Imagery can be thought of as a very old form of communication. Caves that provided dwellings for early man bear out painting as a means of communicating both existence and way of life.
If we consider one definition of movement as: a neuro muscular skeletal event. Then movement really starts in the nervous system with a neural impulse. If we want to influence movement – best to go to place where it begins. So how can we communicate with the nervous system ? Answer imagery.
It has been scientifically proven that imagery influences physical performance, motivation and health.
It’s a skill every one has since we all have an imagination and it has very few bounds. Picture in your mind some deep internal muscles next to your spine: imagine they are like tight shoe laces binding the vertebrae together. See if you can imagine loosening these laces to give your vertebrae some space. If you can imagine how your foot feels when you remove it from tight shoes - this could be the feeling for your spine as it regains the freedom to move and breathe. Even if you have not had this experience physically your imagination can take you there.
IDEOKINESIS
Literally translates to the idea (ideo) with movement (kinesis). It has been developed as a discipline that uses imagery as a means of improving muscle patterns. Its one of the oldest mind-body training techniques developed by Mabel E. Todd a voice teacher (New York) who reportedly injured her back disabling her walking ability. Doctors told her she would be impaired for life. But she was a unique individual who explored and experimented with ways to correct her condition. She did this very well and went on to teach her methods to others with movement difficulties.
Ideokenisis offers a means to consciously organize movement. Since its way too complicated to organise the muscles directly, we can use imagery to feed information to them. This way we can correct poor muscular patterning by rethinking movement formed into an image and applied to the movement.
Read more on the Ideokinesis website.