Body Awareness in Theory and Practice

Brain Sciences

While outcomes of embodied awareness practices in terms of improved posture and flexibility, movement efficiency, and well-being are often reported, systematic investigations of such training effects and of the actual nature, extent, and neurofunctional correlates of learning mechanisms thought to lie at the core of such practices are very limited. The present study focused on the Feldenkrais method (FM), one of the most established embodied awareness practices, and aimed at investigating the neurofunctional outcomes of the somatic learning process at the core of the method by testing the modulations induced by a standardized FM protocol on the complexity of practicers’ body structural map and on the activity of their sensorimotor network during different movement-related tasks (i.e., gestures observation, execution, and imagery). Twenty-five participants were randomly divided into an experimental group—which completed a 28-session FM protocol based on guided group practice—and a co...

As the evidence base for mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) grows, there is considerable interest in what the "next wave" of MBIs might look like. In the following article, the rationale, development, and initial implementation of a mindful movement-based intervention, body in mind training (BMT), is described. BMT is a mindfulness training approach informed by neuroscience data and using embodied learning that can be used for both individuals and groups in the clinical setting. It provides an alternative methodology for working mindfully with clients who might struggle, for whatever reason, to engage with the currently available MBI protocols. The BMT Framework provides a guide to therapists and health care workers to implement mindfulness in their personal and professional lives and from this, support clients in their exploration of mindfulness. The intention of this article is to share, in Part I, the underlying theoretical concepts and research underpinning this predominantly body and movement based mindfulness training method. Part II details how the BMT framework and BMT group protocol evolved from trainings and consultations with a variety of health care workers. Part III provides further details about the implementation of the BMT framework in the clinical environment. This article is not a review of mindfulness but rather a presentation of a model alongside the early observations of its implementation. It is hoped that this paper might inspire others to consider how to integrate mindful movement into their work and stimulate research and debate in this different route to mindfulness. Working from neurological principles this approach has transdiagnostic appeal. If the principles of mindfulness and neuroscience knowledge are combined, the BMT Framework can be used in any setting.

BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2018

Habitual postural patterns are associated with musculoskeletal pain, and improving a maladaptive posture requires postural awareness in order to lead to clinical improvements. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of an innovative postural awareness scale. A 12-item Postural Awareness Scale (PAS) was developed and administered to 512 chronic pain patients (50.3 ± 11.4 years, 91.6% female, 37.1% spinal/shoulder pain) to assess its factor structure and reliability. To determine convergent validity, measures of body awareness, body responsiveness, body image, and mindfulness were correlated with the PAS, as were clinical measures of pain intensity, disability, and mental health. Sensitivity to change was assessed in 202 outpatients participating in a 10-week multimodal mind-body program. Factor analysis revealed two factors (Ease/Familiarity with Postural Awareness and Need for Attention Regulation with Postural Awareness) that explained 50.8% of the vari...

Advances in Physiotherapy, 2010

PloS one, 2017

Despite the importance of body awareness for health and well-being there is still a lack of valid assessment tools to scan proper body awareness. To respond to the limitations of questionnaires (reading/interpretation problems) the Awareness-Body-Chart (ABC) was designed to assess body awareness by colouring 51 regions according to their awareness. The objective of this study was to investigate the psychometric characteristics of the ABC. In a questionnaire-study, 106 students in Graz (79 females, 27 males, age median 21 (IQR 20-23) years) filled in the ABC, furthermore a German body awareness questionnaire "KEKS", and the Beck Depression Inventory II. Factor structure, internal consistency, and retest reliability of the ABC were investigated. Correlations of the ABC with the KEKS and the Beck Depression Inventory II and comparisons of subgroups were conducted. Through factor analyses, 14 factors with clear assignments to body parts could be categorized: cranium, face, cer...

IRJET, 2023

Abnormal body postures can lead to musculoskeletal disorders over a period of time if not corrected at an early age. Proper alignment of body parts while at work and at rest is very essential especially during this pandemic where online classes has become inevitable. This study focus on making the students understand the difference between good posture and bad posture by creating an awareness on the principles of body mechanics in students in order to improve their quality of life. An interview schedule was used to collect the data. The samples consisted of 50 under graduate students of Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru. The results of the study revealed that majority (80%) of the students were not aware of their bad body posture they adopted from their early years while doing work. Upon statistical analysis the evaluation of the awareness session on proper body alignment, good posture and principles of body mechanics proved great efficacy in improving the body posture of students.

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2019

Background: Patients' access to movement experiences is implemented in the evaluation tool Body Awareness Rating Scale-Movement Quality and Experience, with its two intertwined parts: 1) the physiotherapist's observations of movement quality; and 2) the patient's descriptions of immediate movement experiences. Objective: To study movement experiences and reflections described by patients diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis when guided to explore simple daily-life movements in this particular evaluation context. Design: An explorative qualitative study with open-ended questions following each of the 12 movements integrated into the evaluation. Methods: 35 participants diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis were included; 28 women and 7 men, aged 23-78 years. Their descriptions were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed in accordance with qualitative content analysis. Results: The patients described experiences of a dynamic adaptation of movement strategies based on sensations from the moving body. Two interrelated categories of movement awareness were identified: 1) Experienced movement challenges, including three sub-categories; a) Lack of contact, b) Movement changed by symptoms, and c) Compensational movement habits, and 2) Movement components promoting well-being, including three sub-categories; a) Integrating balance, breathing and awareness into movement, b) Small, simple, soft and safe movements, and c) A taste of own movement resources for daily life. Conclusions: The Body Awareness Rating Scale-Movement Quality and Experience provides a platform for patients to become aware of and describe their movement habits and resources in own words, intertwined with the physiotherapist movement observations. Derived descriptions reflect a patient perspective to be implemented in therapy.

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2014

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common reason for patients to seek integrative medicine care. Neurologically, perceived pain is an element of interoceptive body awareness. Body awareness (BA) describes how we attend to our body and to pain. Yoga and meditation may help pain patients through improved BA, but BA has rarely been assessed in this population. RESULTS at 2-Year Follow-Up (N = 443) OBJECTIVE • to provide the first quantitative data on Body Awareness in primary care patients with past or current LBP, • to compare those who practiced yoga and/or meditation with those who did not. METHODS Design: 2-year observational cohort study; secondary data analysis. Setting: large health care system: Kaiser Permanente, Northern California. Subjects: 435 primary care patients, who had acute LBP at inception. Measures: the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) questionnaire assesses 8 dimensions of BA : noticing, distracting, worrying, attention regulation, emotional awareness, self-regulation, bodylistening, and trusting. Analysis: At follow-up, we compared rates of non-recovery (chronic pain) and MAIA scores between those who practiced a form of mind-body therapy and those who did not.

PLoS one, 2009

Objectives: Heightened body awareness can be adaptive and maladaptive. Improving body awareness has been suggested as an approach for treating patients with conditions such as chronic pain, obesity and post-traumatic stress disorder. We assessed the psychometric quality of selected self-report measures and examined their items for underlying definitions of the construct.