Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume 12, Issue 1 , Pages 76-85, January 2008

The contractile field—A new model of human movement—Part 2

Orthodox Mews, 3—70 Webb Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Received 3 February 2007; received in revised form 3 April 2007; accepted 17 April 2007.

Summary 

A new model, conceptually informed by the embryology and evolutionary biomechanics of vertebrate movement patterns, describes fields of interacting contractility. Contractile fields are whole organism in scope and are drawn from core mammalian movement patterns such as flexing, extending, lateral flexing, twisting left/right, squeezing, pulsating, and peristaltic movements. Each contractile field is modelled as embedding a primary sense organ. Fields of contractility have a textile-like warp and weft. Contractile fields converge to nodes and decussative (crossed) lines, from which they again re-radiate.

Keywords: Contractile field, Embryology, Evolution, Biomechanics, Archetypal postures

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PII: S1360-8592(07)00047-2

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.04.003

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume 12, Issue 1 , Pages 76-85, January 2008

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