Process and Progress
Process and Progress
New research from Neuroscience News reveals how synaptic connections in the cerebral cortex can strengthen during sleep, offering insight into how the brain continues to learn even while we rest. Research is a lengthy process and progresses as it now catches up with the teaching of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. He shared, long before modern science could prove it, that neuroplasticity of the brain exists, and that during any work or activity, the integration of new information occurs during restful sleep, rather than during the action itself.
Our brains and nervous system continue learning even while we rest. I’ve often shared that science is frequently behind the times due to the lengthy research required to clarify scientifically what is actually happening. The process of science is to prove the ideas through repeating the experiment over and over again to substantiate it as fact. It takes lots of time to corroborate all the research to make it science, and this is important. However, instead of always waiting for science to prove something, begin sooner than later to explore and play to sense and feel what’s actually occurring. Notice that in time, science will state the facts that you are already realizing through your own explorations.
This idea leads me to the concept of our own intuiting, internal knowledge, or awakening to information within us. It’s subtle and yet significant. You can begin today. Get curious and begin to explore gently, validating through sensations and internal knowledge. You can figure out through comparisons which movements allowed for improvement, and how, in doing so little, pretty quickly, you begin to feel improvement.
This is our individual process in exploring Awareness Through Movement (ATM)® lessons as well as the hands-on, Functional Integration (FI) somatic learning. It’s a process, just like how we grew and developed. It’s a way to progress and improve as you begin to learn how to compare and notice differences. Begin to compare where something seems easier and feels nicer, this is real progress.
Listen not only to what you are doing, but also to how you are doing it, especially when there are rote, habitual patterns, as when you work out or do something repetitively. I trust that, through my years in The Feldenkrais Method, I have come to understand the answer lies more in this process of how we activate.
“ Through awareness, we can learn to move with astonishing lightness and freedom at almost any age. The aim is a body that is organized to move with minimum effort & maximum efficiency, not through muscular strength, but though increased consciousness of how it works.” Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais
It’s summer and many are away enjoying time on vacations and with family. I hope you are also enjoying the summer, whether visiting or taking care of yourself. I will be offering my regular 4 afternoon ATM classes this week, so hope you can join me to explore your own process and we continue to progress together. If you are not currently receiving the links for classes, please reach out, it’s always a pleasure to welcome others.
I hope I have earned the privilege of your time and interest this week.
Warmest from a hot and humid Eastern region in summer,
Peggi
