Releasing The Linchpin
The Trager Approach is gentle, non-invasive and at times subtle, In contrast, the effect of this work is BIG! Life changing, in fact. In a session, you are invited to deeply relax through a series of rocking, sculpting, lengthening and passive range of motion. . At this point a consciousness of the body occurs: “I didn’t even know I was this tense!” “As I relax, I feel pain I didn’t feel before, why is that?”
Postural patterns are created by our most common movements. The shortening of musculature occurs from traumatic emotional and physical events in our lives; or from repetitious movement: factory lines, athletic endeavors, sitting at a computer for long periods of time or playing a musical instrument. During training, much attention is put on the posture, so the entire body is aligned and in use as we move. Having someone observe our movement patterns is necessary as we cannot really observe effectively ourselves. Using mirrors is useful, however. Check your shoulder height the next time you are in the bathroom. This is exactly what a Trager practitioner can do for you. We observe your movement and suggest new ways of moving, overriding the past patterns.
These patterns may cause one muscle to shorten as another lengthens. Being imbalanced, we are easily injured or re injured as is common. Our muscles may shorten to protect us from further injury or pain as we heal. The healing of the injury at the time, may be very fast (the speed of healing slows as we age).. However, the holding patterns may remain if there is an emotional feeling that was not expressed at the time of the event. In a relaxed state, the emotion may be felt and expressed, or if it is very long ago, the memory released. At this point the linchpin lets go, and the body unwinds. Voila! The holding pattern no longer exists. At that time, the compensation pattern may change, and the body will find new ways to move more freely.
This is the linchpin. When this is released, we can move freely again. linchpin. According to Webster, a linchpin is passed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel in position. Discover and reveal the linchpin and release the holding pattern. The full length of our muscles is needed to engage the full strength and fluidity of movement.
