Abstract:
Bones for Life® program:
The Movement Intelligence of Bone Strength and Weight-Bearing Posture by Ruthy Alon is based on Dr. Feldenkrais’ approach to somatic learning.
Ruthy Alon, a worldwide senior Feldenkrais Trainer, after many years of directing professional trainings has developed the Bones for Life® Program, with the idea of providing a movement answer to the widespread functional failure of Osteoporosis.
The starting point of Bones for Life® came from obeservations of the women water carriers in Africa, who carry weight on their heads. Research shows that they don’t suffer bone fractures, and only 1% of them show bone fractures, relative to women in the west, in spite of their bone density not being higher than bone density in the west.
If not bone density, what could be the factor that immunizes and strengthens their bones? Is it their training to carry weight on their heads since childhood, coping with the extra weight, sometimes equal to one third of their body weight?
Is it the sense of equilibrium, of keeping the load on their head in perfect balance?
Is it their rhythm of alternating wave and axis patterns in every single step, which propel them forward?
Or is it the way they organize their posture, in an optimal alignment, keeping the head on top of the spine, releasing the arms to swing backward, to generate the propulsion forward?
Is it the way they use their feet, and of course, their long distance consistent breathing, which makes their walk seem effortless?
On top of that, researchers have found that in spite of their remarkable challenges, they are not losing power and their heart is not affected.
The inspiring message of this graceful and healthy model for carrying weight, is that all these factors can be learned by every person, who is willing to take responsibility for their own well being, and they could find it in the Bones for Life program.
People at any age can practice the Bones for Life® Program in a simple and comfortable way, once or twice a week, with a qualified Teacher or Trainer.
It is possible to take a private lesson, or participate in a group.
The benefit that persons feel after class is almost immediate, and is expressed in the way they are standing and breathing, and effecting their posture and the feeling of lightness in their body.
Today, after more than fifteen years of working with The Program, we know that Bones for Life® is a Program that helps beyond just the bones, showing us a new way to move, with better posture, equilibrium and stability.
3. Bones for life program
• Movement processes
• Improve bodily coordination
• Increasing weight bearing
• Springiness of skeleton
• Dynamic activity
Bones for Life®
4. The rational
• Gradual course of movement processes
• Increasing weight bearing
• Springiness of skeleton
• Dynamic activity
• Strategies for securing
safety
Bones for Life®
5. • Greenhouse conditions Security
• Autonomous learning
• Vertical standing, using
the support of a wall or a chair
• Dynamic movement, using
a long strip of cloth,
wrapped around the body
• Evolutionary models of
locomotion
Bones for Life®
6. How to regenerate bone tissue?
• Rhythmic and repetitive weight-bearing movement
• Circulation of the blood transporting nutrients and
oxygen
• The blood must penetrate
into the bone tissue
• Creating new bone cells
• Streamlined posture
• Walking in a springy style, supple and dynamic
Bones for Life®
7. Water carriers African women
• Research shows: Africa 1% bonereat fractures
• Sense of balance
• Wave and axis movement
• Optimal organization
• Small and gentle balance back
and forth
Correct structure :
breathe properly = not tired = breath rhythm not
disturbed = heartbeat doesn't change
Bones for Life®
8. Stimulating bone strength
• Force of pressure
• Dynamic movement
• Pushing the wall
with the hands
• Pushing the wall
with the feet
• Harness in walking, jumping, running, bouncing
Bones for Life®
9. Restoring spontaneous upright
posture
• Harmonious • Safe use of the skeleton
• Integrated • Tools to re-establish
• Adopt change through experiencing option
• Learning reliable movement patterns
Bones for Life®
10. www.bonesforlife.com
In 22 countries around the world
Australia Italy Brazil
USA Argentina Uruguay
Canada Germany Colombia
The Netherlands Israel New Zealand
Japan Egypt England
Korea France Spain
Finland Sweden Switzerland
Austria
Bones for Life®
11. Some of the learning themes
•Stimulating bones strength by rhythmic pulsations of
pressure in bouncing on the heels
•The distinction between the undulating wave pattern
in basic walk propulsion and the axis alignment in anti
gravity challenges
Balancing the distribution of labor in the spine curves for safe
and efficient movement
•Stabilizing the hip joints toward and gradually restoring their
anatomical freedom of movement, within adjustment of the
entire body to their change
Bones for Life®
12. Some of the learning themes
• Deciphering the water carriers walk as key model for weight
bearing posture
• Moving with more confidence and Biological Optimism, which
is the main benefit of the program
Bones for Life®
14. A life story about Bones for Life
2004: -3.1
2005 : 1.9
How?????
Bouncing on the heels
(PAM-PAM PAM-PAM)
Bones for Life®
15. Bones for life® Program
• Over 60 processes
• Well aligned skeletal
• Flexibility and rigidity
• Flexion and extension
• Stabilization and freedom of motion
• Dynamic and springy walking
• Rhythmical pulsations of lively steps
• Well-aligned posture and harmonious
coordination of movement
Bones for Life®
