Spacial Dynamics®

by Cordula Feuerstack, LMT, RSMT

The expression 'Personal Space' says it well: Space for you as a person, your space. When our personal space is compromised, perhaps in a minor situation such as speaking with someone who comes just a little bit too close, we take action to re-establish a more comfortable distance. We may step backwards, turn sideways, try to end the conversation. In an extreme case someone may even strike out when he or she feels their personal space severely threatened, even though there may not have been physical contact by the other person. These, at times unconscious and more or less subtle reactions suggest that the personal space, the space around our bodies, is an integral part of us.

When we are on top of the world, our space is expansive and vibrant. And at other times things seem to come at us fast, getting right under our skin.

Spacial Dynamics® offers ways to learn how to (re-)establish personal space at a healthy and comfortable distance. Clients have found this objective distance helpful in seeing a situation clearly, choosing whom or what to take into their space, and learning how to let what doesn't apply roll off it.

Others find a marked increase in physical strength by having their space 'where it belongs'. The Spacial Dynamics® premise that each area of the body has an ideal movement direction, can further enhance movement efficiency. Often, the actual activity required to produce a desired result differs greatly from what we see: To stand up from a chair, we may try to get 'up' by lifting our head and torso off the seat. Pushing the ground away with our feet may be a more effortless way to accomplish the task. In this case the activity goes down, whereas the result we see is the body standing up.

Most of us have seen a young child immersed in skillfully manipulating an object, his whole body moving in harmony. When feeling observed, the same child may become self-conscious and 'freeze', his movement now fragmented and hesitant. Similarly, moving what is around the body (the space) rather than focusing on the muscles and joints allows the body to do its work more effortlessly and efficiently. This can be especially helpful after an injury. Pain may cause us to withdraw from an area. Guarding it may bring the focus as well as the space even closer in, perhaps decreasing lubrication, hardening muscles and even immobilizing the joint. Frozen shoulder is one example. By moving the space around the body (in this case moving the space under the arm), suggesting an ideal movement direction through hands-on techniques, images, passive and active movement, the focus is taken off the shoulder. Clients are often surprised when they realize how far they can raise their arm by doing something different than trying to raise their arm.

What about situations where body structures are broken, compromised due to illness or injury, perhaps even permanently? The physical structures of the body can break, tear, be missing or removed- yet the blueprint remains intact! Moving the space around the body taps into the blueprint and can create a swirl of activity the physical body may enter into more easily. In other words: We do not have to follow or move according to our limitations, but can choose to create a gesture that invites the physical body to follow, increasing its chance of moving more normally.

Spacial Dynamics® was developed by Saratoga County resident Jaimen McMillan. Its principles can be applied to nearly any situation, from washing the dishes, to teaching, therapeutic applications, in business, and peace building endeavors.

“Taking the leap” into space, whether it is an inch beyond the skin around a broken bone or across the room to meet someone's gaze, creates connections: Between ourselves and our bodies, our surroundings, person to person. We can learn to direct this space, spreading ourselves out, sending it down, discovering the effects a particular movement direction may have.

With practice, rather than being at the mercy of our personal space's auto pilot, we can re-establish a comfortable space even in stressful situations. For example, in a situation where our personal space would usually have rushed towards our chest, perhaps producing heart palpitations or anxiety, it can remain (or be put back) where it belongs- and eliminate the emotions and physical sensations that came with it. Clients remark that the ability to direct the space around their bodies, including their personal space, is empowering and freeing, because it enables them to respond to the challenges of life in a new way; from a snap remark by a teenage daughter, to deadlines at work, an injury, a long-term illness or condition.

All aspects of life contain a movement component. Spacial Dynamics® accesses the movement behind the visible physical movement, emotions, patterns, restrictions, and limitations and offers simple tools towards making desired changes.

Cordula Feuerstack is a licensed massage therapist and registered somatic movement therapist and has been practicing Spacial Dynamics® for over 15 years. She offers massage therapy, Spacial Dynamics movement classes and private consultations, and finds they complement each other seamlessly. She has a special interest in neurological conditions. Cordula can be reached at 518-852-4984, and further information can be found on her website at www.move-ability.net

Published in Healing Springs Journal, October/November 2008, page 16. Please visit www.healingspringsjournal.com