Tensegrity of the Human Body

A New Way to Look at Anatomy and Movement

•Tensional “pulling” forces balance compressive “pushing” forces

•Our bones float in a web of fascia that provides the tensional support

•Interdependent, interwoven system that is 3 dimensional and not parts-based

•Exists at every level, from microscopic to macroscopic - a “living matrix”

•self-contained, non-redundant systems in which forces translate though all the linked components - a change in one part affects all parts

Models •Anatomy Trains - tracks, stations,

and switches provide a metaphor for the continuities of fascial tissue in the body.

•A single Anatomy Train is an equivalent term for a myofascial meridian.

Other Metaphors•A Kite - the crossbars support the

fabric of the kite, and the fabric creates the movement

•A Sailboat - the mast holds the sails, which move the boat, but the mast must be supported with tensional wires and stays

•Our Spine - muscles provide tensional ‘stays‘ that allow it to be a smaller structure

Anatomy Trains•distinct meridians— dense bands connecting

multiple muscles and spanning multiple joints, tacked down at numerous bony “stations” along the way. The separate meridians “switch lines” as forces transfer through the body.

•balanced, harmonious tension along these “train lines” help support fluid, effortless movement

•chronic tension or slack can lead to poor posture, faulty movement patterns, and pain

The Rail System

•The Superficial Back Line

•The Superficial Front Line

•The Lateral Line

•The Arm Lines

•The Functional Lines

•The Deep Front Line

How to maintain Tensegrity

•Work with a qualified Fascial Stretch Therapist or Structural Integrator

•Smart exercise choices involving the fascial web

•Use movements that require dynamic transfer of force from the ground and out into hands - simulating a wave

•Stretch entire and multiple planes of the body at once

•Use long movements that extend and spiral your body, head to toe

•Oscillating movements help fascia slide effectively and reinforce healthy, integrated relationship among the myofascial meridians (anatomy trains)

•Incorporate bouncing into workouts (jump rope, trampoline jumping, jogging) to maintain elasticity in the fascia

•Vary movement patterns and exercise modalities to safeguard against tightness and adhesions in the fascia

•Seek out new ways to move through dance, sports, martial arts, yoga, and other activities that incorporate whole body motions

•Use the body as a whole system working together to optimize health

•Dynamic flexibility training like Tai Chi and Yoga

•Full-body, functional strength training like kettlebell and other multi-joint, multi-planar, mulit-level exercise modalities

•Integrated forms of exercise link muscles together functionally and follow the interconnected chains of fascia to facilitate smooth, coordinated movements

How Fascia becomes inflamed

or irritated•influenced by genetics

•continued repetitive movement patterns

•habituated slouching

•overtraining can cause compartment syndrome

•inactivity

What happens with inactivity

•fascia gets fuzzy and sticky and doesn’t slide well

•static tissues don’t absorb surrounding fluids and become dehydrated

•some fascial meridians get short and tight while others get long and loose

A New Paradigm

•research is exploding

•only 3 Fascial Congresses so far; first one was in 2007

•we are only BEGINNING to understand the complexities and the possibilities

Resources•anatomytrains.com

•stretchtowin.com

•intensiondesigns.com

•guimberteau-jc-md.com

•youtube.com/watch?v=01jdrGrp4Fo

•theiasi.org (Int’l Association of Structural Integrators)

•sandraswami@mac.com 651.208.4564