This video demonstrates the basic cuts, strikes, and thrusts for tachi and jo.

Watch video.

A Movement Learning Systems private lesson is considered an educational modality and is not a substitute for medical treatment or diagnosis.

Please wear comfortable clothing or bring some to change into.

To schedule a private session please email: jdn (at) movementlearning (dot) com or call (734) 660-1212.

Back To a Healthy Back is an educational method that helps people understand the relationship of the brain and the sensorimotor system to movement.  This knowledge produces smoother and more efficient movement patterns that reduce chronic low back pain, improve performance and create a greater sense of well being.

How is Back to a Healthy Back Taught?

Back To a Healthy Back is taught in a group setting. A movement lesson of six to eight steps, based on a functional theme of low back care, is learned along with information of how to maximize the results. Each person learns how use the lesson for their own particular low back pain challenge.  The lessons use simple movements that are interesting and easy to learn, making them accessible to anyone experiencing chronic low back pain.

For group classes, participants should wear comfortable clothing, bring something to lie on and a towel to support their head.

Class time: Every Tuesday beginning January 17 at 5:30p.m.

Location: 1100 N. Beech, Building 8, Normal IL 61761.

Fee: $40 for 4 classes.

Drop-in fee: $15.00 per class

Try the first class for free!

For more information, please email: jdn (at) movementlearning (dot) com.

Like all of tools we’ll be covering in the exploration and discovery of movement learning, these lessons are on based on the concepts of the Japanese philosophy of Budo.  Shu, the first step of the martial arts concept of Shu Ha Ri, entails practicing the form in order to better understand the basics of movement learning. We learn these basics in order to know how to practice, so it is readily available to help solve the puzzles that life presents us, physically or otherwise.

Without a path for our desires we would literally be wandering around not knowing how to start realizing our needs and desires. By examining the beginning of every movement pattern our determined path in the world becomes more able to occur. Granted it’s not what we want do in normal, every day life and well it shouldn’t be. These next few blogs about Shu will help us in finding and studying the fundamentals of how movement is created.

Well, that’s enough for now.

1. Intention – knowing what it is you want to do.
2. Attention – knowing which parts of the body are moving.
3. Awareness – feeling the parts and/or the whole body when you move.
4. Weight Bearing- sensing if you’re balanced or off balance.

Accessing the Power of the Spine and Core #1

1. Sit down on the edge of a chair and put your hands on your knees.

2. Look up toward the ceiling and then down toward the floor.

3. Look up toward the ceiling and arch your back and bend your back as you look down at the floor.

4. Look up at the ceiling, arch you back and widen the distance between your knees.

5. Look down at the floor, bend you back, and narrow the distance between your knees.

6. Look up at the ceiling, bend your back and narrow the distance between your knees.

7. Look down at the floor, arch your back, and widen the distance between your knees.

8. Go back to step #3 and do it slowly and smoothly.

9. Get up and walk around a few minutes.

1. Intention – knowing what it is you want to do.
2. Attention – knowing which parts of the body are moving.
3. Awareness – feeling the parts and/or the whole body when you move.
4. Weight Bearing – sensing if you’re balanced or off balance.

Lie on your back. Roll your head to the right and left several times, noticing which direction feels easier. Now rest.

Bring your feet to standing, a comfortable width apart. Begin to lift your right shoulder toward the ceiling. Continue doing this movement many times feeling what happens in your chest and ribs. Also, notice if parts of yourself become heavier as you lift the right shoulder. Stop the movement and rest.

Bring your legs to standing. Begin to lift your right shoulder and at the same time roll your head to the left. Coordinate the rolling of the head and the lifting of the shoulder so that they begin and end at the same time. Make the movement smooth and fluid. Continue to do these movements many times. Now rest.

Bring your legs to standing. Begin to lift the right shoulder as you roll the head to the right. Notice how this feels different from rolling your head to the left. Make it easy and pleasurable. Do it many times. Now, stop rolling the head and lift the right shoulder only and notice if it has become any easier. Now rest.

Roll your head right and left and see if anything has changed.

Now, do all of these same movements on the left side. Take your time and rest between each set of movements.

Finally, roll your head left and right and notice if the movement has become easier on both sides.