Aki Somatic Video Library
Somatic Movement Labs
YSLM Series Bundles
Basic Neuro-cellular Patterns (BNP) are a series of patterns of movement that emerge sequentially during the early infancy, progressing from simple to more complex. These patterns establish the foundation for our movement as adults, as well as our perceptual, emotional and cognitive processes. This is how we build our relationships to ourselves, other people and the environment in our lives. There are innumerable benefits in going through them again as adults, as it provides opportunities for “re-patterning” our existing knowledge. Through repatterning, we experience what we never had a chance to develop (or have lost through injury or trauma), and new pathways in our cellular and nervous system memories (hence Neuro-cellular) are created.
Practicing BNP will be unique to each individual and it will be a deeply profound experience as it gives a chance to pick up what we might have missed out or expand & refine existing ones. It is also incredibly beneficial for motor functions (= to become a better mover) whether for daily movement or more advanced movement like dancing, sports etc. as well as improving cognitive, emotional capacities.
The first 5 BNP labs belong to “Prevertebrate Patterns”: They are called “provertebrate” as they represent the internal movement (movement arising in fluid soft living tissues) which precede the vertebrate patterns (movement with the spine). They are subtle yet fundamental to the gross motor skills that come later.
The last 5 BNP labs belong to “Vertebrate Patterns”:xxxxxxx
YSLM Double Labs
YSLM Primitive Reflexes
YSLM BNP
Vibration & Cellular Respiration: We begin this journey of developmental movement with Vibration & Cellular Respiration in the first lab. Vibration is the first pattern. Vibration exists before form. Form is created by patterns of vibration and form changes when vibration changes. Vibration encompasses both the expression of the form and its formlessness. In vibrations, we experience magnetism (attraction & repel) and resonance - harmony and dissonance. By attuning to our resonance, we experience our place, our essential self, within the field of our existence.
The second pattern is Cellular Respiration and is the first organic pattern. It is the movement of our internal respiration, fluid breath - the ebb and flow of fluids passing through membranes. Initially established within the ocean and it continues within each of our cells in the internal sea of our bodies. It is the foundation of our living body as through cellular breathing, we experience life force.
Sponging & Pulsation:
Sponging (the third pattern) is the first transitional, internal movement pattern. Sponging provides a gelatinous quality of flexibility and smooth mobility within the tissues. It sparks vitality and increased awareness going between in and out. Like reflecting a shift between parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. It enables change, regeneration and healing.
Pulsation (the fourth pattern) is the movement of fluids throughout the body and the second transitional pattern. Its movement is like a movement of jellyfish through the ocean. It further amplifies the force and power of the movement of fluid within the body. When diminished pulsation can manifest as loss of vitality, on the other hand, excessive pulsation may show up like highly charged impulsive behaviour. It is the movement of potentiality - again it may represent shifting from quietness of parasympathetic to vitality and the capacity for the intent to engage in a sympathetic nervous system within the internal body.
Can you feel this quiet excitement and feeling of vital force in your tissues?
Navel Radiation: Navel Radiation is the first pattern in humans that moves us through space. Having found a basic “being-ness” of Cellular Respiration and fluid nature of our internal movement through the Sponging & Pulsation, we are ready to move in a more structured way, a bit like a starfish. Before we were born, we received our nourishment through the navel. In this pattern, every limb is connected through the navel.
Discover your 6 limbs - a head, a tail, 2 arms & 2 legs that are all equal and connected and through your centre. NR is essential for each of our limbs to be differentiated and integrated. Here, we begin to develop Proprioception (sense of position in space and knowing where body parts are in relation to one another) and Kinesthesia (sense of movement of the body as a whole and parts), hence without the NR, later patterns will be weakened. Due to its connection to and from the centre, NR will affirm our sense of essential self and what drives the movement arises internally and less about external intention.
What a fantastic way to re-affirm or discover our belly centred sense of self!
