Nia - Voice of the Tendons
Posted: Jul 22, 12:18 PM
Each Voice of The Body is defined within a Structure made up of the Cognitive, Symbology, and Sensory Awareness aspects. Each aspect is defined by particular elements that impart the scientific components and deeper meanings of the Voice of The Body. Review the Structure to better understand this issue’s Voices of the Body.
Cognitive
Who Am I: Very strong band-like connective tissue extensions that wrap around muscle fibers and attach muscle to bone.
Voice of the Tendons: I am the voice of your tendon. I attach your muscle to your bone. I work directly with muscles and ligaments to help you stabilize your movement. My minimal elasticity creates a powerful positive pull on your contracting muscles that says, “Slow down, change your position to a more comfortable one, adjust and get ready to stop so you don’t hurt yourself.” I let you know how far you can go, and I keep you from over-stretching.
You will find me where space is scarce, and where power is needed. Look for me in your foot, ankle, and leg. Listen to me and you can learn to safely respond to intensity, range of motion, and alignment changes. Keep me healthy by aligning your bones and joints so your muscles can support you in balanced and harmonious ways.
My Gift to You: Stability and mobility in all of your joints. Listening to subtle and loud pulling sensations protects muscles and joints. Dialogue with your tendons keeps your muscles and joints healthy and fit for all kinds of action.
Symbology
Imagine Me As: Visualize me as golden fibrous wrapping paper that wraps around your muscles, with edges that connect your muscle to bone.
Sensory
In Nia: Keep your tendons healthy through Awareness and X-ray Anatomy. Your ability to pay attention to the sensations of your tendons through the alignment of your bones and joints adds comfort and efficiency to your movement. Healthy tendon sensation reminds you to seek ease and balance, diminishing friction related stress and tension. Comfort in your joints tells you your tendons are working in healthy ways.
When Dancing Through Life: Use physical sensation and your internal voice (your inner Conscious Personal Trainer) to guide you in making postural changes that create pleasurable sensations in your joints. Throughout the day, avoid unnecessary stress and tension in your joints and tendons by allowing your body the freedom to move more often, in both subtle and big ways. Engage in movements that add pleasure and diminish discomfort. Maintain a relaxed vertical spine from head to toe when standing. Keep your joints relaxed and spring-loaded; your tendons will be happy! Pick things up by bending down and folding body parts. Sense your muscles stretching as your joints and tendons provide you with stability and mobility. Feel fluid extension along your bones and in your joints when reaching for something on a shelf. Reach only far enough for your muscles and tendons to work together without injury. Protect your precious joints!
