If you have ever attended one of my classes, you have probably heard about fascia and fascial connections within our body. Often times the lessons that come from awareness of the superficial and deep energetic connections can create a greater awareness of how we are designed to move and hence identify our own restrictions (where we are tight) and our freedom (where we open) to mobilize into action.
The inspiration for most of my personal work translates into my teachings, is drawn from the work of Thomas W. Myers and his comprehensive study of the body in Anatomy Trains. Here we start with "Session 1", the first of 12 which are outlined for practitioners to help design programs for clients to progress systematically and find release from tension and pain and develop awareness of mindful movement to find freedom.
Superficial and Deep Arm Lines (SFAL & DFAL)
Superficial Front Line (SFL)
Session 1: Superficial Front Line & Front Arm Lines (Superficial & Deep)
- Session Type: Superficial
- Line Type: Cardinal
- Intention: Differentiation
- Anatomical Focus: Neck, arms/shoulders, pelvis, lower leg & foot
- TCM: Stomach (SFL), Pericardium (SFAL) and Lung Meridians (DFAL)
Goals:
- Introduce deep & direct fascial work
- Open the breath in the front
- Release patterns of fear
- Lift the Superficial Front Line
- Open distal Front Arm Lines
- Ankle/arch/sternocleidomastoid
If you are designing a practice on your own, or to complement some self-discovery in class, consider trying a few of these yoga poses:
- Mongoose Pose
- Toe Squats
- Fish Pose
- Bridge Pose
- Cat/Cow
- Sphinx
- Cobra
- Superman
- Dandasana
- Hero’s Pose
- Tadasana
- Down Dog
- Upward Facing Dog
- Warrior I
- Warrior II
- Reverse Warrior
- Plank
- Reverse plank
- Side Plank
- Wild thing
- Ustrasana
- Dancers Pose
- Bow Pose
- Wheel Pose
- Reverse Table Top
- Crescent Lunge
Something to consider for you next home practice, a sequence for the front body: