Mabuhay!
In a
world that is focused on technology that requires less movement, it takes
constant and conscious effort to be filled with agility and enthusiasm to
exercise. Before we become aware of it, minutes and hours have passed being in
front of the computer or gadget screens. With a quick #throwback and
reminiscing about one’s elementary and high school days, the experience of
participating in a cheerdance routine, any dance performance or even sabayang pagbigkas na may kasamang kumpas
for Buwan ng Wika has been a part of one’s growth experience. These activities
prove that synchronization and hours of practice can become taxing. However, it
is an amazing adaptation that we are able to incorporate muscle memory,
physiological responses and corresponding feelings when we move.
https://media.giphy.com/media/l0MYIZarlqTP6O9ry/giphy.gif
Recent
research showed that proprioception or our bodily awareness is not just limited
to movement and its physical manifestations. Interestingly, its associations
with internal processing of memories and emotions are also explored. For example,
it has been consistently proven that the movements of facial muscles, despite
not explaining their meaning, induce particular emotions (Strack, Martin &
Stepper, 1988; as cited in Stepper & Strack, 1997). Strack and colleagues
tasked participants to use their mouths to hold a pen in place, in a manner by
which a smile was formed or inhibited. After which they had to rate the
funniness of cartoon clips, and their assessed amusement was in line with the
assigned expression (either smile or frown).
The
experience of “feeling” did not necessarily have to be positioned in the
spectrum of negative or positive valence such as happiness and sadness. Researchers
investigated the effect of non-interpreted proprioceptive cues on the
subjective evaluation of new affective experience (Stepper & Strack, 1997).
They focused on whether a change in posture can affect one’s feeling of pride. Citing
the perspective of the evolutionary theory of Darwin, it has long been
manifested that a straight posture shows pride. Disguising their experiment as
one focusing on ergonomic working positions and its effects on task
performance, they had to go through three tasks. First of which was to
accomplish an achievement test, followed by a motor skills test and lastly,
form-filing. The participants were given a heads-up that they will need to
adjust to different positions for various tasks.
One is
the controlled condition (no manipulation), upright-posture condition (outright
instruction to keep a straight posture) while the other is the slumped-posture
condition (subtle cues by utilizing a relatively low table. They measured the
pride levels of the participants by using a subjective adjective scale, with
filler adjectives such as cheerful, amused, depressed, angry and “pride” was one
of the ten. They found that those in the upright-posture condition have higher
pride ratings than those in the slumped-posture condition, when they are given
successful. They were able to affirm that the co-occurrence of external
positive feedback and internal cues of bodily awareness can produce the
heightened feeling of pride. The researchers further acknowledged Helson’s
findings (1964; as cited in Stepper & Strack, 1997) that the effect of
posture is optimal in certain situation and decreases over time. With the
natural flow of habituation, they stressed that it is the change in posture and
not simply its occurrence (Deutsch & Deutsch, 1973; as cited in Stepper
& Strack, 1997). Additionally, they concluded that the combined effect of
physical movement and brain processing that allows for a complete emotional
experience.
Smitt and
Bird (2013) tackled how proprioception plays a significant role for dancers and
musicians. He cited instances that improved awareness of one’s bodily positions
and movements lessened the risk of injury. Cole and Montero (2007) further explored
how professional dancers, athletes and musicians are able to gain pleasure from
not only the aim, but also the means by which they reach that certain goal.
Interestingly, they also mention that the level of processing is deepened when
dancers cognitively become aware that the dance steps they do are aesthetic. They
also mentioned of the role of mirror neurons that make us appreciate and find
watching synchronized performances and movements to be pleasing (Gallese et al,
1996; as cited in Cole & Montero, 2007) They described it to be “the act of
being able to internally mirror one’s movements,” as such in a groove of a dance
performance (groove) or the replication of head movement in a soccer match (Cole
& Montero, 2007).
First Time to Try Anti-Gravity Yoga! Ohm...
circa 2013
Defying Gravity
with the help of the hammock
Level-Up-Side-Down
circa 2015
In trying
out anti-gravity yoga for the first time, which was developed by Christopher Harrison
offered at Beyond Yoga here in Manila, there is a mix of excitement and
nervousness involved. Do you trust the hammock to carry you and cradle you? We
were assured that it may carry up to the weight of 2000 pounds or up to a baby
elephant! It is a unique experience to be upside down and (yes, cue music – I’d like to try defying gravity). When doing
inversions and other poses upside down, our yogis (or yoga teachers) also use
concrete locational cues such as the studio side, mirror side and speakers
side, instead of the typical “right and left” instructions. As to where we have
to place our hands and feet is also a challenge when we are in a 180-degree
tilt. After a few sessions of practice, there is a feeling of ease and
familiarity already with the movement.
Moreover,
benefits of this exercise includes a natural decompression of the spine due to
the force from gravity (thanks, Physics + Psychophysics!), increased
proprioceptive awareness and aiding the flow of blood to the brain, which is
said to help make people look younger in general. There are also routines when
we are allowed to simply swing back and forth, as if playing in the playground,
and to maintain the swing by curling one’s legs backward and pointing our feet
when moving forward. Those who are experiencing hypertension, heart ailments
and certain eye conditions are discouraged from trying this out because of the
sudden change in pressure.
The
aforementioned studies also show how crucial the role of physical play is in
developing proprioception. With the accessibility of free downloadable games
and other virtual reality games, it is becoming rare that children are able to
appreciate running around and interacting with their neighbors.
As the
year is about to end, some points to ponder on would be:
How can
one remain grounded, while being able to defy the challenges that come one’s
way?
How do we
encourage movement amidst the convenience that technology brings?
Cole, J., Montero, B. (2007). 9(2),
299-317. Affective Proprioception. Janus
Head. 300-317.
Smitt,
M., Bird, H. (2013). Measuring and enhancing proprioception in
musicians and dancers. Clinical
Rheumatology. 32(4), 469-473. doi:
10.1007/s10067-013-2193-7
Stepper,
S. Strack, F. (1993). Proprioceptive Determinants of Emotional and
Nonemotional Feelings. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 64(2), 211-220. Doi:
0022-3514/93
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