Posture release imagery
Encyclopedia
Posture release imagery is a visualization
method for improving the mind-body
relationship by freeing up postural
sets that influence freedom of movement. It works by thinking about specified images based on nine "new principles" and noting how these visual and tactile-kinesthetic images affect posture and motion.
The developer of the approach, John Appleton of Springfield, Missouri, proposes nine of these specified principles that promote healthy posture. These principles portray an ideal response of the body to gravity, either while relatively motionless or in motion. Appleton's method has the student experiment by imagining becoming specific body shapes with certain qualities and later observing how these imaginary thoughts and principles have affected posture and body awareness sense.
Students examine pictures of specific, recommended, simplified animal-like shapes and textures. Then they are asked to imagine that they are inside of these shapes and possess their qualities, as if the shapes were the skin of their own body. These visualization exercises are applied in order to become aware of one’s own hidden postural attitudes and habits, so that unnecessary habits of holding tension
can begin to be eliminated.
, states that some of the imagery and principles are derived from its principles, in spite of that discipline not employing the technique of visualization. posture release imagery also bears some accidental resemblance to ideokinesis
, a name that is given to a variety of imagery developed by various people and used primarily by dancers.
Creative Visualization
Creative visualization refers to the practice of seeking to affect the outer world via changing one's thoughts. Creative Visualization is the basic technique underlying positive thinking and is frequently used by athletes to enhance their performance. The concept originally arose in the US with...
method for improving the mind-body
Mind-body
Mind-body may refer to:* Mind-body connection, a medical model* Mind-body dichotomy, a philosophy of mind* Mind-body exercise, a form of exercise that combines body movement with mental focus* Mind-body intervention, an alternative medicine...
relationship by freeing up postural
Human position
Human positions refers to the different positions that the human body can take.There are several synonyms that refer to the human position, often used interchangeably, but having specific flavors....
sets that influence freedom of movement. It works by thinking about specified images based on nine "new principles" and noting how these visual and tactile-kinesthetic images affect posture and motion.
The developer of the approach, John Appleton of Springfield, Missouri, proposes nine of these specified principles that promote healthy posture. These principles portray an ideal response of the body to gravity, either while relatively motionless or in motion. Appleton's method has the student experiment by imagining becoming specific body shapes with certain qualities and later observing how these imaginary thoughts and principles have affected posture and body awareness sense.
Students examine pictures of specific, recommended, simplified animal-like shapes and textures. Then they are asked to imagine that they are inside of these shapes and possess their qualities, as if the shapes were the skin of their own body. These visualization exercises are applied in order to become aware of one’s own hidden postural attitudes and habits, so that unnecessary habits of holding tension
Stress (medicine)
Stress is a term in psychology and biology, borrowed from physics and engineering and first used in the biological context in the 1930s, which has in more recent decades become commonly used in popular parlance...
can begin to be eliminated.
Derivations and related disciplines
Appleton, who is a teacher of the Alexander TechniqueAlexander Technique
The Alexander Technique teaches the ability to improve physical postural habits, particularly those that have become ingrained and conditioned responses...
, states that some of the imagery and principles are derived from its principles, in spite of that discipline not employing the technique of visualization. posture release imagery also bears some accidental resemblance to ideokinesis
Ideokinesis
Ideokinesis is an approach to the improvement of human posture and body movement, in which visual and tactile-kinesthetic imagery guide the student toward healthier form....
, a name that is given to a variety of imagery developed by various people and used primarily by dancers.
External links
- http://posturereleaseimagery.org/my-articles
- http://www.alexandertechnique.com/onyourown.htm
- http://www.ideokinesis.com/