Cross-Training Body Mind Emotions Spirit | Rachael R. Resch

We continue our look at the benefits we can receive by practicing the Five Stages of Self-Healing.  The Five Stages of Self-Healing are the body’s natural workout because they underlie all of our everyday movements.  They condition the physical body, the nervous system and the human energy field.

Here are some of the benefits that the practice of stage 2, Creeping, brings to the body, mind, emotions and spirit.  (To read about how to practice Creeping, please see my post The Five Stages of Self-Healing: Creeping).

Body:

High level, functional abdominal strength.
Upper body strength.
Coordination among arms, legs and core.
Strength to the spine.
Flexibility to the hips. 

Mind:

Confidence.
Will power.
Choice.
Independence.

Emotions:

The strength to say Yes: To move toward and achieve your desire.
The strength to say No: To move away from noxious stimuli.
The strength to be in dynamic relationship with the world.

Spirit:

The sensation of the chakras supported by the Earth.
Having the Earth as your ally.
Embodying the strength of your uniqueness.

. . .  And Creeping brings these benefits to the experience and practice of Nia’s three movement arts:

Dance Arts:

The earthiness of Duncan Dance.
Contract-release of the torso in Modern Dance.
Shapes in space of Modern Dance. 
Dynamic relationship of pelvis, chest and head in Jazz Dance. 

Martial Arts:

Teaches the push-pull pattern for blocking and striking.
Physically strengthens the body’s energetic center. 
Develops coordination around the body’s energetic center. 
Teaches the ability to direct energy through the hands.

Healing Arts:

Awareness of movement sensation of Feldenkrais.
Conscious alignment of bones of Yoga. 

In my next post, I’ll discuss the nature and benefits of stage three of the Five Stages of Self-Healing, Crawling.