Myo = muscle.
Fascia = connective tissue.
MyoFascial Release (MFR) is a therapy that frees up muscle that has become bound by connective tissue, which is the same material as scar tissue.
Fascia is the soft tissue component of the connective tissue that provides support and protection for most structures within the human body, including muscle. This soft tissue can become restricted due to poor posture, overuse, trauma, injury, illness, or inactivity, often resulting in pain, muscle tension, and corresponding diminished blood flow. Although fascia and its corresponding muscle are the main targets of myofascial release, other tissue may be affect as well, including other connective tissue.
This will be a deeply healing and profound practice that communicates with the outer layers of the body and then navigates deeply inward to the more subtle body. When we introduce new more organic movements, we can help to build a more refined ‘brain map’ because we give a different quality of attention toward the deeper layers of the body. This in turn builds new neural pathways, consequently offering new patterns of being to the body and mind. During this class, you will be encouraged to explore and listen inwardly to the sheaths of connective tissue, muscle and bone in order to bring about greater wakefulness, luminosity and space within. Your body will experience the grace of gentle meditative movements, done lying either on your back, front or side (never standing as it is important that we are not lifting upward against gravity). When the body is not resisting gravity, it can begin to erase held patterns of resistance, both physical and psychological. This has a malleable effect on the body’s connective tissues and affects its electromagnetic pulse that is orientated to the earth’s centre. These pliable active and passive movements, allow for the release of chronic muscular contraction and habitual conditioning of the body, therefore the body starts to re-learn natural, more efficient movement patterns. The aim of this practice is to increase the flow of neurological current and to encourage greater wakefulness to the bones, muscles, tissues and organs. The more extensive the flow of information within the sensory motor system, the greater the range of motion in the body. Instead of using one’s will to achieve a release or an opening, these movements undermine the will, instead and facilitate teasing out releases and openings without force, outside of our conscious control, thus supporting the body’s innate autonomic nervous system, allowing the body to self regulate and attune with blood, lymph and its natural biorhythms.
BENEFITS OF SOMATIC YOGA
YOGA TREE STUDIOS
