In somatic practices, such as yoga and other body-oriented modalities, the interconnection of the body is emphasized. These practices recognize that the body is a holistic system, and tension or imbalances in one area can affect other areas. There are a few reasons why tension in one part of the body can impact other parts:
1. Fascial network: The fascial system is a web-like connective tissue that runs throughout the entire body, encompassing muscles, bones, organs, and even individual cells. Tension or restrictions in one area can transmit through this network, affecting other areas.
2. Muscular compensation: The body is adept at compensating for imbalances to maintain functional movement. When tension or weakness is present in one area, other muscles may have to work harder or adjust their patterns to compensate. This compensation can create a chain reaction, leading to tension and imbalances in other areas.
3. Emotional and energetic connections: The body-mind connection is significant in somatic practices. Emotional and psychological experiences can manifest as physical tension and vice versa. For example, emotional stress or trauma can manifest as tightness in the throat, and this tension can potentially affect other areas of the body, including the pelvis. These connections are often explored in body-oriented psychotherapy.
As you work to understand and open your own body using our previous articles on self release techniques, you may notice how tension in one area may impact another. Be patient and know that working with one area of your body is helping other areas. If you have anxiety about working with and opening a certain part of your body, it is okay to work on other more neutral areas first. For example, if you have issues with your pelvic segment but, are not ready to directly work on that area know that working on throat and chest openers are actually important first steps before moving into pelvic work.
Pelvis and Throat Connection
There is an interesting connection between the throat and pelvis that is rooted in the body’s fascia system. Fascia is a web-like network of connective tissue – essentially like a full-body suit that gives shape and structure to our physical form.
One of the key characteristics of fascia is that it is continuous throughout the body, meaning that tension or tightness in one area can create tension and tightness in other areas as well. This is why tension in the throat can create tension in the pelvis, and vice versa.
The fascia that connects the throat and pelvis is called the deep front line. This line runs from the bottom of the feet, up through the front of the body, and all the way to the top of the head. It connects the muscles and tissues of the feet, legs, pelvis, abdomen, chest, and neck, and is responsible for maintaining the body’s upright posture.
When there is tension in the throat, it can create a ripple effect of tension and tightness throughout the deep front line. This can manifest as tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, chest, and abdomen, as well as in the pelvic floor muscles. On the other hand, tension in the pelvis can create tension in the deep front line, leading to tightness in the throat and other areas of the body. When there is tension in one of these areas, it can impact the flow of energy throughout the entire system, creating imbalance and discomfort.
Overall, it’s important to recognize that our bodies are complex and interconnected systems. The interconnectedness observed in somatic practices is based on the understanding that the body functions as a unified whole, and addressing tension or imbalances in one area can have positive effects on other areas, promoting overall well-being and a sense of wholeness. By bringing awareness and attention to these connections, we can work to release tension and create greater ease and balance throughout the body.
If this topic interest you be sure to read the other blogs in our mind-body series.
Author: Lindsay Rosser, LMFT #87065 – Lindsay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the owner of WellBeings Therapy. She is a Certified EMDR and Integrative Body Psychotherapist who primarily works with adults who experienced complex trauma as a child. For more on Lindsay you can read her bio.
References & Recommendations
Schleip, R. (2003). Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 1. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 7(1), 11-19.
Myers, T. W. (2014). Anatomy trains: Myofascial meridians for manual and movement therapists. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology.
Van Der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin Books.
Heller, M., & LaPier, T. (2005). Healing developmental trauma: How early trauma affects self-regulation, self-image, and the capacity for relationship. North Atlantic Books.
