Illustrations and mental imagery of archetypal forms of early organisms—A new approach to exposing and releasing habitual and dysfunctional posture

Summary 

This paper introduces a new approach to understanding and addressing problems stemming from habitual dysfunction of structural support (posture). Secondarily, it addresses the subjects of movement and emotional response, using the same approach. Illustrations and mental images of archetypal forms from our evolutionary past provide both a new understanding and a new therapeutic solution to common postural complaints. Archetypal forms suggested in illustrations and imagery exercises include the following: a depiction of ideal structural support, the archetypal relationship between the dorsal and ventral surfaces, the evolution of the dorsal and ventral surfaces, ideal movement control, archetypal forms of movement, and an illustrated typology of four postures and emotional tendencies.

Missing in the illustrations and imagery is the musculoskeletal system. Instead, the goal of this system of archetypal imagery is imagining change in gross body form and in other sensations of the body surface.

Keywords: Mental imagery, Body posture, Evolution, Alexander Technique, Personality, Emotion