Learning Processes
Learning Processes
A new study from NeuroScience News, reported on October 9th, indicates that scientists have discovered a group of brain cells in the orbitofrontal cortex that become more active when outcomes are uncertain. You might even notice how we can knit our brow, searching for an answer or solution to a problem. Can you feel the tension that develops in this area behind your forehead and eyes? This reveals how the brain adapts and learns to better cope with unpredictable situations. This study is helping to clarify how to work with those suffering from anxiety and depression, which too often shuts down one’s ability to learn and address problem-solving. All this is good news, as so many today suffer from depression and anxiety more than ever. What’s also important is the ability to develop cognitive flexibility. Reward learning is a process where the learner perseveres because of the incentive of a reward. It has been noted that when the reward doesn’t come as expected, it is vital to cope with the disappointment and continue exploring, eventually finding a better pattern that leads to the reward. It’s about learning how to deal with unexpected disappointments and surprises, and balancing mentally and emotionally, which affects us physically. It’s all the learning process, so keep going, as the saying goes, “if first you don’t succeed, try, try again!”
“The aim is to create conditions under which learning takes place, and in which a person feels free!” – Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais
Dr. Feldenkrais recognized decades ago that one way to override a looping pattern, which keeps us stuck in frustration, was to return to how we all started in movement. From this sensory experience, we began to develop our understanding and cognitive flexibility, enabling us to problem-solve instead of giving up in frustration and shutting down. Join me this week for Awareness Through Movement (ATM)® lessons as I share another way into calming the nervous system, building on a basic Feldenkraisian theme of Bell Hand. It’ll be soothing and offer some hands-on self-care in the process. I was exploring this yesterday as I played with a dear colleague, exchanging Functional Integration (FI)®. I didn’t have an issue to address; instead, I shared anything she might offer for more learning. This was it, and while very subtle, I noticed a connection from my hands to my spine, easier on my less dominant hand, which has also been pulled and jerked with the playfulness of my 3 Labs. Today, upon awakening, I noticed a subtle improvement, and it occurred to me to build on this idea and share it with those of you interested. Many themes build upon this idea. Since we all use our hands, and too often, less than optimally, I hope you are curious and will join me this week for ATM classes that build on a theme.
“Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect.” – Steve Jobs
I hope I’ve earned the privilege of your time and attention, and I look forward to hearing from you when the timing is right.
Warmest as the seasons change, another shift to learn how to enjoy even when days are getting shorter and the weather cooler…
Peggi
