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of it. When this happens, movement through the space is restricted and the BOS reduced. Take, for example, the tension created in a stance with the feet parallel. The tension created by the wrapping of the tissue into slight internal rotation makes movement though the anterior medial dimension of the hip joints more difficult. Tension through that section of the aperture restricts movement through it. That tension may hold weight bearing onto that medial aspect of the hip joint and limiting the base of support to that one area, rather than engaging the full dimension of the hip for support. The ability of the nervous system to sustain upright balance of the human structure is truly amazing. Comfort and ease are often lost as the body works to balance and counterbalance all the segments and their specific tensions. Problems with tension or discomfort of one part are often due to an appropriate compensation for a shift in alignment of another part; until the overall shape of the body is brought into balance, the struggle will continue. Recognizing this relationship changes the clinical approach to solving a problem. For instance, there is the common determination in posture that the head is held too far forward. Often, this is true of the neck and head in relationship to the upper chest. But if, as in a previous example, the thoracic spine is in flexion and the chest is centered behind the center of the pelvis, the forward neck and head may be appropriately held forward in balance to the parts below. In fact, the neck may be forward on the upper ribs, and the head may actually be held back on the neck. Moving the head back, then, is not indicated, and that effort can force too much weight to the back. The solution may be that the chest segment should be positioned forward, reclaiming dimension and providing the necessary BOS for the neck and allowing the head to find a more neutral position on the neck. With the chest forward in relationship to the pelvis and head, the position of the head is no longer an issue, strain on the neck is reduced, and the aperture through the corridor of the chest, neck, and head is open. Relationships between segments and the balance of the whole are essential to our alignment. Each part acts as the BOS for the part above and, depending on the relationship, can create ease or tension. The part above has weight-bearing influence on the part below, and can, depending on its mobility and tone, allow or restrict movement of the segment below. When the alignment of the body segments is accurate, each segment holds its own shape and supports the segment above, so the downward pull of gravity need not displace the structure. Holding good posture does not mean stiffness and muscular effort against the pull of gravity. Instead it lets the structure rest into the pull of gravity and readies the body for GRF to spring up through the segments, affording length and decompression. WHOLE-PERSON ASSESSMENT Aston-Patterning, as a form of treatment, is careful to assess the whole person with regard to their alignment and dimension in order to understand the problem of a particular part. The initial assessment is done in terms of seeing the segments of the body: their position in space both in relationship to the feet on the ground and in relationship to the other segments. Watching common movement patterns such as casual stance and walking can show where there is available space for movement and weight bearing and where those elements are not readily accessible. A specific form of palpation determines the areas of tension or lack of muscle tone that may need to be addressed in order to allow the structure an easier and more fluid access to balance and movement. Aston sessions are specifically designed to bring out the best three-dimensional shape available. Movement coaching helps the person feel the support of the structure on the ground or on the chair, allowing the body to yield to gravity, land, and push off the ground to facilitate motion. With balanced cooperation of the whole, the strain on specific parts is reduced, and often symptoms disappear. Awareness of the full three-dimensional shape of one's structure and movement through its spatial design can be enlightening and rewarding. Exploration into spaces that have been inaccessible, and movement along pathways that allow greater ease, give a sense of renewal and expand the possibility of expression. The understanding made possible through inquiring into and exploring the body's truth contacts an inner wisdom in which the client is empowered to shape personal evolution. In the Aston paradigm, correct posture and good alignment are indicative of far more than the physical structure. They represent the place where the body rests comfortably and is well supported, allowing for the individual manifestation of dynamic balance and expression on many levels, and movement in any direction. and Aston-Patterning practitioner. She has been working with movement and alignment of the body for 32 years. She maintains a busy private practice, is a member of the Aston- Patterning faculty and has written numerous articles about the Aston work. She finds her years of experience in physical and neurological rehabilitation, woven together with the Aston principles, make for a richly satisfying exploration into the manifestation of the individual in human form. Laura Servid is an occupational therapist visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 73