Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72093
BODYREADING THE MERIDIANS 7 Both of these models have head forward posture, and both need lengthening in the deep anterior neck tissues. In A, the head is clearly forward. In B, the same basic pattern exists in the neck—the client has just compensated by tipping the rib cage back. A the lower neck flexes to project the end of the spine, and the cranium is pushed forward in space. We discussed the contribution of the Superficial Front Line and Lateral Line to these patterns earlier in this series, but the heart of the problem lies in the core: the neck is pulled forward and down into the chest by the scalenes and surrounding fasciae (Images 7A and 7B). While releasing the sternocleidomastoid (Superficial Front Line) and overworked shoulder muscles (essentially Lateral Line) can be initially helpful, the flexion of the lower neck relative to the rib cage is deeper. Have your client lift his head up on top of his body: if the lower ribs or pelvis is shoved forward by this action, you know that the scalenes and the accompanying fascia that goes to the upper lobe of the lung need careful attention. AS WE DEPART Well, you've made it to the end of our series; you have covered about 20,000 words and a lot of concepts. It's been quite a bit of work and also quite fun to take the time to articulate some of the intuitive assessments it takes seconds to make in my practice. If you like this kind of basis for your work, practice is a good word—it becomes ever easier the more you work with it. Of course—I cannot resist—we offer courses in this skill that you can see at www.anatomytrains.com. In closing, I want to thank the good folks at Massage & Bodywork for their help, expertise in layout, and the opportunity to share. My deep gratitude to Dr. Ida Rolf, who started me on this path of seeing structure, remains undiminished some 30-odd years after her death. Note 1. Blandine Calais-Germain, The Female Pelvis: Anatomy & Exercises (Vista, CA: Eastland Press, 2003), Liz Koch, The Psoas Book (Felton, CA: Guinea Pig Publications, 1997), Andry Vleeming, Vert Mooney, and Rob Stockhart, Movement, Stability & Lumbopelvic Pain, 2nd ed. (Edinburgh: Elsevier, 2007), Eric Franklin, Pelvic Power: Mind/Body Exercises for Strength, Flexibility, Posture, and Balance (East Windsor, NJ: Princeton Book Company, 2003). B Enjoy free ABMP webinars with Thomas Myers as he details his BodyReading the Meridians series. Visit ABMP.com to access past webinars in the archives. Thomas Myers is the author of Anatomy Trains (Elsevier, 2009) and Fascial Release for Structural Balance (North Atlantic, 2010). Myers studied with Ida Rolf and has practiced integrative bodywork for more than 35 years. He directs Kinesis, which offers more than 100 professional certifications and continuing education seminars per year worldwide. For more information, visit www.anatomytrains.com. Celebrate ABMP's 25th anniversary and you may win a refund on your membership. ABMP.com. 103