128: Neurology Is The Missing Link In Movement Education with Missy Bunch
The brain and the nervous system play a HUGE role in how we integrate sensory information, experience pain and create movement patterns but this topic is not often covered in foundational yoga teacher trainings. That is why I’m so excited to introduce you to Missy Bunch (she/her), a multi-certified movement therapist who has been educating and coaching for over 14 years.
As a young professional dancer, she battled many injuries over her career and one day she found someone who studied neurology (the study of the brain and nervous system). After one session with this person, her 4-year knee pain was completely gone. She knew she wanted to teach this approach to the world.
The importance of brain function and using the nervous system to rapidly “debug” movement patterns, decrease pain and increase performance, has led her to teach and create lightning-fast improvements with people from all walks of life. Her specialties include injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, joint mobility and decreasing pain, holistically.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
a deep dive into assessments, including how to cue them and what are we looking for when we reassess
what it means to move into a shape “reflexively”
how can we work with the brain to decrease pain
the role of the nervous system in integrating inputs and creating motor output
all about the opposing joint theory and how to use it with 1x1 students
an overview of cranial nerves and how and why to stimulate them
Resources Mentioned:
OfferingTree is a proud sponsor of this episode and I am honored to be an affiliate. Visit OfferingTree at www.offeringtree.com/mentorand you’ll get 50% off your first three months (or 15% off any annual plan). OfferingTree supports me with each sign-up and I’m proud to be supported by a public benefit company whose mission is to further wellness access and education for everyone.
How do we pour into ourselves so we have enough energy, time and focus for all the people who need us?
How do we stay connected to our practice, since it should be the foundation our whole teaching life is built on?
How do we stay inspired in our teaching without investing thousands of dollars in continuing education each year!
It is not easy! But creating time for our own practice and study is essential.
Today on the podcast ,I am going to share a story from a retreat I was on in Thailand. I was two weeks into a three-week trip when I realized I was as busy and exhausted as I was at home. The truth hit me like a ton of bricks, and that moment was the beginning of a lot of change for me.