​
​

The year was 1982, I was 6 years old and it was my first summer camp.

​

I was never much of an "outdoors" kind of kid so my parents had enrolled me in an arts program at the local Rec center. We had the typical activities: finger painting, construction paper silhouettes, making ashtrays out of clay (remember, it was the 80's) but the moment they brought out the sticks and rope, my world was forever changed. Wrapping the individual strands around the wood, then beginning to knot them together into a unified fabric of interwoven patterns was nothing short of a revelation. Demonstrating how previously separate entities could become whole, creating a singular fabric that was not only far stronger than the original components, but also had its own dynamic and shape. Able to withstand weight, pressure and tension, returning to its original 3 dimensional shape after deformation, and able to both stretch in order to hold an object inside of it (such as a flowerpot) and modify its form in response to its external, changing environment.

​
​

Macramé continues to captivate and fascinate me. Woven narratives of various textiles and unforgiving structures (such as driftwood, rocks or bones) that exist suspended in space, defined by gravity and the knots that bring the individual pieces together into one. Lace, and spiderwebs are similar in nature. Each single strand of silken thread delicately thin and fragile as a single unit, but when linked with its collective becoming strong enough to trap a living being, or hold a beautiful pattern for centuries.

​
​

I see these patterns in the Human Body.

​

The Living Tapestry Within Us

Indeed, your living tissues exemplify these principles of interconnectedness and structural integrity on a grand scale. Just as macramé and lace create strength and beauty through the interweaving of individual strands, our anatomy demonstrates similar marvels of design and function.

​
​

The Nervous System: Our Internal Lace

Consider our nervous system, particularly the fine, translucent nerves extending from our cerebellum (the "little brain" at the back of our skull) to the furthest reaches of our body. These delicate structures, reminiscent of the finest lace, form an elaborate network that enables communication and coordination throughout our entire being. In the neck and Brachial plexus (a network of nerves running from the spine to the armpit and arm), we see a fascinating display of this anatomical artistry. Nerves wrap around arteries in a dance of form and function, much like the Orchid stems that intertwine with the Banyan trees throughout Miami Beach. This interplay not only provides support and protection but also showcases the magnificent beauty and organic artistry contained within the intelligence in our DNA.

​
​

Fascia: The Body's Macramé

Our fascial system further exemplifies this concept of interconnected strength. Like the repeated knots and patterns in macramé, fascia creates a continuous web throughout our body, connecting muscles, organs, and bones. This fascial network allows for the distribution of force and movement, much like how a well-crafted macramé piece can support weight while maintaining flexibility. The knots of the individual threads reflect how fascia will begin to thicken and overlay itself where more support is needed, transforming from a sheath that contains the muscle cells to the denser tissues that make up our tendons and ligaments.

​
​

Visualizing Our Internal Art

Earlier this week, I created a series of AI-generated images that brought these concepts to life. These images offer a unique perspective on the beauty and complexity of our internal structures, from the delicate lacework of our nervous system to the robust weave of our musculoskeletal framework. I'm sharing them with you today in the hopes that this artistic representation of our intertwined networks will help you and your students visualize our anatomy from a soft, creative and accessible perspective.

Feel free to use and share them as you wish.

​​​

​

​
​

Experiencing Interconnectedness: A Bed-Based Workout

​

For your workout, I've prepared a 25-minute stretching routine you can do right in your bed, incorporating a mini-band. This sequence is designed to highlight the principle of tensegrity in our bodies – the balance of tension and compression that maintains our structural integrity. By using the band to connect different parts of your body, you'll create a tangible sense of unity in your nervous system, enhancing your awareness of the intricate relationships between seemingly distant body parts.

​
​

​

​

​
​

As you explore this routine, consider how external tools (the mini-band, the bed, pillows and wall ) mimic our internal connective tissues, creating tension and support much like our fascia and ligaments do. This external representation of our internal structures can deepen our understanding and appreciation of our body's inherent interconnectedness.

​
​

Embracing Our Woven Nature​
​

By viewing our anatomy through the lens of these interwoven patterns – be it lace, macramé, or the complex web of our nervous system – we gain a profound appreciation for the elegance and efficiency of our bodies. As movement instructors and body enthusiasts, this perspective can inform our practice, allowing us to approach movement with a holistic understanding of how each action reverberates through our entire being.

​
​

Plus, the appeal of working out in bed is simply undeniable ;)

​
​

Woven in wellness,

Domini Anne

​

​

​

​

Was this email forwarded to you?

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​