What is Tensegrity?

The word tensegrity was coined by Buckminster Fuller for sculptor and artist Kenneth Snelson and it is a contraction of tensional integrity. A tensegrity structure stabilizes itself mechanically because of the way in which tension and compression forces are distributed within the structure. When a continuous pull (tension) is balanced by a discontinuous push (compression) the result is a stable system that is maximally strong.

Imagine a cobweb and this structure for instance.

         

The human body is a tensegrity structure. Muscles in tension and bones in compression act in unison to increase the strength in one another. In treating the body as a continuous structure it is easy to understand how tightness or instability in one area of the body can affect dysfunction in another area that appears to be unrelated.

Tensegrity Skeleton
The complete tensegrity skeleton demonstrates a surprising similarity to a human skeleton. It can walk, sit, stretch, and contort ; most amazing it will stand self supporting with all of the compression elements floating in the web of tension that is woven around it from top to bottom. This model is difficult to make and difficult to balance, but it clearly demonstrates the principle of biotensegrity in its fullest form to date.
Models and description from www.intensiondesigns.com




Tensegrity Leg/Foot

The representation of the leg and foot combines several different tensegrity elements. The pelvic connection is indicated by an expanded octahedral structure. The knee joint is suggested by a modified octahedral tensegrity structure that transfers weight from the femur and torso above through a connecting joint that allows limited flexibility in one axis. An attempt has been made to model the forces transferred from the tibia to the talus and the calcaneus using a four strut rotational tensegrity (this model can demonstrate pronation to some extent). Additional struts are then added to suggest the tarsals and metatarsals. The photos illustrate the essential stability of the structure combined with flexion joints, and medial and lateral arches. The resulting form is stable and self-supporting yet none of the compression elements are in direct weight bearing contact.Models and description from www.intensiondesigns.com

Spiral Vetebral Mast

This mast is composed of seven compression spirals and seven tension spirals. Half spiral clockwise the other half counter clockwise. It  suggests the agility of a snake and the strength and flexibility of a giraffe's neck.Models and description from www.intensiondesigns.com

Single Tensioned Pelvis

This model illustrate the complex motion generated by the pelvic ring while walking and/or twisting the torso. Tension components can be altered (shortened and lengthened) to demonstrate distortions and dysfunctions in posture and mobility. A change in one tension element affects the balance and symmetry in all three dimensions.
Models and description from www.intensiondesigns.com

Animated Spiral Tensegrity

Illustrates the force vectors active in living forms such as an octopus, an elephant trunk, or a cat's tail for example. Such a mast also schematizes how fascial support in the spine can assist in lateral and rotational movement.

'Ocean Waves' - The Science!

Movement of energy

An ocean wave in deep water appears to be a massive moving object - a crest of water travelling across the sea surface but to understand wave energy it is important to realize that this is not the case. An ocean wave is the movement of energy but the water is not moving; in the ocean - where waves move the water's surface up and down - the water is not moving towards the shore. So, an ocean wave does not represent a flow of water; it represents a flow of motion or energy from its origin (the feet) to its break up (from the top of the head).

Our 'ocean body wave' movements and exercises (represented in the animation video above) in class will bring to your awareness which mechanical movements are ineffective in your own body and are the cause of your tightness or instability, therefore blocking channels for your Qi to pass. 

Remember your mind moves your Qi  

and your Qi moves your blood and other essential fluids.

Qigong's clever system of working is designed to help you regulate and ultimately dissolve tension. Our 'ocean body waves' help improve our balance and flexibilty between the pushing and pulling forces in your body and making the structure more stable and mobile as a result!

The Naturalism of Bodywork 

I found this great video and it is the work of Hamid Shibata Bennett, a rare lymphoma survivor.... also a licensed massage therapist and advanced myofascial bodyworker, published photographer and musician. Not bad hey!