Rocking has been known to calm a fussy baby, soothe low back pain, and recently found to lull us into a deeper sleep with greater benefits. Other findings have shown the rocking chair motion has had positive affects with people in nursing homes and postoperative care for early hospital discharge. It is believed that the rocking motion may adjust our nervous system, in particular our parasympathetic, or rest and digest state which helps reduce pain. And the rhythmical motion is easily accessible to move our lymph, assist hydration and digestion. What is interesting is this motion seems to be innate. No wonder we seek this out in childhood and into late adulthood.
Look at the joy this young girl expresses as she explores rocking motion on her own. While she balances herself, she shifts right into perpetual motion without guidance to explore her world. What is it about rocking? Rocking gives us a sense of perpetual motion, which may be the source of letting go of unwanted tension to find states of calm and ease. What’s happening biologically when we rock? There’s speculation that it stimulates the receptor systems in our joints, and we know that it effects the balance system in our brain called the vestibular labyrinth located in the inner ear.
Another way to rediscover our innate nature to rock, is to lie and rock on a Smartroller. The design of the Smartroller was to create a tool that supported safety and foster learning as we did when we were babies. Why is safety so important? It’s not just to avoid injury, but kinesthetic learning is easier without the sense of threat. This enables us to explore alternatives to certain movements and discover what’s best for us. What a great way to rock your spine and organs. By using these applications with a finely tuned focus of attention (motor imagery), we can enhance results even more.
So grab a nap on your hammock, find a rocking chair to unwind body tension, or better yet, rock your hips in a regular chair to make micromovements. According to Dr. Dana Cohen, one of the authors of QUENCH, these frequent micromovements assist our fascial system to stay hydrated during long sedentary work days. And if you want to explore more, rock on your Smartroller to unlock your body’s wisdom.
Join me at the 2021 National Feldenkrais Conference! to learn even more about ways to rock to unlock your body’s wisdom. OPTP is offering a discount on Smartrollers for those registered. Handspring Publishing is also offering a discount on the recent book~ THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD.
Resources:
Rocking chair therapy for dementia patients: Its effect on psychosocial well-being and balance
Forgotten method can help others relax
Fascial system: defined as body-wide connecting tissues under our skin, or wrapped around organs and cells, that functions as part of our body’s force transmission, sensory and fluid system and more.
