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The Importance of the Holistic Shift

Dr. Rollins Becker’s Concept of The Felt Sense

As a practitioner of bodywork for 35 years and a musician for longer, I think one can draw some parallels. The more you practice the deeper your knowledge and skill set. As a teacher for a long time in this profession, I always find it surprising and humorous when students have expectations with their elementary knowledge that are completely impossible to meet without hundreds of hours on the cushion (if you sit on a cushion when you practice the work). I love it when a relatively new student asks me how long I have been practicing. Because the truth is we never stop practicing. That being said, there are milestones you will become aware of that will “shake your hand” and congratulate you that you are making progress along the path and give you inspiration to continue. Progress along the journey means more successful outcomes with the challenges that walk through the door of your offices, most of which are issues of pain. Dr. Becker said he wished no one would tell him their issues when they came into his office, so that he could just listen to the system without any preconceived notions of what he needed to do. This brings us to the heart of this communique.

Dr. Becker left us in his writings the concept of a holistic shift, where a change in the “environment” you are listening to creates a palpable change. There is a distinctive and qualitative change based on a felt sense that something has definitely shifted in the field. Now, the important thing is for you to begin to recognize what this felt sense is for you.

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Technique, Focus and the Breath Equals Better Outcomes!

Have you ever wondered why some people are capable of achieving amazing results with a particular technique, but others, who have been taught and use the exact same approach, are unable to produce the same results? This question has been on my mind for many years.

Even in my own practice there are times when using the knowledge and the techniques that I was taught at the Rolf Institute or the Cranial work I was taught at the Upledger and Karuna Institutes can produce very different outcomes. What that has taught me is to be unattached to results. It has been an enormous help to just let go and do the work. This will ultimately “raise the bar” on positive outcomes.

Why did I get better results from not being attached to outcomes? It is because I got out of my thinking mind!

I know that you have all experienced situations where you just have a difficult time focusing on the task at hand, pun intended. There are many reasons for this. Life’s challenges continue occupying your mind even when you have people under your hands! Its normal. But, If I am a tuned to what my hands are feeling, as opposed to letting my mind wander off on some issue that has nothing to do with the task at hand, my outcomes improve and I feel different after the session, having delved into the Mysterium.

We are all living in a field or matrix and as Walt Whitman said, “what lies in front of you, and what lies behind you pales in comparison to what lies within you.” Jesus said, “Be still and know that the kingdom of God lies within you.” Eckhart Tolle, in his seminal work called the “Power of Now,” makes it very clear how one can present themselves in the matrix that allows for a more profound experience.

Healing arts go well beyond just techniques that you’ve been taught. The techniques are the gateway, but the mind, and the stillness that you hold, is where the profound power is generated. I believe that focused power equals more profound healing! Rumi told his followers, that the quieter you become the more you’re able to hear. That is our goal; to quiet the mind so our clients’ bodies can speak to us in the silent language of our intuition.

I was exposed to the Heart Math Institute in the early part of my career and that changed everything. I learned that the breath guides the mind to focus at deeper levels and allows your energy and intuition the capacity to create a different response. Now there have been no double-blind placebo studies done with me, or other people in the healing arts, using the breath to evaluate healing outcomes. But I do know for a fact that in my 35 years of practice, the more focused I am, the better the results.

The heart has a much larger electromagnetic field than the brain. We want you to explore the felt sense you begin to experience by bringing the breath and the mind to the heart area. So, you must get out of the brain and focus your breathing in the heart center! This is what I learned from the Heart Math Institute in the 1990’s which is an integral part of not just my practice but my life’s journey.

Here is what they teach. For thousands of years, the human heart was viewed as the center of thought, emotion, memory, and personality—the master organ of the body. Traditions to honor the role of the heart were created and passed down generation after generation. Ceremonies were performed. And techniques were developed to utilize the heart’s function as a conduit of intuition and healing. When we think about this statement, it should come as no surprise that the heart would play such a vital role in the body. After all, it’s the heart, not the brain, that’s the first organ to form in utero, at about six weeks after conception. And it’s the pulse from our heartbeat that sets into motion the cascade of developments leading to the formation of the other organs in our bodies. As we develop, the heart begins to work in harmony with the brain to regulate these vital physiological functions in ways that science is only beginning to recognize. Beyond the physical pumping that we can see and measure with conventional technology, now we know that the heart does much more. The discovery of specialized cells within the heart itself that are commonly found in the brain has opened the door to new and intriguing possibilities when it comes to what this organ means in our lives

While our hearts obviously do pump the blood that nourishes our organs and each of the 50 trillion or so cells that make up our bodies, recent discoveries suggest that the purpose of the heart may reach far beyond the function of a pump. The benefits of harmonizing our hearts with our brains to empower us with deep intuition, precognition (knowledge of future events), and the direct wisdom of heart intelligence can immediately catapult us beyond traditional thinking when it comes to the way we live and solve our problems. It’s these capabilities, as well, that provide the resilience to embrace big change in our lives and to do so in a healthy way.

Here is the start of your mind/heart breathing journey. If this is something you find valuable, please let us know as I can delve much more deeply with techniques to further support your journey in the healing arts. All I want you to do next time you are sitting with a client is to bring your attention to your heart and breathe. Nothing more, except every time you become aware that you are thinking of something unrelated to the task at hand, bring your wandering mind back to your heart and just breathe for as long as you can stay focused and then return to your physical technique. Please don’t judge yourself. Try that and listen. This practice will deepen your connection to the field of your client and hopefully your intuition will accelerate and your outcomes with them will improve.

And of course, this technique can be used any time outside of your practice in a variety of situations. More on that in our next newsletter. If you have any topics you would like discussed, please feel free to write me and I will be happy to explore them with you.

Equine Stretching

Neck Stretch

The old carrot enticement stretch. Feel free to user apples, sugar cubes or any other goodies to make it happen. Its a great stretch but bring enough tidbits to make the stretch long enough to be of value and at varying degrees of height off the ground. Of course do both sides. It really stretches a number of muscles if you look at the anatomy of the neck. Serratus, trapezius, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, omotransfersarius, sternomandibularis, just to name a few. This stretch can also be done while mounted, but I think a session where you stretch the entire body for 15-20 minutes from the ground works best overall.

The horse has the ability to relax after a hard training session and if you preceded the stretching with a bit of equine massage techniques, you will add great deal of extra value. If you don’t have a lot of time to do the equine massage work, just spend a few minute like five on the back, they will appreciate it and you will see it’s quite astounding to see the difference in their temperament and performance when you regularly stretch them and apply manual therapy techniques. You can hold the carrot as far as you can away from her head when stretching her but, not so much that she has to move her feet to reach it. Just use different levels and spend a carrot or two on each side or a sugar cube, pellet etc. I like using the horse pellets because I can load my pockets up. Whatever your horse loves use that. If you have an assistant one can use the myofascial techniques we teach or that you already know, on the side that is being stretched. Its a very powerful technique. Its especially good if the horse is recovering from an injury to the head or neck as well.

Foreleg Stretch

This front leg exercise can be done by yourself, but it is easier with someone helping you especially if they can do myofascial work simultaneously. 3 repetitions of of 15-30 seconds with applied myofascial equine type massage, using origins and insertions can be very powerful!

You can see the general area all the way from the nuchal ligament of the top line right down to the hoof is getting a good stretch.

Again all these techniques, in my not so humble opinion, are better preceded by a few minutes of equine massage work of your choice to limber the muscles up and accelerate the process of removing the by products of the metabolic process. Try to go slowly. It s great stretch for Dressage and cutting horses!

Learn more about equine myofascial massage with our Equine Myofascial Massage course.

The Benefits of Equine Massage

Equine Massage Therapy offers several potential benefits for horses, both physical and psychological. Here are some of the key values of equine massage:

Muscle Relaxation: Equine Massage therapy helps to release tension and tightness in the muscles, promoting relaxation and flexibility. This can be particularly beneficial for horses engaged in strenuous activities such as training, competition, or work, as it can help prevent muscle stiffness and soreness.

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Equine Massage Therapy

Equine massage therapy, cranial sacral therapy, and myofascial release, are all holistic approaches to improving the well-being and performance of horses. Here’s a brief overview of each:

1.Equine Cranial Sacral Therapy: This therapy focuses on the cranial sacral system, which includes the bones of the skull, spine, and sacrum, as well as the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. PractitionerS use gentle manipulation of these structures to release tension and promote balance within the horse’s body. The goal is to enhance the horse’s overall health and performance by improving the function of the nervous system and addressing issues such as head and mouth issues as well as TMJ problems, and spinal misalignments.

2. Equine Myofascial Release: Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs in the body. Myofascial release techniques involve applying sustained pressure to the fascia to release tension and restore mobility. In equine myofascial release therapy, we use hands to locate areas of tightness or restriction in the horse’s body and apply gentle pressure to encourage relaxation and release. This can help improve flexibility, range of motion, and overall comfort for the horse.

3. Equine Massage Therapy: Equine massage therapy involves the manipulation of soft tissues, such as muscles and tendons, to alleviate tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. Massage techniques vary widely and may include stroking, kneading, compression, and stretching movements. Equine massage therapists often work with horses to address specific issues such as muscle soreness, stiffness, or injuries, as well as to help prevent injuries and enhance performance. Massage therapy can also have psychological benefits for horses, helping to reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being.

These therapies are often used in conjunction with other holistic approaches, such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, and herbal medicine, to provide comprehensive support for the horse’s health and well-being.