Proprioception and Interoception

Proprioception and Interoception

These are big words, and what do they mean? Feeling ourselves in relationship to the environment, everything that is outside of us, sensations making contact with a surface, feeling water or a current of air against our body, also sensations we derive when exploring a Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM)® lesson, beginning with a full body scan, awaken Proprioception. Those sensations you feel within yourself, everything contained within the boundaries of your skin, known as your Integumentary system, are referred to as Interoception. What helps connect your experiences both externally and internally is a bundle of nerves known as the Vagus nerve, which is a current focus of medical research for gut issues and improving well-being.

Think of your vagus nerve as the body’s internal surveillance system. It is one of the 12 cranial nerves and, in essence, the body’s intranet: an incredibly complex information-sharing system that connects our brain to nearly every internal organ. Just as our external environment is constantly monitored by the radar of our “teleceptors”, these are our sensory organs located in the head: 2 eyes, nose with 2 nostrils, 2 ears, your mouth with an upper and lower jaw and tongue, as well as other tactile senses to detect approaching danger to ensure we can react appropriately.

“The aim is a body that is organized to move with minimum effort & maximum efficiency, not through muscular strength but through increased consciousness of how it works. The aim is to create conditions under which learning takes place, and in which a person feels free!” Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais

Professor Dr. Owen Epstein in England, is “a leading Consultant Gastroenterologist renowned for delivering a gentler, smarter, and more precise approach to digestive health.” He recognizes that the vagus nerve is the key that provides our consciousness with information regarding the functioning of our internal organs. Through this communication of the meandering Vagus nerve, one of the largest in our upper torso, this dialog of very precise information to the subcortical area of the brain, is responsible for orchestrating communication between organs to maintain stability and improve health. In fact, Dr. Kevin Tracey, a neurosurgeon and scientist, notes that the vagus nerve is actually composed of a bundle of 200,000 vagus nerves, divided between the right and left sides of our upper torso. It’s as if these bundles of nerves that meander from our brain into our gut are like the conductor of an orchestra.

Often, when you feel out of sorts and something triggers in your gut, this is an indication that the vagus nerve bundle is excited and triggers your gut distress. So many currently suffer from GI issues, and finding ways to calm and soothe your nervous system also calms your biology. While The Feldenkrais Method® is a dynamic learning system, it can help you learn to address many of your health challenges simply by finding ways to quiet the irritation that leads to distress. It’s not a fix, but rather a strategy of listening and learning to do less, pausing, and noticing what that creates, compared to striving to fix a problem. I totally understand that when we feel distressed, we want a quick fix. Your medical team will be there to help support you with what they know works best. When that is not enough, it’s time to continue learning, through gentle comparisons, how to settle. This learning is about working more efficiently and doing less when exploring ATM lessons, pausing to pay attention to how you perform movements shaped by human developmental stepping stones. And also with the gentle hands-on approach called Functional Integration (FI) lessons. Here is where a skilled practitioner can gently investigate the habits and patterns that too often get in the way of doing what you want. We’ve become accustomed to pushing against resistance, which only creates more irritation. So gift yourself the experience and notice how you feel improved after your first and continuing explorations.

If you’re lucky enough to find something you are passionate about, trust it and let it guide you. This is how we begin to hone skills and advance, whether it’s a heart’s desire that helps you improve how you feel, or for some, it can become a career by sharing this body of knowledge that has facilitated so many their own improvements in mind and body.

“Peggi has been one of my favorite teachers since I first met her years ago in the NYC teacher training program. She’s one of those rare teachers who truly cares to be empathetic, free of bias, patient, respectful, aware, disciplined, and professional. She creates a safe and caring environment, necessary for the vulnerable and deep learning that occurs with Feldenkrais. She has got to be one of the best FI practitioners in all the world! Each time I’ve had an FI lesson with her, I come away completely transformed. She’s totally present with me in a way that allows for a truly integrative and magical experience.” – Sarah Silk, artist & FM practitioner

I am honored to share this testimonial from another of my mentees. There are many more sharing their improvements to allow you to recognize there is merit in this somatic learning, listening to how our mind and body coordinate to become more efficient and to optimize how you think, feel, and move so that no matter what your age or health concerns, you too can improve little bits at a time.

I hope I’ve earned the privilege of your time and attention this week, and I hope this newsletter finds you well.

Warmest,

Peggi

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