexercisesintroducedinthisbook,youwillhavetheopportunitytobecomeawareofandretrainthesemovementpatternsintoamoreharmoniousflow.Themoretheseexercisesarepracticedwhenlinkedtothebreathwork,themoredynamicthepotentialchangesareandthelesslikelyyouwillre-injureanareathroughpoormovementhabits.Thisis,ofcourse,fromastrictlymechanicalview,butthereisalsotheemotionalaspect.
Asyoumoveingreaterharmonyandaremore“present”withinyourself,youwillhavemoreaccesstoyourself-talk.Mostpeople’sself-talkhasaneffectonhowtheyfeelandwhattheydo.Onceyouhearwhatyourmindsays,youcanstarttakingstepstoconsciouslychangehowyouaddressyourself.Thereismoretothisthanjustself-talk,butitisoneoftheentrypointstomorecompletelyknowingyourself.
Chapter2TheBodyasaMatrix
Weareacomplexbeing,embeddedinthematrixoftheUniverse.Weentrain,weadapt,andwechange.Whatgivesusaccesstoallthisisourwholeself,experiencedineachmoment,growing,opening,and
becoming.
T HEDICTIONARY1DEFINEStheword“matrix”as:
1.Asubstanceinwhichsomethingisembeddedorenclosed
2.Asituationorsetofcircumstancesthatallowsorencouragestheorigin,development,orgrowthofsomething
3.Thesubstancethatexistsbetweencellsandfromwhichtissue(forexample,cartilageandbone)develops
4.Abedorsurroundofmaterialthatgivesprotectionorabsorbsaforce
TheBiologyoftheBodyMatrix
Microfilamentswithfluorescentdye
Thebody“matrix”canbethoughtofasastructurethatiseitherliquidorcrystalline.Withinthismatrix,thereareinnumerabletinytubules,runningthroughoutthebody.Thesetubulesarecollectivelyknownasthecytoskeleton.Theyareactuallymicrofilamentsthatcanbeseenatthesub-cellularlevelandarepartofanewemergingviewofbodyfunctioninmolecularbiology.Thesizeofamicrofilamentis4to6nanometers(Pictureanaveragemarbleandnoteitssize:amarbleistotheEarthasananometeristoameter.).Thesemicrofilamentsareineachofyourcells:traffickingproteinstospecificdestinations,movingorganellesthroughoutthecellinanorderlymanner,andeventransportingthemRNAmoleculesfromthenucleustospecificareasfortranslation.Itwastraditionallythoughtthatthisgroupofmicrofilaments,orthecytoskeleton,onlyplayedasmallroleinmaintainingcellintegrity,celldivision,andcytoplasmicstreaming,butrecentlyscientistshavebeguntorecognizethatthecytoskeletonisalsoinvolvedincellsignaling,metabolism,andmoleculartransport.
ABiologicalViewofEnergyBlockages
Ideally,thebodyisinaconstantstateofmeltingandreorganizing;thismaintainsitshealth.Healthproblemsintheformofenergyblockagesmanifestasaninhibitionoftheflowthroughthecytoskeleton.Thiscanbecausedbyanythingfromanemotionalsituationtoaphysicalinjury.Tensionand/orstressaresomeofthemajorfactorsthatinhibitthisflow,causingcompressioninthebody’ssystem.Thebeliefinmedicalcirclesnowisthatabout80percentofallillnessisstressrelated,andthenewestresearchisstartingtoshowthatthisnumberiscloserto95percent.
Thebodyacceptschangebestwhenitisopen,relaxed,andflowing.Ifyouattempttocausechangeinthebodyasacrystallineorrigidform,itripsortears.Thebody’snetworkoffilamentsactlikestraws—ifthereisanobstructionorbendinanyofthestraws,thereisnoflow.TheeffectivenessofCoreTransformationhealingreliesonitsabilitytocreateorre-establishaliquid-state,flow,orgroupofflowsthroughthebody.Bymeltingoursystem,wecanstraightenthecompressedorblockedstrawsinordertofacilitateflow.Inthisliquidstate,youallowthebodytotransformintoanewmatrixthathasthepotentialforoptimumhealth.
Forexample,ifyouareatworkandsomeoneorsomethingbothersyou,yourbodygoesintoastressreaction.Thisinspiresmorestressinyoursystemandcausesbothphysicalandmentalhavoc.Anykindoftensioninthebodyrestrictsthemicrofilaments(thebody’stransportationsystem),andwhenthereisconstanttension,thebodygraduallybreaksdown.Tomaintainhealth,itisessentialthatthebody’ssystemremainsuncompressedbytensionorstrain,acrystallinestate,andinsteadflowsfreely,aliquidstate.WiththeCorework,youwilllearnhowtoguidethebodybacktoitsliquidstate,re-establishingflowaroundandthroughthecells,allowingabetterexchangeofnutrientsandamoreefficienteliminationoftoxins.Thisispartoftheprocessof
rebuildingyourstructureandthatofyourclient.
TheBodyasFlow:AnEnergeticLook
Thebody’sflowcanbecomparedtoamovingriver,movingeasilyandeffortlessly.Thisflowisconnectedtoagreaterflow,justassmallsystemsofriversandlakesfeedintothegreatoceansoftheworld.Thisgreaterflowisanenergythatappearsexternal,butinfactitisconstantlyfeedingintoandflowingthroughus.Itisthelife-forceenergy,chi,orprana(asisdiscussedinQuantum-Touch:ThePowertoHeal).WeareeachanindividualexpressionoftheLife-ForceEnergy;thewaytheLife-Forceflowsiswhatmakesuswhoweareonalllevels.Theuniverseisanexampleofariverorflowintotalallowing;namely,itrequiresnothing,yetisavailableforallbeings.WhenyoubeginusingtheCorebreath,youwillbegintobecomeawareofthequalityoftheflowwithinyourselfandyouwillhaveaccesstotheexternalenergyflowsthatarebeneficialforourconsciousnessandourbodies.
BetheExample:Howrelaxationandflowinyourselfcreateshealthinyourclient
Weareallfieldsofenergy.IfIamnearanotherperson,hecansensemymoodbecauseheisnearmyfield.IfIthinkofafriendoralovedone,Iambeginningtohaveaneffectonhimorherbecausethereisnoseparationbetweenusontheenergeticlevel.Wehaveallbeeninsituationswherewewalkintoaroomandthingsfeelverywrongorevenveryright.IfIcausemyenergeticfieldtovibrateinaparticularway,Ibegintoaffectthosearoundmewiththisvibration.AsIadjustmyintentwithinthisvibration,Iaffectthosearoundmemore(i.e.ifIshiftmyvibrationinadirectedwayorwithaspecificintent,IhaveagreaterinfluencethanifIhadnoparticularintentatall).Energyfollowsthought.MyintentguidesmyvibrationsothatitcanbesharedwiththosewhohavetheirattentiononmeandwiththosethatIplaceparticularattentionon.ItisinthismannerthatweusetheCoreTransformationmethodstodohealingworkthroughintentandentrainment.
WhenwepracticetheCorework,wegainaccessnotonlytoourselvesinthisway,buttoanyonewechoosetointeractwith.ThishappensbecausetheCorebreathcreatesastatewithinthepractitionerthatcausesherenergeticfieldtobecomeflowingandquiet.Forexample,ifIletmyflowingandquietenergyfieldinteractwithsomeoneelse,bycontrast,IcannotethequalityofhisorherflowbecauseIam(atthattime),anexampleofanopen,flowingstate.Theaveragepersonhasaflowthatjumpsaround,muchlikeaballinapinballmachine.Wecallthisjumpyqualitya“noisy”orimbalancedsystem.IfIdemonstrateaquietstate,Icansenseandaffectareasthatarenotflowingorarenoisy,throughmyintent.Bydemonstratingsmoothflowwithinmyself,andthinkingoftheotherpersonatthesametime,Ibegintoaffecthisorhersystem.Thisistheentrainmentportionoftheprocess.WhenIfollowaclient’sflowandencountersomethingintheway,IthenapplyaCoretechnique,forinstance,I“womb”theanomaly.Asthewombedarea
comesintoharmony,thenitisnolongerablockage;itisaflow.Nowthesystemismuchsmootheroverall,whichisthebeginningoftheclient’sreturntohealth.
Ifweintroducetheconceptofrelaxationtothesystem,wegetflow.Eachin-breathandeachout-breathisanopportunityfordeeperflow.Whilemostpeoplethinkofbreathinginandoutasexpansionandcontraction,wewanttofeelflowbothontheinhaleandtheexhale.ByusingtheCorebreath,wearegiventheopportunitytoexperiencethisverydeeply.Afteryou’vebeendoingthebreathforawhile,itbeginstofeellikethebreathbreathesyou.Thisgivesyouawholenewwaytoexperienceyourselfandeverythingaroundyou.Thismeansthatyouarebeginningtoredefinewhoandwhatyouareinrelationtoeverything.
Meditation
TheCorebreathgivesusanopportunitytomeditatemorefullyandproductively.Itallowsustoenterprogressivelydeeperstatesofbeing.Thiscreatesafeelingofbeingconnectedtotheuniverse.WhenwegofurtherintotheCorespace,theexperiencecanbecomequiteblissful.Asweapproachthedeeperstates,wemayfeelsometrepidationbecausethesestatesareoutsideournormalexperiences.Ifwearekindtoourselvesandallowourselvestogentlytouch,explore,andthenexperiencethesenewavenues,wecanbecomemorecomfortablewithit.Thisdeepawarenesstakesmorefocus,butyoucanalsotouchonitandhavealightawarenessofthisstatethroughoutyourday.Thisallowsyoutobeinavibrationofopennessanddeeperbalance.Italsoallowsyoutohaveadeepersenseofwhoyouareandwhatisoutsideofyou.Interestingly,italsoshowsyouhowyouareconnectedtoeverythingaroundyou.Ineffect,itoffersyouoptionsinhowyoucanexperienceyourday.
BeforeYouBegin
Whenyoustartyourexercises,realizethatineachmoment,youareadifferentpersonandtheamountofflowthatyouhaveatanyonetimeisconstantlychanging.Forthisreason,donotcompareyourselftoothersbyhowfaryoucanmove.Justnoticehowyoufeelinthispresentmomentandconstantlynotehowmuchmoreflowandflexibilityyoucanbringtoyoursysteminthenow,versusfrommemoryorexpectation.Somedaysyou’regoingtofeelgoodandotherdaysyouwillnotbeatyourbest.Allthisaffectsyourstateofflow;letyourselfstayintheactofdiscovery.Canyouconsciouslykeepyourenergeticflowregardlessofwhatyouaredoing?Thatisthekey.Yourquestionorattitudeshouldbe:“Wherecanmyawarenesstakemetoday?”asopposedtowhatyoubelieveyoushouldbeabletodo.
Onceyou’velearnedtheCorebreath,youcanuseittoreleasethetension,whichallowsthebodytoletgoandbegintheunwindingprocess.Thequieteryoubecome,themoredeeplyyouunfold,andtheeasieritbecomesforyoutonoticewhatishappeninginyourbodyandinothersaswell.Thequieteryouget,thegreaterawarenessandeffectyoucanhave.Notonlyareyouabletoaccessyourselfmorecompletely,butyoucanstartconnectingtotheflowthatispresentintheuniverse.
ThePhilosophyofNo
ThereisabookcalledThePhilosophyofNo2byGastonBachelard.Thisbookintroducesaveryinterestingidea:ifyoubelieveyouknowananswer,youwillalwaysusethesamestepsorapproachtoarriveatthatanswer.Bachelardsuggeststhatjustbecauseyouhavearrivedatananswerbyfollowingaparticularprocedure,thisdoesnotmeanthatyouhavefoundthebestoronlywaytoachievethatanswer.Infact,theansweryouhavefoundmayonlybetrueifyoufollowthesamesteps.Byallowingyourselftoentertaintheideathattheprocedureyou’ve
chosencouldbewrong,youallowyourselfanopportunityforawholenewapproachtoproblemsolving.Thisdemonstratesthatsomeideasyouthinkarevalidmaynotserveyouatall.Whatifyouletyourselfstartoverandfollowanewpath?Mightyouarriveatadifferentanswerorlearnagreatdealmoreaboutwhatyouthoughtyouunderstood?
Thatisthepurposeofquestioningwhatmaynolongerserveus.Ifwealwaysfollowthesamesteps,wewillusuallyarriveatthesameanswer.Butthistypeofthinkinglimitswhatwediscover.Thisgoesforjustabouteverythingwedoor“know.”IfwestillbelievedthattheEarthwasflat,wewouldneverhavefoundanyoftheothercontinentsbysea.TherewasatimewhenwebelievedthattheEarthwasthecenterofthesolarsystem,atthattimeitwasprudenttobelievethis,ratherthanitsbeingtrue.NottoomanyyearsafterCopernicus(theoriginatoroftheideathatthesunwasthecenterofthesolarsysteminsteadofEarth),aphilosophernamedBrunowasburnedasahereticbecause,amongotherthings,hestatedthatspacewasboundlessandthattheremaybeotherworldsinexistence.Brunoisanexampleofhowitissometimesnotprudenttoquestionthestatusquo,butheisalsoareminderofhowmuchliesbeyondthecurrentacceptedstandardsofsociety.
Everythingwecurrentlybelieveanddocanbere-examined,andinthiswaywehavetheopportunitytomakemanynewdiscoveries.Wearenotsuggestingthatyounecessarilyhavetodothis,butitdoessuggestthatjustbecausewethinksomethingistrue,itmayonlybetrueaccordingtoapointofview,ratherthanincontrovertiblefact.
Thisallowsustobroadenourviewof“how”weunderstandsomethingratherthanacceptingthingsatfacevalue.Wesuggestthatyouapproachthesenewhealingtechniquesandtheiraccompanyingphysicalexercisesfromthisperspective.Bylearningtobeourselves,andtomoveandhealwithanawarenessoftheflowswithinandbeyondus,weenteramuchlargerworldofpossibility.
Endnotes:1FromEncarta®WorldEnglishDictionary©1999MicrosoftCorporation.Allrightsreserved.DevelopedforMicrosoftbyBloomsburyPublishingPlc.
2Bachelard,Gaston,ThePhilosophyofNo:APhilosophyoftheNewScientificMind,trans.G.C.Waterston(NewYork:OrionPress,1968)
Chapter3TheCoreBreath
Eachmovementisanopportunitytolearn.Ifwestandinthecenterofamoment,thewholeUniversetakesnoticewhenwemove.
T HEBREATHINGTECHNIQUElinkedtothebodysensationsproducedbytheCoreworkisthekeytoallCoreTransformationtechniques.ThroughtheCorebreathandelongations(whichyouwilllearnthroughtheexercisesdescribedlater),webringthisflow,orourstateofbeing,backintoharmony.
Inthiswork,thein-breathandtheout-breathareofequalimportance.Duringthemajorityofthispractice,wewillfocusontheout-breathandaparticularpointbehindtheeyes.(ThisisthefoundationoftheCorework,fromthehealingtechniquestotheexercises.)Thebreathworkisdoneintwostagesmadeupofseveralparts.
Pleasenote:Ideally,thebreathisdonethroughthenose.However,ifyouhavedifficultybreathingthroughyournose,youcanbreathethroughthemouthinstead.
Stage1
1.Therateorspeedofthein-breathisarelaxedandenjoyableinhale.
2.Theexhaleishighlyregulated.Ideally,theexhaleissoslowthat,ifacandleflamewereheldinfrontofthenostrils,theflamewouldbarelyflicker.(Pleasenotewedonotsuggestthatyouactuallyuseacandletotestthis.)
3.Trybreathingthiswayforaleastthreeorfourbreaths,onerightaftertheother.
Howdoyoufeelwhenyoudothistypeofbreathing?Payparticularattentiontosmallsensationsinyourbody,theamountofrelaxationorlackofitproduced,andwhetheritmakesyoufeelcomfortableoruncomfortable.Areyoutensingyourthroatorchestinordertoslowthebreath?Howslowlycanyouexhalewhilestillremainingrelaxed?
Stage2
Dotheexactsamebreathingpatternandaddaspecificfocustogowithit:
it:
1.Locatethepointjustabovethepituitaryglandwithinthebrain.
2.Holdyourfocushere,gentlyyetresolutely,asyoudothebreathingpatternfromstageone.
3.Noticethechangesthatthisbreathingpatternandfocusproduceinsideyou.
4.Dothisforatleastfivecycles(acycleisoneinhaleandoneexhale)ofthebreath.
Whatdoyounoticewhenyoubreatheinthismanner?Howdoesyourbodyrespond?Isitdesirableordisconcerting?Don’tjudgeyourself;justnotice.
“Spacebehindtheeyes,”CoreTransformationPoint
HowtoFindTheCorePoint
AreatoplacethefingerswhenfirstfindingtheCorePoint.
1.Findyourtempleswithafingeroneachsideofyourheadnexttotheoutercornersofyoureyes.
2.Slideyourfingersbackaboutaninchandthendownsothattheyrestontopoforjustabovethezygomaticarch(theboneleadingbackfromthecheekbonetowardtheear).
3.Thinkofdrawingastraightlinefromonefingertotheother.Thisshouldbethoughtofasabarorboltthatgoesthroughyourheadfromonesidetotheother.Rememberwherethislineis.
4.Imagineasecondlinethatwillintersectthepreviousline.Thislinestartsatthebridgeofthenosewheretheeyebrowscometogether.Youwanttothinkofthislineasintersectingthefirstlineinsidethehead,anglingdownslightlyinordertodothis.
5.Thinkofthisintersection“area”asaboutthesizeofawalnut.(Thisisnotarigidguideline,butanapproximatesizeandmoreofadynamicspacethanalocked,separatespace.)
6.Actasifyouareexhalingfromthispointwhilebreathingattherate
oftherelaxedinhaleandregulatedexhale;changeonlythefocus.
7.Whenyouhavethefocusandbreathbasicallycorrect,youshouldsensearelaxationthroughoutthebody,almostameltingfeeling.Youmayfeeladiscernablemomentofreleaseandrelaxationgoingdownyourneckandshoulders.Youshouldalsohavethesensethateverypartofyourbodyisondisplay;thatis,youhaveaconsciousandkinestheticawarenessofallpartsofyourbodyatonce.
HowtoAdjustYourAwarenesstotheProperFocusofFindingtheCorePoint
FocusPlacement SymptomExperienced
ToohighMostofthesensationsareonthetopofthehead.Oftenadizzysensation.
Toolow Mostofthesensationsareofteninthethroat.
Toofarback Sensationsinthebackofthehead.
Toofarforward
Sensationsinforeheadandsinuses.
Toowideorbroadafocus
Sensationslightlyfeltthroughoutthebodyandamorefloatyfeelinginthehead.
JUSTRIGHTFull-bodyflowsensation,relaxation.Thisrelaxationisoftenfirstsensedthroughtheneck.
OtherWaysToPlaywithExhaling
Thekeytomakingallthisworkistobepresentfortheexhaleandtorelaxontheinhale.ItisokaytobefocusedontheCorepointforboththeinhaleandexhale,butparticularlyinthebeginning,itisusuallyeasierforpeopletohavetheirfocusthereonlyontheexhale.Sensingforthebreathtoescapefromthispointinsideyourheadisaverygoodwaytobringittoyourawareness.Thisisonereasonwhyitishelpfultobreathethroughyournoseifyoucan.Astheairpassesthroughthesinuscavities,itisactuallyphysicallyclosertotheCorepointandhelpsbringyourawarenessthere.
Thereareanumberofwaystothinkofthispoint.WhilevisualizingtheCorepointdoesproduceresults,sensingforafeelingorkinestheticreactionisevenbetter.Whenyousimplyimagineoractasifyouarelookingatthispoint,youarenot“in”thepoint.Thiscausesyoutobesomewhatremovedfromtheexperience,whichisquitecounterproductiveformostpeople.Withthatinmind,onewayhelpmakethiseasieristoimaginethattheCorepointisahottubandyouarelounginginit;thebubblesthatyoufeelticklingyouistheairyouareexhalingbeingreleasedinsidethetub.Anotherwaytothinkofitisthepointisanarmchair,andyoureyesarewindowsinfrontofyouthatyoucanlookthrough.Everythingcomestoyouinthisarmchairasyousimplyallowyourselftobepresenthere.Andonceyouseatyourselfinthisarmchair,youknowyouareintherightspotandnolongerhavetoconcentrateashardonbeingthere.
Thereisnoendtotheactof“being”inthisplace.Itistheentrypointtoeverything.Themoredeeplyyouenterit,themoredynamicthechangesitproduces.Oneofthepleasantsideeffectsofdoingthebreathingcorrectlyisthatyoubecomeamoredefined“field”or“you.”Itbeginstoallowyoutobewhoyouare,ratherthanbeingapersoninreactiontowhatisaroundyou.Anytimeyouusethiswork,thinkofitasanentrypointtobeingyourself.Themoredeeplyyouenterwhoandwhatyouare,themoredynamicthechangesthatyouwillbeabletointroducenotonlytoyourself,butalsotoothers.
whatyouare,themoredynamicthechangesthatyouwillbeabletointroducenotonlytoyourself,butalsotoothers.
WhatMostPeopleDoWrong
1.Tryingtoohard:Themostcommonerrorwhendoingthisworkistryingtoohard.Ifyoufindyourselflooking“back”tofindtheplacetoexhalefrom,remembernottocrossyoureyesinordertodoso.Thiswillcreateagreatdealoftensionandoftenaheadache.Ifthereistensionorpainbetweentheeyebrows,thinkoflooking“up”inordertolookback.Thiswilleasethattension.Youmightalsotrydoingthebreathwiththeeyesopen.Thiswilldefinitelypointouttoyouwhenyouarephysicallymovingyoureyeswiththeanglethatyouareusingto“look.”Itmayalsobeabithardertoconcentrate,butgivenabitofpracticeitisnottoohard.
2.“Doing”ratherthan“being”:Perhapsthemostdifficultpartofthiswholeprocessisthedesireto“do”ratherthanto“be.”Wecan’temphasizethisenough.Thisisaboutbeingandnotsomuchdoing.Everythingshouldunfoldfromyou,notfromwhatisoutsideyou.Bewhoyouare.Onethingthatyoumighttrytohelpyouwiththisistosaytoyourself(asyoudothebreath),“Justbe[yourname].”SoifyournameisJaneandwewatchedyoudothebreath,wemightsay,“Justbe‘Jane.’Nothingelsematters.Thereisnothingtostriveforandnoonetoplease.Justbewhoyouare.”
Asyougetusedtothisfocus,youwillgetitandloseitasyoubegintheprocess.Thisisnormalandnatural.Weareaskingyouto“be”;thisisnotacommonexperience.Letyourselfexperimentwiththefocus.Begentlewithyourself,anysortofcriticismiscounterproductive.Inaliveclass,weactuallydirectyoutotherightfocusasweobservehowyoudothebreathwork.ItisstillpossibletofindtheCoreplaceoffocusbyyourself;keepinmindthatyouarealwayslookingorsensingforthefeelingofrelaxationandreleasethataccompaniesthecorrectfocusandthecorrectratefortheexhale.
3.Hurryingthebreath:Alwaysenjoyyourinhale.Itisveryimportantnottohurrytothenextexhale.Asyoupracticethe
exhale,itmightbeeasiertograduallyslowdowntherateatwhichyouexhale.Thereisno“ideal”numberofsecondsfortheinhaleorexhale,socountingiscounterproductivebecauseitpullsyououtoftheexperience.
4.Tensionwiththeslowbreath:Ifyoufinditdifficulttodoanextremelyslowexhaleasyoubegin,especiallyifitcausesyoutofeeltense,tryeasingintoit.Startatwhateverrateallowsyoutostayrelaxed.Graduallyslowtheexhalebitbybit,allowingeachout-breathtobeslightlylongeruntilyouarriveatarhythmthatisnotonlysustainable,butcreatesthefeelingofrelaxationandflowthroughoutthebody.Focusmoreontherelaxation,andonlyperipherallyontheslowness.Trythinkingmoreaboutthefeelofthebreathinyourbody,andlessaboutwhereitisgoingout.Dorememberthatifthatrelaxation/flowreactionisnotpresent,youmostlikelyarenotdoingthisprocesscorrectly.
5.Shallowbreathing:Breathingwithtooshallowabreathisanothercommonmistake.Theinhaleshouldbeenjoyedandbefull,butnottoanuncomfortablelevel.Theexhaleshouldbegradualandlongasifyouwererollingdownagentleslope.Anotherwaytothinkofitisthefeelofafeatherdriftinglightlyontheout-breath,graduallyfloatingdown.Ifyoufindthatyouarerunningoutofbreathontheexhale,simplyinhale.Youdonotneedtogotothebottomofyourexhaleinordertosatisfyanyone.Again,enjoytheinhaleandthenregulatetheexhale.Youwillsoonarriveatarhythmthatyoucansustainandwillactuallycauseyougreatrelaxationandjoy.
6.Stoppedbreath:Doremembertobreathe.Theactofthefocusaloneisnotenoughtoaccomplishwhatweareafter.Somepeoplethinkthatsimplyusingthemindtoaccomplishthegoaliswhatweareafter.Thisisincorrect;thefocusandbreathmustbemarriedtogether.Whenworkingonourselvesorothers,itiseasytogetinvolvedinthe“view”ofwhatyouaresensing—don’tletthisoccur.Thisisanentrainmentprocess;youaredemonstratingastatethatallowschangetotheclientbycreatingitwithinyourownbody.Itisnecessarytokeeptheflowmovingandopen,lookforthereleasethebreathcreates,rideitandletitcarryyou.Itisalotlikeadance;
letyourselfbecarriedbytheexperience.
WaystoPractice
Youhaveallthetimeintheworldtopractice.Apleasantandbeneficialthingtodoistofallasleepwhilepracticingthisbreathingmethod.SomepeoplefindthatdoingtheCorebreathwakesthemup;ofcourseifthisoccurs,simplystopdoingthebreathandgotosleep.Inoneclassthatwetaught,oneofthestudentsforgotthatheshouldstopthebreathifitkepthimawake.Atabout4:30AM,herememberedandstoppeddoingthebreathandfellasleepveryquicklyafterthat.Relax,enjoy,letyourselfexperimentandplay,andseewhatyoudiscover.MostpeoplefindthattheCorebreathleadstoaveryrestfulnight’ssleep.Afewfindthattheyhaveextremelyvividdreamswheretheyappeartobelearningorworkingallnightlong.Icallthese“whitenights”:interestingandinformative,yetoftenexhausting.
Next,dothebreathwhenyoufirstwakeup.Thisoftenfeelsverydifferentandyoumayfindthatitisdifficulttoreclaimthefocusyoufoundthenightbefore.Thisisanexampleofbreathingwithexpectationversusbeinginthemoment.Whenwefeelasifsomethingshouldbeexactlyasitwasbefore,wearelivinginthepastoratleastinmemory.Thisisusefultosomedegree,butasawayofbeing,ittakesusoutofthemoment.Eachmomentofourlives,weareadifferentperson.Whywouldyouexpectthattheexperienceinthemorningandtheeveningtobethesame?Oneday,everythingmayhavegoneextremelysmoothly,youwereabletorelaxwell,everyonewaskindtoyou,andasyouapproachedeachpartofyourday,itwasajoy.Onthisday,everytimeyouaccessedtheCorepoint,itwassimple.Thenextday,theexperiencewasn’tthesame.Youhadsomefrustration,theenergyofthedayseemedtocascadeintoconfusion,andwhenyouwenttodotheCorebreath,itfelthardertodo.Thisisnormal;untilsomethingiswellpracticed,itcanbemoredifficult.Givenabitofpractice,consistencywillbegintobethenorm.Letyourselfexploreeachmomentinsteadoflivinginyourhistoryorpast.Thistrulyisanevolvingprocessandgoestotheheartofwhoandwhatweare.Ideally,weliveinanever-evolvingmoment.This
momentistheonlyonethatyoucanaffect.Thus,thequestionbecomes:canyoubepresentforthatmoment?Ittakesabitofpractice,butitissoworthwhile.Thisspeakstotheessenceofwhatweare.Letyourselfbepresentforthismoment,forthisbreath,fortheactofwhatyouareexperiencing,andyouwillrealizethatyouareenteringastatethattheZenmastersspeakof—anever-present,ever-evolvingnow.Iamconstantlyamazedandthankfulfortheexperienceofthisbreath.Relax,enjoy,experiment,andlet’sseewhereittakesus.
Ifyouhavea“bad”day,letyourselfgototheCorepointanddosomebreathing.Thereyouwillfindthatyoucanbepresentenoughtounderstandhowthesituationevolved,andhowtoletgoofyourattachmenttooutcomeand“be”withit.Thiswilldefusethetensionandresistancewithinyourselfandofferaverydifferentwaytobe.Weencourageyoutotrythis;itisquiterewarding.
Chapter4MovementandExercises
Eachmovementisanopportunitytolearn.Ifwestandinthecenterofamoment,whenwemovethewholeUniversetakesnotice.
HAwarenessThroughMovement
OWMUCHGLOBALAWARENESSofyourbodycanyouhaveasyoumove?Canyousensetheflowofenergythroughoutyourbody?TheCore
breathbeginsthisglobalorall-encompassingawarenessprocess.Whenyouworkwithyourbodyfromthisperspective,youcanmoreeasilyaffectareasthathavebeenheldseparateordamaged;thusallowingthemtohealandreintegratewiththe“global”whole.
Sometensionshavebeenwithussolongthatwedon’tnoticethemanymore;theyhavebecomesointegratedwithwhatwecallour“normal”statethatwedon’tknowwheretobegin.Howthendowegainaccesstotheseareas?Physicalexercisessuchastheoneswepresentinthischapterguideustothesehiddentightspots,forinordertodocertainmovementseasily,orwithflow,wemustregainaccesstothem.
Onceyouarecomfortablewiththebreathingbyitself,itistimetoseeifyoucandothebreathingandsensethechangeswhileyoumove.Untilasystemischallengedoraskedtodomorethanitisusedtodoing,itdoesnotopentomorefluiditythanitneedsto.Itisalsodifficulttoknowwhereweareholdingtensionorareguardingourselves(seeglossaryforfurtherexplanationof“guarding”).Aswepressorreachfornewlimitstohowwecanmove,thisbeginstobringthemtoourawareness.
BeforeYouBegin
EachexercisewepresentwillbedonewiththeCorebreath.Theyaredesignedtoteachusmoreaboutourownflow,specificallywhereweholdorrestrictflow,andhowtoallowitagain(justdoingtheexercisesbeginstoopentheflowup).Thismayrequireanumberofrepetitionsinordertounderstandwhatflowandopeninginaparticularareameanstoouroverallflow,butitisquiteanamazing,revealingexperience.
Becauseallthemovementsorexercisesareconsideredelongationsorextensions,theyaredonethroughthebonesandjoints,notjustthe“surface”ofourbodies.Allthebreathingisthroughthenoseifpossible,andallmovementsareinitiatedontheexhale.Thefocus,whiledoingthebreath,isbehindtheeyesintheCorepoint.Asyoupractice,youwillgainagreaterawarenessofwhatyouaremadeupof.Bitbybit,youwillbeabletodiscernmoreofyourstructure,whatbindsit,andwhatsetsitfree.Theexercisesareeachdesignedtotestwhatyourpresentlimitationsareandwhateachparticularexercisecanopenyouto.
Eachexercisecanbethoughtofasakindof“speedbump”toyoursystemwhichmakesyouslowdownandaskquestionslike,“CanImovelikethisandstillmaintaintheelongationorsenseof‘openness’throughmybody?”Asyougainabilityandawarenessofyourinnerterrain,youwillbeabletorelaxandreleasejustaboutanypartofyourbody.Whenyoubecomeusedtothis,youwillfindthatyouhavebecomemuchquieterinside.Thishelpsinyourownhealing,aswellaswhenworkingwithothers.
Arethephysicalexercisesdescribedinthisbooktheonlyonesthatwillwork?No,anyexercisecanbeusedaslongasyoudoitwiththefocuswedescribe.Differentstancesaffectthewayourskeletonsupportsus.Differentwaysofmovingourbodywhileinthesestancesaffectthewayitcanopen.Theexercisesweshowyouchallengethebodyinspecificwaysinordertocreatespecificresults.Asflowisreintegrated,theresultswillfosterphysicalandemotionalhealing.Pleasenote:ifyouchooseyourownexercises,itwillgiveyoutheopportunityto
theresultswillfosterphysicalandemotionalhealing.Pleasenote:ifyouchooseyourownexercises,itwillgiveyoutheopportunitytoexperimentwithhowyourbodyopensindifferentways.However,wesuggestyoustartwithoursuntilyouunderstandtheflowswell.Thenaddyourown,notingthedifferencesproduced.
Approacheachexercisewithasenseofpossibility.Theobjectisnotto“achieve”aparticularresult,itistoseewhatcanbesensedorlearnedfromtheexperience.Aconstantlyevolvingbeginner’smindiswhatyouareafter.Asyourstructurechanges,donotlookforthelimitsthatthesechangescreatewithinyou.Instead,beobservantandkeeppracticingforanevendeeperunderstandingofwhereallthiscantakeyou.Wheneveryoumoveandchallengeyourflexibilityorrangeofmovement,thinkofthemovementasanelongationoranextension.Unlikestandardexerciseswherewestretchandsometimesripamuscleorhurtourselvesinsomeway,wewillinsteadopenandaffectourrangeofmotionbyintroducingasmuchfloworopennessaspossible.
Remember:OneofthekeypartsoftheCoreworkis“quieting”oursystem.Aswefindquietwithinourselvesandnotetheflowsthatarepresent,wecanstartsensingwhat’snoisyandwhat’squiet;whathasmovementandwhatdoesn’t.WhileusingtheCoretechniques,thebodybecomesmoreintegrated,andtheseparationbetweenthedifferentpartsdissolves.Thismeansthatasthebodyquietsandbecomesintegrated,itbecomesasmootherflow.Ourbodiesaremeanttobeadynamicexerciseofopennessandflow.Torediscoverthiswithinyourselfcanbequitefunandamazing.
InspirationandExpiration
Wheneveryouinhale(inspiration),airisautomaticallydrawnintoyourlungs.Thishappensbecausealargemusclecalledthe“diaphragm”movesdownwardcreatingmorespaceinyourlungs,whichinturndrawstheairin.Thediaphragmisdefinedasacurvedmuscularmembraneinhumansandothermammalsthatseparatestheabdomenfromtheareaaroundthelungs1.Whenyouexhale(expiration),airisexpelledoutofyourlungs.Thishappensbecausethediaphragmrelaxesanditpushestheairout.
Thisprocessoccurswitheverybreath.Thereshouldalsobeothermusclesthatengageandrelaxaswellwitheveryinhaleandexhale.Theproblemisthatmostofthetime,thereistoomuchtensioninourbodies,preventingtheseothermusclesandtissuesfromdoingwhattheyaresupposedtodo,whichistorelaxandallowflowthroughthebody.
Thinkabouthowyoufeelwhenyouarerelaxed.Thisrelaxedstateshouldbeavailabletoyouatanytime.Whatifwhenyousatatyourcomputer,whenyouinteractedaroundadinnertable,orevenwhenyouwatchedamovie,youdidtheCorebreathwork?Youwouldfindthatyourbackwouldrelax,andyourspineandotherportionsofyourskeletalstructurewouldstartsupportingyou,ratherthanrelyingonthemusclestorigidlyholdyourbodyinplace.Ifyoudidthisatworkorwhentraveling,itwouldmeanthatattheendofyourdayorwhenyouarrivedatadestination,yourbodywouldfeelrelaxedandelastic.Howwouldthisaffectyourdayandyourinteractions?Whenwepracticethis,itoffersapleasantlyevolvingdaywithagreatlyreducedstressload,andtheopportunityforagoodnight’ssleep.Thisalsomeansadayofconsciousawarenessthatnurturesandfeedsyouratherthanpushesyou.Thisishowwegothrougheachday.WedonotspendthewholedayconsciouslydoingtheCorebreathbutwedooftenholdalightfocusintheCorespotwhilekeepingthebreathrelaxed.Thisleadsustoamoreconsciouswayofbeing,presentforeachmoment.
ThemorethatyoupracticetheCorebreath,theeasierandmorejoyful
ThemorethatyoupracticetheCorebreath,theeasierandmorejoyfulitgets.Itisasiftheworldisfullofnectarandyouaredrinkingitthroughyourbreath.TomaketheCorebreatheasytodo,playwiththeperiodoftheinhaleandexhale,graduallylengtheningituntilyoufindaratethatiscomfortableandsustainable.Playwiththisasmuchandinasmanywaysasyoucanthroughoutyourday.Wehavefounditinvaluableinwhatithastaughtus.
Thedescriptionslistedbelowarewaystodescribesomethingthatatfirstmayappearquitesubtle,butmostenergyworkisdescribedas“subtleenergy”anyway.Rememberthatwhatappearstomakesomethingelusiveisone’slackofexperiencewithit.Afteryouareusedtosomethingthatpreviouslyseemedsubtle,itbecomesmoreobvious.Thegreatthingisthatthesetechniquesallowustoexperiencelifeatthenextlevelofsubtlety.Wewilldescribeanentrypointthatallowsyoutoexperiencethislevelandweendeavortomaketheexplanationsasclearaspossible.Realizethatyouaregoingtohavetoplaywiththeseideas,andtosomedegree,translatethemintoyourowntermsorframeofreference.Thegoodnewsisthatonceyouunderstandwhattolookfor,everythinggetssimpler.
TheFiveDiaphragmsExplained
Asyoupracticethemovements,notethattheseexercisesarelaidoutinaspecificorder,eachonebuildingontheonebeforeit.Takeyourtimeasyoupracticeandseehowtheexperienceunfolds.Donotgetambitiousinthesenseofattemptingtoachievesomeidealizedamountofflexibilityorself-imposedviewofhowthingsshouldbedone.Letyourbodydevelopinitsownmanner.Thisisaboutyouruniquepersonalevolution—nooneelse’s.ThepurposeofthefirstexerciseistostartopeningyoursystemandtoteachyouhowtobecomeawareoftheflowswithinyoucreatedbybreathingfromtheCorepoint.
Everyjointandmuscleinourbodyhastheabilitytobereleasedandopened.Wearegoingtostartwithfivemajorareaswhosereleasecauseslargerareastoalsobeaffected.WecalltheseareasTheFiveDiaphragms.Whileonlyoneisintheareaoftheanatomicaldiaphragmassociatedwiththelungs,theyareallareasthatareinfluencedbythe
Diaphragms.Whileonlyoneisintheareaoftheanatomicaldiaphragmassociatedwiththelungs,theyareallareasthatareinfluencedbytheactofbreathing,andthusareaffectedbythemovementofourphysicaldiaphragm.
Asyoupracticethisworkyouwillbegintobeawareofincrediblysmallchanges.Becauseofthis,youwillbeabletoaffectchangeonaprofoundlevel.Youwillbeabletoisolatespecificmuscles,tendons,andbonesaswellasalmostanypartofyouranatomy.Wehaveincludedsomeveryspecificdefinitionsofsomeofouranatomytohelpwiththis.Werealizethatitwilltakesomepracticetoopenyoursensitivitytothislevel,butitwilloccurandknowingwhatisinsidetheareasthatyouarefocusedonoftenmakesiteasiertoreleasethatarea.
TheFiveDiaphragmsWhatTheyAreandWhatTheyFeelLike;AnAnatomicalAwareness
TheFiveDiaphragms
Note:Theexplanationslistedbelowareexamplesofthesensationsproducedwhenthemusclesandthesurroundingtissueareinarelaxedstate.Alsonote,thesesensationshappenontheexhale.
1.ThePerineumDiaphragm
Thefirst“diaphragm”isattheperineum(theareabetweenthegenitalsandtheanus).Thisareaaffectsthewholepelvicfloor.Theperineumisthesurfaceregioninbothmalesandfemalesbetweenthepubicsymphysis(pubicbone)andthecoccyx(tailbone).Themusclesarelaidoutina“diamond”shape.Itiseasiertounderstandthisexplanationwhenyouthinkofitastwofan-shapedareas.Whenitisrelaxeditfeelslikeadome,risingandelongating.Itcanalsobedescribedasawarmingsensationthatspreadsthroughouttheperinealfloor.Thissensationshouldultimatelyspreadintothegenitalsandanus,allthewayouttothehips.Asthisareareleases,thesurfaceofthisarea,andaninchorsointothebodycavity,shouldchangeorrespondaswell.
2.ThePeritoneumDiaphragm
Thesecond“diaphragm”istheperitoneum.Thisisamultilayeredmembraneliningtheabdominalcavity,whichsupportsandcoverstheorganswithinit.Thisexerciseaffectstheareafromthepubicboneuptoandincludingthefirstrib,i.e.theentiretorso.Itismosteasilysensedintheregionofthekidneys(mid-backtowardthebottomoftheribcage)andtendstofeelasifthekidneyareaismelting,similartothefeelofanicecubemeltinginyourhand.Thissensationmaycontinueallthewayupthroughtheribcageanddownthroughthelowerbackaswellasthroughtheentireabdomen.Itcanalsofeelasthoughyourbackhasawarm,flowingrelaxationmovingthroughit.
3.TheThroatDiaphragm
Thethirdareaisatthelevelofthethroat.Theareaaffectedbythisdiaphragmrunsfromthefirstribupintothelowerjaw.Whenyouplaceyourattentiononit,itfeelsasifthewholeneckexpandsandmelts.Initially,manypeoplesensealight“buzzing”sensationaroundtheAdam’sapple.This(orwhateversensationyoufeel)shouldeventuallyspreadandbefeltthroughtheentirearea.Oneinterestingsideeffectof
thisareabeingreleasedisincreasedsalivationandtheteethinthelowerjawrelaxingandaligning.
4.ThePalatineDiaphragm
Thefourthareaisattheleveloftheupperpalate.Itisdefinedasanirregularlyshapedboneposteriortothemaxilla,whichformspartofthenasalcavity,theeyesocket,andthehardpalate.Itarticulateswithsixbones:thesphenoid,ethmoid,maxilla,inferiornasalconcha,vomer,andoppositepalatine.Becauseitinteractswiththeseotherbones,itaffectstheentireupperportionoftheskull.Inthiscase,itaffectstheupperjawtobothsidesofthehead,intothebaseofthebrainpanandsinuscavity.Whenyouconsciouslyreleasethisarea,itmayfeelasifthesinusesareopeningandthatthereisactuallymorespaceintheroofofthemouthandjaw.Thereisevenaflexionofthesphenoidbones,creatingmorespaceforthebrain.Ifyouopenandcloseyourmouthwhileholdingyourfingerrightnexttoandinfrontoftheearcavity,youcanfeeltheplacewhereyourjawishinged.Thisshouldgiveyouagoodideawherethisareastarts.
5.TheCrownDiaphragm
Thefifthareaisthetopofthehead.Asitreleases,itaffectstheentirescalp,aswellasthecranialsutures.Itfeelsasifthetopoftheheadisopeningup.Somedescribethesensationasbeingakintoacrawlingfeelingonthetopofthescalp,orasifalightcapwassittingontopoftheirhead.This“cap”feelsasifitisslowlyexpanding.Itmayalsofeellikearingthatgraduallygetsbigger(e.g.expandingripplescausedbyapebbleinalake).
Tomakethesediaphragmsmoreobvious,weusetheCorebreathincombinationwithalighttouch,atleastinitially.Ideally,theexhalationisthroughthenoseandissoslowthatifacandleflamewereplacedinitspath,itwouldbarelyflicker.Tobringanareatogreaterawareness,gentlystrokethearea(orifinconvenient,strokeanotherspotatthe
samelevelofyourbody)withyourhand.Thisbringsittoyourawarenessonaphysicallevel.Usingaverylighttouchhelpstovivifyageneralarea.Aheaviertouchwillnotproducethesameresult.Asanexperiment,gentlystrokethebackofyourhandwithaverylighttouch.Whatdoyoufeel?Mostpeoplenoticethatalightstrokeinoneareaactuallybringsalargerareaintoawareness.Thisoccursbecausejustbelowthesurfaceofourskinarenerveswhosefunctionistotelluswherewearelocatedinspace.Theseareourproprioceptors.Alighttouchbringsthemintoaction;aheavytouchcausesothernervestobestimulatedandcausesamorelocalizedreaction.
Afteryouhavelearnedtofeelthediaphragms,physicaltouchisnolongernecessary.Infact,allthediaphragmsmovesimultaneously.Wechoosetolookatthemoneatatimebecausewhenwefirstbeginrecognizingorsensingthediaphragms,itiseasiertodoitthisway.Afteryougetusedtotheprocess,youcanexperiencethediaphramsoneafteranotherwithintheexhale,muchlikeawavemovingthroughthebody.Asyoucontinuetoplaywiththisyouwillfindthatyoucanfeeltheentirebodyexpandandcontract,likeaballoongettingsmallerandlarger.Thistakessomepractice,butitisquitesatisfyingtoexperience.
TheFiveDiaphragms:TheExercise
PleaseNote:EveryexercisewedowillbeusingtheCorebreath.EveryhealingwedowillusetheCorebreath.Itgetseasierwitheachexerciseandwitheachmomentofpractice.Relax,enjoy,andletyourselfevolve.
1.Lieflatonyourbackwithyourarmsatyoursides.Keepyourkneesbentandyourfeetflatontheground.
2.BreatheseveralCorebreathsinthisposition.
OneofthemostinterestingaspectsoftheworkisthateverynewbodypositionorevenstateofmindaffectshowyouexperiencetheCorebreath.SotakeafewmomentstoestablishtheCorebreathineverynewposition,beforeyoubeginanexercise.OnceyouhavecomfortablyfoundtheCorespaceinthisposition,itistimetosensethedifferentdiaphragms.
diaphragms.
Lieonthefloorwithyourkneesup.
3.Verylightlystrokeyourbodyattheleveloftheperinealfloor.Youdonothavetophysicallystrokethisexactarea;youonlyneedtovivifythislevelofyourbody.Youcansimplystroketheoutsideofyourhipatthelevelofthecrotch,justatimeortwo(constantlystrokingtheareawillbedistracting).Exhale,whilekeepingthefocusintheCorepoint,andnotewhatoccursattheleveloftheperinealfloor.Youshouldsensealightrelease,softening,warming,orevenarisingsensationlikeaballoonexpanding,duringtheexhale.Onceyousensethatthisareaisopeningandreleasingmoveontothenextone.Ifyouhavetime,youcanexploreanareaindepth;therearealwaysdeeperlevelsofopeningtobeaccessed.
Dependingontheamountofguarding(protection)thatyouhaveinanarea,youmayfinditabitdifficulttosenseanything.Relax—withpractice,youwillgetit.Someareasinourbodiesmaybeveryguardedbecauseitdoesnotfeelsafetoallowourselvestofeelanythingthere.Theseblockedareasmayhavebeencreatedbyanyevent,fromapastinjurytoverbalorphysicalabuse.Someoftheareaswillbesimpletogainaccessto,whileothersmaybemoredifficult.Thesimpleareashavenonegativehistoryorcomparativelylittletensioninthem,whereastheharderareashavemoretensionand/oranegativehistory.Thenicethingaboutbeingabletosensesomethinginoneareaisthatwecanactuallyallowthisareaof“release”toteachthe“held”areawhatlettinggofeelslike.Thisisagreatthingtohavehappenbecauseitmeansthatwecan
begintounlockormeltanareaheldintension.This,inturn,beginstobringitbacktolife.Thenewlyreleasedareacannowbegintoreintegratewiththerestofthebody.Thisisthebeginningofdeepphysicalandevenemotionalhealing.
Note:Thisexerciserequiresaslightlydividedattention.Yourfocusneedstostaybehindtheeyestheentiretimeyoudothiswork.Atthesametime,yourperipheralawarenessshouldbeonwhicheverdiaphragmyou’refocusedon.Youcouldevenimaginetheareathatyou’recuriousaboutintheCorepoint,andusethisasyourperipheralawareness.Thepointis,wewantyoutounderstandthatyoudon’tneedto“look”downinordertosensetheareayou’renoticing.Infact,theactof“lookingdown”actuallydrawsyououtoftheCorespace,whichmakesithardertohavetheawarenesswe’relookingfor.
Considerthis:ifyouweredoingtheCorebreathandsomeonesteppedonyourfoot,wouldyouknowit?Ofcourseyouwould.Ifsomeonegentlytouchedyourarm,wouldyouknowit?Againtheanswerisyes.Youknowwithouthavingtolookdownormove.Thenervesinyourbodydotheirjobandbringthesensationtoyourattention.However,whenyouaretouched,itdoesdivertyourattentionsomewhat.YourjobistobefocusedattheCorepointandletyournervesdowhattheydobest,whichistobringinformationtoyou,andinthiscase,totheCorepoint.Itisalittlelikewalkingandchewinggumatthesametime.Botharepossiblewithjustalittlepractice.
4.Lightlystrokeyourselfatthelevelofthekidneys.Youdonotneedtoreachbehindyou.Juststrokingyoursidenearthebottomofyourribcagewillcausethisleveltobestimulated.Youwillstillmostlikelyfeelthereleaseinthelowbackandkidneyareafirst,butwithmorepracticeyouwillfindawarenessofreleaseinthewholeareafromthelowerabdomenallthewaytothetopoftheribs.Howthree-dimensionallycanyouexperiencethisreleaseinyourbody?Seeifyoucanfindthereleaseallthroughyourtorso—inthefront,center,andback.
5.LightlystrokeyourneckneartheAdam’sapple.Youmaynoticea“buzzing”orvibrationinthearea,orawarmthor
melting/expandingsensation.Somepeoplefindthatwhentheyexhalethroughthenose,theytightenthethroatinordertoslowtheirbreath.Thisiscounterproductive.Ifyouarehavingtroublefeelinganythinginthisarea,tryitwhileexhalingthroughthemouthinstead.Oftenthiswillallowtheareatorelaxmoreeasily.Asyougetmorecomfortablewiththebreathandwithrelaxingandreleasing,tryreleasingtheneckareaagainwhileexhalingthroughyournoseandseeifyoucanachieveresultsthiswayaswell.
Note:Wedidtellyouthatitisbesttobreathethroughyournose;however,themainpointistogetresults.Theproblemwithmakinga“rule”isthatoccasionallyyouneedtobreakit.Breathingthroughthenoseistheideal,notarequirement.Wetrynottomakerulesbecauseintheideal,youareaflexible,adaptivebeing.Thinkofeverythingwesuggesttoyouasadoorwaytodiscovery,notthewayin.Remember“ThePhilosophyofNo”;anyentrypointthatworksisagoodone.
6.NextmoveontothePalatineDiaphragm.Gentlystrokeyourfacerightinfrontoftheearcanaltobringtheareatoyourawareness.Usuallypeoplefeelanexpansionintheroofofthemouth,sinuses,andupperjaw,whenworkingwiththisdiaphragm.
7.Toreleasethecrownofthehead,lightlystrokethetopofyourheadoryourhair.Somepeoplefinditeasieriftheydoastrokingmotionevenslightlyabovetheirhead,astouchingtheskulltendstostoptheawarenessthere.Wewantyourawarenesstoopenandcontinuebeyondjusttheskull.Thesensationmaybelikesomeonepouringwarmwaterveryslowlyontoyourscalpandhavingitgraduallyspreadallover.Othersdescribeitlikearinggraduallyexpandingfromthetopofthescalpoutward.Themorerelaxedthisareabecomes,thebroaderthefeelingofthering,untiltheentireareafromtheforeheadtotheocciput(baseoftheskull)feelslikeithasbeenopenedorreleased.
TroubleshootingorAlternateWaystoReleasetheFiveDiaphragms
Rememberthatallfivediaphragmsreleaseatthesametime.Wepayattentiontooneareaatatimeinordertogetafeelforwhatrelaxationinaparticularareafeelslike,butitispossibletofeelthewholebodyexpandandcontractwitheachinhaleandexhale.Also,keepinmindthatthesensationswehavesuggestedarejustthat—suggestions.Yourexperiencemaybedifferentandthatiswhereyoushouldstart.Doeachexercisewithoutexpectationsandseewhatyoudiscover.Thisisajourneythroughyourbody,andeachofusisunique.NotethatsomepeoplesimplycannotdividetheirattentionatallwithoutlosingthesenseoftheCorepoint.
1.IfyoucannotdivideyourattentionwithoutlosingyourfocusattheCorepoint:
Visualizetheareathatyouwanttoaffectinyourmind’seyeratherthantryingtohaveaperipheralawarenessoftheareainquestionasyoudotheexercises.ThisshouldkeepyoumoreeasilyintheCorePointandyetthephysicalreleaseswillstilloccur.
2.Ifyoustrugglewithreleasingthediaphragmsontheexhale:
Somepeoplefindthatastheyaredoingthework,itisactuallyeasiertosensethereleasesontheinhale.Thishappensinaboutfivepercentofthepeoplewhoexplorethiswork.Ifthisisapplicableforyou,don’tworryaboutit.Goaheadandreleaseontheinhale.Asyoupracticemore,youwillprobablyfindthatitbecomespossibleandevendesirabletofeelthesechangesontheexhale.Thereasonwelookforreleaseontheexhaleisthatmostpeoplefindanexhalerelaxing.Theinhalehasmoreofatendencytocreatetension.Thatsaid,thisistheaveragereactiontobreathing,noteveryone’s.Iffollowingthereleasescontinuestobeeasierontheinhale,justgowiththeprocess.Itmaychangeoritmaynot.Aslongastheprocessisworking,wearehappythatyouhavefoundawayin.Oneofthemajorreasonstheinhaleappearsmorecomfortablehastodowithtryingtoohardingeneral.Whenyourelaxontheinhale,itthenbecomeseasiertonotethesubtlechangesthatweareaskingyoutolookfor.Again,relax,experiment,andseewhereallthistakesyou.Thekey,ofcourse,istopractice.
Spend15or20minutesfeelingthedifferentdiaphragmswhenyoufirststartusingthisexercise.Afterashortwhile,youwillprobablyfindthatyoucansenseallfiveareaschangingwitheachexhale,andyouwillonlyneedafewmomentstofeelthisflow.Anyareathatseemstoreleaselessthananotherissimplyanopportunitytorelaxandreleasemore.
BenefitsofReleasingtheFiveDiaphragms
1.ReleasingthePerinealDiaphragm:Astheperinealfloorrelaxes(firstarea)andbeginstomove,oneofthegreatbenefitsisthereleaseoftheentirepelvicfloor.
a.Manymenwhopracticethisregularlysayprostateproblemsarerelieved.
b.Manywomenhaveindicatedthatpainfulmenstrualcyclesarenolongerpainful.
c.Othersreportgreatersexualsatisfaction,orreleaseofpaininthehips.
Itisalsopossibletomapwherethetensionsareinthisareaandthengo“in”andreleasethemthroughthebreath,causingevendeeperintegrationoftheentirearea.Forexample,ifyousensetensioninthelefthipbutnottheright,notethesensationproducedinthereleasedareaandseeifthatsensationcanspreadintothelockedarea(ineffect,teachingthatareahowtorelease).Themorereleaseyouexperience,themorethe“lockedout”areabecomesintegrated,whichleadstomorehealingoverall.
2.ReleasingthePeritoneumDiaphragm:Whentheperitoneumreleases(secondarea),peoplenoticethat:
a.Thereislessbacktension,andagreaterfeelingoffluidityinthelowertomidback.
b.Theyalsonoticethatitiseasiertotakeadeeperbreath.
c.Somefeelareleaseoftensioninthesolarplexus.
3.ReleasingtheThroatDiaphragm:Astheneckreleases(thirdarea),theupperback,shoulders,andarmsalsobegintorelax.
a.Tensioninthebrachialplexusarea(thenervefibersrunningfromthespinethroughtheneck,thearmpitregion,andintothearm)beginstoresolve.
a.Long-standingneckpainoftendisperses.
4.ReleasingthePalatineDiaphagm:Asthepalatineletsgo(fourtharea),theteethoftenfeelliketheyarerearranginginyourmouth.
a.Thereislesstensioninthecraniumingeneral.
b.Itiseasiertobreathethroughyournoseasthesinusesreleasetension.
c.Thisarea’sreleasealsoaffectsthesphenoidor“butterflybone.”Thisboneissupposedtoflexwitheachinhaleandexhale,butformostofusthisisnotthecase.Asitbeginstorelaxandmovefreely,itreleasestensioninthebaseofthebrainpanandreducespressureonthepituitaryglandaswell.Whenthisoccurs,manypeoplewhosufferfrommigraineshavereportedareductionorevenaneliminationofthistypeofheadache.
5.ReleasingtheCrownDiaphragm:Asthetopoftheheadreleases(fiftharea),thereisasenseofopennessthroughtheentirecrownofthehead.
a.Attimes,thecranialsutureswillspontaneouslyrelease,andtensionthroughouttheentireskullfeelslikeitismovingoutthroughthetopofthehead.Thisfeelingofreleaseisimportantbecausewhenthecrownisclosed,itactslikeacork“bottling”uptheflowwhichmaybeacauseofheadachesinsomepeople.Besurethatthisareaisopen,asitisessentialtoacompleteflowthroughouttheentirebody.
GroundScan
ThepurposeofdoingagroundscanistogetasenseofwhatpartsofyourbodytouchtheEarth,andmoreimportantly,howyouallowtheEarthtosupportyou.Aseverythingisaperception,allowingyourfocustoshiftinthiswayisarealeyeopener.Approachingyourlifefromthisperspectiveopensyouuptomanymorepossibilitiesofinteractingwiththeuniverse.
Agroundscanisdonebeforeandaftereachlying-downexercise(however,pleasetrytheFive-DiaphragmExercisewithoutworryingaboutthegroundscanthefirstfewtimes).Agroundscanisanawarenesspracticedesignedtogiveyouabaselineofwhereyourbody’stensionsarebeforeyoustartanexercise,anditallowsyoutoseewhatchangeshaveoccurredafterwards.Italsogivesyoursystemafewmomentsafterwardstoassimilateanychangescreated.Youneedtodothistestonafirmsurface;otherwiseyouwillbeunabletogetanaccurateread.Athinyogamatorthefloorwitharegularcarpetisideal.
GroundScan:StepbyStep
1.Lieonyourback,witharmsrelaxedatyoursides,legsoutstretchedwiththefeetabouthipwidthapart.
2.Feelwhereeachpartofyourbodyistouchingtheground.Noticetheareasthatdonottouchtheearth.Howbigarethey?Whatsizecreaturecouldfitthroughorunderthoseparts?
a.Nowtrythereverseviewpoint:HowdoestheEarthsupportyou?AreyouallowingtheEarthtocarryorholdyou?Whatpartsofyourbodyresistbeingtouchedorsupported?
b.NotetheamountofspacebetweenyourbodyandtheEarth.Doesitfeellikethereisjustenoughroomforamousetoclimbthrough/under/behindyourneck,underyourankles,orbehind
yourknees?Orcanasmallerorlargeranimalfitthere?Thedoesnotmeanyoushouldmeasuretheactualphysicalspace.Justgetasenseofit,howeverillogicalitseems.Itmayfeelasthoughanelephantcanfitunderyou!Onceyouhaveasenseofthis,youcannownoticehowanyexerciseaffectsyourstructureandthewayitissupported.
c.Keyareastopayattentiontoare:theneck,ankles,lowerback,knees,shoulders,wrists,andfingers.Notenotonlythespacebetweenthemandtheground,buttheamountoftensionineachareaaswell.
NowthatyouhaveasenseofhowyouaresupportedbytheEarth,thiswillgiveyouagoodbasetocomparetowhenyoudotherestoftheexercisesinthisbook.Thisisjustthebeginningofhowtohaveanewrelationshipwithyourbody,andtheworldaroundyou.
Whatpartsofyourbodytouchthefloorandwhatpartsdon’t?
Endnotes:1FromEncarta®WorldEnglishDictionary©1999MicrosoftCorporation.Allrightsreserved.DevelopedforMicrosoftbyBloomsburyPublishingPlc.
Chapter5Elongations
Standingintheflow:everyripplefromeverystoneisrecognizedandexperienced.
ATheBiologyandPhilosophyofElongations
NELONGATIONISANYEXERCISEthatallowsanopeningorextensionofawarenessandarangeofflexiblemotionwithinthebody.Many
peoplecallthisstretching.Ifyourememberfromthebeginningofthebook,stretchingimpliesstressandresistance,arippingmovementmadebypushingagainsttensioninthemuscle,oftenbeyondacomfortablerangeofmotion.Normally,whenyoustretch,youcreatetinytearsinthemyofascia.“Myo”or“muscular”fasciaistheconnectivetissuethatsurroundsthemuscles.Whenthistissuehasamicrotear,itallowsagreaterrangeofmovement,butitalsocausesmusclesoreness.Ifyougobeyondtheinitialsorenesslevelinyourexercisewhenyouextendyourrangeofmotion,youcanpotentiallyriporinjurethemuscleitself,whichisslowtohealandquitepainfulingeneral.
Themyofascialsheathisverymuchlikeanylonstocking.Itrunsfromthetipofyourtoestothetopofyourhead.Ifyoupullononearea,itconnectstoandaffectseveryotherarea.Forexample,ifyou’vehurtyourtoe,itinfluencestherestofthebody’sfascia,affectingyouonmanymorelevelsthanyourealize.Itaffectsyourgait,yourpsychologicalreactiontothatmovement,andbecauseitpullsonmanymoretissuesthanjustthetoe,itpotentiallymakesyouwalkwithtensioningeneral.Ifwetakethisanalogyfurther,thetoeinjuryalsoaffectsyourhip,whichthentranslatestostiffnessintheback,andmore.Remember,youareaninterconnectedwhole;nopartofyouexistsindependentofanyotherpartofyou.
Chemically,itisthecollageninthefasciathatenablesittochangeshapeandform.(Collagenisacolloidcapableofchangingfromfluidtosolidandbackinresponsetotheforcesactinguponit.)Withchronictension,collagentendstoshortenandharden,affectingthefasciainasimilarmanner.WebelievethatwhenweusetheCorebreath,wecanaffectoursystemsdowntoaveryminutelevel,tothepointofreorganizingthecollagentoaffectfluidmovementandarebuildingofthismaterial.
TheCorebreathproducesacenteredstatetobewithin,increasingyourabilitytomoveasaflowingexperienceratherthananobjectthatismoved.Historically,wetendtomovefrommemoryoncewethinkweknowhowtodoit.Thisleadsusintobadhabits.CombiningtheCorebreathwithmovementallowsustostartmovinginthemoment,ratherthanfrommemorization.Whenyoumovethebodyasanobject,youareseparatefromthemovement.Whenyoucanjust“be”andmove,youarenolongeranobject.
Aswemove,ourgoalistoelongateourstructureandincreaseourrangeofmotionandelasticitywithouttherippingthatoftenoccurswhenstretchingintheconventionalsense.Tomakethispossible,wepaystrictattentiontohowtheenergyflowsinthebodyaswellashowtheCorebreathmeltsanddeepensourawarenessoftheseflows.Thisenablesustoexpandourrangeofmotionbyopening,melting,andre-formingthebody,ratherthandamagingit.ThisiswherenotbeingaggressiveorhavinganagendaisimportantwhencombiningmovementwiththeCorebreath.Youwanttochallengeyoursystem,butthemovementsshouldonlybeextendedtothepointwherethereisatmostadullache.Usingthisapproach,youcangraduallyextendyourrangeofmotion.
Sacrumfeelsasthougha100-poundweightishangingfromit.
Besuretouseyourawarenessofthewavethroughallfivediaphragmsandthespine.(Thisiswhatyoubegantoexperiencewhenyoufeltthediaphragmsoneafteranotherduringoneexhale.)Whenyoupracticethestandingexercises,letthesacrumfeelasiftherewerea100lb.weightpullingitdown.Whenmovementisinitiatedwiththisawareness,itmakesiteasiertoconnecttotheenergeticflowthatnaturallymovesthroughthebody.Italsogivesyouaccesstothebeginningofawavethatcontinuesallthewaydownthroughthelegs,andoutthroughthefeet.Theactof“diaphragmbreathing”(whileperforminganexercise)magnifiesthesensation,leadingthiswave-likeactionallthewayupandoutthetopofthehead.Thiswaveextendsnotonlyverticallythroughthebody,italsotravelshorizontally(youmayormaynotnoticethis).Itisnotnecessarytohaveanawarenessofthefivediaphragmsthemselveswitheachexercise,itissimplysomethingthatshouldbepossibleif
desired.Theseexercisescanbevariedasnecessarytoadapttoanyphysicalrestrictions.Theycanbedonesittingorlyingdown.
Note:Payattentiontotheflowsthroughoutthebody,regardlessofwhetheryou’resitting,standing,orlyingdown.
Wavethroughthebodyoutthetopofthehead,anddownthroughthelegsandoutthefeet.
Thereareanumberexercises,allofwhichwewillcall“Elongations”:
1.TheFiveDiaphragms(whichyou’vealreadydone)
2.StandingElongation(withyourlegsstraight—GroundingExercise)
3.StandingElongation(withthekneesbent)
4.SittingElongation(Micro-Movements)
5.AnchoredSacrum
6.Pouring-ForwardExercise
7.Elongationwithatennisball
8.Elongationwithatowel:
a.underthehead,
b.undertheneck,
c.undertheupperback(atthelevelofthenipplesornearthebottomoftheshoulderblades),and
d.underthesacrum.
Theexercisesaredoneinaspecificorder,atleastinitially,andeachexercisebuildsontheonethatprecedesit.Onceyouhavelearnedtheexercises,youcandotheminanyorderyouprefer.Oneweekyoumaychoosetodooneortwooftheexercisesasamajorfocus,whileanotherweekyoumaychooseotherexercises.Whenyouarefirstlearningaboutthisworkandthemovements,practicingatleast20minutesadayisverybeneficial;howevermorethanthisisbetterifyouhavethetime.
Note:Anymovementcanbemadeintoanelongationexercise:usetheCorebreathbyitselfasatypeofelongation,elongateintoanormalstretch(wedon’tliketheword“stretch”butitgivesyouanideaofwhatwe’retalkingabout),orinto/duringanunusualposition,suchasaheadstand,evenelongatewhileyou’replayinggolf.Thekeyistheawarenesswithinit,marriedwithslowmovement,soyouhavetimetoevaluatetheflowswithinthosemovements.Thepointofthesepracticesisto:noticetheflowsandtheopeningsmadepossiblebytheCorebreathing,tobecomeawareofthelimitationsyourbodyhas,andfromthisnewawareness,movebeyondyourcurrentlimits.Itisaboutlearningtofindthatflow,evenwhenitishardtodo.Whenwechallengethelimitsofhowourbodiesmove,webegintheprocessofenteringnewlevelsofawareness.Ifwejustsit,thebodyisn’tchallenged.Ifwemoveinnewways,ourbodyhastoreachfornewunderstandingsofwhatandhowthatmovementcanbeachieved.ThisisthepointofdoingtheexercisesinconcertwiththeCorebreath—
awakeningnewpossibilities.
TheGroundingExercise:FeelingandAbsorbingthePoweroftheEarth
Inthisexercise,weconnecttoasenseoftheenergythatisalwaysavailabletousfromtheEarth.Ourintentionistofeelthisflowcomeupthroughourfeet,throughthecoreofthebody,andoutthetopofthehead.Westartbyfeelingitcominginthroughthefeet.
Note:Inactuality,thisenergyflowcomesfromalldirections,butwe’regoingtopayattentiontojustonedirectionforthisexercise.
Thinkofthisexerciseasastandingelongation.Itspurposeistobegintounderstandtheflowofenergythatisalwaysavailableandthatshould,tosomedegreeatleast,alwaysbeflowingthroughus.Itisagreatwaytobeginfeelingwhereenergyflowsinourownbodyanditstartstheprocessofunderstanding“flows”ofenergyinotherpeopleaswell.ThisexerciseallowsustoexperienceademonstrationoftheEarthorUniversesupportingus.Theactoflettingtheenergyinwithoutactivelypullingitindeepensourappreciationofwhatisreadilyavailabletouswithouteffort.Theactoflettingitinisthekey;ifwestrive,welimitwhatisavailable.Ifwedeepenourinteractionwiththeearth,weconnectwithandbecometheflow.
Anotherviewpointtoconsiderinrelationtotheflowofenergythroughus,isthatwedonotneedtooperateinlack.Thekeyistojustlettheenergyinand,moreimportantly,letitflowthroughtheentirebodyandoutthetopofourhead.Thisisverysimilartoanartesianwell;wearefedbytheenergyoftheuniverse.Wedonotneedto“gather”orsavethisenergybecausethemoreweallowthroughandout,themorewecanallowin.
Oneofthemajorreasonspeoplebecomeillisthelackofenergymovementintheirbody.Blockagesareexamplesofstagnantenergy,andthefollowingexerciseopensusuptoagreaterflowthroughoursystem.Ifweallowmoreenergyintoandthroughourbodies,webeginthe
processofopeningthestagnantareas.Ifwelettheenergyallthewaythrough,wecanbegintheprocessofenteringamoredynamicpresent.Mostpeoplearecontinuouslyrecyclingtheirpastattitudesandthoughtsbytryingtokeepalltheenergytheycan,regardlessofwhereitcomesfrom.Thisisnotbeneficialwhenyouconsidertheamountoftoxicitythatweareexposedtoeachday.Byallowingtheenergytotravelthroughusandout,nomatterwhereweare,wehaveaccesstomoreenergythatisconstantlycleanedandrenewed.Wecanbefilledinthemomentandhaveagreaterconnectionwitheachmoment.Thisallowsustoenteramoredynamicandomnipresent“now.”Thisalsomeansthatwecanaffectourrealityfromastateof“being”ratherthan“reacting.”Thisisamajorchangethatwecaneasilyallowoursystemstorelaxwithin.Itdoestakesomepracticetoresethowweviewday-to-daylifeandtheabilityoftheUniversetosupportus,butasenergyisomnipresent,whynottapintothisreservoirofinfiniteflow?
SomepeoplefindthatthisexerciseisabitdisconcertinginthatthefeeloftheUniversesupportingthemisaforeignconcept,butsoonitbecomescomfortableandactuallydesirable.Wealsousethe“flow”recognizedinthisexerciseineverymovingexercisewedo,thusitiskeytoallthemovementphasesofthiswork.
Grounding:StepbyStep
Note:AllphysicalexercisesandhealingtechniquesarepracticedwhiledoingtheCorebreath.
Standwithyourfeethipwidthapart.
1.Stance:
a.Feet:Standwithyourfeethipwidthapart.Theoutsideedgesofthefeetareparalleltoeachother.Ifyourfeetarenotparallel,correctthisbywideningtheheelsratherthanturningthetoesin.Thisallowsforthesacrumtobeopenedmore,whichinandofitselfallowsmoreenergytobeavailable.(Ifthispositioncausesyourhipsorlegstofeelstrained,onlyadjustyourpositionasfarasyoucancomfortablydoso.)
b.Legs:Yourlegsarestraight,butthekneesarenotlocked.
c.Arms:Armsareatyoursides,relaxed.
d.Head:Noteyourheadposition,itshouldbeangledveryslightlydownandberelaxed.
2.StarttheCorebreath.
3.Relaxyourbodypartbypart.
4.Growroots:
a.Whenyoureachthefeet,feeltheweightofyourfeetpressingontheearth.Thereisslightlymoreattentionontheheel.Imaginerootsgrowingoutofyourfeetdownintotheearth.ThisshouldnotdrawyououtoftheCorepoint;ifitdoes,visualizetherootsinyourmind’seyeand,justasinthediaphragm-breathingexercise,lettherebeaperipheralawarenessinthefeetthemselves.Itisthebreathworkthatopensyou,anditisparamounttoenjoythisflowandconnectionsincethebreathallowsyouaccesstosubtleawarenesses.
b.Theheelisthetaproot;thethreearchesofthefoot(themedial,transverse,andlateral)arethesupportroots.Allowtherootstogrowaboutthreefeetintotheearth.Asyouextendtheseroots,thinkforamomentabouthowrootsgrow.Youhaveamaintaproot(intheheels),andthensupportingroots(theotherarches,thoughthemainfocusisonthetaproot).Asarootgrows,ithasasupportingrootstructurethatbuildsoffthemainroot(thinkofhowaplantlooksgrowinginajar).First,therootdividesintosmallerroots,thensmallerrootsbuildoffthat,gettingsmallerandsmalleruntiltheyarelikelittlehairs.Itisatthisstagethattheplantisabletoabsorbnutrients.Whenwevisualizeinthisway,wealsoaregivenaccessto“nutrition”intheformofaflowofenergyintothebody.
5.Allowyourselftobefed:
a.Whenyouhaveestablishedthisrootstructure,letitgrowdownaswellasout,justlikeatree’srootsystem,untilyoureachasenseofsomethingcomingintoyourfeet.Thisisthereservoirthatyouarefedfrom.Oryoumaysimplybegintofeelasubtlesenseofslowlybeingfilled,fromthefeetup.Mostpeoplefindthis“zone”ofenergyaboutthreetofourfeetintotheearth.Ifyoudon’tfindit,makesureyou’venotgonetoodeep.Startover,graduallydeepeningtheroots.Youmightalsotrybroadening
therootstructureandincreasingthenumberofhair-likeends.
6.Belikeafountain:
a.ContinuetheCorebreath,andthinkofopeningyourselfinordertoallowtheflowinthroughyourfeet,legs,body,andoutthetopofyourhead.Anywherethatfeelslikeitisn’tfillingcanmentallybeaskedtoopenup.Ifanareaistoostuckforyoutoconnecttoit,simplycontinuetothenextareaaboveitandinvitefromthere,againbyopening.Likewater,theenergywillfindawaytoflowthrough.Todeepentheamountofflowthatcomesin,broadenyourrootbase,andalsogentlyextenditdeeper.Ifyougotoodeep,youwillmisseasyaccessofthebestnutrients.Itwillbeobviousasyoubecomeaccustomedtothesesensations.
b.Anotherwaytoexperienceanincreaseinflowgoingthroughthewholebody,istonotbeconcernedabouttheindividualareas’lackofsensationatall.Rather,justlikeastreamthathasareasthataredry,orareslowflowing,whenyouaremoreconnectedtoyour“source,”everythingbeginstoopen.Sofromthisperspective,continuebroadeninganddeepeningtherootstructure,especiallythetinyends.Thiswillleadtoagreateramountofflowintoyourbodyandwillhelptoopenthoseareasthatarehardertoopen.
GroundingExercise:Growingroots.
7.Actlikeatree:
a.Asthisprocesscontinues,thinkofthelowerhalfofyourbodyasthetrunkandrootsystemofthetree,basicallyfromthesacrumdown.
b.Theupperpartofyourbodyisthebranchesandleavesofthetree,fromthe5thlumbarvertebra,upwards.
c.Toenhancethissensation,findtheflowandallowitin,bringingthenavelgentlytowardthespinewithyourexhalation.Thiscausesthelumbarvertebraeandsacrumtoseparateslightly,withthesacrumextendingdownandthelumbarexpandingup.Thelowerhalfofthephysicalformwillnowbeevenmoreconnectedtotheflowfromtheground,andtheupperhalfwillbecomeevenmorelightandfree.Atfirst,thismayseemfairly
subtle,butasyoupractice,thisawarenesswillbecomeincreasinglyobvious.
d.Ontheexhale,notethatthenavelisdrawntowardthespine.Asyouaddthisawareness,itaccentuatesthesenseofseparationbetweentheupperandlowerhalvesofthebody.Thisisnotmeanttobedonewithtension.AsyoustayintheCorepointandgainawarenessofthispossibilitywithintheprocess,yourunderstandingwillgrowevenmore.
Toenhancethissensation,findtheflowandontheexhale,notethatthenavelisdrawntowardthespine.Asyouaddthisawareness,itaccentuatesthesenseofseparationbetweentheupperandlowerhalvesofthebody.Thisisnotmeanttobedonewithtension.Thelowerhalfofthephysicalformwillnowbeevenmoreconnectedtotheflowfromtheground,andtheupperhalfwillbecomeevenmorelightandfree.Atfirst,thismayseemfairlysubtle,butasyoupractice,theseawarenesseswillbecomeincreasinglyobvious.AsyoustayintheCorepointandgainawarenessofthispossibilitywithintheprocess,yourunderstandingwillgrowevenmore.
WhatToLookforWhenGrounding:
Noticehowtheflowsmovethroughyourbody,andpayattentiontowhereitfeelsliketheenergyisnotflowingaseasily.Whenyounotetheseareas,relaxoropenyourselfmoredeeplywiththebreath.Thereisatendencytowanttodrawtheenergyinandforceitthroughthebody,aswellastoactuallyhoardit.Thisiscounterproductivetowhatwewanttoachieve.Relax,entertheCorebreathmorecompletely,andjointheflow.Letitfeedyou;thisistrulyamazingandsatisfying.
PerceivingtheEnergy
Whatdoesthisenergyfeellike?Therearefivebasicwaystoexperienceenergy.Theyare:warmth,coolness,awater-likeflow,awind-likefeeling(likealightbreeze),orelectricity.Somepeoplefeelone
feeling(likealightbreeze),orelectricity.Somepeoplefeelonesensationmorethananother.Theenergyoftenfeels“buzzy”orlikealightvibration;itmayalsofeellikeawarmflow.Somedescribeitasanairysensationmovingthroughthebody,asifeverythinggetsmorespacious.Onesensationisn’tpreferableoveranother;itissimplythatdifferentpeople’sbodiestranslateenergydifferently.Don’tcompareyourprocesstoanyoneelse’s.Allowyourselftohaveyourownexperience.ThereareotherexpressionsofQiorenergy,butthisishowmostpeoplenoticeitinthisexercise.
Onceyousensetheenergyconstantlymovingthroughyourbodyandoutyourhead,youhaveaccomplishedthepurposeoftheexercise.Whenyouaredonewiththeexercise(ifyoureyesareclosed,openthem),walkaroundalittlebitandseehowyoufeel.
BenefitsandPossibleContraindications
Ifyouhappentofeelslightlydizzyornauseousduringthisexercise,realizeitismostlikelyoccurringbecauseyourbodyisopeningtogreaterflow,throughareasthatyoutendtoholdtightlyto.ItcanbeanemotionalexperienceifyouareunusedtofeelingsupportedunconditionallybytheEarth.Remindyourselfthatithasnoagendaforyou;itsimplyoffers.Areyouwillingtobepresentforthegift?Afterashortwhile,theflowwillfeelnaturalandexhilarating.
GeneralTip:Doremembertodrinkwaterbeforeandafteranexercisesession;manyfindthattheygetthirstywhentheydotheseexercises.AsyouusetheCorebreath,particularlyinconcertwithphysicalmovement,yourbodyexperiencesalotofchange.Thewaterhelpsfillthespacesopenedbythework,andkeepthingsopenaftertheexercises.
AnotherWaytoGround:SameBenefits,DifferentPositions
Ifyouareunabletostand,youcandothisexercisewhilesitting.Ideally,thefeetareflatonthefloor,andyourbackisstraight,butnot“ramrod”straight.Therestoftheexerciseisdoneexactlyasifyouwerestanding.
straight.Therestoftheexerciseisdoneexactlyasifyouwerestanding.Youcanalsogroundthroughthesacruminsteadofthefeet.Itisfuntoexperimentandseewhichiseasierandalsowhichproducesmoredynamicresults.
TheStandingKnee-BendElongation
ThePhilosophyBehindThisExercise
Ifyoucompareahumanbeingtoatubeofflowingenergy,muchlikewaterinahose,youbegintoseethatanychangesintheshapeofthehoseaffectsthewaythewaterflows.Anytimeyoumoveabodypart,youchangetheflowsthroughthatbodypart.Thisintroducesflowsandcounter-flows,andcausesthesenseofawavemovingthroughthebodytobemoreobvious.Inthiscase,aswebendourknees,thisisoneofthemainthingswearelookingfor.Mostpeoplenotethatthisexercisemakesthelowerhalfofthebodyfeelveryanchored,andtheupperbodymoreflowing.Thisproducesacomparablynoticeablewavewhichmayevencausetheupperbodytoswayslightly.Ifyouhaveeverseenawavemachine,thisisagoodexampleofhowmovementaffectsflowinasystem.
TheStandingKnee-Bendismuchmoredifficultthanitappears,becausebendingyourkneesistheonlymovementoftheentireexercise.Thebodydoesnotleanforward,nordoesitmovesidetoside.Thereisaslighttuckingofthepelvis,butitalsodoesnotvaryinangle,oncethemotionisstarted.Theactualamountofbendyouintroduceisslight;onlybendyourkneesenoughtohidethetoes,thencomeupagain.Aswithalltheexercises,itisnotaboutthedistanceyoumove,buttheamountofflowyousenseinyoursystem.Allmovementhappensduringtheexhale.Ontheinhale,simplypauseandrest.Itisactuallyonthewaybackupthatthewaveismostnoticeable.Asbefore,whenyoufirstsenseforthisinformation,itmayseemquitesubtle.However,mostpeoplefindthatthisparticularfocusactuallyincreasestheirawarenessoftheflowsinthebody,whichistherealpurposeoftheexercise.
ThisisaveryFeldenkrais-likeexercise.Feldenkraiswasapioneerinmovementtherapy.Hedesignednon-traditionalmovementswhosepurposewastocreatenewneuralpathwaysinthebody.Asthisisaccomplished,thebodyfindstotallynewwaystoexperiencemovementand,atleasttosomedegree,theabilitytomoveasifaninjurywas
accomplished,thebodyfindstotallynewwaystoexperiencemovementand,atleasttosomedegree,theabilitytomoveasifaninjurywasneverpresent.FormoreinformationontheFeldenkraisMethod,pleaseseetheglossary.
Kneesbendonlyenoughtohidethetoes.
Thereisawaveorflowofenergythroughthebodyatalltimes.Atsomelevel,thisflowisinhibited,whileatotherlevels,itisfreeflowing.Forexample,whenfiremenholdahigh-pressurewaterhose,theyhavetoworktogether.Thisisbecauseanysmallbendinthehosecausestheflowtopushagainstitinanattempttore-straightenthehose.Whenwedothisexercise,theflowisobviouslynowherenearasstrongaswaterinafirehose,butthesameconceptapplies.Whenwebendourknees,weareineffect“bending”theflowthroughus.Thiscausesaresponsewithinthatflowthatwerecognizeasachangethatisanincreaseinthesensationoftheflow.Eachexercisewedoprovidesuswiththe
opportunitytoexperienceflowsmoredeeply.Themorecomplextheexercise,themoredynamicthisprocessis.Asyoubegintounderstandandpayattentiontotheflowswithinyourbody,areasoftensionwillunravelinordertoaccommodategreaterflow.Itisamazinghoweachexercisepointsoutdifferencesinthequalityoftheflowandwhichpartsofthebodyare“held”orprotected.Theseprotectedstatesleadtorestrictionofmovement.Asyouridetheflowsandopenyourstructure,newflowisintroduced,andthebodyisnowabletobeginthehealingprocess.
Eachexercisehelpscorrectimbalancesinourstructure.Aswelearnhowtomeltoursysteminordertoaccommodateorallowenergytomovethroughoursystem,webegintoreorganizehowwemoveourbodies.Thisbeginstheprocessoflearninghowtocarryourselvesdifferently,andtomovedifferently.Whenaflowthroughourbodyisinhibited,itcausesustomoveoutofharmony.Forexample,astiffbackwillbeobviouswhensomeonewalks,sitsdown,orgetsup.Astheareaisallowedtohaveaflowofenergythroughitagain,andisalsomovedinharmonyorbalancewiththerestofthesystem,thepersonstartsmovingmorenaturally,andthepainstaysaway.
TheStandingKnee-Bend:StepbyStep
Note:ThefirstthreestepsaretheGroundingExercise.
1.Stance:Standwithyourkneesstraightbutnotlocked.
2.BegintheCorebreath.
3.Growroots:Whenthereisagoodflowmovingupandthroughyourbody,thenandonlythenshouldyoubegintomove.
4.Bendyourkneesveryslowlyontheexhale.(Remember,itisonlytheknees.)
Tip:Imaginethatyouareinacylinder.Ifyouleaninanydirectionyouwillbangyourhead.Letyourselfridetheflow(asifitisapolethatyouareslidingdown)asyourkneesbend.Thisisallabout
flow.Thenumberofbreathsthistakesisuniquetoeachindividual.
5.Continuebendingthekneesuntilthekneecapisjusthidingyourtoesfromsight.Donotgetambitious,orevenfeelthatyoumustachieveacertaindistance.Simplyexperiencetheexerciseandseewhatyoucannoticeabouttheflowandyourbodyasyoubendtheknees.
Leteachportionofthemovementbeguidedbytheflowcreatedwithineachexhalethatyoudo.Dependingonhowslowlyyoumove,eachexhalemaytakeyouonlyaportionofthedistance,oralltheway.Donothurrythemovement;thisisaboutthemarriageoftheflowwiththebreath.Theactualbendingoftheknees,whendoneincrementally,nicelyemphasizesthequalityofflowthatthisexerciseoffers.
6.Stayinthispositionforafewbreaths;thenontheexhale,begintocomeupslowly.
Tip:Yourweightismostlyintheheelsasyourise.Thereisaslighttensioninthegluteusmaximus(themusclesinyourbackside),asifyouhada100-poundweighthangingfromyoursacrum(thispage).
Bendonlytheknees(imagineyouareinacylinder)
KeepinMind
Theheadandneckshouldstayrelaxedandangledslightlydownwardthroughouttheexercise,especiallyasyouarecomingup.Thisisextremelyimportantastighteningtheneckorbeingrigidwiththeangleofyourheadwillinhibittheamountofflowandthequalityofthewavethatyouareabletofeel.
PayspecialattentiontohowtheCorebreathfeelsasyoumove.Thereshouldbeadeepconnectionbetweenthesensation(producedbythebreath)andthemovement.Thisiswhywemoveslowly,anditishowwetrulygainaccesstowhatwe’relookingforwiththisexercise.
Rememberthatthereisnohurryhere.Thepurposeoftheexerciseistofindflows,andinthiscase,toseehowbendingyourkneesaffectsthe
tofindflows,andinthiscase,toseehowbendingyourkneesaffectstheflowsinyourbody.Playwithdifferentratesofmovementandseewhatnewthingsyounotice.
Whendoneproperly,theupperbodywillswayslightly,andiftheneckisrelaxed,thiswillbefeltallthroughtheheadandneckandbeyond.
Benefits
Thisexerciseisveryfreeingforthepelvisandsacrumaswellastheentirespine.Itisgreatforpointingoutwheretensionisheldinyourbodywhenyoutryanddoisolatedmuscularmovement.Inthiscase,itisonlythekneesthatbend.Ifyoutrywalkingafterthisexercise,youwillfindthatyoumovefromamuchmoreuprightandcenteredplace,withagreaterease.Thisisjustthebeginningofwhatyoucanexperience.
AlternateExercise:SameResult,DifferentPosition
Analternatewaytodothisexerciseifyoucannotstandthatlong,wouldbetositinachair,andgraduallyextendthelegsoutwardandthenbacktoabentposition.Again,rememberthepurposeoftheexerciseistosensetheflowasyoumove,notjusttobendyourknees.
StandingKnee-Bend,donesitting.
Anchored-SacrumExercise
Benefits
Thisisanexercisetosenseenergymovingintwodirectionsthroughyourbody:fromthesacrum,downwards,andoutofthefeet,andfromLumbar5,upandoutofthehead.Itoffersareleaseoftensioninyourbackandhips.Thisalsoleadstorelaxationinotherareasaseachzoneletsgo.
Ifyoucan,itisbesttopracticetheseexerciseswithbarefeet.Thisprovidesmaximumkinestheticfeedbacktoyourbody.Ofcourse,ifyourfeetareverycold,itisbettertohavesocksonsothetemperaturedoesnotdistractyou.Wearingshoesisnotappropriateinthisexercise.
Movementofenergyintwodirections,startingatthesacrum.
Whetheryouuseamatornotisuptoyou,butitshouldbeathinonesothatyougetmaximuminteractionwithhowyourbodyissupportedwithoutunduediscomfort.
KeepinMind:Movementsareonlydoneontheexhale.Also,besuretopauseandenjoyyourinhale.
AnchoredSacrum:StepbyStep
AnchoredSacrum:StepbyStep
1.Beginwithagroundscan.
2.Position:Liedownwithyourarmsatyoursides,legsnowiderthanhipwidthapart.
3.BegintheCorebreath.
4.Bringyourkneesup,oneatatime.
a.Raisetheknee,asifsomeonewereliftingitfromthekneecap.Theheelshoulddragasthekneeisraised,andthetoesarerelaxed.Lookforaconnectionofflowallthroughthelegasit’smoved.Thekneewillbebentwhenthemovementiscomplete,withtheshinclosetoperpendiculartotheearth,andthefootflatontheground.
Raisethekneeasifsomeonewereliftingitfromthekneecap;heeldrags,toesrelaxed.
KeepinMind:Regardlessofhowmanybreathsthisprocesstakes,youonlymoveontheexhale.Duringtheinhale,thelegjuststaysinthepositionithasbeenbroughttowiththepreviousexhale,untilyouarriveinthefinalposition.Initially,thismaytakeanumberofbreathstoraiseitallthewayupwhilekeepingthesenseofflowthroughout.Onceyou
areaccustomedtoallowingtheflowthroughyourbody,itmayonlytakeaslittleasonebreathtobringeachlegup.
b.Repeatwiththeotherkneeandleguntilbothkneesareupandthefeetareflatonthegroundwiththeshin(ideally)perpendiculartotheground.
5.Imaginethatyoursacrumisanchoredtotheground,asifastakeweredriventhroughyourbody.
Tip:Ifyoudonotliketheimageofthestake,youcanthinkofyoursacrumasgluedtotheground.Eitherway,thispartofyourbodyisimmovable.Whenpartofyourbodyismadeimmobile,theotherpartswillseekmovementorreorganization.Thisiswhatallowsyoutosensethemovementofenergygoingbothdownandoutyourfeet(fromthesacrumdown),andupandoutofyourhead(Lumbar5andup).
6.Asyouexhale,senseforaflowofenergyintwodirections,fromthesacrumdown,andfromLumbar5up.Themoreimmobilizedthesacrumis(throughintent)thestrongertheflowwillbe.
Tip:Ifyouhavetroublefindingtheflowintwodirections,youcanactuallymoveyourtailbonetowardyourheelseversoslightlyasyoubeginyourexhale.Thiswillalsomagnifythesensation.
a.Toaccentuatetheawarenessoftheflowthroughthelowerhalf(ifyou’renoticingonlytheupper)simplyfeelyourfeetonthefloorforamoment(whileintheCorepoint),atthebeginningofyourexhale.
b.Toaccentuatetheawarenessoftheflowthroughtheupperhalf(ifyou’renoticingonlythelower)simplythinkofthetopofyourheadforamoment(whileintheCorepoint),atthebeginningofyourexhale.
7.Dothisexerciseforaminimumofthreebreathsasyoufollowtheenergyflowthroughyourbodyandoutthefeetandhead.
Note:Youcandothisexerciseforaslongorasoftenasyoulike.Mostofthesensationsaresubtletoexperienceatfirst,howeverina
veryshortwhile,thesesensationsbecomemuchmoreobvious.
8.Bringthelegsdownoneatatime(movingonlyontheexhale).
Loweryourlegsoneatatime,heelleading,toesback.
Extendthroughthebonesandoutyourheel.
a.Theheelleadsthewaydownandthetoeisdrawnback.Theideaistoextendthroughtheentirelegasitisbeinglowered.Extendthroughthebonesandoutyourheel,untilthatlegisstraight.
b.Repeatthisprocesswiththeotherleg.
9.Doanothergroundscan.
a.NotehowthisexercisehasaffectedthewayyourbodyissupportedbytheEarth.
10.Rolltoyoursideandgentlycometoasittingposition.
a.DoafewCorebreathsinthesittingposition,andthencometoa
standingposition.
11.Walkaroundabit,sincewalkinghelps“set”thechangestheexercisehascreated.
a.Thisalsogivesyouanopportunitytonoticewhathaschangedinyourpostureormovement.Itwouldalsobebeneficialtodrinksomewater.
KeepinMind:Asyouexercise,thereisnospecificdistanceorperfectionofpositionthatyoumustachieve.Thepurposeofeachexerciseistoseewhatyoucanlearnaboutflowsinyourbodyasyoumove,breathe,andincreaseyoursenseofpresence.Alwaysrestabitaftereachexerciseanddrinkplentyofwater.Startwithaslightmusculareffortandthenseewhathappensifyoudoless.
Ifyouhavetroublelyingonthefloor,youcanpracticethisexercisewhilelyinginbedoreveninarecliner.Everyaspectstaysthesameexceptyouhaveasoftersurfacetoworkwith.
AwareWalking
PhilosophyandBenefits
Thisexercisecanbedoneatanytime,butitisaverygoodonetodoafterPouringForward(thenextexercise).Thepurposeoftheexerciseistocontinueelongatingthespineandextendingdownthroughthelegs.Oneofthekeythingstopayattentiontoistheamountofrigidityandtensionintheneckandheadcarriage.Aswithanymotion,themorerelaxedyouare,themorefluidthewaveorflowcanmovethroughyourbody.
Whendoneproperly,theheadfeelsabitlikeoneofthose“bobble-head”dollsyouseeinthebackwindowofcars.Theskeletonsupportsyou,andwhilethereissomemuscletensioninthemusclesthatyouusetomove,thereisnounnecessarytension.
Mostofusmoveasifwewereanobjectthatneedstobemovedaround,likeablockofwood.Thisexerciseisaboutlearningtomoveinacentered,flowingway.
Thesacrumshouldbethefocalpointofmovement.Thisisessentiallythecenterofyourphysicalbody.Mostpeopleleanforwardandpushorpullthemselvesaround.Thiscausestensioninthewholebody,butparticularlyinthelowerback,shoulders,andneck.Ifyoumovefromthesacrum,whilethebodyismoreupright,yourmovementbecomesmoreelasticandfluid.
Youcangetafeelforthisbyhavingsomeoneguideyoufromthesacrum,inotherwords,tobethe“driver.”Thetoughestpartoftheexerciseistotrustthedriver.Thedriverplaceshishandontheclient’ssacrum(sometimesbracingthishand,dependingonthesize/weightoftheclient),andtheclientleansintothesupportinghandslightly,whilethedriverpushestheclientalongforanumberofsteps.Theclientlooksforafeelingofeaseandflexibilityinthelowerbackwhendoingthis
exercise.Ofcourse,donotgetoverzealousasthedriver;thisismeanttobeanexperienceoftrust,andawaytofindanewcenterfortheclient.
Theclientneedstotrustherdriverandallowthedriverto“drive.”Itsometimestakesaleapoffaithfortheclienttoletthisexperienceoccur.Theclientshouldfeelafirm,constantpressurefromthedriver’shandthatcontrolsthespeedandtheimpetustomove.
Placeyourhandontheclient’ssacrumand“drive”herfromthere.
Youcangetanideaofwhatthisislikebyplacingyourhandonyoursacrumandapplyingfirmpressureasyouwalkaround.Makeitfeelasifyourhandisthepowerthatmovesyouforward.Thisisnotasgoodasbeingdrivenbyanotherperson,butitatleastgivesyouanideaofwhatpartofyourbodyshouldbeleadingtheprocess.
AwareWalking:StepbyStep
AwareWalking:StepbyStep
TherearetwopartstotheAware-WalkingProcess.Thefirstpartisextendingthroughthebody,onesideatatime,andshufflingthefeet.Thesecondpartisexperiencinghowtowalkmorefreely,whilemovingfromthesacrum.
1.Startingstance:
a.Standwithyourfeethipwidthapart.Ifyourtoespointout,widenyourheelssoyourfeetarefacingstraightahead.Ifthiscausestoomuchtensioninyourthighs,letyourselfsplitthedifferencebetweenthetwopositions.Youwanttobechallenged,butnotoverlyso.
b.Armsshouldbehangingatyoursides.
c.Headandneckshouldberelaxedandangledasifyouwerelookingslightlydownward.
2.BegintheCorebreath.Lookforthesenseofrelaxationthatthebreathproduces.
3.DotheGroundingExercisetoestablishaflowofenergythroughthebody.
4.Bringyourfeettogether.
5.Beginextendingthroughtheleftside.
a.Asyoudothis,gradually“pour”oraddweightontotheleftfoot(itdoesn’tmatterwhichfootyoustartwith).Atthesametime,youwillbelengtheningthewholeleftsideofyourbody.JustasintheGroundingExercise,theseparationpointisthesacrumandLumbar5.Whileyourfootfeelslikeitispressingharderagainsttheground,allowyourtorsotolengthenandextendupfromthewaist—growtaller.Theideaistoextendinbothdirectionsthroughyourwholebody.Asyou“grow”yourtorsoitwillactuallyliftsomeoftheweightoffofyourotherfoot.Forthefirstfewsteps,thisisaverysmallamountofphysicalmovement.Themovementshouldfeelasifitiscomingfromthe
sacrum,ratherthanbeingledfromtheshoulders,forexample.Besuretokeeptheheadandneckrelaxed,anddonotleansideways;thiscannotbeemphasizedenough.
AwareWalking:Extenddownthroughthelegandallowthetorsoonthesamesidetogrowup,liftingweightofftheotherfoot.
6.Whenallyourweightisonyourleftfoot,gentlyslideyourrightfootforward,aboutonehalfthelengthofyourfootoraboutfourtosixinches,dependingonthelengthofyourfoot.
7.Beginthesameprocessontheotherside.Keepinmindthatthisisnotarockingprocess,butalengtheningprocess.Theactualmovementlooksalittlelikewalkingonstiltsinthatyouletalltheweightbecarriedononesidethentheother.
8.Afteryouhavedonethisforatotalofaboutfourshufflesteps,open
youreyes,takeyourfocusofftheCorebreathandgraduallystartwalkingfaster,allowingamorenaturalpace.Allowyourarmsandbodytodowhattheywanttoratherthanfallingintoyouroldhabitsofmovement.Manypeoplefindthatiftheylettheirarmsmovethewaytheywantto(ratherthanmovingfromhabit),theirarmsactuallyswinginunison.
Extendthroughtheleftlegandgrowtaller,slideyourrightfootforward.
Have you ever watched a child run for the first time? She oftenmovesinthismanner:herarmstendtoswingsimultaneouslyinthesame direction and she moves unbounded by memory. Themovement is not yet differentiated or organized to operate in afamiliarpatternregardlessof theactualneedof themovement.Asyourwalking speedsup, thearmswillbegin to swing in themore
usual way, however it is a learned response rather than how amovementhastohappen.Eachmovementshouldbedonebecauseit is in harmonywith ourselves, rather than just frommemory orbecause you believe you shouldmove in thatway. Let your bodylearnandgrowinthismomentratherthaninyourmemoryorpast.
Extendthroughtherightlegandgrowtaller,slideyourleftfootforward.
PouringForward
Benefits
Thisexerciseisoneofthemorecomplexexercisesthatwewilldescribe.Itisparticularlygoodforreleasingtensioninthespineandmakingspacebetweenthevertebrae.Whenyouallowyourselftodothisexercisecorrectly(payingattentiontoflowratherthanhowfaryoucango),youwillfindthatitgreatlyaffectsthewayyouwalkandthewayyouexperiencehowyourbodymovesingeneral.Italsoteachesyoualotabouttheflowsthatmovethroughyouandwhereyouholdtension,aswellashowto“open”thesespaces.
TheIntention
Theexerciselookslikeaforwardbendwiththekneesstraightbutnotlocked,asifyouweregoingtotouchyourtoes.Thekeyofcourseistofollowtheflow.Inthisexercisetherearetwomajorpulleysorfulcrumareaswherethebodyreleasesasyou“pour,”whetheryouaregoingupordown.ThefirstpulleyisbetweentheshoulderbladesatapproximatelyT6(the6ththoracicvertebra),andthesecondisatthesacrum.
Payparticularattentiontotheseparationoftheupperhalfofyourbodyandthelowerhalfofyourbody.Beforeyoubegintopour,emphasizetheseparationbetweenthesetwohalves.Thisdivisioncanbeemphasizedduringtheexhalebygentlydrawingthenaveltowardsthespineonceyouhaveconnectedtoaflowofenergythroughthebody.
KeepinMind:
Withthisexerciseespecially,youshouldfocusontheexperienceandstay“inthemoment”asyoudoit.Donotworryabouthowfaryougo,justnoticehowyoufeelandwhereyoucanfindreleaseforeach
stay“inthemoment”asyoudoit.Donotworryabouthowfaryougo,justnoticehowyoufeelandwhereyoucanfindreleaseforeachvertebra.Itisinterestingtodotheexerciseveryslowly.Atsomepoint,youfindyouhavenoideawhereyourhandsareinrelationtothefloor,andhowfaryou’vetraveleddoesnotmatter.Yourfeetbecomerootedintotheground,andtheflowtakesyouonanendlessjourneythroughyourbody.
PouringForward:StepbyStep
1.DotheGroundingExercisefirst(seethispage).
Tip:Besuretoextendyourroots,andallowagoodflowofenergythroughyourbodyandoutyourhead.Thisiswhatyouwillbe“pouring.”
Themoreindependenceyoufeelbetweentheupperhalfofyourbodyandthelowerhalfofyourbody,theeasierthisexerciseistodowell.Beginthisideabystandingandestablishingthedownwardsenseofthesacrum,asifa100lb.weightishangingfromitwhileyouextendyourawarenessthroughyourheelsandopentotheflow.
2.BeginningthePour:
a.Fromthetopofthecervicalvertebrae(yourneck),slowlyletthespinepourforwardonevertebraatatime.Keepthesenseofrootingfromyourheelsandtheweighthangingfromthesacrumthroughout.Youarenowworkingfromthepulleybetweentheshoulderblades,asifyourheadandneckarebeingreleasedfromthisarea.(Remember,allmovementisinitiatedontheexhale.)
b.Don’tworryaboutwhereyouaregoing,oraboutgettingtotheend.Justbepresentfortheexperienceofunfoldingineachpartofyourspine.(OnceyoulearntheSteam-ReleaseTechniqueinChapter7,youcandothistothemusclesoneithersideofthespineintheneckregionandseeifthathelpstoproduceevenmorespace.)
c.Asyoumoveintothesecondpulley(makesureyoustartreleasingin
thethoracicvertebrae,justbelowyourneck,andworkyourwaydownfromthere),youcanimagineapoleacrossthefrontofyourwaist.Witheachout-breath,sendthesacrumdownthroughtheheels,andallowtheareaofthespineyou’repouringtolengthen“up”andovertheothersideofthepole.Thisisespeciallyhelpfulwhenyougettothelowerspine,oranyareaswhereyouareblockedand/ortight.
Pulleybetweentheshoulderbladescontrolspouringofneckvertebrae.
Tip: There is a tendency to let the sacrum come up, tipping thepelvisandelongating fromthewrongspot, losingyourgrounding.All movements should be extensions with a division between thesacrumandL5.Everythingfromthesacrumandbelowrootsdown,and everything from L5 (5th lumbar vertebra) upward lengthens,
creatingspacebetweenthebonesthroughoutthephysicalstructure.
Asyouextendmore,paycloseattentiontotheflowandbeingpresentintheCorepoint.Ifyoulosethisawareness,stoppouringwhereveryouare.Ifyouareabletoregainthesenseofflow,continuethepouring;ifnot,itistimetocomebacktoaverticalposition.
3.Comingbackup:
a.Inordertocomebackup,yousimplyreversetheprocess.Theawarenessisstillfocusedinthesacrum;youshouldfeelasifyouarebeing“reeledin”fromthesacrum,restackingthevertebraeoneatatimefromthebottomup.Atthesametime,thereshouldstillbeaflowofenergyflowingthoughyouatalltimes.
b.Allowtheentirebacktobecomestraightwiththeshouldersallthewaybackbeforethecervicalvertebrae(theneck)begintoberestacked.Whenyoureachyourneck,(withaslightperipheralawareness),usethepulleybetweentheshoulderbladesasyourestackthecervicalvertebraeuntilyourheadisupright.
Pulleyatthesacrumcontrolspouringofbackvertebrae.
4.BeginAwareWalking.(StartfromStep4ofAwareWalking:StepbyStep)
a.Besuretofirstextendthroughonesideandbringtheonelegclosetotheotherbeforeyoudothe“shuffle”portionofthesteps.
KeepinMind:Aslongasyoudonotgetambitiousabouthowfarforwardyoucanpour,itisanamazingreleaseforthewholebackandneck.Ifyoufindthatyouhavegottenambitiousasyoupoureddownwardandfinditdifficulttopourupright,bendyourkneesorotherwiseendtheexercise.Donotforceanything.Therewillbesometensionasyouextendorpourinto“newterritory”foryourspine.Thereshouldatnotimebemorethanadullachepresentasyoudothisexercise.Ifthereisasharppain,youhavegottenambitiousandgone
toofar.Endtheexerciseorhavesomeonesupportyoutohelpyougetbacktoanuprightposition.
PouringForwardSitting:AnAlternativetoPouringForwardStanding
Ifyouareunabletophysicallystand,thealternativeistopourforwardwhilesittinginachair.Youcanevenpourforwardwhileinarecliner.Youcangroundthroughyourfeet,orthroughyoursacrumandseatbones.Eitherway,besuretokeepasenseofthesacrumhangingdown.Therestoftheexerciseisessentiallythesame.Theimportantthingistonotgetambitiousaboutthedistanceyoupour.Iftheheadandneckonlypourforwardoneeighthofaninch,andthatiswhereyouloseyoursenseoftheflowthroughyourbodyandthencomeup,wewouldbeecstatic.Youhavegraspedthepurposeoftheexercise,whichistonotetheflowsthatarecreatedinyourbodywhenyoumovethisway.
PouringForwardSitting:StepbyStep
PouringForwardSitting:BeginbydoingtheGroundingExercise.
Graduallyallowtheheadandnecktopourforward.
TheprocessstartsinexactlythesamewaythatitdidfortheGroundingExercise(thispage):
1.Relaxthebody.
2.Growtheroots.
3.Connecttotheflow:letitflowupwardsthroughyourbodyandoutofyourhead.
a.Ideally,whetheryouarestanding,lyingdown,sitting,orinverted,thisflowshouldalwaysbeavailabletoyou.
Whentheheadandneckarefullyreleased,begintopourthroughtheback.
Whenyouhavepouredasfarasiscomfortable,beginpouringbackup.
4.Graduallyallowtheheadandnecktopourforward,usingthepulleybetweentheshoulderblades.Whentheheadandneckhavereachedtheirmaximumlevelofrelease,startusingthesacrumasyoursecondpulley.Whenyouhavepouredforwardasfarasiscomfortable(keepingthesenseofflow),begincomingup.
5.Whenfullyuprightintheseatedposition,standupanddoAwareWalking(assumingyoucanstandandwalk).
MeltingAroundaTennisBall
Thisexerciseisatruetestofmeltingandunwindingyourself.Aswithalltheexercises,itfocusesontheenergeticflowandwhatyoucanlearnaboutyourbodyandhow,fromamorechallengingperspective,youcanfindnewwaystoreleaseoropenyourself.
GettingStarted
Useaneworalmostnewtennisball.Thisexerciseismeanttobechallenging.However,ifitsendsyourmusclesintospasmorissouncomfortablethatyoucan’tdealwithit,thenchooseasofterorsmallerball.
Note:Thisisaverychallengingexercise:itnotonlyputspressureonmusclesthatarealmostalwaystightinyourback,butitalsoputsaslighttwistthroughtheentirespine.Thismeansyouneedtoletgothroughnotonlythewholespine,butthewholebody.
Inthebeginning,thisexercisemayfeelquitedaunting,butthechangesitcreatescanbeamazing.Asyourbodylearnstoreleaseandmelt,youwillfinditlessuncomfortableandyouwillactuallylookforwardtowhatitcanofferyoueachtimeyouexperienceit.
MeltingAroundaTennisBall:StepbyStep
1.Liedownonyourbackanddoagroundscan.
2.Ontheexhale,raisethekneesoneatatimeuntilbothareup.
3.Placethetennisballbetweenthescapulaandthespine.Thisplacesitontherhomboidmuscles.Theballshouldnotpressonthespineortheshoulderblade,soadjustthepositionasnecessary.Itshouldbeplacednexttothelowerthirdoftheshoulderblade.
Placetheballonthemusclebetweentheshoulderbladeandspine
4.Bringthearmsupoverheadinthe“stick’emup”position.Ifyourarmswillnotreachtheground,placeapillowunderyourforearmtosupportthem.Astheshoulderandchestmusclesrelax,thearmwillgraduallybeabletogoallthewaytotheground.
5.StayinthispositionanddotheCorebreathforatleastfiveminutes.Thelongeryoustay,themoreyourbodywillchange.
Ifyourarmsdon’treachtheground,placeapillowunderyourforearm.
NoteTheideaistomeltaroundtheballandseeifyoucanfeeltheflowofenergypastthisliteralspeedbump,throughtheback,and
outthecrownofthehead.
6.Afterthissideiscomplete,removetheball,andplaceitundertheothersideofyourbackbetweenthescapulaandthespine.
Note:Eachsidewillhavedifferentamountsoftensionbecausewebuildmuscleunevenly.Onesidemaybecomparativelyeasywhiletheothermayfeelnearlyimpossible.Don’tworryaboutthat—letthingsopenattheirownrate.
MeltingAroundaTennisBall:AlternatePositions
Ifthisexerciseissimplytoochallengingwhilelyingonthefloor,youcandotheexercisewhileleaningagainstawallinthestandingpositioninstead.Themoreyourbodyisangled,themorepressuretherewillbeontheballandthemorechallengingtheexercise.Makesureyoustandonasurfacethatisnotslipperytoavoidfallingdown.Youcanalsodothissittinginachairandplacingtheballbetweenyouandthechairback.Thisisprobablytheleastchallengingofallthedifferentpossibilities.
Meltingaroundatennisball:Placetheballonthemusclebetweentheshoulderbladeandspine.
ElongationwithaTowel
Thepointofthisexerciseistomakespaceandelongateourselves.Whenweplaceatoweloranyobjectinourway,itchangesthewaywecanrelatetoflows(physicalandenergetic)inourbody.Thisexercisemakesiteasiertonoticethewavesthatmovethroughthebody.Inthisexercise,weintroduceanartificialspeedbump,arolledtowel.
ElongationwithaTowel:StepbyStep
Gettingstarted:Takealargebathtowelandfolditinhalflengthwise,onceortwice,androllitupsnugly.Itshouldbeafirmroll,measuringfourorfiveinchesindiameter,aboutthewidthofyourback.
Rollupalargetowel,thewidthofyourback.
Rolltowelsnugly,fourorfiveinchesindiameter.
Eachofthetowelpositionscausesauniqueunderstandingoftheflow.Thefourpositionsare(whilelyingonyourback):
A.Behindthehead
B.Undertheneck
C.Undertheshoulderblades(atthelevelofthenipples)
D.Underthesacrum
A.Towelbehindthehead,armsdown.
B.Towelundertheneck,armsdown.
C.Towelundertheshoulderblades,armsup.
D.Towelundersacrum,armsup.
1.Beginwithagroundscan.Noticehowyourbodyfeels,soyoucancompareittohowyoufeelaftertheexercise.
2.BegintheCorebreath.Alwaysgetthiswellestablishedbeforebeginninganyotheraspectofanexercise.
3.Ontheexhale,raiseeachkneeoneatatime(asifsomeonewereliftingyoufromthekneecap),whiletheheeldrags.Thetoesarerelaxed.Thisisbestdonewithoutshoes.
4.Whenbothkneesareup,placetherolledtowelunderthebackofyourhead(PositionA),undertheocciput,sothatthebackofyourskullrestsonthetowel.Oncethetowelisplaced,returnyourarmstoyoursides.
TowelPositionTip:Ifyoufeeluncomfortableinthispositionorifitfeelsasifyourchinisputtingpressureonthechest,unrollthetowelslightlyuntilitfeelscomfortableyetstillsomewhatchallenging.
5.Findthewavethebreathcreates(fromthesacrumtothecrownofyourhead).
a.Donotstopthewaveatthecrownofyourhead,lookforasenseofitsgoingoutandbeyondthebody.Rememberthatwitheachinhaleandexhalethebodyisrenewed,thereisalwaysmoreflowcreatedwitheachbreath.Followthewaveuntilyouare
comfortablefeelingitfromthesacrumthroughthecrownandbeyond.
6.Noticehowtherolledtowelorspeedbumpaffectstheflowofthewave.Eachportionofthisexercisewillmagnifydifferentaspectsofthewaveandhowyouareholdingyourself:whetheryouarebracingagainstthepressurecausedbythetowelorallowingyourselftonoticeaflowthroughit.
7.Onceyouhaveasenseofthisflowbeingconsistentandcontinuousfromsacrumtocrownandyouhaveachievedtheamountofopeningandreleasingyoudesire,removetheroll.
8.Ontheexhale,lowerthekneesoneatatime,lettingtheheelleadthewaydownwiththetoespulledback.
a.Extendoutthroughyourlegandheelasifyouwerepushingaboardacrosstheroom.Bydoingitthisway,youextendmorethroughyourbones,andlengthenallthewayfromyourlowerbacktoyourheels.
9.Whenbothlegsaredown,doanothergroundscan.
a.Askyourselfhowthisportionoftheexercisehasaffectedthewayyoufeelsupportedbytheearth.
10.Repeatthewholeexercise(Steps1-9),thistime,placingthetowelunderyourneck(PositionB).
TowelPosition:Withthetowelundertheneck,youshouldhaveasenseoftraction,withtheheadsuspendedoverthetowel.Thetowelneedstobesnugagainsttheshouldersandtheheadshouldfeelasifitisangledbackoverthetowel.Theheadshouldnottouchthegroundandyetitshouldfeelcomfortableinthisposition.Ifitisnotcomfortable,adjustthesizeoftherolledtoweluntilitis.Thenbringthearmsbacktoyoursides.
RemovethetowelbeforedoingthegroundscaninStep9.
11.Whenthisfeelscomplete,lowerthelegsoneatatimeasbefore,anddoagroundscan.
12.Repeatthewholeexercise(Steps1-9),thistimeplacingthetowel
underyourbackatapproximatelythelevelofthenipples(PositionC).Adjustthetowel’sdiameterasnecessary,sothatitischallengingyetnotsochallengingthatyoucannotrelaxintotheprocess.
PositioningTip:Thearmsnowareplacedabovetheshoulders,inthe“stick’emupposition,”withabendinelbows.However,ifthisisuncomfortable,orifyourarmsenduphanginginmid-air,eitheruseapillowtosupportyourforearmsorrestthemonyourtorso.
13.DotheCorebreathandseehowthis“speedbump”hasaffectedyourabilitytosensethewavewithinyourbody.Onceyouhaveasenseofthisandyouhaveachievedtheamountofopeningandreleasingyoudesire,rolltoyoursideandremovethetowel.
14.Ontheexhale,lowerthelegsoneatatime,heelleadingthewaydown.
15.RepeatSteps1-9,thistimeplacingthetowelunderthesacrum(PositionD).
Useapillowtosupportyourarmsifnecessary.
TowelPosition:Adjustthetowelasnecessarysothatthesizeoftherollchallengesyoubutisnotuncomfortable.Youshouldhavethesensethatyourlowerbackisgentlybeingdrawntothefloorandyourpelvisisslightlyraised.Thetowelshouldnotbesolowthatthereisunduepressureonthetailbone.Ifthetowelistoohighyouwillhaveasensethatyourtailboneisbeingdrawndown
towardthefloorandyourbackistendingtofeelconcave.Thisisnothowitshouldbe;youshouldfeelasifthelowbackisbeinggentlyroundeddownandopened.
16.Armsareabovetheshoulders,elbowsbent.DotheCorebreath.
17.Ontheexhale,findthewaveandnotehowthis“speedbump”affectstheflowthatthebreathproduces.
18.Dothisexerciseuntilyouhaveachievedtheamountofopeningandreleasingyoudesire.Youshouldbeabletofeeltheflowfromthesacrumtobeyondthecrown.
19.Oncethisfeelscomplete,eitherliftyourrearendandremovethetowel,orrolltoyoursidetoremovethetowel.
20.Bringyourarmstoyoursides.Ontheexhale,lowertheknees/legsoneatatimewiththeheelleadingthewayuntilbothlegsarefullyextended.
21.Doagroundscan,andnotehowthisexercisehasaffectedhowtheearthsupportsyou.
22.Rolltoyoursideandcomeuptoasittingposition.
a.DoafewCorebreathsinthesittingpositionandthengraduallycometoastandingposition.
23.Walkaroundforalittlebitandthendrinksomewater.
Note:Thisexercise,particularlyinthebeginning,takesabout15or20minutes(aboutfiveminutesperposition).Donothurryfromsectiontosection.Thepointistolearnhowyourbodyholdstensionandhowtoreleasethattension,andindoingsoopenyourselftogreaterflow.
Afteryouhavepracticedthisexerciseanumberoftimes,youcanshortenitbyleavingoutthegroundscanbetweeneachsection.Thisdoeschangetheexercise.Thisisnotnecessarilybad,simplydifferent.Youcanalsodojustoneofthepositionsifyoudesiretoreleasethatareainparticular.
SpiralingUpandDown:FollowingtheEarth’sFlow
Asyounoticehowenergymovesthroughyoursystem,manyobservethatenergymovesinspirals.Thisisalsodemonstratedintheshapeofasnail’sshell,forexample.Wecanalsosensethisflowthroughourselves.Wecanmovethiswaybyphysicallyspiralingourmovementsinordertogofromastandingpositiontoacross-leggedsittingposition,andthenbackupagain.Themorewesensethisinourbodiesandthemorewemeldwithit,themoreflowwecanaccess.
Thedirectionofthisspiralisnotthemajorconcern;noticingandobservingthespiralismoreimportantthananythingelse.
Thisexercisedoestakesomepracticeand,aswithalltheexercises,ifyoufeelthatitisoverlychallengingforyourbody,don’tdoitormodifytheexerciseasnecessary.Anymovementcanbeanopportunitytodemonstrateorfindflowwithinyourbody.
HowtoSpiral:StepbyStep
Haveyoueverwatchedadogliedown?Heusuallylooksaroundandthenturnsinaslowcircleuntilheislyingdowncompletely.Wearegoingtoemulatethis.Youcandothisexerciseinsimplerwaysandgainbenefit;thefirstonehereisthemostchallengingmovement,afterthisweofferalesschallengingwaytoexperiencethespiralflow.
Whilethisexercisecanbestartedfromasittingorstandingposition,peoplefinditeasiesttograspwhenstartingfromasittingposition.
1.Sitonthegroundinacross-leggedposition.
2.BegintheCorebreath.
3.Exhaleandbeginthemovementphase.Thistakesaboutoneortwoexhalesandismeanttobeaflowingelongation.
Spiralingup1
Spiralingup2
Spiralingup3
Spiralingup4
Spiralingup5
Spiralingup6
Spiralingup7
Spiralingup8
4.Supportingyourselfwithyourhandswhennecessary,“spiral”or
unwindthecrossofyourlegsasyourisetoastandingposition.
AlternativeMethod:Startturninginaslowcircle,graduallyworkingyourwayfromstanding,togettingdowntoyourknees,andeventuallyendbysittingonthefloor.Togetbackup,reversetheprocess.Don’tworryaboutperfectformhere,youareonlytryingtoseewhataslowturningprocessteachesyouabouttheflowsasyougetupanddown.Useachairorotherproptohelpsupportyouasnecessary.
5.Dothisanumberoftimes,fromsittingtostanding,payingparticularattentiontotheangleofyourheadandneck.
Tip:Youshouldnotbe“lifting”yourselffromyourheadbutliftingthroughthelegsandspiralingupward.Youshouldalsobeturningorspiralingup,inthesamedirectionastheinsidelegwhenseatedcross-legged.
6.Afterthisisrelativelyeasy,trygoingfromastandingpositionbacktoasittingposition.(Youwillbespiralingdownwardintheoppositedirectionyouturnedwhenyoucameup.)
Tip:Takeyourtime,asitiseasytogetconfused.
PrecautionaryNote:Dobecarefulanduseyourarmstoaidyourselfasnecessary.Ifitistoochallenging,don’tdoit.Therearealternatewaysofgettingupanddownthatarelesschallengingandwillstillemphasizetheflow.
Spiralingup9
Spiralingdown1
Spiralingdown2
Spiralingdown3
Spiralingdown4
Spiralingdown5
Spiralingdown6
AnotherSpiralingMotion
1.BegintheCorebreath.
2.Exhaleandstartaslow,circularwalkandgraduallybendyourknees,easingyourwaydownuntilyouareonallfours.Continuetheslowturnuntilyouaresittingontheground.
3.Togetup,dotheCorebreathandontheexhale,gentlycontinuetheturningmotionwiththeintentofstanding.
Note:Thiswillleadyoubacktoallfours.Asyoucontinuetoturn,itwillbringyoutoyourkneesandeventuallytoastandingposition.
4.Practicethisspiralingineitherdirection.Remembertokeeptheheadandneckangleddownuntilyouarealmostfullyupright.
Tip:Doneproperly,thisleadstoanelongationthroughthewholebody.Youcanuseachairorwalltohelpyoubalanceinitially.Alwaysbesuretoallowyourselftofeelassafeasyoufeelisnecessarywhenpracticinganyexercise.
Youcanmakeupyourownvariations;thepointoftheexerciseistofindyourwaythroughyourstructurewiththefloworwaveasyoumove.
Micro-Movements
Thepurposeofamicro-movementistoperformverysmallmotionsormovementswithyourbodyandcombinethismovementandawarenesswiththewaveandCorebreath.
Thisexercisehelpscreateindependenceofmotionbetweentheupperandlowerportionsofyourbody,asdemonstratedinthemotionofahuladance.Ultimately,thesephysicalmovementswillbelessthananinch,oftenonlyafractionofaninch.ThekeyagainistofindandconnectwiththeflowscreatedandmaderecognizablebytheCorebreath.
Youmayalsoincorporatethereleaseofthefivediaphragmsinconjunctionwiththesensationofthewavemovingthroughyourbodywhiledoingthisexercise.Thisisamoreadvancedvariationwithintheexercise.
Theexerciseitselfallowsyourseatbones(theischialtuberosityofthepelvis),tomovethroughthemusclesofthebuttocks.Thismovementisaccomplishedwithverysmallmotionsofthepelvisindependentoftheupperbody.
Micro-Movements:StepbyStep
1.Sitnearthefrontedgeofahardchair,sothatyoucaneasilyfeelyourseatbones.Yourbackisstraight,butnotrigidandyourheadandneckarerelaxedandangledslightlydownward.Armsarerelaxedatyoursidesorinyourlap.(Tofindyourseatbones,sitonyourhandsgently,palmsup.Youwillfeelyourseatbonespressingonyourhandsinthisposition.Besuretoremoveyourhandsbeforestartingtheexercise.)
2.DotheCorebreath.Rememberallmovementisinitiatedonthe
exhale.
Tofindyourseatbones,sitonyourhandsgently.(Removethembeforedoingexercise!)
Sittingonedgeofchair,armsatsides.
3.Ontheexhale,extendyourleftseatbonedownintothechair(wewilldobothsides).Thisisanactualphysicalmovement.
a.Whenyouobservesomeonedoingitcorrectly,thereseemstobelittle,ifanyphysicalmovement,becausetheactualchangeisonlyaboutaquarterinchofmotion.Ifyouhappentonoticetheknees,thisiswherethemovementwillshowup,forasyoudropyourleftseatbone,theleftlegislengthenedaswell.Thereshouldbenoleaningtothatside.Ifanything,thereisasenseoflengtheningatthewaistontheleft,whichcouldraisetheleftsideofyourtorsoup,ifyouallowedyourselftofollowthatpartoftheflow.
b.Relaxwitheachinhale.Youhavetheoptionofholdingtheamountofmovementyoucreatedwiththefirstexhaleandthenaddingtothatmovementgraduallywitheachsubsequentexhale,ineffect,droppinganextrahalf-inchlowerontheleftseatbonewitheachexhale.Oryoucanletthepelvistotallyrelaxontheinhaleanddropdownontheseatboneanewwitheachexhale.Bothvariationshavetheirattributes.Byallowingthepelvistorelaxbetweenexhales,youlearnmoreabouthowtorelaxthemusclesaroundthepelvisaswellasunderstandingthequalityofthewavethatthissmallmotionmakeswithinyou.Ifyouaddtotheamountofchangewitheachexhale,youlearnhowfarandhowmuchelongationyoucanproducewithaseriesofexhales.Thisinturncreatesmoreelongationinyourbodyononeside.Itisveryfuntodoonceyougetusedtotheidea.
4.Whenyouarecomfortabledoingthisontheleftside,repeatthesameexercisebydroppingontotherightseatbone.
a.Itisinterestingtonotethateachsideisquitedifferentandonesidewillappeartohavemoreopeningandelongationpossiblethantheother.Thisisbecausewedonotbuildmuscleevenlynordoweusebothsidesequally.Thistendencycreatesbothgoodandbadhabits.Someinducerelaxation,andsomecreate
stress.
Note:Ourleft-handedorright-handednessisreflectedintheeaseofmovementononesideortheotherandthroughoutourbody.Retrainingourbodiestohaveamoreevenflexibilityandbalanceispartofwhatallowsustoreducetheoverallstressesinourbodiesandgaingreatereaseofmovementoverall.
5.Onceyouhaveperformedthemovementsforboththeleftandrightsidefourorfivetimes,trydroppingontotheleftseatboneforthefirsthalfoftheexhaleandontherightseatboneforthesecondhalfoftheexhale.Thisisagradualshiftofyourweightandfocusfromonesidetotheother.Onceyou’vedonethisfromlefttoright,tryitfromrighttoleft.Itisamazinghowdifferentitiswhenyoucomparethetwo.
6.Next,beginthemicro-movementtowardthefrontofyourbodyontheCore-breathexhale.Tipthepelvissothatyoumovethepubicbonetowardthechair.Againthephysicalmovementisonlyaboutaquarterinch.Thiswillcauseanelongationthroughoutthefrontofyourbody.Trythisfourorfivetimes.
7.PerformthesamestyleofmovementasStep6but,fromarelaxedposture,gobacktowardsthetailbone.Rememberthattheactualphysicalmovementisonlyaboutaquarterinch.Thiswillcauseanelongationthroughtheentirebackofyourbody.Trythisfourorfivetimesaswell.
8.Whenthisgetscomfortable,trygoingtothepubicboneandthentothetailboneononeexhale,thenfromtailbonetopubicboneinanotherexhale.Whenthisfeelscomfortabletoyou,moveontothenextphase.
9.Nowtryan“around-the-clock”movement.Thisisacircularmotioncreatedbygoingtoeachnumberonthe“clock,”firstclockwiseandthencounterclockwise.
a.Startbydroppingontotheleftseatbonewhileexhaling.Duringthesamebreath,continuemakingagradualclockwisemovementtowardthepubicboneandthenovertotherightseat
bone.Ifyourunoutofbreathhere,pausewhileyouinhale.Withthenextexhale,continuetheclockwisemotionfromrightseatbonetotailboneandthenbacktotheleftseatbone.Thisdescribesafullcircle.Ideally,youwanttomakethefullcircleinoneexhalewhilebeingabletosensethereleasesinyourbody.
b.Onceyouarecomfortabledoingthisinaclockwisedirection,trygoinginacounterclockwisedirectionbystartingontherightseatboneandrotatingtowardsthepubicbonejustasbefore.Thesemovementsarequitesmallandaremeanttobedoneaselongations,sothatyouactually“grow”thesideyouareaddingweightto.Withthearound-the-clockportionoftheexercise,thiselongationshouldbesensedonallfoursides.Onedirectionwillbeeasiertorotatearoundthantheother.Thisisnormalaswebuildmuscleunevenlyandhavegainedhabitsthatlimithowweareabletomoveandopen.
Micro-MovementsinEverydayLife
Thisisawonderfulexercisetodowhileseatedinachaironaplane,attheoffice,orinacarwhenyouarestopped.Theuseofthesteeringwheeltoflowaroundorbalanceagainstaddsawholenewdimensiontothisexercise.Pleaseexperimentwithhowmuchopeningyoucanfindasyoudothisexercise;itisoneofourfavorites.
Note:Drinkwaterasnecessary;rememberthattheexercisesareopeningyoursystemdramatically.Stayinghydratedhelpskeepthechangesyouhavemade.
UsingtheExercises
AsyoupracticetheCorework,theexercisesyouhavejustlearnedareagreatthingtodoforyourselforforanyoneyouwouldliketosharetheseideaswith.Ifyoupracticethemregularly,youwillconstantlybeopeningandbalancingyoursystem.Theywillalsohelpbalanceyourbodyandofferyoucontinuallearningandhealing.
Howoftenshouldyoupracticetheseexercisesoranyothers?Ideally,dosomesortofphysicalexercisewiththebreatheachday,butatleastfourdaysaweekwillcausealotofchangeinyoursystem.
Howmuchpracticetimeisgoodforasession?Fifteenminutesofpracticeisagoodstartingpoint.Ofcourse,themoreyoupractice,themorechangeyouwillnotice,andthemoreexperienceyouwillhavewithflowswithinyourself,whichwillhelpyoutobeabletosenseflowswithinothers.
Somepeoplefindveryorganizedpracticetimesandlengthsannoying.Ifyouareoneofthosepeople,spreadyourpracticethroughoutyourday.Whileyou’restandinginlineatthebank,dotheGroundingExercise.Atastopsign,dosomemicro-movements,andduringacoffeebreak,practiceDiaphragmBreathing.Noteveryexerciseneedstobepracticedeveryday.Perhapsyoudothreedaysofoneexerciseandthentwodaysofanother.Itismoreaboutactuallypracticingthanlockingyourviewthateverythinghastobedoneeveryday.Play,practice,andexperiencewhatyourbodylikesandwhatyoucanlearneachdayofyourpractice—thisistheideal.
Chapter6PerceptionandtheHealingAspectofThisWork
Breath—thebeginningandendingofeachmomentinourlives.Quiet—amomentwithoutend.Being—eachmomentisitsownblendofbreathandquiet.
A FTERPRACTICINGTHEEXERCISESinthepreviouschapter,youmaynoticethatjustdoingthesealoneincreasesyourenergeticperceptionand
sensitivity.
Fromthislevel,itispossibletohaveawarenessofortosensetheEarth’scentrifugalforce(theapparentoutwardflowcausedbythespinningoftheEarth)whilepracticingtheCorebreath.Thequieterwebecometheeasieritistonoticesubtleenergies,andwhilethisparticularflowissubtle,itisavailabletobesensedbyus.Thekeyistorecognizewhatitfeelslikeandhowtofindit.Thereareinnumerableflowstobeawareof;thisissimplyoneofmany.
FeelingtheEarthThroughOthers:APracticeinPerception
Thisisthefirstofseveralexercisesthatallowustobeawareofsubtleenergiesandhowtodifferentiatebetweenthem.Asyoupracticethis,ideallyyouwanttoworkwithapartner.Shedoesnotneedtoknowexactlywhatyouaredoingorwhy,butwehavefoundthisexperiencetobemuchmoreinterestingwithanotherperson.Asyoubegin,imaginethatthepersonyouareworkingwithisanextensionofyourself,asiftherewerenoseparationbetweenthetwoofyouorthatyoubothwerethesamehumanbeing.
Placeyourpalmorfingertipsonoraboveherthigh.Whatyouaregoingtonoticeisthatyoucanfeeltheearth,orthecentrifugalforce,throughthisperson.Thisisaverysubtlesensation,usuallynoticedonthesurfaceleveloftheskinofyourpalm.
Placeyourpalmorfingertipsonoraboveherthigh.
WhattheEarth’sCentrifugalForceFeelsLikeandWhatto“Look”For
Itcanbedescribedasfeelinglikeupside-downrain,individualpinpricks,orlinesofforcewerecomingupthroughaperson’slegandstrikingyourhand.Somepeoplewillfeelthisasarisingwave,ratherthanindividual
orlinesofforcewerecomingupthroughaperson’slegandstrikingyourhand.Somepeoplewillfeelthisasarisingwave,ratherthanindividualpoints.Ifyouallowyourselftonoticemoreandmoresubtlety,itseemsasthoughthewaveismadeupofindividualpartsandthosepartsarethis“rain-like”experience.Somedescribethisassimilartorunningyourhandoverafreshlymownlawnwitheachindividualbladeofgrassticklingyou.Somewillnoticethisexperienceintheirfingertips,someinthepalm,andsomealloverthehand.Oneexperienceisnotbetterthantheother;itismoreaboutrealizingthatyoucansensesomethingquitesubtlewithjustalittlepractice.
Reverseflowofgravityshowinglinesofforcecominguptohand(blockwithwavesrepresentshand).
TipsonPerceivingtheEnergy
Oneofthekeythingsthatmakesthisexperienceavailableislettingtheinformationcometoyou.Inourcase,thatmeanslettingitcometotheplacebehindtheeyes.Oneofournaturaltendenciesisto“reach”outwithourawarenesstosensesomething.Theactofreachingactuallyproducesafieldofenergythatmasksorcoverswhatwearelookingforinthisinstance.
Thehandshouldbethoughtofasareceptorratherthansomethingthatreaches.Themoreyouletwhatyousense“strike”orcometothehand,themoreyoucanallowinformationtobeperceivedintheplacebehindtheeyes,andthemorelikelyyouaretonoticewhatyouarelookingfor.
Ifplacingyourphysicalhandonyourpartner’slegistoodistractingtoallowyoutodiscerntheinformation,youcanholdyourhandabovetheotherperson’sthigh,orplaceanimaginaryhandonherthigh.Interestinglyenough,youwilloftenstillsensethe“tac-tac-tac”oftheenergyinyourphysicalhandeventhoughyouareusinganimaginaryone.Whyisthis?Energyfollowsthought;whereyouplaceyourintentandhowyouapplyyourmind’sfocusdefineswhatyouareabletodiscern.
Inclasseswherewehavetaughtthistechnique,mostpeoplenoticethissensationwithinafewCorebreaths.Oftenwhatcausesdifficultyisthatstudentstrytoohardandtheyreachfortheenergeticinformationratherthanjustbeingpresentfortheexperience.Theactoflettingitcometoyoukeepsyourenergyfieldfromover-shadowingtheflowsthatarealwayspresent.
FeelingtheEarthThroughOthers:StepbyStep
1.DotheCorebreath.
a.FullyfeelthereleasethattheCorebreathproducesbeforeyoudoanythingelse.ThisisthefoundationalstepwheneveryouapplytheCorework.YoucanthinkoftheCoreworkasthe“selfish”techniquebecauseatsomelevelyouarealwaysworkingonyourself.Alwaysbewhoyouare,thenapplytheexercise.Ifyoucanunderstandthat,youwillfindthisworkveryeasytograsp.
2.Placeyourhandontheclient’sthigh.
a.Thereareseveralenergetic“flows”orexperiencesof“flows”thatareavailable,butinthiscase,lookforthesenseofsomethingreachinguptostrikeorticklethehandindiscreetindividualpacketsor“dots.”
b.Ifyouletthingscometoyou,ratherthanreaching,youwillfindwhatwehavedescribed.Ifyoureach,youwillcoveritupandmissthissubtle,butinterestinginteraction.Ifthishappens,useanimaginaryhand.Onceyoubegintounderstandwhattolook
for,trytheexerciseagainwithyourphysicalhand.
Note:Youdonotneedanactualphysicalhandtoaccomplishanyofthehealingtechniquesweintroduce.Whatyoudoneedtodoisallowtheenergeticinformationtocometoyou,totheCoreSpot,inordertoaccomplishthesetasks.Whileweoftenuseourhandstodothis,thehandssimplydefineanareaofinfluence;therestoftheworkhappensinsidetheCorepoint.
Onceyouarecomfortablewiththisexercise,moveontothenextexercise.
FeelingtheRiverExercise
Thisexerciseisdesignedtoteachyouhowtofeeltheflowsofenergymovingthroughaperson’sbody,wheretheflowsarenormal,andwheretheyarereducedorevenblocked.Youcandeveloptheabilitytosensewhichareasareinjuredorpotentiallyproblematic.Thisisquiteeasytodoaslongasyoulettheinformationcometoyou.Thoughwestartbyplacingaphysicalhandontheclient,ifthismakesyoureach,asmentionedbefore,useanimaginaryhandtodoyoursensingwithinitially.Asyoupracticethis,itisinterestingtodoitwithsomeonewhosehealthhistoryyoudonotknow.Thisway,asyounoticeanomaliesintheflow,youcanasktheclientifthisareaisaproblemonsomelevelforher.Thismakesitmucheasiertobelievethatyouareactuallysensingsomethingthatisthereratherthanjustmakingitup.Youwillbepleasantlysurprisedhowaccurateyoucanbe.
Placeyourpalmorfingertipsonoraboveherthigh.
Webeginwithsensingtheflowintheclient’sthigh.Makesureyouplaceyourhandacrosstheperson’sthigh.Theactofplacingthepalmacrossthethighversusinlinewithitmakesiteasiertosensetheflowmovingthroughtheclient.Asbothyouandtheclienteachhaveaflow,havingtwoflowsgoingindifferentdirectionsmakesiteasiertodifferentiatebetweenthem.Whatdoesflowfeellike?Ifyouholdahoseinyourhand,thereisavibrationorflowthatyoucanfeelwhenwaterrunsthroughit.WhenyoupracticetheCorebreathinconcertwiththeideaofsensingtheotherperson’sflow,youwillnoticeasimilarsensation,albeitmuchsubtler.Thekeyistolettheinformationcometoyou.
Wewillalsoaskyoutosenseorfollowtheflowoftheenergythroughtheentirebodyoftheclient,startingfromthefeetupthroughherentirebody.Thinkoftheenergycomingthroughyourclient’sbodyaslinesofforce,orsimplytheflow,andgetafeelfortheamountofflowmovingbyyourhandinherthigh.Whenyoucompareittosomewhereelseinherbody,youwillbegintohaveasenseofhowflowsdifferfromareatoarea.Asthisflowmovesthroughaperson’sbody,itisbent,slowed,orevenstoppedinplaces.Youwillbegintofeelwherethisoccurs.Theseout-of-balanceareasarereallyareasoftensionorinjury.Jointsarealwayslikelyplacestocheckfordifferences.Interestingly,evenveryoldorwell-healedinjuriesstillhaveanoticeablesignatureordifferenceintheflowwhencomparedtoanareathathasneverbeendamaged.
FeelingtheRiver:StepbyStep
1.BeginwiththeCorebreath.BesuretosensethereleasethattheCorebreathcreatesinyoubeforeyougoontothenextstep.
2.Layyourhand,whetherphysicalormental,acrosstheclient’sthigh.
Tip:Thisstepistogetabaselinereadingofwhattheenergyflowwithinhisorherbodyislikeinaparticularareathatusuallyhas
fewrestrictions.Ofcourseifyouknowtheyhaveanartificiallegorametalplateinthisleg,choosetheotheroneormaybeaforearmtodoyourinitialreadwith.a.LettheinformationcometoyouasyoucontinuedoingtheCorebreath.Lookforasenseofsomethingmovingbyyourhand.Thisisthe“river”ofenergy.
b.Notethequalitiesofthisflow:howevenorstrongitfeels,oratleasthowitexpressesitselftoyou.Somepeoplewillhaveamorekinestheticresponse,whileotherswillbemorevisual,andsomemayevenhaveatasteorsmellpresentwhentheysenseenergy.Nooneexpressionisbetterthananother;itissimplythewayanindividualisusedtorelatingtoenergy.Whateveryounotice,thisisyourbaselinetocomparetowhenyousenseflowinotherareas.
3.Onceyouhaveasenseoftheflow,thinkofthehandsinkingdeeperintotheclient.
a.Howdoesthisaffectyoursenseoftheflow?Themoreyoupracticethisexercise,theeasieritistodiscernthesubteltiesofyourownoryourclient’sflow.
4.Notehowtheflowscomparetooneanotherinotherareasoftheclient’sbody.
Tip:Youdonothavetophysicallymoveyourhand.Simplyimaginethatyouhavemovedtoanotherarea(whileitisstilltouchingtheclient’sthigh),andcomparethequalityoftheflowthereascomparedtothethigh.Orsimplysaytoyourself,“Iwonderhowtheflowisintheleftshoulder?”orwhereveryouchoose.What’ssurprisingisthatyouwillstillfeelitinyourhandeventhoughyouhaven’tphysicalchangedyourhandplacement.Whatdoyousense?Howdoyourelatetoit?Youcandothisforanypartoftheclient:fromthemostobviousanatomyallthewaydowntohowacellfeels,orsynapticflowsinthebrainorthenerves.Theonlylimitiswhatyouwillallowyourselftodiscern.
a.Asyousensetheflows,particularlyifthisisamorekinestheticexperience,howdotheflowsexpressthemselves?
Herearesomecommonexperiences(whencomparedtotheinitialreadfromthethigh):
•theareafeelsswampy
•theareafeelslikearushingriver(rapids)
•theareafeelsliketheflowhitsawall
•theareafeelsliketheflowisgoingaroundanobstacle
•itfeelsasifwateristravelingovergravel
•feelsasiftherearebackcurrentsoreddiesintheflow
Eachofthesedescriptionsdefineanamountofchangeintheeaseoftheflow.Themoreintenseorprofoundthedifference,generallythemoreproblematictheareaisfortheclient.
Iftheflowinanareafeelsalotstronger,noticethequality.Isitstrongandlarge,ordoesitfeellikeitisthestrengthcausedwhenaflowmovesthroughaconstrictedarea?Thinkofhowariverchangeswhenitmovesthroughanarrowcanyon.
Inareasthatfeelgravelly,thisoftenimpliesanarthritictypeofcondition(orthebeginningofone).Themoreseverethegravel-likesensationyouexperienceoranareaexhibits,themoreproblematicthearea.Perhapsyounoticethattheflowinanareafeelslikethereisaback-floworaneddy.Ifyousearchalittlefartherupthelinedoestheareafeelasthoughyouarehittingawall?Theback-flowexperienceusuallyisnottheareaofdisharmony,thewallistheproblematicarea,anditissimplycausingthebackwash-likesensation.Themoreyoupracticethistypeofsensingtheeasierandmoreexactingitgets.
PerceivingEnergy
Ifyouarenota“feeler,”youmaynoticetheclient’sflowsinacompletelydifferentway.Maybeyouarejustdrawntoaparticulararea.Maybeyougetaflavor,acolor,orasound.Evenifyouarenotsureitisreal,suspenddisbeliefforthemomentandgowithit.Seewhatcomestoyouandwhatfeedbackyougetfromtheclient.Afterawhile,youwillbegintonoticepatternsinwhatcomestoyou.Maybeeverytimeyouseeacertaincolor,ortasteacertainflavor,theclienthasthesameproblem.Youwillbegintolearnhowtotranslateyourperceptions.Asyoupracticethismore,youwillstarttrustingyourabilities.Whileyoumaychoosetohavetheclientdirectyouastowheretostartworking,asyousensetheflows,youshouldallowyourselftonoticewheretheinhibitionsareandworkthereaswell.
DeepeningtheExperiencefromAnotherPerspective:LookingatFlows
Whytakeajourneythroughthebody?Asyourelaxandletyourhandssinkthroughstructure,youwillnotethattheredifferentkindsofflowsateachlevelofthebody.Skinhasaparticularflowandaparticularwayitissensedthatisfairlyconsistentregardlessofwhoyoutouch.Thesamegoesformuscle,veins,bone,etc.Asyouwork,ifyouarecurious,youcanstarttonoticewhatleveldifferentproblemsaffect:theleveloftheskin,thebrain,thenervoussystem,allexemplifiedbythedifferentdensitiesthataredemonstratedbythevarioustissuesinasystem.
AJourneyThroughtheBody:StepbyStep
1.Placeyourhandonanotherperson’sthigh.
2.DotheCorebreath.
3.Noticewhatyousenseinyourhand,andletthatinformationcometotheCorepoint.
a.Thehandislikeaprobe;itdoesnothinginandofitself.
4.Withyourattentiononwhat“skin”islike,noticehowyousenseit.
a.Isitwarm,cool,thick,thin,hard,soft?
b.Thesearejustsomesuggestions.Noteyourownimageryorhowyouexperienceit.
5.Next,letyourhandsinktothelevelofthefattissuejustbelowtheskin;noticehowyousenseit.
6.Continuetheprocess,workingthroughthebodylayerbylayer:
a.Muscle
b.Bloodvessels
c.Surfaceofthebone
d.Bonemarrow
7.Eachareawillpresentitselfuniquely;noticehowyousenseit.
Eachtimeyouworkwithapersonandyougetimpressions,youwillstarttorecognizeapatternofhowyouexperiencethedifferenttissues.Withpractice,you’llfindthatthisabilitytodiscernbecomesincreasinglybetter.
Ofcourse,therearemanydifferentlevelsyoucansenseasyourgainconfidenceandexperiencewiththisprocess.Wehavefounditveryinterestingtoletthe“hand”sinkintobraintissue,eyes,intestines,evennerveendings.Thelististrulyendless.
ItisalsofuntoseewhathappenswhenyoudothingslikeTractor-Beaminganindividualbloodcell(youwilllearnhowtoTractor-Beaminthenextchapter).Sensehowthataffectsthedynamicofthe“river”offlow,thenreleasethisbloodcellandsensehowthataffectstheflow.Youcanalsousethisprocesswithacellinthebonemarrow,oranywhereelseinthebodyaswell.
Allofthesedifferentexperiencesbuildyourabilitytosenseblockages
Allofthesedifferentexperiencesbuildyourabilitytosenseblockagesatanevergreatersensitivity.Whilethisisnotnecessarytobeeffectivewiththework,itisnonethelessamazinghowawareyoucanbecomeofalltheprocessinggoingoninandaroundahumanbeing.
Remembertohavefun,relax,andletallofwhatyousensecometoyou,andthisexercisewillbecomeadeeplearningexperience.
Chapter7TheHealingTechniques
Beinthismoment,thisNow,thepresent,trulytheonlyplacethatyoucanexerciseyourpower.
TIntroduction
HEREAREANUMBEROFKEYELEMENTStokeepinmindasyoudothehealingwork.TheprimarythingistostaypresentintheCorespace.
Acommondesireistoreachoutwhetherphysicallyormentally,totakeactionandactonsomething“outthere,”i.e.aboneoranorgan.Althoughourdesireistoeffectorshiftwhateverwe’reworkingon,itiscounterproductivetoapproachtheCorehealingtechniquesfromareachingpointofview.Thefocusshouldbetoalloweverythingtocometoyou,justasyouhavedoneintheexercisesofthepreviouschapters,whereyou’venotedthedifferenttypesofflows,whetherornottheymovedfreelyorwereinhibited,andhowiffelttoexpandtheseflows.Foryou,theexperiencemayhavebeenvisual,oryoumayhavehadafeeling,asound,orataste.Regardlessofthepresentation,youoperateinthesameway—leteverythingcometoyou.Thisisbecauseheorshe,theclient,isanaspectofyou.
ThisisthefoundationoftheCoreTransformationwork:thereisnoseparation.Thereforetheclient’sflowsaresensedasiftheywereyourflows.AndasyouunravelyourselfthroughtheCorework,lacedwithyourintent,theclientchanges.
Theworkitselfoftenfeelsasthoughyourhandsareinsidethestructureorareayouwanttoshiftorchange.DonotletthisexperiencedrawyououtoftheCorepoint(andintobeing“outthere”).Whilethisisnotarigidly-heldfocus,theworkismosteffectivewhenthefeelingofbeingintheCorespaceismaintained.Sayingthisanotherway,thereisnothingtoachieveordo“outthere”intheclient;thereisonlyanopportunitytoopenyourself.Holdyourintentaboutwhatyouwanttoaffectwhileyouopenyourself;thatiswhatcausesthechange.Thisopeningpresentsaspecificvibration,andthatiswhatthecliententrainsto.Aswealterthetypeofintentwehave,wecanaffectaperson’sbody,emotions,andmore,inamultitudeofways.Withpractice,thisbecomeseffortlessandamazing.
AsyoudotheCorework,youcanusephysicalorimaginaryhands.
Thehandsaresimplymarkersorplaceholdersdefiningtheareayouwouldlikechangetooccurwithin.Whileyouworkonaspecificarea,realizethattheenergymaywellbefeltinotherareasoftheperson’sbody,astheenergywillopenotherplacesthatmayneedhealingaswell.Weprefertobespecificwheneverpossible,becausetheareayoufocusonwilltendtohavethegreatestamountofchange.Asyoufeelthechangeswithintheclient,allowyourselftorideorfollowtheflowstofostermorereleasinginanyareathatfeelsoutofharmony.
SomeTypesofEnergeticFeedbackfromYourSession
Youmaynoticevisualimageryorpicturescomingtoyouasyouworkwithyourclient.Whiletheseimagesoftenlooklikeactualanatomicalparts,theymayalsobetotallymetaphorical.Knowinganatomyisnotnecessarybutitisinterestingtonotethatsomeimageryisveryclearandcanbequiteaccurate.
Youcanalsogetfeedbackthroughfeelingtheenergy.Youmaynoticevarioussensationsinyourbodyastheclientchanges,eitherphysicaloremotional.Tobesurethatwhatyouarefeelingisn’tyourownissue,takeyourattentionofftheclientandseeifitstaysorgoesaway.Gobacktotheclientandseeifthefeelingcomesback.Ifitcomesandgoesasyoudothis,yourperceptioniscorrect.Ifthefeelingstaysconstant,thenitisprobablyyourownissue.
Sometimestheanatomicalviewscanbedistracting,anditismoreimportanttopayattentiontotheflows,aswellascolors,textures,orfeelingsyoureceiveasyouwork.Eachpersonunfoldsinhisorherownuniqueway,andasyougetcomfortablewiththetechniques,youwillfindthisworkopensawholenewworldofperceptionandwaystounderstandhealingwork.
Asyoupractice,bewillingtoexperiment.Thetechniquesasdescribedbelowareguidelines,notrules.Thereareanumberofdifferentwaystodescribewhatmakesatechniqueeffective,sowewillofferafewoptions.Ifnoneoftheseideasmakesenseorworkforyou,playwith
themfromdifferentperspectivesandseehowtheyevolve.Weencourageyoutolearnandseewhereeachexperiencetakesyou.Allowyourselftoinnovatewhenlogicappearstofailyou.Thisisnotaboutrigidviews;itisabout“opening”inwhatevermannerpresentsitself.Keepinmindthatreachingoutfortheinformationratherthanlettingtheinformationcometoyouisthemajorreasonpractitionershaveproblems.
TheCorehealingtechniquesworkequallywellonbothyourselfandothers.Practicinganyofthemonyourselfisverysatisfyingbecausenotonlydoyougettopracticetheconceptsbutyougettofeeltheresultsoftheprocess.Thisisagreatwaytogetverygoodpersonalfeedbackandtofine-tunetheprocesstoyourheart’scontent.BecauseallofthishappensintheCorepoint,theexperiencecomesfromathird-personperspective.Thisiswhatcreatesthespaceforyoutoworkonyourselfaseasilyasyouworkonothers.
Torecap,starteachhealingtechniquebydoingtheCorebreath.Thisdefinesthevibrationofwhoandwhatyouare.Itcreatesastateofbeing.Untilyouhavethisactionwellestablished,itistooeasytogetdrawnouttowhatyouareworkingon.Themoreyouarebeingyourself,themoredynamictheoveralleffectis.Thereisnowhereyouneedtogo;thereisnothingelseyouneedtobe.Youarealreadythere.DotheCorebreath,bewhoyouare,andapplythetechnique,thatisallthereistoit.Theonlythingthatmakesthisworkdifficultiswhenthepractitionertriestoohard.Relax,open,andapplytheprocessandtherestjustoccurs.
AQuickReference
1.AlwaysstartwiththeCorebreathandestablishwhoyouarewithinit.
2.Leteverythingcometoyou.
3.Startbyaskingtheclientwhat’sgoingonforher.Thenridetheflowsfromthere.
4.Beplayfulandhavejoywhileyouwork.Italwaysmakesenergy
workeasier.
TheSteam-ReleaseTechnique
Thismethodisbestforreleasingtensionandrearrangingstructure.Itisparticularlygoodforreleasingtensionandpainfromaspecificspotormuscle.Youcanbeextremelyexactingwiththisapproach,affectinganareaassmallasanervepulse,oranindividualmusclecell.Youcanalsoreleasealargerarea,byworkinggraduallydownthroughlayersoftensiononeaftertheotheruntilanentireareaisreleased.Alwaysrememberthattheclientisanaspectofyou.Anythingthatyoutouchissimplyanextensionofyou.TheactoftouchinghimputshimwithinyourfieldandhechangesasyoudotheCorebreathwithaspecificintent.
Inthistechnique,ourintentistohaveasenseof“steam”orflowcomingthroughandoutyourheadandorfeet,whileyoutouchtheclient.Thisiswhatallowsthechangesthatwearelookingfor.Anysensethatyouneedtodoanythingelsewithyourhandsiscounterproductive.Itsoundstoosimpletoactuallyworkbutitisassimpleasitsoundswhenyoujustdoit.
TheSteam-ReleaseTechnique:StepbyStep
1.AlwaysstartwiththeCorebreath.
a.Thisactdefineswhoandwhatyouare.Untilyouhavethisactionwellestablished,itistooeasytogetdrawnoutoftheCorepointwhileyouareworking.
2.Touchtheclientwithyourtwohands.Howdoyouchoosewheretowork?Asktheclientwhereshehaspainortension.Placeyourhandsoneithersideofthearea,oraboveandbelowit,slightlybeyondtheboundaryofthepain.Weliketousefingertipsbecausewithlessactualphysicalcontactithelpstokeepusoutofourhandsandthusless“outthere.”
a.YoumayalsobeginbytouchingtheclientandthenstartdoingtheCorebreath,justdon’tstartworkingontheclientuntiltheCorebreathisestablished.
b.Imaginethatyourhandsareindependentofeachother.Thefieldonehandcreatesdoesnotinteractwiththefieldtheotherhandcreates.Thehandssimplymarktheoutsideedgesoftheareayouwanttoaffect.(Havingthetwofieldsinteractwillcauseaverydifferentreactionandisactuallyatotallydifferenttechniquethatwewillexplainnext.)
3.Nowthatyouhavethepropermindset,itistimetoapplythetechnique.Whileyourhandstouchtheclient,allowyourbodytoopenandhaveasenseofyourenergygoingupthroughandoutyourhead,and/ordownandoutyourfeet,likesteamescaping.ThisisasimilarsensationtowhenyoudidtheAnchored-SacrumExercise(thispage).
a.Alternatively,youcanimagineorsenseforthesteamcomingoutthebacksofyourhands.(Ifyouusethismethod,makesureyoudon’tgetdrawnoutoftheCorepointintoyourhands.)
4.Howdoyouknowwhenyou’redone?Youaredonewhentheareafeelscompletelyreleased,allthewaytothebone,andwhenyoucheckinwithyourclient,shesaysshefeelsbetter.
KeepinMind:Youarenotabsorbingtheenergyyourself,thisimageisdesignedsothatyoufeelintrinsicallylinkedwiththeareayouareworkingin.Thereisnoseparationbetweentheclientandyou,onlyflow.Donotbeconcernedaboutwheretheflowisgoing,justthatitisanopenflow.
Touchtheclientoneithersideoftheareayouwanttoaffect.Eachhand’sfieldisseparatefromtheother.
WhyItWorks
TheSteam-ReleaseTechniqueshowstheclient’sbodyanexampleofflow,andnowhisorhersystemcanentrainandthuschange.Keepbreathing,allowingthissenseofflowthroughyouandoutagain.TheactofdoingtheCorebreathwillkeepyoufrompickingupanythingfromtheclient.Thereisatendencytothinkthatifaslowbreathisgood,analmoststoppedbreathisbetter.Thisisnotthecase.Youmustcontinuetobreathe,enjoyingtheinhale,andregulatingtheexhale.
Bybeinganopenflow,youdemonstraterelease.Thetensionfromtheareayoutouchnowhastheopportunitytoreleaseandfindanewharmoniousbalance.
Asyoupracticethistechnique,ifyouconstantlyfindyourself“outthere,”withyourattentioninyourhands,simplyuseimaginaryhandsinstead.Allofthisoccursinthemind’seye,oratleastasifeverythingisconnectedtothisplacebehindtheeyes(thecenteroftheCorebreath).Aslongaseverything“comestoyou,”thisworkwillbeequallyeffective
connectedtothisplacebehindtheeyes(thecenteroftheCorebreath).Aslongaseverything“comestoyou,”thisworkwillbeequallyeffectivewhetherusingphysicalorimaginaryhands.
SteamReleasing:Recap
1.StartwiththeCorebreath.
2.Touchtheclientwithrealorimaginaryhandsoneithersideoftheaffectedarea.
3.Openyourselfandreleasesteam.
4.Youarefinishedwiththesessionwhentheareafeelscompletelyreleased,allthewaytothebone,andtheclientsaysheorshefeelsbetter.
SteamReleasing:Advanced
Onceyouarecomfortablewiththebasicsofthistechnique,youcangetmoreinnovative.Forexample,asthesurfaceoftheareareleases,letyourawarenesssinkdeeperintothetissueuntilyouencounteranareaoftension.Whenyoufindthenewleveloftension(againthinkofthehandsasbeingateitherendofthetenseareaandallow),releasethesteamagain.Repeatthis,graduallysinkingyourawarenessdeeperuntilyouarriveatthe“bottom”orendofthetenseareaandthereisonlyrelaxationleft.Sometimestheclient’sbodyrequiresyoutoaddressthetensioninstages.Youcanalsosinkthroughthelayersoftightnessorresistanceasyouwork,releasingitinafluidswoopofconnection.Werealizethatthesearesubtledistinctions.Asyouplaywithityouwillfinditeasiertounderstandifyoujusttrythetechniqueratherthanintellectualizingtheexperience.
Themorethatyouarebeingyourself,themoredynamicthetechnique’soveralleffectis.Thereisnowhereyouneedtogoorputyourattentionon;youarealreadythere.DotheCorebreath.Bewhoyouareandapplythetechnique.Whatmakesthisworkdifficultiswhenthepractitionertriestoohard.Relax,openyourself,andapplytheprocess—thehealingfollowsautomatically.
thehealingfollowsautomatically.
Wombing
ThepurposeofWombingistorebuild:thiscouldbeascratch,cancer,abrokenbone,orevenasurgically-removedorgan.Ifanemotionisheldinthebody,Wombingcanbeusedtotransformthataswell.Althoughyoumayuseadditionaltechniquesinarebuildingsession,Wombingiswhereyoushouldstart.
Youbeginthisprocessbycreatinganenergetic“womb”orcocoon,whichmeanswhenyourhandstouchthearea,allowafieldtoformbetweenthetwohands.Thinkofyourtwohandsasconnectedbythespacebetweenthem.Thehandsorfingertips(whicheverismorecomfortableforyou)approximatelydefinetheouteredgesoftheareathatyouwanttosurround.Thisfieldencompassestheentireareathatneedshealing,andishollow.Whatyousurroundmaybeaninjury,somesortofillness,tension,poorenergymovement,resistance,orevenemptiness.Ifyoupayattentiontotheflows,youmaynoticethatitisaspaceinwhichtheenergeticflowisnotinharmonywiththeareaaroundit.
WewilldescribeseveraldifferentwaystorelatetotheWombingprocess.Noonewayisbetterthananother;itismoreamatteroffindingwhichexplanationallowsyoutouseandunderstandtheWombingconceptmosteasily.ThisisabitofanAlice-in-Wonderlandtypeofjourney—youneverknowwhatyouwillfind.WeavoiddefiningWombingexactlybecausethisinhibitsaprocessthatisexploratoryanddream-likeinapplication.
Awomborcocoonisanareaoffecundity,anareaofinfinitepotentialwherecreationortransformationoccurs.Thenatureofthisstateorspaceallowsfortransformationsofalltypes.Itcanalsobethoughtofasasafeplaceforchange.Whatwecalla“womb”isanenergeticfieldthatweusetosurroundtheareawewanttotransform.Everythingwithinitischangedfromformedmatter(suchasabone),tounformedmatterthathasthepotentialtobecomeanything(justlikestemcells).Whenyouwombapartofyourclient’sbody,youintentionallycreateaspace
thathasthepotentialtobecomeanything(justlikestemcells).Whenyouwombapartofyourclient’sbody,youintentionallycreateaspaceinwhichallpossibilitiesexist.Whenyouthinkofastructure,suchasabone,theactofdoingthatholdsitinthestateitisalreadyin.Onceyouhavedecidedwhatyouwanttoworkon,youhavetoletgooftheideaofwhatitphysicallyisandletitbecomeanareaofinfinitepotential.Inthisway,itcanbecomeanythingasittransformswithinthewomb.ThisisthemainideaofWombing;itiswhatmakesWombingwork.
Ifweusethecocoonmetaphor,acaterpillarputsitselfinsideaspacethatisopentotransformation.Ifweopenthecocoonbeforethecaterpillarcompletesitstransformation,itwouldbefilledwithmush,stuffthatdoesn’tresembleacaterpillarorabutterfly.Wecreatethesame“mushy”statewhenwewomb,makingwhatisdefined(theinjury,illness,oremotioninthebody,forexample)intosomethingundefinedandwithoutform.Webuildaspacewithinwhichtransformationcanoccurandthecontentsofthewombliquify,melt,orevendisappear.And,justasthecaterpillardoesnotconsciouslyintenditselftobecomeabutterfly,nordowehavetodeliberatelyreassembletheinjuredareaofthebody.Whentheareareforms,itusesitsoriginalblueprintofperfectiontoaccomplishthetask.Fullhealthmaytakemultiplesessions,dependingontheseverityoftheproblem,andhowmanysystemsareimpacted.
Hereareacoupleofexamplesofhowthisisdemonstratedinnature.Anexperimentwasdonewithsalamandersinthe’60s,inwhichscientistsinjectedthemwithcancercells.Whentheywereleftuntreated,theydevelopedcancerandeventuallydied.However,whenthesalamanderhaditstailcutoffafterbeinginjectedwiththesecancercells,intheactofregeneratingthistailthesalamanderalsoeliminatedthecancerfromitsbody.Webelievethatthiswasanexampleofthesalamanderundifferentiatingitscellsinordertore-growthetail,whichcausedtheentirebodyofthesalamandertotransform.Allthecellsthatwerenottrulypartofitsnaturalstate,includingthecancercells,wereeliminated,andthesalamanderwashealed.
Therewasalsoresearchdoneonfrogs.Althoughafrogcan’tre-growafootonceitisfully-grown,atadpolecanhealawoundinamatterofhours,orre-growatailinamatterofdays.Forthisreason,itwasthoughtthataspecificfrequencyormagneticfieldmadeitmorelikely
hours,orre-growatailinamatterofdays.Forthisreason,itwasthoughtthataspecificfrequencyormagneticfieldmadeitmorelikelyforabodyparttore-growitself.Intheexperiment,theymountedavariablemagneticfieldtothebackofafrog,adjustedthisfieldtilltheygotitjustright,andthefrogbegantoregeneratethefoot.
We,withourwomb,dothesamething.Wecreateafieldofinfinitepotential,dissolveeverythinginsidethefield,andthenletitreformitselfinperfectharmony.Thewholewombedorcocoonedareaempties,becomesstill,orevendisappears.Atthispoint,thehealingiscompleteforthissession.
Wombing:SomeWaystoRelatetotheProcess
Allowyourawarenesstomeltintotheareaandfeelthedisharmony.Itmayfeellikethreadsorcobwebs.Thendraworattractthesethreads(thedisharmony)outofthearea,allowingthemtojoinwiththewallsofthewomb/cocoon.Thisfreestheareatoallowtransformationtooccur.Theintentistocontinuouslyfindoropenupspacewithinthewombedarea.Itcanbehelpfultoimaginethewombedareaasacosmos.Thinkingofitinthiswaymakesiteasiertofindspacewithinit.Thelessyouthinkofthepartthatyouareworkingonasanobject,themoreithasthepotentialtobecomewhateveritneedstobe.
AnotherwaytoapproachWombingistothinkoftheareabetweenyourhandsasaplaceofinfinitepotential.Itisaspacewhereanythingcanhappen.Asyouletyourimaginationplay,senseforinterestingthingsinthewomb.Aninterestingthingisanythingthatattractsyourattention.Theintentisto“open”thoseinterestingthingsuntiltheynolongerappearformed.Theactof“makingspace”isreallytheallowingoftheinterestingthingstoopenintheirownuniqueway.Oneofthewayspeoplefindthiseasytodoistoimaginethattheyarelookingattheinterestingthingthroughahigh-poweredmicroscope.Asyouincreasethemagnification,theitemcontinuestoexpanduntilallthereisisemptyspace.Themagnificationcanmakemoleculeslooklikeboulderswithmassiveamountsofspacebetweenthem,ormakemusclefiberslooklikecables.Wedon’tdefinewhattheinterestingthingsare—
thisonlylimitstheirpotential.Letthemreturntotheirprimordialsoupifyouwill,andtheywillre-forminthehealthy,balancedstatethattheiroriginaltemplateproduced.
WehavefoundthatWombingworksquitewell.Weknowonepersonwhohasre-grownasurgicallyremovedovary;ittookaboutayearwithanaverageofaone-hoursessionpermonth,supplementedbytheElongationExercisesin-betweenthesessions.Wehaveworkedwithpeoplewhohavehadcancerousgrowthsthatappeartohavebeencompletelyeliminatedusingthistechnique.Thereareinnumerablethingstouseiton,andifitisbrokenorneedsrebuildinginanyway,thisisthetechniquetostartwith.Doesitworkeverytimeforeveryindividual?No,theclientisstillthehealer.Yourroleistoprovidethebestpossiblespaceorenvironmentforhealingtooccur;therestisuptotheclient.Thisisstillanentrainmentprocess.Theentrainingistoastateofquiet.Oncethisstateiscreated,thefocusedareahastheopportunitytochangeandtherestisuptohimorher.
Placeyourhandsattheouterboundariesoftheregionyouwouldliketowomb.
Wombing:StepbyStep
1.BegintheCorebreath;waituntilyousensethestateitproduceswithinyou.
2.Placeyourphysicalorimaginaryhands(werecommendfingertips)
ontheouterregionsorboundariesofwhereyou’dlikethewombtobe.YoucaneitherstartwiththeCorebreathorpositionyourhandsfirst,aslongasbothstepsarecompletebeforemovingtothenextstep.
3.DeepenyoursenseoftheCorebreathandimagine/createafieldaroundtheentirearea.Letthisfieldbebigenoughtogiveyouasenseofspacearoundtheedgesofthedisharmony,soitisn’ttightaroundtheareaorobjectyouwanttowomb.Ifitistootight,itisoftendifficulttofindanyinterestingthingstoworkwith.
4.Sense/lookwithinthewombedspace.Whatattractsyourattention?Whateveryousenseandhowyousenseit(seeingtheenergy,feeling,smelling,knowing,etc.)insidethewombisfine,thekeyistonoticewhatisthere.
5.Whenyoufindsomething,putyourattentiononit,andatthesametimeopenyourselftotheCorebreath.Themoredeeplyyouopenyourselfasyouobserve/focusontheinterestingthing,thefasteritwillcomeapart.Askyourself,“howmightthischoosetocomeapart?”Don’tworryaboutanswering,justkeepnoticingtheinterestingthing,andsee(orfeel,smell,know,etc.)whatitdoes!IfyoupreferoneofthealternatewaystorelatetoWombinglistedabove,youcanusethatmethodinstead.
6.Whenthisinterestingthingiscompletelydisassembledortransformed,takeabreathortwojustforyourself.
a.Lookforanotherinterestingthinginthewomb.Maybethistimeitlooksorfeelslikeaglobofink,whichthengraduallydispersesintoalargejarofwater,becomingalmostinvisible(forexample).Repeatsteps4through6.
7.Whentherearenomoreinterestingthingsinthewomb,theareahasacceptedasmuchchangeasitcanatthistime.
Tip:Somepeoplehavedesiredtotakethismoreactiveapproachevenfurther.Theythinkof“blowingup”or“zapping”theinterestingthing(s)togetridofit/them;fromourexperiencethisdoesn’tworkverywell.The“things”inthewombneedtofindtheirownbalance.Activelydestroyingthemisnotagoodwaytoachieve
balancenordoesthisvariationworkverywell.
Whatattractsyourattentioninthewomb?
Wombingisaverypassiveexperienceeventhoughwe’retalkingaboutdissolvingoreliminatingtheinterestingthings.ThemostefficientwaytoapproachWombingistostayinyourCoreplace,notetheinterestingthing,andwhileopeningyourselfbygoingmoredeeplyintotheCorespace,youwonder,“Howmightthiscomeapart?Howmightthistransform?”Anditsimplydoes.
Howlongdoesallthistake?Itisdifferentforeachclientandeachareawithintheclient.Anaveragetime“perwombedarea”mightbeoneminuteortwentyminutes,butfivetofifteenminutesisprobablyanaverageforsomethingthatisbadlydamaged.Peoplealwayswanttoask,“Doesitworkfor…?”Itworksonjustaboutanythingthatisoutofharmonyorbroken.Wehaven’tusedthetechniqueoneverythingyetbutifit’sbroken,giveitatryandseewhathappens.Someexamplesinclude:arthritis,brokenbones,skindisorders,heartproblems,cancers,wornjoints,etc.—thelistisendless.
ExamplesofEmotionalImpediments
Fromtimetotime,youwillencounteremotionsaroundanareathatyouworkin.Theymayfeelfuzzy,fluffy,orlikeacushionaroundthatpartofthebody.Theseemotionscanslowthehealingprocess,inthattheyseeminglyholdyouawayinsomemanner.Relax,expandthewombtoincludethisspace,andlookforinterestingthingsasyoudidintheregularWombingprocess.Theemotionwillreleaseastheareachanges.
WombingforEmotionsintheBody:StepbyStep
WombingforEmotionsintheBody:StepbyStep
1.Asktheclienttothinkaboutwhateveremotionheisexperiencing.
2.Havehimnoticewherehefeelstheemotioninhisbody.
3.Wombthearea(whiletheclientisexperiencingtheemotion).
a.Senseforinterestingthings.
b.WhilestayingintheCorepoint,wonderhowtheinterestingthingschoosetocomeapart.
4.Whentherearenomoreinterestingthings,asktheclienthowheisdoing.
Tip:Iftheclientfeelstheneedtotalkasyouwork,thisisfine.Simplystayinyourfocusandcontinueto“makespace.”
Tractor-BeamTechnique
TheTractor-BeamTechniquereleasesandrelaxesanythingattachedtoorsurroundingaboneororgan.Wemetaphoricallyandliterallyactasifwedrawthisboneorobjectoutofthebody.Oncethisoccurs,everythingattachedtoitorsurroundingitwilllookforanewwaytoco-exist.Thisallowstheareatoreorganizeinordertofindanewharmony,providinggreaterrelaxationandquietinthetissue.
Thecollarbone(clavicle)isagoodexampleofsomethingthatcanbetractor-beamed.Wechooseitbecauseitsupportstheentireshouldergirdle.Thismeansthatalotofareaarounditwillexperienceanoticeableamountofchange.Thischangewillbefeltasarelaxingsensationfromthechestandshoulder,upintotheneck,and(tosomedegree)downthearm.
Imaginethattheenergyfieldofyourhand(s)joinswithandholdsimmobileanystructureinthesystemthatyoudesire.Then,usingyourintentincombinationwiththeCorebreath,“attract”thisstructureasifitwasgoingtofloattowardyoualongthisenergeticfield,thusremovingitfromthebody.Thiscauseseverythingaroundittoreorganizeandreleasetension.Theintentistocreateafieldthatconnectswithandattractssomethingelsetoit.
Thereareseveralwaystothinkofthisprocess:
1.Imaginethatthebone,organ,orotherobjectyouwanttoTractor-Beamismadeofironorsteel.Itcanbedrawnoutorattractedbyamagneticfield,andyourhandorfingersarethemagneticfield.Themoreyouincreasethestrengthofthemagneticfield,themoredraworattractionthereis.Theboneisdrawnoutofitsusualhomeandsoallofthemuscles,tendons,etc.surroundingithavetochangeorientation.
2.Thinkoftheobjectassomethingthatcanbesuckedup,muchlike
liftingapilloworpieceofpaperoffthefloorwiththehoseofavacuumcleaner.Occasionallytheremaybeaheavierobjectandyouneedtoputthevacuumon“turbo”toliftitup.
3.Haveyoueverypickedupafrogorother“critter”thathassuctioncupsforfeet?Imaginethatyouarepickingupafrogorsalamander(forexample)stuckorattachedtoaleaforstick—ifyoumovethefrog,theleafcomesalong,too.Inthisscenario,yourfingersorhandsjoinwiththe“object”andasyoudrawyourhands/fingersawayfromthearea,theobjectnaturallycomesaswell.
4.Thinkofatractor-beamasafieldextendedfroma“mothership,”muchlikeTheEnterprisefromtheStarTrektelevisionseriesextendsabeamfromtheshiptograbanobjecttodrawitalongwithitthroughspace.Yourhandsarethemothership,andtheobjectyou’vesnaredcomeswithyouasyoumovearound.
5.Yourhandscanalsobethoughtofasafarmtractorwithalongtonguedrawingalonganimplement(likeaplow)behindit.The“tongue”is,inthiscase,theenergeticbeamthatpullsthebodypartalongwithit.
Ourpersonalfavoriteisthe“magneticfield”approach,butusewhicheverconceptiseasiestforyoutorelateto.Theseareallthesametechnique;theyareonlydifferentwaysofrelatingtotheideaofliftingortractor-beamingtheobjectyoudesiretoaffect.
KeepinMind:Tractor-beamingworksbestwhentherearetwopointsofcontactratherthanone.Usuallyyoutouchthearea,approximatelyatthebeginningandendofthebone(thetwopoints).Ifyouonlytouchonespot,theobjectdoesn’tliftaseasilyorasuniformly.Itislikeacranemovingabeam.Thecraneonlyhasonecablebutsplitsandattachestothebeamattwopoints.Thisallowsittoliftandbalancethebeamsothatitdoesn’tfloparoundasitmovesthebeamfromoneplacetoanother.ThesamephilosophyappliestoourTractor-BeamTechnique.
TheTractor-BeamTechnique(UsingtheCollarboneasanExample):StepbyStep
1.Touchtheareawithphysicalorimaginaryhands(orfingers)neareachendofthecollarbone.(Thiscanbeanyboneororganorevenacell;itisappliedtoadiscreteobject.)
a.Alternatelypositionthehands(intheair)justabovethecollarboneifyouprefernottotouch.
2.BegintheCorebreath.Fullysensethereleasethiscreateswithinyou.
3.Startimaginingthatyourfingers/handsareastrongmagneticfield.
a.Immerseyourselfinthisfeeling.Ifyouarenotaparticularlygoodfeelerofenergy,visualizeitinyourCorepoint.
4.Focusonthesensethatthecollarbone(orotherchosenarea)isbeingdrawntowardsyourhands.
a.Youarenotreachingforit.Justasapaperclipcanbeliftedbyamagnet,theboneis“lifted”ordrawntowardsthemagnet(inthiscase,yourfingers).Thereisnoreaching,leteverythingcometoyou.
b.Thisentireprocesscanbedoneinthemind’seye.LeteverythingcometoyouandopenyourselffromtheCorepoint.Themoredeeplyyoumarrythesenseofthemagneticfieldwithopeningyourself,themoredynamicthelift.Anotherwaytothinkofitis:thedeeperyouimmerseyourselfintheCorespace,thestrongerthemagneticfieldbecomes.
c.Asthecollarboneisdrawnout,itmayfeelelasticorsortoffloatyasitletsgoofitsoriginalposition.
d.Ifthecollarbonefeelsstuckorreticenttomoveononeendortheother,dosomesteam-releasingtohelpittoletgo,thenreturntoyourdrawing-outprocess.
Placeyourfingersneareachendofthecollarbone,eithertouchingitorjustaboveit.
Onceyoufeelthattheareahasstoppedchangingand/orisstabilized,letgoofyourfocus.Youwillknowwhenyouaredonewhenthecollarboneorfocusedareafeelsfairlyevenandstable(i.e.thefloatysenseisgoneortheclientisnolongerexperiencingchange).Youdonothavetoputtheboneback.Itwillfinditsownwaytoreintegratewiththenew“state”thathasbeenproduced.
Tomaximizeeffectiveness,stronglymarrythesensationofthelifttothebreath.Thisisnotsimplyavisualization;thereshouldbeasenseofconnectionbetweentheCorebreathopeningyouandthemagneticfield’slift.ThemoredynamicallyyouapplytheCorebreath,themoredynamictheamountofchangethatthetissuewillproduce.
Advanced:OnceyouarecomfortablewiththeTractor-BeamingTechniqueasappliedtoonebone,trydoingtwobonesatthesametime.Choosethecollarboneandtheshoulderblade,forinstance,whichallowsforagreatreleaseintheentireshoulder,bothfrontandback.Remembertohavetwoattachmentpointsasyou“lift.”Useonehandoneachbone,withindividualfingersprovidingthedifferentpointsofconnection.
Realizethatyoucanhaveasmanyimaginaryhandsasyoulike,andyoucanalsohaveasmany“attachmentpoints”ortractor-beamsasyoulike.Apracticallimitmaybearoundsix,butthisismorepersonal
youcanalsohaveasmany“attachmentpoints”ortractor-beamsasyoulike.Apracticallimitmaybearoundsix,butthisismorepersonalpreferencethananythingelse.Apracticalapplicationofthiswouldbetractor-beamingthreeorfourribswitheachhand/finger.
Fromthispointforwardwebegintocombineandvarythetechniqueswehavelearnedsofar.
Tractor-beamthecollarboneandshoulderblade,usingindividualfingersforpointsofcontact.
WombPlusTractor-BeamTechnique
ThistechniqueisusedforaligninglargebonesorareaswiththeCorework.First,buildawombaroundthestructureyouwanttoaffect,andthenworkinsideitwithaseparatepairofimaginaryhands,orsimplyslidethesetofhandsthatbuiltthewombinsideit,andtractor-beamtheareayouwanttoalign.
WombPlusTractor-Beam:StepbyStep
1.DotheCorebreath.
2.Wombthedesiredarea.
3.Slideyourhandsinsidethewombandtractor-beamwhatneedstobealigned.Oncethewombisestablished,youdon’tneedtoconsciouslyfocusonitwhileyoutractor-beam.
4.Whentheareaseemsstabilized,checktoseehowmuchithaschanged.
AligningStructure
Youcanusethistechniqueonanyareaofthebodythathastwophysicallandmarksthatwillallowyoutomakeameasurementforcomparisonofheightand/ordepthrelativetoeachother.Twoofthemainareasweusethisonarethehips(pelvis)andtheocciput.
AligningtheHips
Whenaligningthehips,standbehindtheperson,placeyourfingertipsonbothsidesofthetopofthepelvis.Besurethatyoureyesareatthesameheightasyourhandsasyoulooktoseewhethertheyarelevel.Iftheyarenotlevel:
theyarenotlevel:
1.Moveyourhandsawayfromthemeasuringpositionandlightlytouchthelowback/pelvisarea(besurethehandsarerelaxed).
2.Wombtheentirepelvis.(Remember,thewombhastheshapeofahollowsphereorellipse.)
3.Mentallyslidethehandsinsidethewomb.
4.Tractor-beamtheoutsideedgesofthepelvis(ilium)outawayfromthesidesofthebody.
5.Whenyoufeelthatthechangesarecomplete,checkthelevelofthepelvisagain.
Measurehipsfromtheback.It’shelpfultoholdyourfingersonahorizontalline.
AligningthePelviswithaTwistImbalance
1.Whilefacingtheclient,placeyourthumbsontheASIS(AnteriorSuperiorIliacSpine).Measurebothheightanddepth.(Youcanalsocheckheighthere,butthisismostlyusedformeasuringdepth/twist.)
a.Noticewhetheronethumbappearsfartherinoroutthantheother;ifso,thepelvisistwisted.Thedepthisthekeyissuewhenassessingfortwistanomalies.
2.Leavingthethumbsgentlyinplace,orevenalittlebitawayfromthephysicalstructure,buildawombaroundtheentirepelvis.
3.Tractor-beamoneoftheASISpointsback,whileatthesametimeallowingtheother“thumb”tofollowtheotherASISforward.
a.Thisissortofa“push-me/pull-you”sensation;thereisevenaslightmentalassistonthethumbthatyouareallowingtobedrawnforwardasyoutractor-beamtheotherpointback.
Youcanalsothinkoftheentirepelvisinanexplodedview(likeadiagramofanautomobileenginewithallitspartsdisassembled)toshowhowtheyexistrelativetooneanother.Onceyouhavetheexplodedview,tractor-beamnotonlytheASISpoints,butthetwohalvesofthepubicboneandthesacrumaswell,allatthesametime.Thisallowsforeachofthearticulatingareasinthepelvistorotaterelativetothewhole,andallowseverythingtoshiftasnecessary.
4.RecheckthedepthofyourthumbsonthetwoASISbonestoseewhetheryouaredone.
Measuringfromthefront,placethumbsonthemostforwardpointoftheASISbone.
Thistechniqueisparticularlygoodformisalignmentofthepubicbone.Itisinterestingtonotethatwomenoftenhavethepubicboneoutofalignmentafterchildbirth.Thisoftencauseschronicbackpain.Inclasseswherewehavetaughtthis,anumberofwomenhavehadrelieffromlowerbackpainforthefirsttimeinyears.
lowerbackpainforthefirsttimeinyears.
AligningtheOcciput:StepbyStep
1.FindingtheOcciput.
a.Standbehindtheclientandplaceyourthumbsonthebackoftheclient’shead,withthethumbslevelorparalleltotheground,abouttwotothreeinchesapart.Slidethemdownuntilyoufeelaslightdip,andthenahighpointorridge.(Youshouldbeabletoseeyourthumbssomakesureyoupositionthemontopofthehair.)Afterthishighpoint,alsocalledtheoccipitalridge,thethumbswillfindahollowofsoftertissue.Pressupgentlyyetfirmlyintothissofttissueuntilyoufeeltheedgeoftheskullaboveyourthumbs.Checktoseeifthetwothumbsareatthesameheight.Besureyoureyesareatthesamelevelasyourthumbs,soyoucanjudgetheevennessaccurately.Iftheyarelevel,great.Ifnot,proceedtoStep2a.
b.Alsocheckthedepthofyourthumbs;seewhetheronethumbappearsfartherinthantheother.Ifthisisthecase,thereisarotationintheskull.ProceedtoStep2c.
Checktoseeifyourtwothumbsarethesameheight.
2.LevelingtheOcciput
a.Leavethethumbswheretheyareandallowthefingertipstogentlytouchthesidesofthehead,orslightlyawayfromit.Buildawombaroundthewholeskull.Leavethewombinplace,slideyourhandsinside,andtractor-beamoutwithyourfingertipsandthumbs.
b.Continuethisprocessuntiltheareafeelslikeitstopschanging.Thencheckforlevelagain.
c.Whenthedepthisnoteven,placethefingertipsoneithersideofthehead,justabovetheearsonthetemporalbones.DotheCorebreathandbuildawombaroundtheentireskull.Then“slide”thehandsinsidethewombandtractor-beamthetemporalbonesoutward.Again,afteritfeelsliketherearenomorechangesoccurring,checkthedepthandthelevelagain.Wealwaysrecheckbothmeasurementsagainjusttobesureeverythingisaligned.
Tractor-beamthetemporalbonesoutward.
Note:Theocciputandpelvis/sacrumareintrinsicallylinked.Ifonedoesn’tseemtobewillingtochange,trytheother.Thenwhenthatonehasbalancedgobackandtrythefirstoneagain.Thiswilloftentakecareoftheproblem.
AligningShoulderBlades
AligningShoulderBlades1.Measuretheheightoftheshoulderbladesrelativetoeachotherby
placingthethumbsunderthepointofeachshoulderblade.
2.Onceyounotetheimbalance,relaxthehandsandlightlytouchtheshoulderblades.Wombtheshoulderblades:youcaneithermakeabigwombforboth,ortwoseparatewombs.
3.Slideyourhandsinsidethewomb(s)andtractor-beamtheshoulderblades,usingonehandoneachshoulderblade.
a.Tractor-beamtheshoulderbladesoutofthebodyandawayfromeachotherinalldirections:in,out,upwards,downwards,evendiagonally,aswedon’tknowwhichdirectionwillallowalignmenttooccur.
Measuretheheightofthetwoshoulderblades.
AdjustingHeightoftheSternoclavicularJoint
1.Placethethumbsontheeithersideofthesternalnotchonthehighpointswherethecollarbonejoinsthesternum,andcheckwhetherornottheyarelevel.
2.Ifnot,thenWombthewholearea.Slideyourhandsinsidethewomb.
a.Thentractor-beamthe“highpoints”(thepointsthatstickoutontheendsbelowtheneck),slidingthebonesupwards,
downwards,in,out,anddiagonally,lettingthecollarboneshiftaroundandfinditsownbalance.
3.Whenthisareafeelsquietorstable,checktoseehowithaschanged.
Placethumbsontheendsofthecollarbones.
AdjustingDepthoftheSternoclavicularJoint
1.Ifyourmeasurementsshowthatonesideofthejointisdeeperthantheother,thenwhenyoubuildyourwombaroundit,includethefourtopribsaswell.
2.Tractor-beamthesternoclavicularjointsandthetopfourribsaswell.
3.Whenthisareafeelsquietorstable,checktoseehowithaschanged.
ImportantBenefit:Aninterestingsideaffectofadjustingthesternoclavicularjointsisthatbreathinggetseasier.
YoucanalsouseWombingwithTractor-Beamtoalignfacialstructure(suchaseyeheightandmanymoreplaces).Youcanusethistechniqueonanytwospotsyoucancompareandmeasure.
Placethumbsontheoutsidecornersoftheeyes.
PractitionerNote:Wehaveobservedthatifaperson’sfacechangestoorapidlyduringahealingsession,heorshemaynotallowthechangestobecomepermanentiftheyaretooextreme.Forinstance,ifoneeyewasmarkedlyhigherthantheother,andtheenergyworkbringstheeyesbackintobalance,theclientmaynotbeabletoacceptthechanges.Ifthisisso,theeyeheightwillbecomeimbalancedagain.Peopleoftenhavemanyissuestiedupintheirself-imagewhichmakesitdifficultforthemtoacceptmajorchanges.Thismeansthatsmallerchangesoveraperiodoftimeareeasiertoacknowledgeandaremorelikelytobeacceptedbytheclient.
ExtendingthePresence,PokingwithaStick,ortheChaserTechnique
ThisisavariationontheWombingTechnique.Useitwhenyouwanttoalignsmallerbonessuchasvertebrae.Itisalsogoodforgettingridoffluids,suchas:edema,congestioninthelungs,oranyunwantedfluid(intheheartorsinuses,forexample).YoucanalsousethismethodformakingspaceinareasthatseemresistantwhendoingbasicWombing.
Wearegoingtoexplainthisinastep-by-stepfashion.Itmayappearquitecomplex,butitisactuallyveryeasytodo.Takeyourtimeandreadthroughallthestepsfirst,thengiveitatry.Someofthethingswewillaskyoutosensewithinthewombmayseemverysubtle;ifyouwilltakeyourtime,inshortorderyouwillfindthisallverysimple.Ourexamplewilldescribeworkingwithvertebrae,buttheprocessisexactlythesameforanysortofedemaorotherexcessfluidinthebody,oranyothersmallstructurethatneedstobemoved.Havefun,andplayasyoupracticeit.
Pickaninterestingthinginthewombandpokeit.
ExtendingthePresence:StepbyStep
1.DotheCorebreath.
2.Wombthearea.
3.Look/senseforinterestingthingsandchooseone.
4.Pokeitwithanenergeticstickorfinger.
a.Dothisbyforminga“stick”or“finger”fromtheenergywithinthewomb,(youdon’thavetobetooexact),andthenprodtheinterestingthing.
b.Pokeitfromabove,below,behind,anddiagonally.Apokeinoneofthedirectionswillcauseittomoveawayeasily,sometimesincrediblyquickly.Itmayseemasifyoulitafireworkanditjustzipsoff.Sometimesitmovesveryslowly,orjustloopsorspins.Thisisthenatureofinterestingthings,whoknowswhatthey’lldonext!
c.Ifyou’renotsensinganything,thinkofrunninganimaginaryhandthroughthewombuntilyoufindsomething,andthengentlyproditfromthatperspective.Seeifyougetasenseofmotioninthatway.
5.Chaseafterorfollowtheinterestingthing.
a.Regardlessofthedirectionit’smoving,followit.Ifitseemstodisappearintothedistance,don’tworry;simplyheadinthesamegeneraldirectionandyouwilleventuallycatchupwithit.Onceyoudo,justkeepfollowingit.
6.Eventuallyitwillstop,andseemasifitisvibratinglightly,oritmaysimplybestationary.Atthispointpokeitgentlyagain,andnoticewhetheritrunsawayagainorpushesback.
a.Doesitpushbackorrunawayagain?
i.Ifitrunsaway,repeatstep5.
ii.Ifitpushesback,gotostep7.
7.Whenitpushesback,letitpushyouback,butkeepyourenergetic“stick”connectedtothispushing-backsensation(thisisveryimportant).
a.Youmayperceivethepushing-backsensationasaverylightpressure,sorelaxandletyourselffeelandbeguidedbywhatitwantstodo.Thedistancebackisusuallymoredirectthantherunningaway.
8.Lettheinterestingthingpushyouallthewaybackpastitsoriginalpositionandyouwillnoticethatasitarrives,thepressureofthepushchanges.
a.Whentheinterestingthingispasttheoriginalstartingpoint,thepressureusuallycompletelyleavesandtheinterestingthingoftenseemstodisappear.
9.Physicallychecktheareayouwereworkinginforchanges.
a.Isthereisadifferenceintheamountoffluid,orthepositionofthevertebrayouworkedon?
i.Ifithasmovedandseemstobewhereitbelongs,great.
ii.Ifitstillneedsmorework,thenstarttheprocessoveragainfromStep3.
Note:Ifyouhavetroublewiththiswholeprocess,try“makingitup.”Justimagine,iftherewasaninterestingthing,wherewoulditgoifyoupokedit?Keepimaginingwhereyoufeelitwouldgo(travelto),untilyoudecideitwouldcomeback.Followthewholeprocessabove,evenifyoufeellikeyouaremakingitallup.Whatyouareactuallydoingisgivingyourselfpermissiontoperceive.Wehavefoundthistobejustassuccessful.
WorkingonVertebrae
Ifyouareworkingonavertebra,dothisprocesstwoorthreetimesandthenmoveontothenextvertebra.Ifthereisalotofmuscletension
aroundthebonesyouwanttoworkwith,itmaybehelpfultodosomesteam-releasetherefirst.Youmayalsonoticethateventhoughonevertebraisoutofplace,theothervertebraenearitalsoholdtension.Thismeansthey,too,mayneedalignmentinordertobebalanced,eventhoughvisuallytheydon’tseemunbalancedoroutofplaceatall.
Createawombaroundthevertebrayou’dliketoaffect.
ExtendingthePresence:ThePhilosophy
Whenwe’reWombing,theideaistolookforinterestingthings.Weallowthemtobeinterestingthingsbecauseiftheyareformedstructure,theyareheldinthatconceptofstructure;thus,itismuchmoredifficulttoallowchange.ThesameideaistruewiththePoking-with-a-StickTechnique.Whenwefindaninterestingthing,wegentlyproditfromnumerousdirectionsuntiloneofthemseemstocreatechange.Thismaybevisualforsome,ormorekinestheticforothers.Howitpresentsitselfisn’tasimportantashavingasenseofitmovingafterpokingit.
OftenwhenyoudothePoking-with-a-stickprocess,theinterestingthingwillseemtogooffinadirectionthatdoesn’tmakeanysense,inrelationtotheproblemwiththestructure.Youcanthinkofthisintermsofreversepsychology.Whensomethingisresistant,yougointhedirectionoftheresistanceuntilithasitsownurgetoreturn.Inourcase,thisiswhentheinterestingthingstops.Wemakesureitisatthispointbypokingitagain,untilitpushesback.
Extending-the-PresenceTechnique:AnotherApproach
IfyouhavetroublerelatingtothePoking-with-a-StickTechnique,hereisadifferentwaytothinkofit.YoucouldthinkofthisasmoreofaBecomingorEvolvingMethod.
StepbyStep
1.DotheCorebreath.
2.Buildawombaroundthearea.
3.Notewhatyousenseinthewombandasyouobserveit,notealsohowitchangesorevolveswithasenseofmovement.
a.Forinstance,ifyouobservethewomb’scontents,youmaybeattractedtoaparticulararea.Thiscanalsobemoreofafeelingthanavisualawareness.Asyoupayattentiontoit,noticeifthereismovement,andthenencourageittocontinueby“nurturing”it(usingyourintentionandattention).Forexample,ifitstartsasablob,asyouletyourimaginationplay(whilestayingintheCorefocus),itmaytransformintoaflowerbud,whichopensfromthecenterintoaflower,andcontinuestoopenitselffromthere.Thiscontinuousopeningiscomparabletotherunning-awayphaseabove.Whenitstopsandcomesintostillness,thenitisdone.Oritmightbejustasenseofmotion,unassociatedwithanyshape.Justnoticeandencouragethemotionuntilitstops.
b.Thistransformationisn’tasobviousasthe“chasing”and“pushingback”response;it’smoreastateofmovement,transformation,andthenstillness.
4.Checkwhatyou’veworkedonandseeifitisalignedorchanged.
TipsonHandlingBackandNeckProblems
Ifyouareworkingonavertebra,youmaychoosetoworkwithtwoorthreeinterestingthingsbeforeyoumoveontothenextvertebra,but
threeinterestingthingsbeforeyoumoveontothenextvertebra,butoftenoneinterestingthingisenough.ItisoftenusefultodoSteam-Releaseonthemusclesoneithersideofthespineforashorttimebeforeyoustartworkingwiththeindividualvertebrae.Youmayalsonoticethateventhoughonevertebraisoutofplace,theothervertebraenearitarealsoholdingtension.Thismeanstheytoomayneedalignmentinordertobebalanced,eventhoughvisuallytheydon’tseemunbalancedoroutofplaceatall.Sometimesyouneedtoaddresstheadjacentvertebraebeforeaparticularbonewillbewillingtoalign.Realizethatyouarenotdecidingwheretheboneshouldgo,youaresimplyencouragingmovement.Thisusuallyresultsinthebodyfindingharmony,andwecallthis“alignment.”
Ifyouworkonscoliosis,kyphosis,lordosis,oranyanomalousareaofthespine,worksequentiallyfromonevertebratothenext.Itdoesn’tmatterifyoustartfromtoporthebottomwhenaligningvertebrae.Youalsomayjustdecidetodooneorafewbones,ifthatiswheretheproblemseemstobecentered.Iftheproblemsaresevereinthespine,youmayneedtoworkoneachofthevertebrae,oneafteranother,andthenrepeatthewholespineseveraltimesuntilthesessionseemscomplete.
Ifyouworkonlyonthecervical(neck)vertebraeyoushouldatleastdoC1–C6,oneatatime.Justfromexperience,thebodyishappierifeachoftheseisaddressed,oneaftertheother.C7doesn’tseemtogetupsetifyouneglectit,butallofthesmallervertebraeprefertobeworkedon.Youcan’tactuallypalpateandphysicallyfeelmanyoftheupperneckvertebrae,sojustuseyourintentintheapproximateareawhereyouexpecteachtobe.
Afteryouaredonewithaboneorareaoffluid,itisbeneficialfortheclienttodrinkwaterandatleastwalkaroundtheroomasthishelpstosetthechanges.
Justbecausetherearenomoreinterestingthingstoworkondoesn’tnecessarilymeanthatthespineistotallyaligned.Itsimplymeansthatthespinehasacceptedasmuchchangeasitcanduringthissession.Itmaytakeanumberofsessionstocompletelyresolveandholdthechanges.
changes.
Whenyoualignthevertebrae,alwayslevelthehipsandtheocciputbeforeyouworkonthespine.Thehipsarelikethefoundationofahouseandtheocciputisliketheroof.Ifeitherisunbalanced,theframe(vertebrae)willbeunderstressandwillconstantlyshifttofindbalance.Hipre-alignmentprovidesalevelsurfaceforthevertebraetobalanceon,whichallowstheheadtositharmoniouslyonthespine.Iftheocciputisoutofalignment,itcausesunevenpressurefromtheweightofthehead.Youcannowseewhyitissoimportanttoleveltheseareasfirst.
TipsforPractitioners
Sometimeswhenyoufindtheinterestingthingsandpokethem,theydon’twanttomove.Ifthisoccurs,andyou’vepokedfromalldirections,firsttrygoingdeeperintotheCorepointandmakesureyou’renot“reaching.”Ifthere’sstillnochange,mostlikelythestructureyoudesiretoaffecteitherdoesn’tneedtomoveorhasacceptedasmuchchangeasitcanatthistime.
Neckorspinalwork(oranyotherbodyissueorconcern)affectsapersononmanylevels.Rememberthattheclientisthehealer.Hemayonlybeabletodealwithagradualchangeratherthanamassivechangewitheachsession.Lethimunfoldinhisowntime.Wearenotinthebusinessofdemanding;ratherweshouldthinkofofferingourstateofquietness,openingourselves,andbecomingmoreallowing.
YoucanalsousethisapproachtounwindordissolvestuckpatternsinWombing.Thisisamoreunusualoccurrence,butitdoeshappenfromtimetotime.Youkeeppayingattentiontointerestingthingsbuttheyshowlittleornochange;afteralittlebit,ifitdoesn’tstarttochange,tryPokingwithaStick.Continuetoworkwitheverythingwithinthewombuntiltherearenomoreinterestingthings.
HealingThroughMakingSpaceorLeveringOpenaJoint
Thisisawonderfullyfasttechniqueforopeningjammedjoints,frozenshoulders,compressedvertebrae,anythingthatistootighttoallownormalmovement.Liketheprevioustechnique,youwillbeworkingalittlemoreactivelyinthewombedspace.Itoftenonlytakes15or20secondstodo,atwhichpointyoureleasethefocusforafewseconds,andthendoitagain.Inthecaseoffrozenshoulders,sometimesitneedstobedonemorningandeveningforafewdaysinordertogetthejointtomaintainafullrangeofmotion.Wehaveobservedpeoplethathadabouta30-degreerangeofmotiongetto70or80degreeswithinminuteswhenusingthistechnique.Itisveryeasytodoandquitefunaswell.
LeveringOpenaJointUsingtheShouldersasanExample:StepbyStep
1.Placeonehandontheinsideofthearm,nearthearmpitwiththefingerspointingup,palmfacingthearm.Theotherhandisontheoutsideoftheshoulder,thusdefiningtheareathatyoudesiretowomb.
2.DotheCorebreath.
3.Wombtheentireshoulder.
4.Therearefiveormorepossiblewaystodothisstep;herearesomeexamples:
Placeonehandinsidethearmpit,facingout,andtheotherontheshoulder.
TheRodMethod:Imaginethatyouholdarodthatiswideononeendandnarrowontheendyouareholding.Withyourintent,usetherodtopresstheheadofthehumerus(boneintheupperarm)gentlyyetfirmlyoutawayfromthebody,asifyouweregoingtopushtheboneoutofitssocket.
TheFingertipMethod:Imaginethatyouareflexingtheinsidehand’sfingertips(donotphysicallymovethematall),andasyoudosowithgentle,evenpressure,sense/imaginethattheheadofthehumorousisbeingpushedgentlyyetfirmlyoutofitssocket.
TheBalloonMethod:Imaginethatwithinthewomb,betweentheshoulderjointandthearmorbetweenthebonesinsidethejoint,youinsertanemptyballoon.AsyouinflatetheballoonontheCore-breathexhale,thejointopens.
TheScissors-JackMethod:Substitutetheimageofascissorsjackfortheballoon(intheBalloonMethod)andgradually,yetconstantly,turnthehandleofthejacksothejointopens.
TheCrowbarMethod:Imagineyouareinsertingacrowbarinto
thejoint.Gently,yetfirmly,pryitopen.
Imagineyouusetherodtopushtheheadofthehumerusoutoftheshoulderjoint,awayfromthebody.
Oneimageisnotnecessarilybetterthananother;itismoreapersonalpreference.WeprefertheFingertipMethodfortheshoulders,andtheBalloonMethodforbetweenvertebrae.Playandexperimentandseewhichworksbetterforyou.
Remember:Thisonlyrequires15or20secondsofmentalpressureorvisualizationatatime.
5.Sensefortheenergeticfeelingoftheshoulderorotherjointactuallymoving.
a.Holdthisenergeticpressuresteadyforafewseconds,untilitseemslikeithasmovedenough,andthenletthepressurego.Sometimesthereareanumberof“releases”intheareaasyouhold,ifthisisthecasejustcontinuetheconsistent,evenpressureuntilitfeelslikeithasreleasedalltheway.
6.Nowdostep4again.Youcaneasilydoit2or3timesinarow.
7.Whenyoufeelthereisnomorechangeand/ortheclientfeelsrelief,theprocessiscompletedfornow.
PractitionerTips
PractitionerTips
Theclientwillusuallynoticeasenseofenergyflowingthroughhisorherarmandasenseofthingsgettinglongerandlighter.Sometimesitisfuntogofromonearmtotheother.Betweenadjustments,youcannoticethatonearmislongerthantheotherandthentheyareevenagain.
Thisprocessisdoneonlywithyourintent;thereisnophysicalmovementonyourpartatall.Asyoucreatespacebetweenthebones,whetheryouareusingametaphoricallever,crowbar,oraballoon,relaxandplayasyoudoit.
Remember,themoreyouopenyourselfwiththeCorebreath,thefasterandmoredeeplyyouwillaffectyourclient.
ShowingYourClientHowtoPourForward
AsyouevolveinyourpracticeoftheCoreworkyoumayfindadesiretosharethisexercisewithafriendorclient.Ifyoudo,herearethestepsataverydetailedlevel.Pleasenoticethattheclientneedstomoveextremelyslowlythroughouttheexercise.WhetherheknowstheCorepointornothecanstillusetheslowbreathandmoveontheexhaleandderivesomebenefit.Besurenottoget“ambitious”fortheclientto“achieve”acertaindistancewiththisprocess.Youaretheretofacilitate,notpush.
ClientPrerequisites
1.ClientmustknowCorebreath.(CanbedonewithouttheCorefocus:theclientwillgetsomebenefitjustbydoingtheslowbreath.)
2.ClientmustknowtheGroundingExerciseandbeabletofeelreturnflowfromtheearth.
3.Explainthatthereisalwaysaconnectionbetweenthesacrumandtheheels,andthatthisconnectionshouldexistatalltimesastheybegintopourforward.
PouringForward:ClientandPractitionerExercise
1.Theclientstandswiththefeetparallel,hipwidthapart.
2.HaveherstarttheCorebreath.
3.HaveherdotheGroundingExercise.Facilitatormustensuretheflowisallthewayupthroughthecrownbeforeheallowsthepouringtocommence.
Clientstandswithherfeethipwidthapart.
FacilitatorNotes:Thereshouldalsobeasenseofthegroundingflowfromtheearth(whenevertheylookforit)astheclientbeginstopourforward.Ifshelosesthissenseofflow,shehasgoneasfarforwardassheshouldanditistimetocomebackup.Telltheclientthatthepointoftheexerciseistoseewhatshecanlearnaboutherbody,anditisnotabouthowcloseshecangettohertoesontheground.YoucanhelpherfindthesenseofflowbygraspingherheelandusingtheTractor-BeamTechniqueontheheel.TheotherhandshouldbeatthesacrumsothattheclientcansensetheareathatconnectshertotheflowfromtheEarthandreleasestheflowupwards,throughherandoutaswell(thisisherexpansionpoint,herconnectiontoeverything).Thiswillcausetheclienttobeawareofthisareaandconnectfromthesacrumtotheheel.IfsheisnotfeelingasenseofflowfromtheEarth,thenthepractitionerthinksintotheEarthfortheclientandfindstheflowandthenconnectsthe
clienttoit.Thisisaccomplishedwithintent.
Allmovementsaredoneonlyontheexhale.Duringtheinhale,rest,andonthenextexhale,continuetheelongation.
Therearetwopulleystopayattentiontoastheypourforward:
A.Pointbetweenshoulderbladesisthepulleythatcontrolsheadandneck.
B.Pointatsacrumisthepulleythatcontrolstheback.
A.Pulleybetweentheshoulderbladescontrolspouringofneckvertebrae.
4.Beginpouringforwardfromtheheadandneck.
a.Thefirstpulleytopayattentiontoistheonebetweentheshoulderblades.Allowtheheadandnecktopourforwarduntiltheyhavereachedtheirnaturalextension.Whenthisoccurs,stayinthispositionforafewbreathsandseeiftheycanfindany
morelengthbybreathinghereforseveralmorebreaths.Whileinthisposition,thefacilitatorshoulddosomesteam-releasingontheneckmusclesforabreathortwotoseeifmorespacecanbemadehere.Whenthisfeelscompletegoontothenextpulley.
5.Thesecondpulleyatthelevelofthesacrumisthereleasepoint.
a.Continuepouringuntilyourclientfeelsasthoughtheyhavereachedtheirpersonallimit.
B.Pulleyatthesacrumcontrolspouringofbackvertebrae.
FacilitatorNotes:Thisiswhenthefacilitatorhastobesurethattheclientmaintainsherconnectionbetweenhersacrumandheels,aswellastheflowofenergycomingfromtheearth.
Besuretheclient’slegsstaystraight(nothyper-extendingorbending)andthattheydon’tgobehindthevertical.Tohelptheclientmaintainasenseofawarenessofherspineallthewaythroughherhead,occasionallystrokeherspine,head,andneckwithagentleupwardsmotion,tohelpvivifythearea.Thishelpstodemarcatewheresheis,remindingherofhowtheflowshouldtravel,aswellashelpingherrealizewhereshemaybeabletofindmorelengththroughherspine.Don’toverdoitthough,asitcanbedistractingfortheclient.
6.Nowtheclientisreadytocomebackup,re-stackinghervertebrae.MakesuresheunderstandsthatitisstillapouringexerciseexceptsheissimplypouringeverythingbackintotheEarth.
a.Helpherbeawareofwherehersacrumisbyplacingyourhandonitandvibratingitseveraltimesforafewmomentsasshecomesup.Thishelpsherrealizetheproperpivotpoint.
b.Whenherbackisfullyerect,thepointbetweentheshoulderbladesbecomesthenewpivotpoint.Whentheheadisfullyerect,makesureshedoesn’tliftherchintoohigh.Sheshouldendtheexercisewiththeeyeslevel,sobesureshestopsintime.
Correct:Armsarerelaxedwhilepouringforward.
Incorrect:Armsarenotrelaxed.
FacilitatorNote:Throughouttheexercise,besuretheclient’sarmsstayrelaxed.Ifthisisnottendedto,theclientendsuplookinglikeFrankenstein,withthearmsoutinfront,especiallywhenshereversesthepouringprocess.
7.AftertheclientisfullyuprighthaveherdoAwareWalking(thispage)forjusttwoorthreestepsataslowrate.
a.Haveherincreaseherwalkingspeeduntilsheisuptoanormalwalkingpace.Letthebodymovenaturallyinthewayitisinclinedtoandhavehernoticehowsheismoving.Emphasizethatsheislettingherbodyintegratethechangesproducedbytheexercise.
Correct:Legsstayvertical,withasenseofconnectionfromthesacrumtotheground.
Incorrect:Legsangleback,sacrumisn’tgrounded.
Correct:Headandneckpouringforward.
Incorrect:Neckisnotrelaxed.
Self-HealingandCheck-in
Inthistechnique,youwilltractor-beamanumberofyourownbones.Wewillpresentthismethodinaparticularordertoaffectanumberofkeyareasinyourbody.Itspurposeistoreleasetensionandopenflowsinthebody.Youcandothisatanytimebutitisanexcellentwaytobeginyourdayasitopensandrelaxesmanyofthemajorareasofthebody.Itisalsoagoodtimetoworkonotherareasthatyouwouldliketorebuild.Forexample,youmaychoosetotractor-beamanumberofthebonesandthendosomeWombingintheareawhileyouaretherebeforeyoumoveontothenextarea.Remembertodoatleastthreebreathsforeachtractor-beamedspot.
SelfCheck-In:StepbyStep
1.DoaGroundScan(thispage).Thisgivesusabaselinetocompareyourbodybeforeandafterdoingthisoranyexercise.
2.DotheCorebreath.
a.Ontheexhale,raisethekneesoneatatime,lettingtheheeldragandthetoesrelaxuntilthefeetareflatonthefloorandtheshinismoreorlessperpendiculartotheground.
3.Gothroughthebody,partbypart,tractor-beamingeachspotforaminimumofthreeCorebreaths.
a.Pelvicarea:
i.Raiseyourleftlegandgraspit,withonehandsupportingyourknee.(Itdoesn’tmatterwhetheryouuseyourrightorlefthand;usewhicheveroneismostcomfortabletoyou.)Withyourotherhand,extendyourawarenesstotheseatbone(ischialturberosity)oftheraisedlegandtractor-beamit.(JustasexplainedinTractor-Beaming,youcanactuallytouchthearea,holdyourhandslightlyawayfromyourbody,
oruseanimaginaryhand.)
ii.Makecontactwiththebonesoftheheadofthefemurontheleftside(Thisisthetopofthethighbone,whereitmeetsthepelvis.Anothernameforthisisthe“greatertrochanter.”).Releasetensionbytractor-beamingtheappropriatebones.
iii.Dotheotherside.Settheleftlegdownandraisetherightleg,supportingitwithahand.(Thekneesstayupwiththefeetflatonthefloorthroughouttheentireexerciseunlessotherwiseindicated.)Tractor-beamtheseatboneontherightsideandthentheheadofthefemuronthatside.
iv.Settherightlegdown(bothkneesarestillup.)Dobothheadsoffemursatthesametime.Usebothhands,oneoneachsideofthebodyandtractor-beamout.
Tractor-beamyourseatbone.
Tractor-beamtheheadofthefemur.
Tractor-beamthepubicbone.
v.Pubicbone:Dobothsidesatthesametime,onehandtractor-beamingonesideandtheotherdoingtheotherside;tractor-beamupandoutawayfromthebody.
b.TheDuodenum:
i.Tolocateit,findyoursolarplexus—whichisjustbelowwhereyourribsmeetoveryourstomach.Thenbringyourfingersaboutaninchbelowthexiphoidprocess(thearrow-shapedbonethatpointsdownfromwhereyourribsmeet)andslideyourfingersovertotherightuntilyouhittheribcage.(Theduodenumisthefirstpartofthesmallintestinewhichthestomachemptiesintoandwheremanydigestivesecretionsareadded,suchasbile,pancreaticsecretions,andmore.)
Tractor-beamtheduodenum.
ii.Extendyourawareness(usingyourintent)severalinchesdeepintothebody(thisisnotphysicallypalpable.)Itfeels(inyourmind’seye)likearubberyroundtube.Asyoutractor-beamthis,itshouldgiveyouafeelingofopennessinthechestandabdomen,aswellasageneralsenseofrelaxationinthearea.
c.RibCage:Youmaychoosetodotheentireribcageifyoudesireorifitisanissueforyou.
i.Touchingariboneachside,tractor-beameachpairofribs.
d.Collarbones(clavicle):
i.Tractor-beamthecollarbones(clavicle)oneatatime.Touchyourhandtotheoppositecollarbonewhilethatarmisextendedouttotheside.Thearmneedstobesupportedbytheground.
ii.Asyoutractor-beamthecollarbone,youshouldextendyourawarenessthroughtheoutstretchedarmatthesametime.Ifyouaredoingthissittingup,donotextendyourarm—justfocusonthecollarbone.
e.Neck:
i.Placeonehandonthesideofyourface,usingittoturntheheadtooneside,elongatingthroughthetopofyourhead.Asyoudothis,tractor-beamtheentireskullupasyouturnthe
headthroughthefullrangeofmotion(tothatside)withalightpressureofyourhand.
ii.Whenyouhavereachedwhatfeelslikethemaximumrangeofmotiononthatside,tractor-beammoredeeplyandaddabitofphysicalpressurewithyourownhandtoseeifyoucanextendtherangefarther.Donotgetambitious;simplyseeifyoucanextendyourrangeofmotionalittlefarther.
Tractor-beamyourcollarboneandextendoutthroughyourarmandhand.
Tractor-beamyourskullupanduseyourhandtogentlyturnyourhead.
Attheendofturningyourheadtractor-beammoredeeplyandaddabitmorepressure.
iii.Oncefinished,helptheheadbacktocenter,changehandsandrepeattheprocessontheotherside.
f.Head:
i.Tractor-beamthelowerjaw(mandible),usingoneortwohands.
ii.Tractor-beamtheupperjaw(maxilla).Thisiswheretheupperteetharelocated,notthecheekbone.
Tractor-beamthelowerjaw.
Tractor-beamtheupperjaw.
Tractor-beamtherightcheekbone.Seef(iii).
Tractor-beamthelefteyebrowridge.Seef(vi).
iii.Tractor-beamtherightcheekbone.(Youcanuseonehandortwo,butbesuretherearestilltwoattachmentpoints.)
iv.Tractor-beamtherighteyebrowridge.
v.RepeatStepsf(iii)andf(iv)onleftcheekbone.
vi.Tractor-beamthelefteyebrowridge.
vii.Tractor-beamthetopofthehead:Usebothhandswithyourintenttotractor-beamallthebonesonthetopofyourheadatonce.
4.Atthispointyouaredone,unlessthereissomeotherareathatneedsattention.Youcantractor-beamittoo.ThisisalsoanidealtimetodoanyWombingworkonyourselfthatyouwanttodo,aswell.
5.Whenthisiscomplete,lowerthelegsoneatatimeontheexhale.Theheelleadsthewaydownwiththetoespulledback.
6.Whenbothlegsaredown,doanothergroundscanandseehowthisprocesshasaffectedthewayyourbodyissupportedbytheEarth.
Tractor-beamthetopoftheskull.Seef(vii).
SelfasLog
Thisisbothanexerciseandahealingtechniquedesignedtohelpyourebuildyoursystem.Itismeanttobehealingforthewholebody,andisparticularlyhelpfulwhenyouhaveasystemicillness,suchascancer.
StepbyStep:
1.DoaGroundScan(thispage).
2.BegintheCorebreath.
3.Position:Lieontheflooronyourside,extendingthearmyou’relyingonaboveyourheadalongthefloor.Restyourotherarmalongyourside.
4.AsyoudotheCorebreath,feelforasenseoffluidityinthebody.Whilefocusingonthetopedgeofthebody(whenyou’relyingonyourside,the“topedge”isthesideofthebodythatisnotonthefloor),beginthemeltingprocess.ThedeeperyougointotheCorebreath,andthemoreyoufeelyourself“melt,”thefasteryourbodywillchange.Imaginethatyouareaplasticbagfullofjello,andtheleadingortopedgeliquefiesasyoudotheCorebreath.Themeltingsidegetsheavierandshiftsasitmelts.
5.Letyourbodycontinuethisprocessuntilthismelted,leadingedgefeelssoheavythatitpullsyouslightlyinthedirectionyouintendtorolltowards.Thisisagradualdissolvingandreorganizing.Graduallyyourbodyrollslikealogasthismeltingprocesscontinues.
Lieonyourside.
Beginmeltingyourtopedge,lettingitgetheavier.
Asyoumelt,youwillrollgraduallylikealog.
Thisisagradualprocessofdissolvingandreorganizing.
Youwilllikelyneedtousealittlemuscletorolloversomepartsofyourbody.
Youcouldmeltyourarmandgraduallybringitoverhead.
MorestepsinSelf-as-Logprocess.
MorestepsinSelf-as-Logprocess.
MorestepsinSelf-as-Logprocess.
6.Letithappen(tothebestofyourability)withoutusingyourmuscles.Afullturnmayrequireaconsiderableamountoftime.Ifyouhaveaseveresystemicdisease,thisisanexcellentexercisetouseasyoumaketimeforyourownhealing.
7.Afteryouarefinished,lieonyourbackanddoagroundscan.
a.Feelwhereyouaretouchingthefloor.
b.Feelforyourboneswithinyourstructure.Feelforasenseoftheirsinkingthroughthesurroundingtissue,drawndownwardsbygravity.
8.Nowreversethisview:insteadoffeelinghowgravitypushesyoudown,feelhowtheEarthliftsyouup,withyourbonesandorgans
floatinginside.
9.Takeafewmomentstoreintegratethesechangesandthenrolltoyourside,carefullyspiralingup(thispage)toasittingposition.
10.Waithereabitinthesittingposition,andletyourbodyreintegrateagain.
11.GentlyspiraluptoastandingpositionanddosomeAwareWalking(thispage).
12.Drinksomewaterandgoforastrollortakeanap,asitseemsappropriate.
Thisisaverydeeplyhealingexerciseandyoushoulddoitveryslowly.Someofthedifficultiesinvolvedshowthemselvesassoonasyouare“rolled”tothepositionwhereyouareflatonyourstomach.Howareyougoingtomeltthebonesintheshouldersandhip/pelvisareainordertogettothenextpartoftheroll?Youcouldmeltyourunextendedarmtograduallybringitoverhead,meltyourhead,andthentherestofthebody.Atsomepointyouwilllikelyneedtousealittlemuscletorollyourselfoverthebonierpartsofthebodybutevensoifyoutakesometime,youwillfindthatyourwholebodyisincrediblyrelaxedandrejuvenated.
Thewholeprocesscantakeanywherefrom20minutestoseveralhours.Thelongertheprocesstakesandthemoredeeplyyoumeltyoursystem,thedeeperthehealingexperience.
SelfasLog:AlternativePosition
Ifyouhaveproblemslyingdownonthefloor,youcandothisexercisewhilelyingonabedorothersoftsurface.Realizethatthisdoesn’trequireasdeepa“melting”inordertoperformafullrevolution,butitdoesmaketheexercisepossibleforpeoplewhocan’tliedownonthefloor.Ifyouaredoingthisonabed,besurethereisenoughroomonthebedforthecompleterevolutionoryouwillfalloffthebed.Thisisverycounterproductive!
Oneevening,Jodytriedthisexerciseandittookheraboutone-and-a-
Oneevening,Jodytriedthisexerciseandittookheraboutone-and-a-halfhoursforhalfofabodyrevolution.WhenItouchedherbody,itwasasiftherewasnomuscletoneinitatall.Itwassoftandpliablefeeling,likejello.Sinceshehaddonethisexercisejustbeforebedtime,sheoptedtogotosleepatthispointandtheexerciseprovidedaveryrestfulnight’ssleep.
DistanceHealing
DistancehealingcaneasilybedonewiththeCorework.Theactofusing“imaginaryhands”(asmentionedinthehealingtechniques)isactuallyaformofdistancehealing.Often,evenwhenworkingwithaclient“handson,”yourhandswillseemtobeinsidetheclient’sbody.Asyou“ridetheflows”withinaclient,youdon’tneedtophysicallymoveyourhandstoaddressdifferentareasofthebody,asyouwillalreadyfeelconnectedthere.Thisdemonstrateshoweasyitis;youarealreadydoingdistancehealingwithoutevenrealizingit.
Thefirststepistorealizethatwhenyouplaceyourintentonapersonorevenvisualizehim,youaffecthim.WhenyoudotheCorebreath,youarecreatingamuchmoredynamicfieldtoentrainto.Whenyouconsciouslychoosesomeonetofocuson,youfacilitatehisorhershifttowardshealth.
Todothework,juststarttheCorebreath,visualizewhatyouwanttoworkon,andplaceimaginaryhandsthere(justasifthepersonwerepresent),thenapplywhatevertechniquesyoudesire.Youcanalsovisualizethattheareaoffocusisbetweenyouractualhands.
JodyandIusuallydothistypeofworkoverthephonesowecangetinstantfeedbackfromtheclientaswework.Thisisnotnecessary,butwefinditpreferable.Wehaveworkedfromaphotoorsometimesjustthenameandcityoftheclient.Whatevergivesyouasenseofconnectiontotheclientisadequate.Justdotheworkasifhewasintheroomwithyou.Useimaginaryhandsasmarkersor,whenvisualizingtheclient,placeyourphysicalhandsinthechosenareaandapplythetechniques.Whichevermethodiseasiestforyoutounderstandorrelatetowillmostlikelygiveyouthebestresults.
Theonlydifferencewe’venotedisthatoccasionallyittakesupto24hoursforbonestoalign.Thishappensoccasionally,butcertainlynotinmostcases.Otherthanthebonealignment,theeffectivenessoflong-distancesessionsappearstobethesameasinperson.Enjoy!
distancesessionsappearstobethesameasinperson.Enjoy!
WorkingonAnimals
TheCoreworkisverysatisfyingtousewhenworkingwithanimals.Itisinterestingtonotethatitisofteneasiertoworkonanimalsthanitistoworkonpeople.Mostanimalshavelittleornoresistancetobeinghelped.Generallythisisduetotheiracceptanceofwhatoccurs,becausetheyhavenobeliefsystemrestrictingwhattheyarewillingtoaccept.Thereislittleemotionalresistancesincehealthiswhattheynaturallygravitatetowards.Thisisnottosaythattherearenoemotionalproblemswithanimals;itismorethattheyseldomresisthealingbecauseofit.Mostemotionalsituationswithanimals,wehavefound,areownerrelated.
FlightieranimalsseemtoprefertheCoreworktotheyang-styleortraditionalQuantum-Touchtechniquesasitseemstobelessinvasivetothem.Theactof“opening”yourselfratherthanaddingtowhattheyalreadyhaveisthemajorreasonforthis.Alsowithverylargeand/orferalanimals,theCoreworkisverypleasanttousesinceitdoesn’toverwhelmtheanimal’snaturalenergystate.Itsimplyopensthemandthisreturntoflowfostershealth.
UseCoreTransformationinthesamemannerwithanimalsasyouwouldwithpeople.Paycloseattentiontohowyouopenyourself,thatis,starttheCorebreath,andthen(usingphysicalorimaginaryhands)applywhichevertechniqueseemsappropriate.
Ofcourse,youcanbeageneralistorbeveryspecificasyouwork.Ifyouworkonacat,andyouknowtherearesomeobstructionsduetohairballs,thenwombandusePokingwithaStick.Ifyouworkonahorsewitharotatedcoffinbone,WombthecoffinboneanddoPokingwithaStick.Forlaminitis,wombthehoofandmakespace.
Ifyouarenotsurewhat’swrong(assumingtheanimalwillletyoutouchit),runyourhandsovertheanimallookingfortenderareasorareaswithheat.Iftheywon’tletyoutouchthem,ridetheflowsandsenseforblockagesoranomalies,justasyouwouldforaperson.For
senseforblockagesoranomalies,justasyouwouldforaperson.Forareasofpainortension,steam-releaseortractor-beamtheareatoreleasetension.Ifitisobviouslydamaged,suchasabiteorpuncturewound,thenwombandmakespace.
Youcanworkwithyourveterinariantoaugmentwhatisbeingdoneallopathically.Thiscansignificantlyshortentheamountoftimetheanimalneedstoheal.
Someanimals,particularlydogsandhorses(unlesstheyarehighstrung),don’tseemtohaveapreferenceoftheyinoryangtechniques.Choosewhatyounaturallygravitatetowards,andifnothingseemstochange,trytheotherstyle(usetrialanderror).Forsystemicillnessesingeneral,theCoreworkseemstobethefastestandeasiestwaytoproduceresults(asistruewithhumans).
Havefunasyouwork.Remember,alight,playful,lovingattitudeisalwayspreferablewhengivingsessions.
AGuideforWhentoUseWhichHealingTechnique
Hereisasynopsisofthedifferenthealingtechniquesintroducedinthisbook.Rememberaswell,youalwaysgetahealingwhenyouworkonyourselforothers.
GroundScan/LayingonaTennisBall/FiveDiaphragms/Grounding/Elongations:Thesephysicalexercisesbythemselveshelpthebodyunwindandheal.Theyareawaytomakespacewithinyourselfasyoumove,eventhoughyouarenotconsciouslydoingatechniquebeyondtheCorebreathandflowasyoumove.
Steam-Release:Usedtoreleasetensionfromaspecificmuscleatvariouslevelsanddepths.Canalsobeusedtoreleasetensionfromageneralarea.
Wombing:Usedtorebuildanareathatisdamagedordestroyed.
Tractor-Beam:Usedtoreleaseallthemusclesassociatedwithorattachedtoaboneorbones.Canreleasetensionfromalargerarea.Mayalsobeusedonorgansoranyphysicalstructuresuchascells,nerves,etc.
WombplusTractor-Beam:Usedtoalignhips,occiput,shoulderblades,facialbones,oranyareawhereyoucandoameasurementcomparison.
WombplusPokingwithaStickorTheChaser:Usedtoalignvertebraeorothersmallbones,andtoremoveedemaorfluidfromanarea.
WombplusLeveringOpenaJoint:Usedtoun-jamjoints.Thishasanaddedbenefitofreleasingtensionaroundajoint.
Asyougetusedtothedifferenttechniques,allowyourselftoplayandblendthemasyoudesire.Bewillingtoexperimentandplayandseewhatevolves.
blendthemasyoudesire.Bewillingtoexperimentandplayandseewhatevolves.
Whenyouexperiment,takenotes(evenifit’sonlyalineortwo)sothatyourememberwhatyoudidandhowthingswereaffected.Didyourvariationspeedtheprocessup,slowitdown,orevenallowthingstoopeninauniqueway?Thisishowmethodsarediscovered,understood,andthenexplainedtoothers.
Peoplealwaysaskwhattodoifaclienthasthisorthatdisease.Wombingisthetechniqueofchoice.Thisistheanswertoeveryoneofthemanyquestionsaboutbodypartsorconditionsthatneedrebuildingonanylevel.
Forspecificareasoftension(particularlyinmusclesorsometimesinotherplacesaswell),Steam-Releaseisagoodplacetostart,andthenmoveontoWombingifitfeelslikeitneedstobe“rebuilt.”IftheSteam-Releasedoesn’tseemtobeeffective,trysomeTractor-Beamingontheunderlyingstructure.
PractitionerTip:Asageneralrule,startbyreleasingtheareayouwanttoworkon,andthenrebuildoralignthearea.
Thinkofthebodyasawhole;fullyallowyourselftoridetheflowsintheperson’sbody,notingtheareasthatfeelsluggishorblocked.Asyouopendifferentareas,notehowtheflowchangesoverallbecauseofthisopening.Whenyoufeelthatyouaredonewiththesession,checktheoverallsenseofflowagain.Thereshouldalwaysbeaconsistentflowmovingfreelythroughoutthebody.Also,alwaysasktheclienthowheisdoing,andusehimasyourguideaswell.
Noteveryhealingcanbecompletedinonesession.Therearemanyimbalancesthatmustbeshownhowto“be”(thatis,openandwhole)morethanoncebeforethesystemisreadytoacceptthenewchangesonamorepermanentbasis.
Rememberthattheclientisthehealer;weasenergypractitionersofferhealingpossibilitiestopeople,andwhethertheyentrainandacceptchangeisuptothem.Whilewealwayswanttodoagoodjob,allwecandoisholdasimpeccableaspaceaspossiblefortheclienttoentrainto,
doisholdasimpeccableaspaceaspossiblefortheclienttoentrainto,andtherestofthehealingprocessistheclient’sresponsibility.
ExamplesofWhentoUseYinorYangTechniques
Note:IfyouarecomingtothisworkfromBasicorSuperchargingQuantum-Touch,youmaybewonderinghowtodecidewhentousewhichtechnique.RealizethattheCoreworkstandsquitewellonitsown,butitisalwaysnicetohavemore“tools”inyour“toolbox.”
WhichdoIuse,BasicandSuperchargingtechniques(amoreyangapproach)orCoreTransformation(amoreyinapproach)?Canyoucombinethetwoinasession?TheseareverycommonquestionsamongthosepracticingQuantum-Touch.
Oftenitispleasanttostartwithayin/Coretechniqueunlesstheperson’senergyisextremelydepleted.Ifheisdepleted,usetheyangtechniquetobuildupsomeenergysothattheriverbeginsto“flow.”Oncethereissomeflow,returntotheyinstyle.WhileyoucancertainlydoitallwiththeCorework,inthebeginningyoumayfinditeasiertojustdosomeyangtechniques.AsyougetmorecomfortablewiththeCore-healingstyle,youwillfindthatyoucansenseoraccessmanyenergeticflows.Asyouopentheclienttotheseflows,hewillhaveaccesstoaninfiniteamountofenergy;justasifyouhadusedayangtechnique.Fromtheyinperspective,theenergyismadeavailablebyyouropeningyourselfmoredeeplyratherthansendinginmoreenergy(asyouwouldinayangformat).
Thereasonthereisnoflowintheirbodyisthatthesystemhasbeenclosedofffortoolong.Ifweaddenergy(themoreyangapproach),thisbeginstoopenthesystem.Ifweopenthesystemandconnectittoflow,thisaccomplishesthesamething.Itjusttakesalittlemore“opening”onthepractitioner’sparttoachieveit.Fromhereyoucanmoveontoworkonspecificissuesorareas.Weliketostartwiththesimplestapproachversussimplybeing“CorePurists.”
Theyinworkisparticularlygoodforrebuildingdamagedtissueandforedema,aswellasfluidinthelungs,oranythingofthatnature.Itisalsoespeciallygoodforreleasingtensioninanareaofacutepain,and
alsoespeciallygoodforreleasingtensioninanareaofacutepain,andforaligningindividualvertebrae.Itisnotsoimportantwhichtechniqueyouchoose,asitisyourcomfortandeasewithwhichyoucanrelatetothetechniqueused.Playandletyourselfexperiment;thisisveryimportant.
Theyangworkisparticularlygoodforreleasingold,chronicpain.Itisalsoobviouslyverygoodforlotsofotherconditionsaswell.Itismoreimportanttousethetechniquethatspeakstoyou.WelikethemeditativestatethattheCoreworkrequires,sowestartthere,andifpossible,stayinthisstatethroughoutthesession.YouwillfindbeinginaquietspacewhiledoingthemoreyangworkwillactuallycreateamoreallowingstateforthebasicandSuperchargingstylesofworkingaswell.
Itisalsoveryusefultousebothstylesforreleasingoldchronicpain,asitcreatesapumpingactioncausedbyalternatingbetweenyinandyang.YoumaystartwiththeCoreworkandifafter10minutesthereisnochange,relaxandswitchtoamoreyangapproachtoseeifthisgivesyoubetterresults.Thesetechniquesarealltools,andsometimesonetoolismoresuitedtooneindividualthananother.Again,asenseofdiscoveryandplayisparticularlyusefulasyouuseanymethodology.
WehavealsonotedthatmovingoraligningteethisofteneasierwiththeCoreworkthantheBasicorSuperchargingQuantum-Touch.Thereisanamorphoussenseofthings“sliding”andafeelofflowthatlendsitselftoaligningteeth.Thiscantakesometime.Asalways,eachpersonisuniqueandtheamountofchangeeachpersonexperiencesisdependentontheindividual.
Thetechniqueyouchoosetostartwithcansimplybewhichevertechniqueappealstoyoumore.Wehavefoundboththeyinandyangtechniquestostandontheirownand,asnotedabove,certainconditionsseemtorespondmorequicklytooneovertheother.Thisisabitoftrialanderror.Ingeneral,tryonetechniqueandseeifyouaregettingaresult.Ifnot,gototheother.WehavefoundthatyoucanswitchbackandforthinnumerabletimesbetweentheCoreandtheBasicand/orSuperchargingtechniquesduringasinglesession.Relax,play,andseehowthingsunfold.
howthingsunfold.
Keeppracticingandplaying,youwillbeamazedatwhatyoudiscover.WetendtodomostlyCoreworkwhenweworkwithclients.Betweenthemeditativeaspectoftheworkandtheimagerysupplied,itmakesforaveryinterestingexperienceasyougiveasession.Youwillfindthatyou,too,willfindacomfortablebalanceasyouwork.
AdditionalThoughtsandaPhilosophicalApproachtoThisWork
Thefollowingisonepossiblewaytointeractwithyourclient:
1.Thinkoftheclientasifheorshewereapartofyourenergyfield.Thisisanopportunityforyoutounderstandtheinterrelatednessofusall,asweareallthesamebeingorthesameperson.Inthisparticularcase,thepersonyouworkonisapartofyourself.
2.Next,youwanttorideflowswithintheclientandaffecthimasifhewereapartofyourself.
Tip:Thinkoftheotherpersonasanebulousfieldthatcanbeinteractedwiththatwillentraintothenebulousfieldthatisyou.Weareallenergy;consciousnessiswhatorganizesus.Asweletgooftheviewofstructure,thenbodiessimplybecomeenergeticfields.
3.Chooseanareayouwanttoworkonoraffect,andthenopenyourself.Theclient’ssystemwillchangebecauseheis,ineffect,“you”inthismoment.
a.Wethinkofourselvesasindividualbeingsbecauseconsciousnesswantstobeaseparateentity(anditshould).Eventhoughitislinkedtoanabundant,totalbeing/consciousness,itcravesindividualityandwantstoberecognizedashaving“worth.”
4.Whenopeningaperson’ssystembyopeningyourown,hemaychallengethechangebyrejectingthehealingifitpressestoohardonhisdefinitionofself.Inthiscaseyou,ashealer,needtohelphimfindhisconnectiontohowthischangeoropeningcanmakesense
tohimasanindividual.Thismaybedoneverbally,orsimplyonanenergeticlevel;itdependsonbothyouandtheclient.Seewhatseemsappropriate,andofcoursewhatworks!
Themoredeeplyyouconnectwithandtheninteractwithaclient,themoredeeplyhewillopen.Theclient’sinteractionandsubsequentjoiningwiththisflowisverymuchlikeadance.Asyouopenmoredeeply,youwillbegintosensetheinterrelatednessofeverything.Asyoujointheflows,youwillfindaconnectiontosomethingmuchlargerthaneachindividual;almostasenseoftheuniverseasflow.
Theamountofchangetheclientiswillingorabletoexperienceislinkedtohowheviewshimself,andthebalanceandtheflowswithinthelargerschemeofthings.
Hereisoneexample:
Sallywasstruckinthesacrumbyapieceofheavymachinery,probablyfracturinghertailbone.Shehasspentoverayear,partofthattimebedridden,strugglingtorecover.Shestillhasalotofpainandmusclerigidity,difficultysitting,andwalkscrookedly.Herbodyhashadalotoftimetoadapttooperatinginanout-of-balancestate.Shecomesinonceaweekforasession.Thefirstthingwedoischeckwhetherherocciputandhipsarelevelandifthereisanytwist.OftenwhendoingWombplusTractor-Beamingandattemptingtoofferherpelvisthechancetocomebackintobalance,Igetthesensethatitislostandhasnoideawhatbalancemeans.Whenthathappens,Iexpandmyawarenessfromjustthepelvistotheflowsthroughherbody.Byopeningmyselfandexemplifyingthoseflows,Iremindherbodyofitsstateofbeingasawholeandnotjustaninjury.Ifindthatitcanthenbegintofindbalance.Afteracoupleofweeksofthis,thechangesbegintoholdmoreandthereislesstocorrectthenexttime.
Weareallstrivingandopeningwithinourexistingcomfortzone.Manyillnessesreflect,atsomelevel,thecomfortzonethatpeoplehaveevolved.Theactofchangingthisviewsometimestakesawhile.Eachindividualacceptschangeathisorherownrate.Thatiswhysomepeoplehealquicklyandothersmoreslowly.Whenwedohealingwork
orlookforchangeinotherpeople,weoftenrequirethatthey(themselves,theirbodies)fitintoourviewpoint,ratherthanlettingtheirbodieschoosehowtounfoldthemselves.Itismuchmoreallowingtoletaclient’sbodychangeathisownrateandsimplypresentastatehecanentraintoasyoudothework.Thiscreateschangesthataremorelikelytohold.Itisalsoanactofbecomingforusashealers.Whatajourney!
Chapter8Qigong
StillnesswithinMotion,MotionwithinStillness,OhWorldwithoutEnd!
Q IGONGISAVERYBROADandcomplexsubjectanditisworthalleffortstowardunderstandingandpracticingit.However,itisbynomeansa
requirementintheCoreTransformationwork.ManyusetheCoretechniqueswithoutit.ThemainreasontoconsiderpracticingQigongistohelpyoubecomemoresensitivetosubtleenergies.ThegentlemovementsassociatedwithmostQigongformshelpwithyourphysicalflexibilityandofferquietandbalanceinyourlife,soitgoeshandinhandwiththeCorework.Also,ifyoudonotpracticeanyformofmeditationbutwantto,theQigongwewillintroduceisaverygoodchoice.
MostoftheQigongformsavailablearemovingforms.Aformisaseriesofmovementsshowntohavebeneficialeffectsonaperson’shealthaswellashisorherinnerbeing.WewillteachyoutheStandingonStakeQigongform.IfyouarefamiliarwithQigong,itisoneofthe“treehugging”postures.ItisaverypowerfulformthatallowsyoutorapidlybeginfeelingQi.Qimaybetranslatedas“vitalenergy,”whileGongmeans“tocultivateortoexercise.”SoQigongliterallymeans,“thecultivationofvitalenergy.”
Qigongformstypicallyhavemanymovementsorsteps.Thisparticularformhasmanyvariations.Thebest-knownversionshavethreedifferentpostures;thesearedescribedbelow.IntheCoreclass,wetryonlyoneofthepositions,buttheforminallitsvariationsisdescribedhere.
StandingonStakeQigongisverypowerful,butitisalsooneoftheleastactiveforms.AlthoughmostQigongformshavemanymovements,thistypeisstationary.Youstandinaspecificpositionandholdor“float”withinit.Almostallofthemovementsareinternal,onanenergeticlevel.
OneofthereasonstheformissopowerfulisbecauseitrequiresyoutorelaxwithintheQi.Qiisanomnipresentexampleofthelifeforce.This“force”canbecultivated,orgatheredfromyourenvironmentaswellastheuniverse.What’ssurprisingisthatthesepositionsrequirenopreviousexperienceoryearsofstudy,thoughtheydotakesomeperseverance.RealizethatifyouliketheideaofQigong,butdon’tparticularlylikethisform,therearestillover89,999otherformsyoucanexplore.Manyoftheotherstylesincorporatethispositionwithin
particularlylikethisform,therearestillover89,999otherformsyoucanexplore.Manyoftheotherstylesincorporatethispositionwithintheirform,butonlyholditforafewminutesatatime.
ABriefHistoryofQigong
Qigongisfundamentallyagroupofmeditativemovements.Itisconsideredtobebetween3000and5000yearsold.Accordingtofolklore,Qigongwasfoundedmanyyearsago,whenthepeopleofalittlevillagestartedgettingillduringaverywetspring.Theynoticedthattheanimalsaroundthemremainedsurprisinglyhealthy,inspiteofthisenvironment.Theybegantoexaminehowtheanimalsate,drank,andmoved.Thisledtothecreationof20basicstylesofQigong,allemulatinganimalmovementsorthestancesoftrees.Eventuallythisdevelopedintoabout200well-establishedforms.Currentlytherearesome90,000+forms.InordertobeclassifiedasaQigongMaster,youmustdooneofthreethings:eitheranexistingmasterofaparticularstylebequeathsyouaform;youaddsomethingoriginaltoanexistingstyle;oryoucreateacompletelynew,uniqueform.Sinceeveryonewantstobeamaster,wenowhave90,000+Qigongstylesandthenumberscontinuegrowing.Formsgoinandoutofpopularitymuchlikefashion,butmosthavesimilargoals:longevity,health,peace,andbeauty.Therearealsostylesthatdeveloppowerandprowess,andtheseareusuallylinkedtoorpracticedincombinationwiththemartialarts.StandingonStakeQigongismostassociatedwithhealthandbalance.
TherearethreebasicareasofthebodywhereQicanbeaccumulatedandstored:LowerTanTien,MiddleTanTien,andUpperTanTien.LowerTanTienisdescribedasanareathreefingersbelowthenavelandapproximatelyhalfwayinsideyourbody.MiddleTanTienisinthecenterofthechestatthelevelofthenipples,andUpperTanTienislocatedinthecenterofthebrow.TheselocationsaredynamicandaresmallinsizewhenyoufirstbeginQigong,butasyoupractice,theyenlargeandbecomeincreasinglyactive.AsyourbodyaccumulatesQiorenergy,yourbodybecomeshealthier.
Anotherinterestingsideeffectofregularpracticeisgreaterintelligence.Forexample,aQigongstudentofourshadbeentryingto
understandthewritingsandphilosophyofKantandKierkegaardformanyyears(thestudentwasinhis60’s).Hereadandrereadtheworks,buttheyjustdidn’tmakesensetohim.AfteraboutsixmonthsofpracticingQigongregularly,hefoundthatthetexthehadpreviouslyfoundincomprehensiblenowmadesense.WhatperhapsisevenmoreinterestingisafterpracticingQigongforaboutayear,hestopped,andaboutsixmonthslater,theunderstandinghehadgainedwaslost.I,too,havefoundmyabilitytounderstandcomplexconceptsincreaseanddeepenasIpracticethedifferentQigongforms.Italsoappearsthatitdoesn’tmatterwhichstyleIpractice,theyallhavesimilarpositiveeffects.
BenefitsandSideEffectsofPracticingQigong
Qigongisahealingmodalitybyitself.Ittendstohelpaddressinjuries/healthissuesfromthemostrecentinjurytotheoldest,andfromtheinside,out.Itmakesyoumoreawareofsubtleinnerprocessesandcanbeginbringingbalanceandharmonyinyourlifethatmightotherwisebedifficulttoachieve.PracticingQigonghasalsobeenshowntoincreasetheredbloodcellcountandoxygenationoftheblood.
Sometimeshealingcrises(oftenassociatedwiththehealingprocess)occur.AfterpracticingQigongforapproximately100days,anoldinjurymayreturnwithfullsymptomsoutoftheblue.Thisusuallypasseswithin7-10days,andthenthesymptomsleaveasrapidlyastheyarrive.Thishappenstosomepeopleandalthoughitisnotcommon,itiscompletelynormal.Oncethehealingcrisispasses,mostpeoplearecompletelyhealedoftheoriginalinjury(barringanotheraccident).Occasionallyayearorsolater,theremaybeareturnofsymptomsonelasttime.Thesesymptomsareoftenmildandshort-lived.
Ontheaverage,ittakes24hoursforQitomakeacircuitthroughyourbody.Eachdaythatyoupractice,youbuildmoreQi.Asthisreservoirofenergygrows,itgathersinspecificlocations,oneofwhichisLowerTanTien.Astheenergybuildshere,itbeginstograduallyopenapathwaythroughthecenterofyourbody.ThisiscalledtheCentralChannel.As
LowerTanTienfills,itopensthechanneltoMiddleTanTien.Asthisareafills,theenergyisliftedtoUpperTanTien.EachTanTienhascertainattributesassociatedwithit.LowerTanTienisforhealthandstamina,MiddleTanTienisa“holderoftheway”(namelyaninterimstage,addingnoparticularbenefitotherthanholdingthespacefortheenergytoeventuallymovetoUpperTanTien)andUpperTanTienisforintelligence,spirituality,andpsychicabilities.
WhoshouldandwhoshouldnotpracticeQigong?Whenisthebesttime?
SomepeopleshouldnotpracticeQigong.PeoplewithseverementaldisordersshouldnotpracticeQigongatallunlessitisaformthatisdesignedtoaddressmentalhealth.Thisformisnotoneofthose.Qigongtendstoenhanceyourmentalstate.Bitbybititwillbalanceasystem,butintheprocessofdoingthis,itcancausesomeonetohavepsychicexperiencesaswellascausingapersontobeveryhappyorsadforashortperiodoftime.Thiscouldcausesomeonewhohasdifficultymaintainingabalancedstatetobecomemoreunbalanced.
Ifyouhaveexcessivebleedingofanysort,itisbettertowaituntilthebleedinghasstoppedastheexercisesincreasetheflowofblood.Thesamethinggoesduringawoman’smenstrualcycle.Itisbestnottodoa“moving”practiceatthistime,asittendstoprolongthemenstrualcycle.Instead,doasittingmeditationuntilthecycleisover.Ifyouarepregnant,youshouldnotdoQigong,againbecauseitmovesblood.Itmaycauseamiscarriageandwhilethisisnotnecessarilygoingtohappen,anychancethatitmightshouldbeavoided.Donotpracticejustbeforegoingtobedasthepracticecangiveyoualotofenergyanditmaybedifficulttosleep.
It’sbesttostriveforharmonyandbalanceinallthings.Forthisreason,whenyouareextremelyhappyorextremelysad,waituntilyouremotionsaremorebalancedbeforeyoupractice.
Morningisconsideredthebesttimetopractice,beforetheworldaroundyoubecomesespeciallyactive.ItissaidthattheQiisquieterand
aroundyoubecomesespeciallyactive.ItissaidthattheQiisquieterandmoreaccessibleatthistime.Thatsaid,youshouldtakeanyopportunitytopracticeinsteadofputtingitoffuntilthe“ideal”time.Anypracticeisbetterthannopractice.IdeallyyoushouldpracticeQigongeveryday,butatleastfourdaysaweekisneededtogainconsistentbenefits.
Inaddition,practicingyourQigongfacingcertaindirectionswillbenefitcertainorgansorconditions:
ThePractice:StandingonStakeQigong
Classically,thisformhasthreedifferentpositions.Allthreehavethesamestanceorposture:onlythehandandarmpositionchanges.Thebreathisnaturalandrelaxed.ThemindislightlyfocusedonLowerTanTien.Youwillstartwithonlyoneposition.
1.Standwithyourfeetaswideasoralittlewiderthanyourshoulders.
a.Toespointstraightahead.
b.Eyeslookforwardatnothinginparticular(theeyescanbeopenorclosed).
c.Tuckthechinslightly(thisalignsthetopoftheheadortheBaiHuipointtotheheavens).
d.Smileslightly(thistendstorelaxtheface).
e.Tipofthetongueontheupperpalatejustbehindthefrontteeth,withthebaseor“root”ofthetonguerelaxed.
2.Bendthekneesslightly(tillthekneecapjusthidesthetoes,butnomorethanthat;alittlelessisbetterthantoomuch),and“sit”lightlybackasifyouweresittingagainsttheedgeofahighstool.
Youcanimaginethatyouhavethreelegs,twoofwhichareyouractuallegsandthethird“leg”extendsstraightdownfromyourtailbone.
3.Onceinthisposition,bringthearmsupandgentlyforward.
a.Raisetheminfrontofyou,parallelwiththegroundatchestheight,withelbowsandwristsgentlyrelaxed.PalmsarefacingslightlytowardtheEarthandthefingersaregentlyapart.
4.Holdthisfinalpositionthroughouttheentiretime.
Standwithfeetshoulderwidthapart,kneesslightlybent,sittingbacklightlyasifagainstahighstool.
Position1:Raisearmstochestheight,palmsfacingtheearth.
Whenyoufirststartpracticingtheexercise,beginwithaboutfiveminutesandgradually(addingseveralminutesmoreperweek)buildupto20-30minutes.
5.Whenyouaredonewiththeform,bringyourhandsdowntoyoursidesandstraightenyourlegs.
a.Thenbringyourhandstogetherandrubthemtilltheyfeelwarm.
b.Gentlyrubyourfaceupanddown12times.(ThisnumberisuniquetoStandingonStakeQigong;traditionallyyourubthefaceonlythreetimesinotherforms.)
c.Putyourpalmsoveryoureyesforalittlebit,thenrubyourhandsthroughyourhairtothebackofyourneck.ThisputstheexcessQithathasaccumulatedinyourhandsintoyourface.You
maynoticewhenyourubyourhandstogetherthatthehandsfeelslippery,yetslightlytacky.YouarefeelingtheQithathasaccumulatedinyourhands.
6.Atthistime,itisappropriatetogoforashortwalk.Nothingtoostrenuous;youjustwanttointegratetheexperience.
Afterpracticingthispositionforaboutthreemonths,changeovertothesecondposition.PositionTwoisthesameasPositionOneexceptfortheplacementof
thearmsandhands.
•Raiseyourarmsforwardsothatthehandsareatoralittlebelownavelheightandaboutafootawayfromthebody.Thewristsshouldbeattheheightofthenavel,whichplacesthepalmatthelevelofLowerTanTien.Ifthehandsaretoohigh,itmaycausenausea.Ifthehandsaretoolow,itcanbuildanuncontrolledlevelofsexualdrive(likebeing12again!).
•Youshouldfeelthatyouhaveatennis-ball-sizedopenspaceunderthearmpits.
•Thearmsareroundedandthepositionissupportedfromtheshoulder.Itisasifyouarerestingyourarmsonalargebeachball.
•Yourwristsshouldbeattheheightofyournavel,withthehandsrelaxedandthefingertipsgentlypointingtowardeachother.
•Again,allowyourselftopracticethispositionbyitselfuntilyou’vebuiltupto20-30minutesforseveralmonths,thenchangeovertothethirdposition.
InPositionThree,thearmscomeuptochestheight.ThelegpositionisthesameasinPositionOne:
•Thepalmsarefacingyourchestwiththefingerslightlyapartandaboutonefootawayfromyourchest.Thisissimilartopositiontwo,butatchestheight.
•Buildupto20-30minutesofpracticeinthisposition.
Position2:Wristsareatnavelheight,palmsfacingnavel,armsasifrestingonabeachball.
Position3:Raisearmstochestheight,palmsfacingthebody.
UsingAllThreeQigongPositions
•Afterthreemonthsofpractice,integratethethreedifferentstancesbyspending10minutesineachposition,creatingapracticetimeofabout30minutes.
•Eachtimeyoupractice,endthesamewayasyouendedthefirstpose.
SpontaneousMovement
Asyoupracticeovertime,itisnotunusualtoswaylightlyasyouholdthisposition(anyoneofthethreepositions).ThisistheQimovingyou;itmayleadtoevenmoreinvolvedactionssuchas“patting”orrubbingareasoftension,orevenunusualjerkingmovements.Donottrytocreateorforcethismovement,itwillstartofitsownaccord.Ifitdoesn’t
createorforcethismovement,itwillstartofitsownaccord.Ifitdoesn’tstartonitsown,don’tworryaboutit;simplymaintainyourdailypractice.Itisnotrequired,butmayoccurnaturally.Ifthespontaneousmovementsfeeltooextreme,simplyasktheQitoquietdownandyouwillfindthatthemovementswillslow,followingyourintent.
SpontaneousMovementisconsideredasomewhatadvancedformofQigonganditoftentakesabout100daysofpracticebeforethishappens.AstheQiaccumulatesandbuilds,iteventuallybecomesdynamic.Withinstillness,thereismotion,andnowtheQicanleadyou.Whenyoufeelitistimetostopthepractice,thinkofquietingandcenteringtheQiintoLowerTanTien.EnergyfollowsthoughtinQigong,too.Whentheprocessiscomplete,endorfinishyourpracticebyrubbingthehandstogetherandthenwashingthefacewiththeQi.Alightwalkisalsorecommended.
Canyoupracticetoomuch?Generallymorethan12hoursperdayisconsideredexcessiveandyoumayfindthatyouhavelittleusefornormalconversationoreventheeverydayexperiencesofthisourworld.Thatsaid,itisquitearideifyouareinasituationthatallowsforthistypeofdedication.
Becausethisisacomparativelystationaryform,ittendstoproduceadeepinternalquietandyetafeelingofstrengthwithin.Italsotakessomegettingusedto.OneofthethingsIlikebestaboutthisformistheobviouslysensateable,rapidaccumulationofQi.ExamplesofexperiencingQiare:feelingasifyourhandsaresupportedonacushionorballofenergy,feelingwarmthandmovementinLowerTanTien,oranoverallsenseofflowthroughyourbody.Whentheformisdone,andyourubyourhandstogetherbeforegentlywashingyourfacewiththeenergy,thereisasortof“slickeryness”orslick,slightlytackysensation.ThisisQionthesurfaceofyourhands.
AverygoodwaytohelpharmonizeyourbodyistoexchangeQiwithatree.Thevarietyofthetreeisnotimportant,butitissaidthatevergreensarethebesttreestouseforthisexercise.Don’tbeoverlyconcernedaboutthis,almostanytreewilldo(outside,plantedintheground;notinapot,becausethetreewilluseyour“dirty”Qiasfertilizer.Ifthereistoomuch“fertilizer”inapottedplantithasnoway
fertilizer.Ifthereistoomuch“fertilizer”inapottedplantithasnowaytogetridoftheexcessandwillactuallyharmtheplant,hencetherule.).Theonlytreethatissaidtobeundesirableisthewalnuttree.Itisthoughtthatbecausethenutsareshapedlikeabrain,itmaydepletebrainQi.ThisexerciseusesjustoneoftheposturesfromthesequenceofthethreedifferentposturesoftheStandingonStakeQigong.
1.StandinPositionTwo(armsatapproximatelynavelheight).
2.Placeyourselfinfrontoforverynearatree.
3.AssumePositionTwoandhavetheintentionofanexchangebetweenyourhands,yourlowerabdomen,andthetree.Holdthispositionforaslongasyoudesire,butfiveminuteswouldbeaminimum.
4.Whendone,thankthetreeandgoaboutyourday.
Thisexperienceisveryharmonizingtotheliverandhelpsyoutodealwithangersthatmaysurfaceasyou“open”yourbody’schannels.
Whenpracticingyourqigong,relaxandsettleintothefeelingoftheQi.Thinkofthisasanexperimenteachtimeyoupractice.Beopentotheexperienceandapproachitwithoutpreconception.Inthisway,youcanfinddepthsandexperiencepossibilitiesthatwillastoundyou.
Chapter9WorkingonWaterandFood
Entrainmentandopening—gatewaystotheuniverse.
W HENYOUUSETHECoreTransformationtechniquesonfoodorwater,thechangesareveryinteresting.TheCoreworkseemstoreturn
whateveryoufocusontomoreofitsoriginalessence,bringingoutthesubtletiesofbothflavorand(tosomedegree)texture.
Whenworkingwithwater,wehavefoundthatitonlytakesacoupleofCorebreathstoaffectasignificantchange.Infact,youcanevenencouragesubtleyetpleasantflavorchanges.Whenthereistoomuchchlorineinwater,youcanreducethechlorinetasteandbringoutafresherflavor.
Youcanmakeacheaperwinetastelikeahigherqualitywinebyenhancingorproducingdifferentsubtletiesofflavordependinguponyourintent.Forexample,ifyouwantamore“chocolate”or“tobacco-like”flavor,youcanemphasizeoneorbothofthemwhentreatingthewine.Youcanalsobringoutamore“fruity”slanttothewine.Wehaven’tbeenabletoaddaflavororqualitythatisnotalreadyanattributeofthewine,butyoucanhighlightwhatcharacteristicsarepresentorlatentwithinit.
Weoncechangedacabernetsauvignontomoreofamuscatel,andthenchangedittoamuchsmootherwine.Withadrywhitewinethattastedlikethebottlehadbeenopenedforawhile,wechangeditstastefromamediocreflavortoonethatwasmorefreshand“crisp.”
Inordertoaffectwineorfood,useWombplusTractor-BeamTechnique(thispage):
•Wombthefoodordrink
•Tractor-Beamallthemoleculesinsidethewomb,anddrawthemtotheoutsideedgesofthewomb
•ContinuetoTractor-Beamuntilthecenterfeelshollow,likethereisnothingmoretodrawouttotheedges
•Nowthinkofconnectingittoits“essence,”thestatebeforeitwasprocessedorotherwisebottled.Forinstance,youmightthinkoftheessenceofwaterashavingamore“artesian,”orclear-mountain-
stream-likeflavor
Youmaychoosetostophere;however,ifyoudesiretoaddsomethingtotheflavor,youcanconnectittoitsmineralheritagesoittasteslikemineralwater.Eachintentionimpartsadifferentflavortothewaterforpersonalpreference.Ifyouaddedanactualpieceoflemontothewater,youcanemphasizethelemonflavorandnotonlywilltherebeagreaterflavoroflemonbutthebouquet(likethe“bouquet”ofawine,itssenseofodor)willalsohaveastrongerlemon-likepresence.
Thesamemethodworksforfood.Youcancertainlyimprovetheflavorandalivenessofthefood.Whiteflourandblandcheesepastacanbeimproved,butwewouldn’tcallitlovely.Weconstantlyusethisonourmealswhenwetravelandittakesjustabreathortwotoaffectyourmeal.
Iwasbuyingmylunchduringalayoveratalargeairport.IwenttothefoodcourtandboughtaplateofChinese“fastfood”—ricewithchicken,broccoli,andasauce.IdecidedtoWombmylunchandconnectittoitsessenceofperfection.AsITractor-Beamedthemolecules,Ithoughtofeachitemontheplate,andwhattheconditionswouldhavebeenlikeinanultimatelyperfectworld.Thericegrewinlovelyricepaddiesunderperfectconditions.Thechickenlivedinaperfect,naturalworldofhappiness.Thebroccoligrewinrichsoilwithpureairandsunshine.ThenIstartedeating.AsItookabiteofeachthing,Iwasamazedattheflavors—thenuttinessoftherice,therichnessofthechicken,andthefreshnessofthebroccoli.Itwasthebest“fastfood”Ihadevereaten!
Asyouexperimentwiththefoodanddrinks,becreative—whoknowswhatyou’lldiscover!Havefunandplay.
Chapter10HealingStories
Contemplation.Opening,flowing,andbecoming,eachmomentisitsownexpressionofNow.
HealingStories
Note:Allofthefollowingstorieswerefromlong-distancesessions
UnblockingtheBileDuct
Ihadtheopportunitytoworkwitha75-year-oldmanwhohadanumberofcancersinhisbody:cancersoftheliver,thestomach,thelungs,andthespine.Thiswashissecondboutwiththedisease.
Hewasreceivingchemotherapyandradiation,andthishadhadsomepositiveeffectforhim.Iwascalledtospecificallyaddressthecancermassesintheliverthatwereblockingtheflowofbilethroughthebileduct.Hehadbeenunabletogohomebetweenhiscancertreatmentsessionsbecausethisblockagewasdangerous.IsaidthatImaybeabletohelp,andthatwecouldatleastseewhatwouldhappen.Hehadbeeninthehospitalforabouttwoweeksbecauseofthiscondition.
Irodetheflowtoseewhathissystemfeltlike.Otherthantheobvioussensethattherewereanumberofplaceswherehisflowwasrestrictedorblocked,Inotedthathiswholesystemhadabackgroundvibrationthatwasalmostlikeanirritating,off-keybuzz.Ihavefoundthischaracteristicpresentinmanypeoplewhohavecancer.
ThateveningIworkedfromhisphoto,wombingtheliverandmakingspacetoseeifthemasseswouldreduce.IthenusedthePoking-with-a-StickTechnique,andalternatedbetweenwombingtheliverand“poking”theinterestingthingsforaboutone-and-a-halfhours.Atthispoint,therewerenomoreinterestingthingssoIendedthesession.
Thenextday,Ireceivedanemailsayingthatthebileductwasnolongerblockedandthemancouldnowgohomebetweenchemotherapysessions.
TheShatteredShoulder
Ireceivedacallfromamanwhowasabout32yearsold.Ashereachedouthisleftarmtoleanagainstadesk,hemisjudgedthedistanceandfelltothefloor,landingonhisextendedarm.Whenhehittheground,hebrokethehumerus(upperarmbone),bothshatteringandflatteningthehumeralhead.Thisaccidenthappenedabout24hourspriortohiscallingme.Theywereunabletooperateontheshoulder/armasthepieceswerescatteredallthroughthesurroundingtissue.Astimepassed,theboneswereexpectedtomigratetowardseachotherandhewassupposedtocheckindailywiththedoctortoseehowthingshadprogressedandeventuallyhecouldhavethesurgerydone.Hewasinalotofpainandhehadbeentoldthatitcouldtakemanydaysforthelargerpiecestomigratetowardeachother.
Istartedourphonesessionbysteam-releasingthemusclegroupssurroundingtheshoulderandarm.Next,Iwombedtheshoulder,andusedthePoking-with-a-StickTechniquetoseeifIcouldgetasenseofthefragmentsmoving.IthenalternatedbetweenSteam-Release,Wombing,andthePoking-with-a-StickTechnique.Iworkedforaboutanhour,untiltherewerenomoreinterestingthingsleftinthewomb.Hereportedthatthearm/shoulderareafeltmuchbetterandmostofthepainwasgone.
Ireceivedanemailfromhissisterthenextday.Hehadgoneinthemorningafterthesessiontohavehisshoulderchecked,andallofthepieceswereinperfectalignment.Theytookhimimmediatelyintosurgerytopinthingstogether.Thedoctorwasamazedandverypleasedthatthingshadprogressedsorapidly.
WorkingwithaPregnantWomaninLabor
Amidwifecalledmetoassistinahomebirth.Thepregnantwomanhadbeeninlaborfor48hoursbutpartofhercervixwasrefusingtodilate.Shewasstillhavingsomecontractionsbuttheywerenotproductive.Theyhadtriedalltheremediestheyknewwithnoresultsandifitdidn’tchange,shewouldhavetogotothehospitalandhaveaC-section.
change,shewouldhavetogotothehospitalandhaveaC-section.
Usingmyintent,Ifocusedonhercervix.IusedtheSteam-ReleaseTechniquetoreleasetensionthere,“rodetheflows,”anddidSteam-Releaseonherabdomentohelpherbodyopentooptimum“labor.”SometimesIactuallyhadmyhandsonherbelly,butduringcontractionsIworkedfromadistancesothatshe(andherhusband,whophysicallysupportedherduringthepushingstage)didn’tfeelphysicallyconstrainedbywhatIwasdoing.
Withinabout15minutes,thingsseemedtobeprogressing.Themidwifecheckedheragainandthecervixwasapproachingfulldilation.Icontinuedtoworkwithherandhercontractionsbecameveryproductive.Severalhourslater,shehadahealthybabyboy.
TheBrokenWrist:ACaseUsingtheYinandYangTechniques
Peoplealwaysaskwhetheryoucanuseyinandyangtogetherorinterchangeably.Theanswerisdefinitelyyes;hereisanexample:
TwoenergyworkersandIofferedtoworkonamanwhohadbeendroppedwhilebeingcarriedoverheadbyseveralfriends.Whenhefell,hebrokehiswristbadly.Hewasaprofessionalbaseballplayerandapitcher,andthewristhebrokewasonhispitchingarm.Hisx-raysindicatedthathiscareerwasover.Thethreeofusworkedonhimknowingonlyhisname.Iusedtheyinwork—wombingandmakingspaceforabout40minutesandtheothertwopractitionersworkedforaboutanhour:oneusedtheBasicQuantum-TouchTechniquesandSuperchargingandtheotheralternatedbetweenCoreTransformationandBasicQuantum-Touch.Whenwefinished,thebaseballplayersaidhiswristfeltbetter.
Thenextdayhewentinforfurtherx-raysandthedoctorstoldhimthathiswristlookedlikeitonlyhadaminorbreak.Theycouldpinitandhewouldbeabletopitchagainlaterintheseason.Obviously,hewasverypleased!
TheMailCarrier’sLowerBackPain:ASelf-TreatmentCase
InoneofourCoreclasses,therewasamanwhohadbeenamailcarrierfor14years.Hehand-delivered,usingbothashoulderbagandacartforhisroute.Afterallthoseyears,hecouldnolongerdeliverthemailbecausehehaddevelopedchronicbackpain.Hevisitedthechiropractorregularlyandoftenneededanemergencysessiontoputhisbackinwhenevertheproblemflaredup.
Inclass,henoticedimmediatepainreductionafterdoingtheinitialexercises.AfterlearningtheCorehealingtechniqueshehadevenmoreremarkableresults.Severalweekslater,heemailedusandsaidhewasnotonlyabletocorrecthisownbackwheneveritbecameproblematic,buthehadsavedenoughmoneyonthechiropractictreatmentstopayfortheCoreclassmanytimesover.Forthefirsttimeinsevenyears,hehadtheabilitytotreathimselfandwasnowabletobegintoliveamorenormallife.
TheClientWhoSlippedandFellDowntheStairs
Ireceivedacallfromawomanwhohadfallenanhourortwoearlierwhileleavingthelibraryduringanicestorm.Shehadslippedontheicystepsandfallenonherrearendandbouncedtherestofthewaydown.Shecomplainedofpaininthetailbone,lowerback,andchest,aswellasbreathingdifficulties.Afterridingtheenergyflowsinherbody,mysensewasthatthetailbonewasbruised,somelowerlumbardiscswereirritated,andthesacrum,lumbarvertebrae,andsomeribswereoutoflineaswell.
Iworkedonherwhileshewasonthephoneforabout45minutes.Istartedbysteam-releasingthemusclesoneithersideofthespine.IthenhelpedthehipsandocciputfindalignmentusingWombplusTractor-Beam.Next,IwombedthesacrumanddidPokingwithaStickforall5lumbervertebrae(L5toL1,oneatatime).Irepeatedthisprocessontheribcage,aligningtheribsoneatatime.IthenwentbackanddidLeveringOpenaJointonthesacroiliacjoints,betweenL5andthesacrum,aswellasL1andT12.
sacrum,aswellasL1andT12.
ShehadalreadytakentheCoreTransformationWorkshopsoIsuggestedthatshecontinuethework,wombingthediscandsteam-releasingthemusclesalongthespine.
Ikeptworkinguntilthepainwasmanageableandshecoulddealwiththingsonherown.Sheemailedmebackthateveningandsaidshestillfeltbetter.Thenextday,shecontinuedimprovingandwithinfourdaysshefeltthatshehadrecovered,allfromtheonesession.Sheattributedtherapidhealingtooursessiontogether.
Note:Whenyouwork,allowyourselftheopportunitytoridetheflows,seewhatyousense,andthendothework.Youcanworksymptomatically(followingthepain)orfromwhatyounoticeinasystem,oracombinationofthetwo.Justofferthework.Areweuniversallyeffective?No,sometimesthereislittleornochange,butamajorityofthetimethebodyimprovesagreatdeal.Giveyourselftheopportunitytoplayandofferwiththiswork.Youwillbepleasantlysurprisedathoweasyitisandyetsofastandeffective!
AligningTeeth
Afterclass,astudentaskedifitwaspossibletomoveorrealignteeth.Iansweredyesandaskedifshewantedtoexperiencewhatitfeltlike,towhichsheagreed.Shesaidthatherwisdomteethhadpushedallherteethforward,particularlyintheupperjaw,andalthoughtheywerenowremoved,shewantedtherestofherteethtogobacktotheiroriginalposition.
Usingbothhands,Itouchedtheareaoneachsideofherface:onefingeroneachhandnearthetwofrontteeth,andanotherfingerofeachhandnearthebackteethoneachside.IbegantheCorebreathandwombedtheupperjaw.Next,Itractor-beamedalltheteethintheupperjawuntiltheteethbeganfeelingfluidorloose.Atthispoint,I“slid”themalonginhermouth(ofcourse,thisisallmetaphorical).
Thefirstattempttoalignherteethhadlittlechange.Ithenaskedheriftherehadbeenalotofpainintheareawheretheteethhadbeenpulledandshesaidithadbeenquitebad.Iaskedherifitwaswouldbeokayiftheremainingteethslidbackintotheiroriginalplacementpainlessly(wheretheyhadbeenbeforethewisdomteethcamein).Sheconsented.
Irepeatedtheprocess(asdescribedinthesecondparagraph)andthistime,theteethfeltasiftheyweresliding.Youcouldseethemstartmovingbackintotheirproperposition.Sheexclaimedinsurprisethatherupperjawandteethfeltveryodd.Shewasnotonlysurprisedbutalsoquitepleasedwiththechanges.
PractitionerNote:Eachhealingsessionyoudoisuniqueand,ofcourse,theclientisthehealer.Asyoumaynoticeinthiscase,emotions,andinparticular,rememberedpain,canhaveamarkedaffectontheresultsyouget.
Relax,open,andunfold;itisatrulywonderfulexperience!
AnimalHealingStories
TheSickDove
BirdsingeneralenjoytheCorework,astheytendtobehyperandverysensitivetochangesintheirenergy.Theownercalledandsaidthatshehadgivenherdovesomemedicineandnowthebirdwashavingtroublebreathing,asifsomethinghadgonedonethewrongpipe.SheheldthephoneuptothebirdandIhearda“gurgley”breath.Theveterinarianhadtoldherthiswasarealproblemwithbirdsandifthedovedidn’timprovesoon,sheshouldbringthebirdin.Astheveterinarian’sofficewasseveralhours’driveaway,shedecidedtoseewhatenergyworkcoulddofirst.
Irodetheflowsandnoticedanareawithareducedflowinthetracheaandbronchialregion.Sinceitseemedlikeanobstruction,Iwombedthearea,lookedforinterestingthings,andthendidPokingwithaStick.Withinafewmoments,thebreathingsoundednormal.Sometimesthingsjusthappenquickly!
TheCatwithBackandThyroidIssues
Awomancalledandsaidthathercatwaslethargicandnoteatingproperly.Shehadbeentoldthatthecat’sthyroidwasunderactive.Thecatalsohadasorebackthatwassensitivetopressure.
Iwombedthethyroidarea,lookedforinterestingthings,andmadespace.Iworkedinthisfashionforabout20minutes.Thewombedareahadnomoreinterestingthingsandfeltcompletefortheday.Ithenscannedthecat’ssystem,andthereappearedtobeareducedflowofenergythroughthespinenearthepelvisandupintheneck.IdidWombplusPokingwithaSticktoalignthevertebraeinthoseareas;thispartofthesessiontookaboutanother10minutes.
Iworkedwiththecattwomoretimesaboutaweekapart,forabout
Iworkedwiththecattwomoretimesaboutaweekapart,foraboutthesamelengthoftime.Atthispoint,thecatwasmoreenergeticandgenerallyappearednormal.
PractitionerNote:Whichwastheactualproblemsource?Probablyboththelowerbackandthethyroidinfluencedthecat’shealth.Thekeyisnottobelievethatonlyonethingisthewholeanswer.Allowyourselftoexperiment.
TheHorsewithaPossibleCaseofColic
AsIwasleavingthebarnwhereIkeepmyhorse,thebarn’sownerwasleadingahorseinthearenaandtalkingtoanotherworker.Sheexplainedthatthehorsewasn’teatingandseemedtobeuncomfortable.Shewasleavingtownandwantedtheotherpersontokeepaneyeonthehorse.AsIwalkedby,Iquietlytunedintothehorse,askingwhatitneeded.TheanswerIreceived,tomysurprise,wasastrongsenseofannoyance,andIheard,“Ineedtobeleftalone!”MyimmediatereactionwasthatIhadtunedintothewronglevelofthehorse’sbeing!So,Iagaintunedin,withtheintentofreachingthebody’sintelligenceandaskedmyquestion.ThistimeIwasdirectedtotheintestinalarea.Iwombedtheareaforabit,andthenwenthome.Thenextday,thehorsewasfine.
PractitionerNote:Whenyouaren’tsurewhatneedswork,youcanridetheflows,andyoucanalsoasktobeshownwhatisneeded.However,thisexperiencewasagoodreminderthatweall(animalsandhumansboth)havevariouslevels,andsometimesit’shelpfultobeawareofhowyoufocusyourintent!
Remember,workingonanimalsisdoneexactlythesameasworkingwithhumans.Justasktheownerwhatneedstobeworkedon.Thenworkontheareainquestion.Alsofollowtheflowsseewhatelseyounoticegoingonintheanimal’ssystem,andapplytheappropriatetechnique.
TheDyingCat
TheDyingCat
WhilewewereteachinginEurope,oursonemailedusandsaidthatour16-year-oldcathadstoppedeatingandseemedtobefailing.Shewasveryweakandgettingweaker:strugglingtojumpontothebedandwanderingaroundthehouse,meowing.WhenItunedintoherenergy,sheseemedatfirsttobeverydisconnected(Ididn’thaveaverystrongsenseofherpresence).Iwombedherandmadespace.AsIworked,Iimaginedthatthewombwasmadeoflove.Afterashorttime,Isensedherpurr.Weworkedonheroverthenextcoupleofdays,andoursonreportedthatsheseemedbetter.
Justbeforewelefttoflyhome,wegotanotheremailsayingthatshewasfailingagain.AsweflewovertheAtlantic,weworkedonheroncemore.Thistimethecontactseemedmuchmoretenuous.AstheCoreworkdidn’tseemtohelp,wetriedsendingenergy,yang-style.Comparingafterwards,wediscoveredthatwebothhadasimilarexperience.Thereseemedtobethepresenceoftheanimaltoconnectwithandsendenergyinto,butwhenwetriedtogettheenergytomeetatthecenter(asdescribedintheSuperchargingQuantum-Touchbook),itjustvanishedintoinfinity.
WhenwearrivedintheUSandspoketoourson,wediscoveredthatthecathaddied.Whilewehadworkedonher,shewaseitheronherway“out”oralreadygone.Probablythesurfaceenergyweconnectedwithwassimplyherenergeticfield.Theenergyvanishedwhenwetriedtohaveit“meet”inherbodybecauseshewasseparatingfromherbody.Asalways,workingonanyoneoranythingoffersusnewopportunitiestoexpandourunderstandingoftheuniverseofteninunexpectedways.
Chapter11BasicGuidelinesforUsingtheCoreTechniques
Whenwestandinourcenter,allthingsbecomepossible.Noreachingisrequired;weopenandevolve.
Hereisapartiallistofwhattechniquewechoosetouseandwhy:
Issue HealingTechnique
Brokenbone
Steam-Releasetoreducetensionandpain.Wombtorebuildandreducepain.Ifbonesarenotaligned,usePokingwithaStick.
Cancer
Wombtorebuild.Whileitwillreducepaininandofitself,youmightdosomelocalSteam-Releaseaswell.Alsopayattentiontooverallflowthroughoutthesession,asfearassociatedwiththisdisharmonytendstostopoverallflow.Ifyouhaveasenseoffearinanarea,Wombthefearandmakespace.Self-as-LogExerciseisalsoappropriate.
Majorcutorgash(aninjurythatmayneedstitchesorabutterflybandage)
Steam-Releaseifnottoolarge.Otherwise,usetheTractor-BeamTechniqueontheunderlyingbone.Ifnobonesarenearorassociatedwiththearea,Steam-ReleaseandthenWombtorebuild.Iftissueisoutofline,tryPokingwithaSticktohelprealign.
AminorSteam-Releasetotakeawaysomeofthepain,thenWombtorebuild.(Notetheword“womb”byitselfis
cutWombtorebuild.(Notetheword“womb”byitselfisthecompleteWombingTechnique:surroundtheobjectwithathree-dimensionalfield,lookforinterestingthings,andmakespace.)
Emotionalwork
Havetheclientimaginehisissue/problem,andaskhimwherehefeelsthediscomfortassociatedwiththatthought.Wombandmakespaceinthatarea.WhenyouWombanythingphysical,ifthereisaspongyor“fluffy”feelingaroundit,thatisanexampleofanemotionsurroundinganareaofpain.Includethefluffyareawithinthewombandapplythetechnique.
Geneticdisorders
Imagine“thegenes”viayourintent,thenWombtorebuild.
Headtrauma
Ifskullisfractured,Steam-Releasearea.Iftheskullisnotfractured,Tractor-Beamtheskulltoreducepain.AligntheocciputwithWombplusTractor-Beam;dothehipsaswell,asthetwoareintrinsicallylinked;thenWombtorebuild.
Migraines
DotheFive-DiaphragmsExerciseandpayparticularattentiontothepalatinearea,asthesphenoidbonecanputpressureonthebaseofthecranium,whichinturnplacesunduepressureonthepituitarygland.AnotherexercisepeoplefindhelpfulisMeltingAroundaTennisBall.Whengivingasession,youcanWombplusPokingwithaSticktoalignthesebones.Inaddition,Wombthepituitaryandmakespace.Thereisstrongevidencethat
pituitaryandmakespace.Thereisstrongevidencethatmigrainesandthepituitaryglandareintrinsicallylinked.
Basicmuscletensioninaparticularspot
Steam-Release
Aftermajorsurgery(orwherethebodyhasbeensurgicallyopenedandthenclosed)
Steam-Releaseforlocalpain,thenWombtorebuildarea.Payparticularattentiontooverallflowthroughentiresystem,particularlyiftherewasananestheticused(especiallygeneralanesthesia).Peoplehaveatendencytoshutdownaftersurgeryandyouwantthesystemwellopenedsothatflow,bothenergeticandphysical,returnsasquicklyaspossible.Yourconnectiontotheoverallflowhelpstheclientre-open.
Overallsystemicillnesslikelupus,acold,and
Scantheoverallsystem,senseforthingsthatfeel“wrong.”Womballareasthatattractyourattention(youcanhaveasmanywombsasyouwant),thenchooseoneofthewombstolookforinterestingthingsinandmakespace.Usuallywhathappensiswhenonewombshifts,alltheothersshiftaswell,muchlikethe
leukemiawombshifts,alltheothersshiftaswell,muchlikethedominoaffect.Self-as-LogExerciseisalsoappropriate.
PractitionerNotes:Wheneverwearenotfamiliarwithaparticulardiseaseorconditionwealwayshavetheclientgiveabasicexplanationasthisshortensthelearningcurve.Ifitisveryunusualorifyouarejustcurious,lookituponline.TheInternetisanexcellentresourcetogetanideaofwheretofocusyourattention.
Pleaserealizethatyoucanalwaysworksymptomatically;thatis,justfollowthepain.ThereasonthatwegetsotechnicalistheCoreworkcanbeincrediblyexacting.Shot-gunninganareawithawombordoingSteam-Releaseinabunchofareas(oranyofthetechniquesforthatmatter)willcausechangeandyoudon’treallyneedto“know”anythingspecial.Thatsaid,wehavefoundthatitmakesforamuchmoreinterestingsession,especiallywhenworkingononeclientafteranother,whenyouletyourselfridetheflowsandworktheoddspacesthatshowup.
BasicCoreTransformationTroubleshooting:WhattodoifthereislittleornochangeduringasessionorguidelinesformaximizingyourCoresession
AmIinmyCorePoint?
OramI“outthere”inmyhandsorwhereI’mworking?Agoodwaytokeepyourselffromgoingoutandtryingto“dosomething,”istothinkofyourselfasthedemomodel.Insteadoftryingtomakesomethingchangeintheclient,thinkofdemonstratingchangewithinyourself.Thebetteryoucandemonstratechangebyopeningyourself,thedeepertheentrainmentwillbecomeandthemoretheclient’sbodywillunderstandhowtodoit.
AmIopentoflowmyself,oramIcloseddownanywhere?
TakeabreathortwoanddooneoftheexercisessuchastheFiveDiaphragms(seethispage—namely,thediaphragmbreathwiththewavethroughallfivediaphragms),orGrounding(andlettingtheenergythrough—seethispage).Makesuretheflowgoesallthewayoutthetopofyourhead.
AmIinastateofAllowing?
Rememberthatforceoftencausesresistance,evenwhenwe’retalkingabouttheenergeticlevel.Keepasenseofinvitation,excitement,newpossibilities,andsupport.
Isthereany“push”orinnertensioninhowIamdoingthetechnique?
TryfloatingdeeperintotheCorepoint,andfeeljoyinbeingthere.Letthatsenseoffloatingandjoy,ofjustBEINGyourselfbeamajorpartofhowyoudothework.Theproblemthatyoufocusonisonlyaminorpartofyourawareness,sortofabackgroundofintent.
Iftherestillseemstobenothinghappening,trychangingthemethod,eitherwithintheCoretechniquesoruseBasicorSuperchargingQuantum-Touch.
Istheclientintheirbody?
Ifsheisn’t,thiscanoftenblockchangefromhappening.Askhertothink,“WhoamI?”Shedoesn’tneedtoanswerthis,butitwilltendtobringherbackintoherbody.Shemayneedtodrinksomewater.
Iftheclientfeelspain,firsthaveherdrinkwater.Thiswilloftentakecareoftheproblemasithelpsthebodyadjustandholdtheopeningandchangesthatarehappening.Ifshehasanold,majorinjury,theremaybealotofpieces/tensionsthatcometolightasyoureleaseotherareas.Itislikethelayersofanonion;justfollowthepainusingSteam-Releasealternatingwithwhateverelseyou’refocusingon.Rememberthatyoucanalwaysuseextra“imaginaryhands”tofillinasnecessary.
canalwaysuseextra“imaginaryhands”tofillinasnecessary.Rememberthathealingmaynothappenallatonce.Theclientisstill
thehealerandwhateverincrementalorlargechangeheorsheallowsisappropriateandwonderful.Offerthepossibilityofmiracles—alsoallowthesmallestofmiracles.
Chapter12FrequentlyAskedQuestions
Eachmomentunfolds;bepresentforeachexperience.
WhenIdotheCorebreath,sometimesIfeelabitdizzy.Whydoesthishappen?
ThedizzinessisusuallybecauseyourfocusontheCorepointistoohigh,atthetopedgeoftheCorespace.Letyourselfmentallyslideeversoslightlyfartherdownandthisshoulddissipate.
HowdoyouusethesteeringwheelassomethingtoflowaroundorbalanceagainstwhendoingtheCoreworkcombinedwithMicro-Movements?
WhendoingMicro-Movementsinthecar(whileatastopsignoraredlight),thesteeringwheelisasurfacethatcanbepressedagainst,justasthechairis.Ifyouextendtheenergythroughyourarmsandnotehowitfeelswhentheenergyencountersthesteeringwheel,youcanreleasetensionatthecontactpoints.Youcanalsoreleasethroughthewholearmandshoulderandthendownthroughthewholebody.Soineffect,yourhandsagainstthesteeringwheelarelikeyourseatbonesagainstthechair,andyouarenoticingtheenergypressinglightlyagainstthesteeringwheel.Atthesametime,thereisthereverseflowthatgoestheotherwaypastyourshoulderwhich“grows”andreleasesinthatareaandonthroughyourbackandbody.Anythingthatgivesyouareferencepointtohelp“defineyou”issomethingyoucanreleasearoundandthrough.Theonlylimitstothisprocessareself-imposed.Somethingsarehardertofindyourwayintothanothers;forinstance,youmayfindithardtosensetheenergythroughafinger,whileitmaybeeasierforyouthroughyourleg.Asyourelaxandchallengeyourself,youwillcontinuallydiscovermoreaboutyourselfandyourenergy.
WhydoIgettenseorachyinmyeyesorforeheadwhenIdotheCorebreath?
Thisisusuallybecauseyouarephysicallyorientingyoureyestolookbackwardsinawaythatcausestheeyestocross.Thiscausesmusculartension.Ifthishappens,trylookingupandbackratherthaninandback.YoualsomighttrydoingtheCorebreathwiththeeyesopensothatyoubecomeawareofwhenyoureyesdothat.
Whatisawave(asdefinedbytheCorework)?
AwaveisanincreaseinenergeticandphysicalmotioninthebodycausedbytheCorebreath,particularlywhenappliedorcombinedwithspecificexercises.Thephysicalwaveistheopeningofthemusclesandothertissuestomorebloodorotherfluids’flowinyourbody.Energetically,itisanincreaseoftheenergymovementthroughthebodymuchlikeawavemachinecausingchangesincurrentswithinthewave“container.”
Whatdoyoumeanbyaflow?
Flowisaforcethatexistswithinthebodycreatedby“life.”Ifsomethingisdead,ithaslittleornomovementofenergywithinit.Thisflowfeelsmuchlikewatertravelingthroughapipe.Ifapipeispartiallyblockedorcompletelyclosedatoneend,theflowthroughitisimpededorstopped.Forthisreason,wedesirethatthepersonweworkwithbeopenatboth“ends”(orthefeetandhead)sothatenergycanmovethroughwithoutrestriction.Thisalsomeansthatweasindividualsshouldstriveforthisstatetobenaturaltousaswell.Childreninstinctivelylivewithinthistypeofflowuntilanoverloadoftheirsystem(eitherfromtraumaorotherfear-basedreaction)closesthemdown.
ItseemshardtofocusontheCorepoint.
Thisisusuallybecauseyouaretryingtoohard.ThinkoftheCorepointasaspaceorstateofmind.Asyouarepresentwithinthisspace,whathappensifyoubreathefromthere?Ifyouallowthebreathingandthespacetodefineeachother,ratherthanbepushedagainst,thingsgetmucheasier.Relax,letyourselfsettleintotheCorespace,andletthebreathingbemarriedtothespaceandseehowyouevolve.
Whyisthebreathingsoslowontheexhale?
TheslowexhalegivesyouenoughtimeintheCorestatetoaffectchange.Italsoamplifiesthe“wave”andmakesiteasiertoride.Anotheraspectoftheslowexhaleisthatitallowsyoutogetmore“internal”;inotherwords,youachieveagreatersenseofwhoyouarefundamentally.
otherwords,youachieveagreatersenseofwhoyouarefundamentally.
Whyistheinhaleasimportantastheexhale?
Theinhaleisimportantbecauseitistheotherhalfofthewave.Thepumpingactionofthebreathislikeabellows,itisthestatethatallowstheexhale.Onecannotexistwithouttheother.Ifyouhurryyourinhale,youdonotgiveyourselftheopportunitytofullybe.Thereshouldbenosenseofurgencytogettothenextexhale,onlythepossibilitytoexperienceatadeeperleveleachaspectofwhoyouareasyouinhaleandexhale.
Ican’tseemtofindoneofthediaphragmswhenIdotheFiveDiaphragmsExercise.
Therecanbeseveralreasonsforthis,butthemostcommononeisexcesstensioninoneormoreareas.Let’ssaythatyoufeelallofthemexceptthekidney/peritoneum.Ifyouhavemajorbacktension,theideaofthisarealettinggomaybeemotionallyfrightening.Ithasbeenguardedforsolongthattheideaofactuallyfeelingsomethingbesidespainortensionisjusttooforeign.Youcouldallowtheareasthatdoreleasetoteachtheareaoftensionwhatreleaseislike,andbitbybititwillaccepttheopportunitytochange.Remember,thereareamillionreasonswhyapersonmayfinditdifficulttoaccessapartofherorherbody.Thesethingsinclude:rememberedpain,emotionaltrauma,physicaltrauma,aninabilitytorememberbeingunguarded,orafeelingofsafetyinthelackofawarenessofanareaorparticularbodypart.Justkeeppracticingtheexerciseandeventuallyyouwillfindtheawarenessofthatareagrowing.Itmaycomequickly,oritmaytakedays,weeks,ormore.Don’tjudgeyourprogress,justpractice.
Whydowedophysicalmovementsatall?
Eachmovementwemake,whetheritisoneinthisbookorsimplymovingaroundinday-to-daylife,givesustheopportunitytounderstandourbodiesmorecompletelyaswellastheflowsthatmove(orarestagnant)throughoursystem.Theexercisespresentedheregiveusanentrypointtoflowsinthebody.Asoursystemgetsquieter,wecanexperiencedeeperflowswithinourselves.Theexercisesareattemptstoachievethisquietnessandridetheriverthatweareinanyparticular
experiencedeeperflowswithinourselves.Theexercisesareattemptstoachievethisquietnessandridetheriverthatweareinanyparticularmoment.
DoIhavetostayhyper-focusedontheCorepoint?
Thereisnoneedtostay“hyper-focused.”YouwanttogettothepointwhereyousimplythinkoftheCorepointandthenblendthebreathwiththatexperience.ManypeopletrytoohardandbracethemselvesagainstthebreathastheytrytoentertheCorepoint.Thisisactuallycounterproductive.Instead,simplyrelaxintotheCorepointasyoudotheslowbreathandallowyourselftoslideeffortlesslyintothearea.
CanIbefocusedontheCorepointonboththeinhaleandtheexhale?
Yes.Inthebeginningwesuggestyoujustbefocusedontheexhale,butyouwillfind,asyourelaxwiththework,ifyoufocusonboththeinhaleandtheexhale,thewholebodybeginstofeellikethereisaconstantexpansionandlengthening,muchlikeapump.
Whyisitsoimportanttohaveeverything“cometome”?
Whenyoureachforsomething,youaredoinga“yang”act.Thistendstotakeyou“outthere”whichremovesyoufromtheCorespace.Thisinturnreducestheeffectivenessofthework.
Asdifferentareasopen,Ioftenfeelemotional.Whydoesthathappen?
Thereareemotionstrappedinourtissue.Asthedifferentareasletgo,theemotiontrappedinthemalsoletsgoandyoufeelitagain.Thegoodpartofthisisthatastheemotionisallowedtobeacknowledged,amorecompletehealingisexperienced.
WhyshouldIpracticeQigong?
Qigongtendstomakeussensitivetosubtleenergies.Itisalsogoodforpersonalhealingandgrowth.ItiscertainlynotnecessarytopracticeQigonginordertodothiswork.ItisjustthatitgivesussomuchaccesstoamazingthingsthatitmarrieswellwiththeCoreTechniques.Wealsofeelthateveryoneneedssometimetohisorherselfforpersonalenrichment.WhetherthisisdoingQigongornot,doesn’tmatter.Itis
feelthateveryoneneedssometimetohisorherselfforpersonalenrichment.WhetherthisisdoingQigongornot,doesn’tmatter.Itissimplyonemeditationthatworkswellformany.
WhydoIneedto“let”theenergyinratherthandrawitinwhenpracticingtheGroundingExercise?
Ifyoudrawitin,youareassumingthatforceisgoingtogiveyoumore.Thisjustdoesn’thappen.Theharderyoupull,thelessyouwillhave,atleastinthiscase.Bylettingitfillyou,youacceptaflowattherateofyouropenness.Italsogivesyouagreaterrelationshipwithlivinginthe“now.”Certainlytheexperienceofbeingpresentiswortheverypossibleopportunitythatisoffered.
Whatdoestheenergyfeellikewhenitcomesin?
Thisissomewhatindividual,butenergyisgenerallyexpressedinoneoffiveways:warmth,coolness,electricity,agentlewindblowing,orwaterflowing.Thisvariesfromindividualtoindividual,dependingonhowheorsheis“wired.”Noonewayispreferableoveranother;itissimplyhowitisexperienced.
WhyamIencouragedtodrinkwaterwhendoingtheCorework?
Asthebodychanges,littlechannelscalledmicrotubulesopen.Inorderforthemtostayopen,waterneedstobepresentinorderto“carry”ortransportthenewinformationandmaintaintheintegrityofthenewlyopenedspaces.Thismaycauseyoutobethirsty,andtheactofdrinkingallowsyoutomaintaintheexpansion.
WhydoIbreathethroughthenose,ratherthanthemouth?
Whenyoubreathethroughthenose,youfostergreatercranial-sacralflow.Italsobringsthebreaththroughthesinuses,whichisclosertotheCorepoint.Thistendstohelpyoufindtheareamoreeasily.Thatsaid,itisnotarequirement,simplyasuggestion.Somewillfinditeasiertobreathethroughthemouthastheypracticeinordertoexperiencewhatwearelookingfor.Letyourselftrybothwaysandseewhatyoucanlearn.
WhydoIonlymoveontheexhale?
Thebodytendstolengthenandrelaxwhenyouexhale.Asyouallowmovementtobemarriedwiththeexhale,youcanrideadeeperflowandobtainmore“opening”inyoursystem.
WhydoIstandwithmyfeethipwidthapart?
Anatomically,thisisthemoststructurally-alignedwaytostandsothattheskeletonfullysupportsyou.Italignsthehipsocketswiththelegbonesinacomparativelystraightlineandthismakesforalessmuscularlystressfulwaytostand.Thisinturnallowsyoutosenseflowmoreeasilyinthebeginning.Thinkaboutthewidthofyourstancewhenyouwalk.Youdon’tmovewithyourfeetclosetogetherorfarapart.Onthecontrary,youshiftsothatthelegisinlinewiththewidthofyourhips.
Whydowewantyourheadandnecktoberelaxedwithaslightly-downwardangle?
Thistakestensionoutofthecervical(neck)vertebraeandthejaw.Thisalsoallowsforaneasierflowoftheenergygoingupandoutthecrownofthehead.
Whatdoyoumeanbya“beginner’smind”?
Beginner’smindisawayofsaying“withoutexpectation.”Itiscommontohearofaperson’sdoingverywellatcardsorsuccessfullyhittingaballwithverylittleornoexperience.Thisisoftencalled“beginner’sluck.”Thisisonlypartiallytrue.Abeginnerhasnoexpectationsaboutherperformanceortheoutcomeofherperformance.Shehasnosenseofpersonallimitationunlesssomeonetellsherorintroducestheconceptofdifficulty.Untilthis“difficulty”isexperienced,manygoalsaresimplyachieved.Bymaintainingthisattitude,thingshappenmuchmoreeasily.
Whydoes“reaching”notproducethesameresultas“stayinghere”?
Reachingtakesyououtof“whoyouare.”ThisreducestheactualstatethattheCorebreathputsyouin,sothereislessfortheclienttoentrain
Reachingtakesyououtof“whoyouare.”ThisreducestheactualstatethattheCorebreathputsyouin,sothereislessfortheclienttoentrainto.
WhowasFeldenkrais?
MosheFeldenkraiswasanIsraeliwhohadanumberofphysicalinjuries.Intheprocessofhealingfromtheseinjuries,hediscoveredawholenewwaytorelateto/understandmovingandusingthebody.ThesenewwaysofapproachingmovementhaveprovedverybeneficialtomanypeopleandledtotheprocessknownastheFeldenkraisMethod.Formoreinformation,seetheglossary.
WhendoIusetheSteam-ReleaseTechnique?
Thisisbestusedforspecificareasoftension,forinstance:musclesoracuteinjuriessuchasimpactwounds,trauma,oraroundacut.Iftheareaismoredamagedthanstressed,youwouldthenmovetoWombingafterwards.
WhendoIusetheWombingTechnique?
Anytimeanareaisdamaged,broken,orevendestroyed.
Isensesomeviewsofinternalstructureinmyself.HowdoIgetclearviewsofwhatisgoingoninmyselfandothers?
FirstpracticetheCorebreathandthephysicalexercises.Thiswillquietyourbodyandduetothisquietness,youwillsensemoreinyourselfandothers.Asyougetusedtothe“views”you’llstartgettingaclearersenseofwhatyousee.Observetheshapeandtextureoftheimages,andthenlookatyouranatomychartsandseewhatfitswhatyousaw/sensed.
Toaccesstheseviewsinanotherperson,justtakethesamejourneythroughthemasyoudidinyourself.Don’tthinkofhimorherassomeoneelse,justasanaspectorextensionofyou.Youshouldgetthesameresults.Theactofthinkingthatitwillbedifferentiswhatmakesitdifficult.Itshouldbeexactlythesame.
Whatistheclient’sexperienceofthedifferentCoreTransformationtechniques?
Everysessionandexperienceoftheenergyflowsandhealingchangesisfundamentallyuniquetotheclient;however,therearesomesharedexperiencesinadditiontothefeelingorperceptionofthefivewaysofsensingenergy(seethispage,“Whatdoestheenergyfeellikewhenitcomesin?”)duringahealingsession:
Technique Client’sExperience
Steam-ReleaseTechnique
•spaciousness
•asenseofrelaxation
•airiness
WombingTechnique
•spaciousnessinfocusedareaandbeyond
Tractor-BeamTechnique
•relaxationintheareaoffocuswhichspreadsbeyondfocusedareaasthereismorerelaxation(energy“spillsover”)
WombplusTractor-BeamTechnique
•movementandasenseofeaseintheareaoffocus
WombplusPokingwitha
•spaciousnessinfocusedareaandbeyond
•movement
StickTechnique
LeveringOpenaJoint
•relaxationinareaoffocus
•warmth/coolness/electricity(orotherperceptionofenergy)movingdownarm,legorotherbodypart
Glossary
CoreBreath:Averyslowexhalemarriedtoafocusjustabovethepituitarygland,witharelaxedinhale.
CorePoint:Thezonejustabovethepituitarygland.
Diaphragm:Acurved,muscularmembraneinmammalsthatseparatestheabdomenfromtheareaaroundthelungs.IntheCorework,anyzoneormusclegroupthatmovesinconcertwiththismuscularmembrane.
Duodenum:Thefirstportionofthesmallintestine,justbelowthestomach.
Flow:WithintheCorehealingwork,flowistheactofenergymovingthroughasystem,throughourownoranother’sbody,withorwithoutrestriction.
GreaterTrochanter:Alarge,irregulareminenceontheheadofthefemur(thighbone).
Guarding:Protectinganareathathasbeeninjured,eitherphysicallyoremotionally.Thisprotectioncanbeexperiencedthroughbothphysicalprotectionand/oremotionalavoidance.
IschialTuberosity:Posteriorly,thesuperiorramusoftheischiumformsalargeswelling,thetuberosityoftheischium(orischialtuberosity).Itmarksthelateralboundaryofthepelvicoutlet.Whensitting,weightisfrequentlyplacedupontheischialtuberosity.
HeadoftheFemur:Thetopoftheupperlegbonethatgoesintothepelvis.
Femur:Theupperleg(thigh)bone.
Lateralarch1:IntheCorebook,itistheentireoutsideedgeofthefoot.
Thelateralarchiscomposedofthecalcaneus,thecuboid,andthefourthandfifthmetatarsals.
Mandible:Thelowerjaw.
Matrix2:Thenaturalmaterialinwhichsomethingisembedded,suchastheintercellularsubstanceofabodytissue.
Maxilla:Theupperjaw.
Medialarch:Oneofthetransversearches.Inthisbook,itistheinsidelengthofthefoot.
MosheFeldenkrais:ARussian-bornmanwhospentmuchofhislifeinIsrael.Hebecameactiveinsports(gymnastics,soccer)andthemartialarts(jiu-jitsu).Duringhismid-twenties,hestudiedinFranceandbecameagraduateinMechanicalandElectricalEngineering.Later,heearnedhisDoctorofScienceinPhysics.FeldenkraisbecameastudentofJigaroKano,earnedaBlackBeltinJudo,andintroducedJudototheWestthroughhisteachingandbooksonthesubject.Aftersufferingcripplingkneeinjuries,Feldenkraisusedhisownbodyashislaboratoryandmergedhisacquiredknowledgeandpersonalcuriosityaboutbiology,perinataldevelopment,cybernetics,linguistics,andsystemstheory.Hetaughthimselftowalkagainandintheprocessdevelopedasystemforaccessingthepowerofthecentralnervoussystemtoimprovehumanfunctioning.Feldenkraisstudiedintensivelyinpsychology,neurophysiology,andotherhealth-relateddisciplines.In1949,hereturnedtoIsraelwherehecontinuedtointegrateandrefinehisideasintothesystemknownastheFeldenkraisMethod.Thismethodismoreeasilyexplainedbyexampleofwhatitisnotandthenwhatitis.Inmassage,thepractitionerworksdirectlywiththemuscles.Inchiropractic,theyworkwiththebones.Thesearestructuralapproachesthatseektoaffectchangethroughchangesinstructure(musclesandspine).TheFeldenkraisMethodworkswithone’sabilitytoregulateandcoordinateone’smovement;whichmeansworkingwiththenervoussystem.Youcanthinkofthisasa“functionalapproach”whereinonecanimproveone’suseofwhateverstructuralconsiderationsarepresent.
whereinonecanimproveone’suseofwhateverstructuralconsiderationsarepresent.
Occiput:Thebackpartoftheheadorskullwheretheneckjoinsthehead.
Palatine:Of,near,orinthepalate.IntheCoreexercises,theboneinthebackoftheroofofthemouth,abovethesoftpalate.
Perinatal:Theperiodaroundchildbirth,especiallythefivemonthsbeforeanduptoonemonthafterbirth.
Perineum:Theareaofthepelvicfloorbetweenthegenitalsandtheanus.
Peritoneum:Classically,itisasmooth,transparentmembranethatlinestheabdomen.IntheFive-DiaphramsExercise,theperitoneum“diaphragm”affectedbytheCoreBreathisfromthepubicboneuptoandincludingthefirstrib,justbehindthecollarbone.
PituitaryGland:Asmallovalglandatthebaseofthebraininvertebrates.Itproduceshormonesthatcontrolotherglands.
Proprioceptor:Asensorynerveinmuscles,tendons,andjointsthatprovidesasenseofwhereyourbodyisinspace.Forexample,whenyoumoveyourarm,theproprioceptorsletyourbodyknowwhereyourarmisrelativetotherestofyourbody.
Qigong:Thecultivation(gong)orproductionofvitalenergy(Qi)throughmovementandbreath.Literally,“thecultivation(gong)ofvitalenergy(Qi).”
ReversePsychology:Reversepsychologyisthetermthatdescribestheoutcomewhereadvocacyofonecourseofactionpersuadesanotherpersontodotheopposite.Supposeyouhadachildwhodidn’twanttogotobed,orahorsethatdidn’twanttostop.Insteadoffightingagainsttheirdesire,yougowithitandencourageit(tellthechildhehastostayup,orurgethehorsetorun)untiltheynolongerenjoyitandtheoriginallydesiredbehaviornowbecomesattractive.Youpushonjusta
littlelongersotheyreallywanttodowhatyouoriginallydesiredandthenallowthat.
SeatBone:Thebaseofthepelvisthatyoufeelwhenyousitonahardsurface.Theanatomicalnameistheischialtuberosity.
Transversearch3:Inthisbook,thistermreferstothearchacrosstheentirefrontpartofthefoot.
Yang:Theconceptoflight,heat,movement,ormoremasculineelementinChinesephilosophy,itisthecounterparttoyin.
Yin:Theconceptofdark,accepting,quiet,ormorefeminineelementinChinesephilosophy,itisthecounterparttoyang.
Wave:Asurgeorincreasedflowthatmovesthroughabody(inthisbook,“wave”isusuallyusedtodescribethephysicalfeelingoftheenergy,butnotnecessarily).
XiphoidProcess:Asmall,cartilaginousextensiontothelowerpartofthesternumthatisusuallyossified.Itisjustbelowwheretheribcagecomestogetheratthesternuminthesolarplexus.
1DefinitionfromWikipedia(www.wikipedia.com2008)
2FromWebster’s7thNewCollegiateDictionary1967.
3DefinitionfromWikipedia(www.wikipedia.com2008)
WorksCited
BloomsburyPublishingPlc.EncartaWorldDictionary.1999.
MerriamWebster.MerriamWebster’s7thNewCollegiateDictionary.Springfield,MA:GandCMerriamCompanyPublishers,1967.
Various.Wikipedia.2008.http://www.wikipedia.org/(accessed2008).
Bachelard,Gaston,ThePhilosophyofNo:APhilosophyoftheNewScientificMind,trans.G.C.Waterston(NewYork:OrionPress,1968)
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