"Trager Mentastics"

[Jason Silvernail]

So, when I was young and interested in PT, my aunt bought me a book called "Movement as a way to agelessness". The book seemed rather out-there in terms of my ability to understand at the time, but it was describing deep breathing and instinctive movement as a way to maintain health and relieve pain. The writer referred to the natural state of comfort that this brought about as "hook-up". It occurred to me a few weeks ago, when I remembered about the book, that this might be ideomotion.

So I looked up the title, and found it connected with a Milton Trager MD.
The amazon citation is http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0882681672/102-4083522-3200100?v=glance&n=283155 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0882681672/102-4083522-3200100?v=glance&n=283155) here.

I wonder if anyone has heard of this and what similarity, if any, does it have to ideomotion?
J

[bernard]

Jason,
There is a topic on the site =>
Do yo know Trager? (http://www.somasimple.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1061&highlight=Trager)

ps: Your new "uniform" looks fresh and natural.

[BB]

Hi Jason,
I recall learning a few "Trager" treatments in PT school.

It was all pretty passive. Rythmic movements mostly. I could see how it may allow less inhibited ideomotor movement afterwards though, as the patient would gain perspective on new options of movement.

Cory

[Luke Rickards]

I've got the first three papers in that series (from the link) if anyone wants them.

Luke

[bernard]

Luke, that's great!
Post it in the Sound of Silence or send it by email to me.

[Luke Rickards]

I've added them to the thread on the link - Do you know Trager?

Luke

[bernard]

I moved the thread (http://www.somasimple.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1061) to The Sound Of Silence (copyrighted material).

[Barrett Dorko]

I believe it was '81 when I went to Maryland and attended a two day Trager workshop taught by Betty Fuller, Trager's top student. She was also a major force in the Rolfing community at the time. A dramatic and forceful character. She was also physically immense.

This "jiggling" (Fuller's description) proposed by Trager was done for prolonged periods, up to 90 minutes at a time. Actively, we practiced by moving in circles around the room, dancing impovisationally to Cecilia by Paul Simon. I of course did this with wild abandon.

I don't recall that Fuller knew anything about theory or physiology though Trager might have. I left unimpressed. Imagine that.

One thing though, I sat (on the floor) next to Michael Gelb, an Alexander practitioner and author of a book, Body Learning, that I purchased. Reading that, I learned how to juggle three balls using his principles. How ironic, I went there to learn how to jiggle but in the end only learned how to, well, you know. The rest is history.

[gary s]

Imagine Barrett Dorko a movin' and a groovin' to the beat of Cecilia--definitely worth the price of admission.

[stregapez]

I had a Trager session a couple of months ago. I felt wonderful afterwards. The "passive" part, at least, was very balancing/relaxing/refreshing.

There was an active part and a "passive" part to the session, the active part being called "mentastics." It did seem parts of the mentastics are supposed to illicit ideomotion, and I can imagine they might work well for the right person, especially if the chemistry between the practitioner and client was right. So far though I'd say I can take or leave the mentastics. I think i'm not especially inclined to have spontaneous movement responses in a formal setting anyway, moving in a small room with someone I just met necessarily, while being told to move naturally, etc. Also, during part of the mentastics I was encouraged to adopt specific postures having to do with reorienting my lower spine, which felt unnatural to me, so that kind of put me out of the mood for spontaneity too. It's possible some of that latter-mentioned part was some Alexander technique thrown in, as the practitoner does that as well.

The "passive" part was awesome though, as I said. It's hazy now, but as I recall it involved gentle pressing, stretching , jiggling, and joint movement. I was left with the feeling that I want to learn at least some Trager stuff, and maybe become even become "certified" some day

Dana

[Jon Newman]

This "jiggling" reminds me of Ginger's approach to painful problems although he confines his to the spine if I'm not mistaken.

I'm sure the jiggling feels good but like all passive approaches that are given the credit for the lion's share of an outcome, patient self efficacy is dealt a devastating blow. I would think we could do better. That last part might sound familiar.

[Diane]

I hear you Jon. The technique ends up with all the credit and the patient's brain with none, even though the brain was the part that did all the "heavy lifting", i.e., changing itself and its motor output. I'm sure any sensitive pair of hands modulating in any sort of way can help a system improve itself.