Integrated Movement or sometimes named as Cross Crawl grew out of brain injury research from my understanding. Over the years I have seen how powerful it is for helping people reduce pain, improve flexibility, reduce stress and move past seemingly unmovable mindsets. It may play a powerful role for people struggling with Mental Stress. I have noticed how it assisted people reintegrate their emotional (wholistic right hemisphere) with the logic (rational thinking left hemisphere).
The Mortar March, another variation of cross crawl, can reduce pain for Fibromyalgia sufferers. It truly is a powerful tool. After using it since the 1990’s and seeing the healing effects I recently was loaned a book “33 Introductory Lectures to First Chamber” produced by the Gnostic Society, which helped me gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics in play when Integrated Movement is utilised.
In chapter Seven of, “The Three Brains and How to Solve Problems” the book presents the concept of the Three Brains. The First being centred in the cranium, our head, and dedicated to Thinking.
The Second Brain is the Movement Centre, corresponds with the spinal cord, the central medulla and all associated nerves. Number Three Brain is the Emotional Brain made up of the Sympathetic Nervous system, the plexus and specific nerve centres throughout out the body.
This caught my attention as I have aware of the research that suggests that doing Integrated Movement reconnects the two brain hemispheres. My way of explaining it is to say when we integrate we can think and feel at the same time and come up with solutions. Trauma and Stress can cause a dissociation, we are either blocked into our emotional centres or our thinking centres. Either way we are locked into a Stress Reaction, either over feeling or over thinking.
Another I explain the effects of the disconnect is to use the example of being given a new Range Rover and no one showing us how to use the gears. We end up driving down the road stuck in Low Range, First Gear and wonder why we are not getting far. When we use Integrated Movement regularly we discover there is a whole range of gears available to us.
As I read the chapter the importance of the movement became obvious. When we apply Integrated Movement we are activating all Three Brains, breaking the Stress Reaction. This in turn allows us to relax and look at the problem in a different light and find solutions. When we doing the Integrated Movement exercise all Three Brains come into play, we are more able to bring about equilibrium. No one brain is hijacking the others.
The concept of Three Brains has been expressed before one model refers to the Reptilian (Brain Stem), the Cortex and the Neocortex. The Reptilian Brain is governed by the Flight/Flight mode where sensory information may trigger the Amygdala to switch us a Fear based reaction. Once we have activated the Fear Reaction it is hard for us to stay logical and not over react. We are either stuck in our thinking or our feelings.
If one is to read books on the Power of The Mind, Auto Suggestion, Goal Setting and Law of Attraction, etc, it becomes obvious that to change we need to have an equilibrium in play in our lives. We need to be able to Think and Feel in equal portions. Adding the movement component brings about balance and we are able to maintain a relaxed state in which solutions become easier.
Movement reduces stress, this is well known. Walking, exercising helps reduce our stress. With the understanding of the Three Brains concept it makes more sense. When we are moving our focus is removed from the Thinking or Emotional Brains. If we do Integrated Movement consciously and take the time to feel the movement we accelerate the balance between the Three Centres. We actually create a state of equilibrium.
Unwillingness to Change or Learn, many so called Learning or Behavioural Problems may be stemming from the disconnect between the two hemispheres and the Three Brains. Over focus on one of these centres creates imbalances in others, potentially leading to illness or excessive stress in our lives. It may be a useful tool for anyone stuck in over thinking or over feeling, what some may call depression or anxiety.
The Ancients understood the connection, look at Tai Chi, Yoga , etc, for example. They all incorporate a Mind, Body, Spirit approach, sadly missing in modern fitness regimes.
Integrated Movement may bring noticeable changes into many areas of our lives taking us into a higher state of balance, of equilibrium.
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