How Do Movement-Oriented Therapies Work?
Like most alternative treatment, movement-oriented therapies aim to control and
improve the flow of energy through the body. The “forms,” or sequences of move-
ments, are specifically designed to stimulate pressure points all along the body, and
to encourage deep, rhythmic breathing, which fills the body with life-giving qi. The
ultimate goal is to strengthen the flow of qi through the body to promote health and
well-being. When qi is flowing in balance, the body stays healthy, resistant to dis-
ease, and can activate its own healing efforts.
The human body is viewed as a remarkable instrument, capable of responding with
flexibility and resilience. But as the years pass, people often develop habitual reac-
tions, beliefs, and movement patterns that cause physical and mental strain.
Typically these habits manifest themselves by tight muscles, collapsed posture, or a
lack of mobility. When muscles are working overtime, people eventually feel tight,
tense, heavy, or tired. The sources of these problems are many—injury, illness, or
stress. Lifelong misuse of muscles arises from sitting, standing, or walking incor-
rectly, or too much sitting and too little walking. For example, after years of walking
incorrectly, back or knee problems can occur. A knee replacement is a temporary
solution only, because the real problem lies not in the knee, but in the way the per-
son moves from the hip. Movement-oriented practitioners believe the only lasting
remedy is in reeducating the body to walk correctly to avoid injuring the knee.
Likewise, back problems can be eliminated by learning appropriate ways of moving.
Sensory-movement activities are used to increase a person’s sense of postural aware-
ness, free from habitual patterns, and restoration of the proper use of muscles.
Practitioners lead students though movements to enable them to discover a more
fluid range of motion. As people develop new, alternative ways of moving, they
experience positive sensory feelings and learn what it is like to be freer and lighter.
The goal is to teach people how to move with minimum effort and maximum effi-
ciency through increased consciousness of how their bodies work.
Almost anyone can participate in movement-oriented therapies. Movement thera-
pies can be learned by the young and old, by the physically challenged or physically
fit, and by those in good health, and those recovering from long-term injury or ill-
ness. In China, 80-, 90-, and 100-year-old people get up every morning before dawn
and go out to the parks to practice Qigong or T’ai Chi, even in the middle of winter.
These Eastern practices can be done alone, in pairs, or in large groups.248 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TOALTERNATIVE MEDICINE