Even in flies, enriched learning drives need for sleep, study finds

24 Jun

ScienceDaily (2011-06-23) -- Just like human teenagers, fruit flies that spend a day buzzing around the "fly mall" with their companions need more sleep. That's because the environment makes their brain circuits grow dense new synapses and they need sleep to dial back the energy needs of their stimulated brains, according to a new study by sleep researchers.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110623141316.htm

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Teachers gaming the system? Teach to test is failing children | New report | #Feldenkrais had some good points. #education

10 Jun

Our Somatics in the School work group is getting closer to our kick-off workshop at Xavier University. We take time each meeting to discuss the necessary dance between organic learning and formalized education. We are striving to answer: How can an appropriate balance between the two be struck so that we can advance society while growing healthy and contented children.

Moshe Feldenkrais defined two types of learning in his work.

One that emerged organically and lasted as long as the learner kept at it and was done for the sake of the learner's own pleasure and thriving. This approach tends to have low emotional tone to it because the child is completely in charge and therefore very little anxiety or life-long compulsions are developed as a result

The second type of learning is where an adult is involved through cheering, coaching, punishment, or fear and is guiding or providing the goal/curriculum. Here the adult brings forward an intense emotional tone and the child strives to learn that which the teacher or parent is so interested in even if the child is missing major building blocks to sustain it. The primary task now is pleasing the adult by fulfilling the adult's needs.

This second type of learning is not in and of itself bad and in fact has some very important and necessary components. Used consciously and judiciously, it helps a child and society a great deal. But when it becomes the primary form of learning and used unconsciously it has major drawbacks.

Panel Finds Few Learning Gains From Testing Movement

A new review of the decade long drive in schools towards accountability programs is showing some dismal results. Or from a Feldenkrais Method point of view, some rather predictable results. Adults too are subject to being driven by high emotional tone--raises or loss of job certainly raises the ante for any teacher. Thus teaching to test has apparently become the the net-effect. The teacher is learning to "game the system". The child is learning to please the teacher. The net effect? Both teacher and child are left wanting at the end.

At least that is my take. What is yours?

submitted by Cynthia Allen

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Musicians' Brains Highly Developed #integral #learning #brainscience

17 May

Monday, we posted on the importance of rhythm in gait and engagement with the world. You might have even watched the video of African musicians playing drums balanced on the head and marching and singing.

Here is scientific evidence on how music affects the brain. Musicians experience increased capacity to create see the whole as well as the details. They are ready for action with minimal preparation. And perhaps most interesting--moral reasoning also measured higher.

Musicians' Brains Highly Developed

There is even increasing evidence that musical experience in childhood might extend benefits through a lifetime.

Childhood Music Lessons May Provide Lifelong Boost in Brain Functioning

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Helen Keller learning and the brilliance and patience of she and her teacher--rare footage

20 Apr

A must see for any teacher, somatic educator, healer, health care professional. Really inspiring.

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In the Transmission of human culture....#bateson #quote

23 Mar

In the transmission of human culture, people always attempt to replicate, to pass on to the next generation the skills and values of the parents, but the attempt always fails because cultural transmission is geared to learning, not DNA.

Gregory Bateson

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Synaptic Exuberance - Watch Edward's brain grow with joy

9 Jan

In this time lapse video Edward, 9-months old rocks. He rolls. He sucks. He kicks. He tongues. He handles. He flips. He touches. This play that totally captivates us adults is in the service of developing synapses in the brain that he will one day pare down.

...babies go wild making connections and then, as we grow into our preferences, our personalities, life is like a scalpel. We slowly shed what we don't need or use or want. Dr. Harry Chugani

The time lapsed nature does a great job of representing the rate at which his brain is developing--quite incredible. Even better is the article that showcases this video.

We love the picture of the brain cells getting bushier and then later the changes as they are culled away. The gives a great description of the innate learning process. By the way, this is a demonstration of why somatic education works. We capitalize on the capacity to use movement. Edward does it naturally, but it can be used to help all people--little and big--for new pathways when the current ones just aren't getting the job done.

Read the text and watch the video

To watch video only, click on the picture.

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Walk Like an Upside-Down Pendulum

13 Aug

Look at the apparent ease with which this African woman at left carries her load. Of course, it isn’t easy, yet studies show Luo and Kikuyu women are supremely well organized, even outperforming male U.S. soldiers with loaded rucksacks. She can carry up to 20% of her body weight on her head before she begins to need more oxygen or burn additional calories.

Just to put this in context, if you weigh 150 pounds, this means you would be carrying 30 pounds. Can you imagine balancing even 20 pounds on your head and, say, walking around the block? Much less without gasping for additional air? Scientists call the capacity to carry this weight without needing more air "carrying for free." In fact, she may add to her load up to 50% or more of her body weight and head into town. While her "free energy" zone has been passed, she will still carry her load at a lower metabolic cost to herself than to you or even to our beloved Army guys and gals.

In the 1990s gait researchers mapped the movement of the human center of mass in space and discovered the trajectory is like that of an upside-down pendulum swinging. Instead of a curve down, it curves upward with the crest being at the point when you are completely balanced on one foot and the other foot has lifted away from the ground and is swinging forward.

In the change over between steps, most of us will lose height faster than

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Give your bones a blast

13 Aug

Way down, deep in your marrow, you just want to have a blast once in a while, right? Actually, the root of this might begin in your bone marrow where cells called "osteoblasts" are the construction crew responsible for building up the matrix of your bone with fresh new materials. At least when all goes well, osteoblasts are busy building your bone. Unfortunately, injuries, poor posture, medications, lifestyle, and ageing can send a message to the osteoblast construction crew to take longer and longer breaks instead of doing their job, while the demolition crew, known as osteoclasts, picks up speed. When the demolition crew starts to work harder than the construction crew, the matrix is unable to stay healthy. In Bones for Life®, we use springy pressure through an aligned skeleton to remind osteoblasts of their job and of your intention to live your one great life with zest. Watch this short video of Jeanne Hills of Phoenix, Arizona, as she talks about the benefits she and her patients have received.
Are you ready to feel the biological optimism that Bones for Life® can bring to your life? Segment I in Florence, Kentucky, is a great place to start. You can take this workshop

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Is there anyone hotter than Seth Godin? You matter

2 Jul

Is there anyone hotter than Seth Godin? And for good reason. Ambitious, intelligent, easy to read and wait for it. ..a desire to be a kind person.

Take a look at his short You Matter list. It's potent. Which ones speak to you? Would enjoy hearing from you.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/06/you-matter.html

I have been working on this one for a few years now:
"When you teach and forgive and teach more before you judge and demean, you matter"

Of late I have been considering the issue of generosity. I am reflecting on his take on it as I ponder my perceived risks to having a generous spirit.

post by Cynthia Allen

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