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"Our goal is to make
people feel happy and motivated to dance rather than drag
themselves around. We would like them to feel physically
well when their bodies move, and emotionally cheerful… and
this is built on a very deep knowledge of anatomy and how
people can move."
— Marion Rosen, PT, Founder, Rosen Method Movement (Excerpt
from "The Rosen Method of Movement" by
Marion Rosen and Sue Brenner)
Rosen Method movement is recognized internationally as a
unique approach to health and wellness that facilitates pleasure
and ease in movement, no matter what background people come
from. Movements alleviate muscular tension and pain in addition
to improving posture, flexibility, coordination and balance.
These seemingly simple movements are unlike other movement
classes such as yoga and aerobics. Rosen movement makes vigorous
exercise easier. It helps people stay healthy and active
as they age and cope effectively with stress. In addition,
teachers use the method to prevent injury, enhance athletic
and artistic performance, and deepen pleasure in everyday
life. If people’s lives were less sedentary, Rosen
movement classes might not be necessary, but in today’s
world, they are important.
Rosen Method movements open the chest and free the diaphragm
so oxygen can circulate freely to all the tissues of the
body. Loosening the muscles as they are moved through their
available range of motion increases the production and circulation
of synovial fluid in the joints, improving joint mobility
and function. The addition of music and rhythm makes the
movements more like dancing, and thus more complex and fun.
Partner work is included for participants to experience movement
in relationship. Movements across the floor foster spontaneity,
creativity and self-expression. Classes end with floor movements
to move the spine, feel the breath, and give time for integration
and relaxation.
Rosen Method movement can bring about change not otherwise
possible. The human body/mind can create new patterns of
thinking, feeling, and moving, making available new ways
of living. The learning process is full of surprises, challenges
and the pleasure of learning to move in new and unexpected
ways. As participants learn new movement patterns, sensitivity
is heightened, awareness of self and others expands, and
ways of thinking and moving become freer and more creative.
Movements that were previously impossible become effortless
and pleasurable.
 HEALTH AND
WELLNESS
MUSCLE TONE
POSTURE
NEW MOVEMENT PATTERNS
MUSIC AND RHYTHM
FLEXIBILITY
BREATHING
CIRCULATION AND MUSCLE TENSION
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Rosen Method movements are preventive as well as restorative.
Every movement involves the whole body, being initiated from
the ‘core’ or ‘center’ with presence
and awareness. The sequencing and progression of a class
is pleasurable and enjoyable. Rosen movement reshapes the
body as full range of motion is restored in every joint.
Muscles lengthen and contract full range. Circulation to
the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and organs
increases, allowing the body to function more efficiently.
Healing and wellness become available when the body no longer
uses its available energy to hold tension in place. Energy
circulates freely wherever it is needed.
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MUSCLE TONE
Muscle tone is regulated by the nervous system. It involves
the elasticity of the muscles and connective tissue and the
ability of a muscle to contract in response to stimuli. When
a muscle is habitually contracted, it loses tone. We are
usually unconscious of the contraction, though we may experience
tension, pain or stiffness. Rosen movements tone the body
by restoring elasticity and contractility of muscle and connective
tissue.
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POSTURE
Posture has to do with the way we live in our body. It is
affected by our attitudes, energy and choices we make. Posture
is not a static position of ‘proper’ alignment
in which the body is held in an ideal or erect position.
Holding any position over time causes fatigue, because muscles
have to contract and stay contracted in order to hold the
position. The body is made for movement. Good posture is
created when a balance of ease is achieved where there is
freedom to move at every joint in every anatomically possible
direction. Grace, beauty, freedom and pleasure in daily movement
are available.
Structure includes the bones, fascia, muscles, ligaments
etc. Structure is affected and shaped by heredity and life
experiences. Nutrition, illness, and the way we use of our
body determine how we inhabit our structure.
Posture and structure are interdependent. A healthy body
is able to respond to situations, people and stress.
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NEW MOVEMENT PATTERNS
Knowing how the body is capable of moving anatomically and
biomechanically makes it possible to restore movement to
areas of the body that are blocked, tight, stiff and immobile.
Participants discover they have a choice about how their
body moves and feels.
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MUSIC AND RHYTHM
Music and rhythm are essential elements in a Rosen Method
movement class. Moving to ‘the beat’ can facilitate,
inspire and help to restore movement. The same movements
may be repeated with variation such as different sequences
or beats, amount of movement, with a partner, or lying on
the floor. Movements are repeated only as long as they are
pleasurable. Many different types of music are used because
different rhythms provide a different impetus to move. A
movement class begins with slow, simple movements and progresses
to a faster pace with more complex movements.
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FLEXIBILITY
A joint is where two bones come together and movement takes
place, such as the shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, ankle, TMJ,
etc. There are also joints in the spine and where ribs attach
to the breastbone and spine. The shape of a joint determines
the type of movement that is possible. Muscles move joints
to produce movement. Muscles attach to bones directly or
via tendons. A strong muscle is flexible and able to shorten
and lengthen through its entire range. Muscles that are tense
are shortened and unable to contract or lengthen to allow
a full range of movement. To get maximum power from a muscle,
it must be able to lengthen before it contracts. In a Rosen
Method movement class, participants have a direct experience
of the body’s flexibility as all the muscles shorten
and lengthen through their available range.
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BREATHING
The diaphragm is the primary muscle used in breathing. It
attaches to the breastbone, lumbar spine (low back) and the
inside of the lower six pairs of ribs. The heart and lungs
attach to the upper surface of the diaphragm, and the liver,
stomach and spleen are directly beneath it. Its position
between thorax and abdomen, and anatomical attachments to
viscera and skeleton are significant.
The diaphragm is stretched and mobilized by arm movements.
The muscles that move the shoulder complex attach to the
the ribs, breastbone and spine. Freedom in the pelvis and
legs provides support for upper body movement.
Diaphragmatic movement alters the relative pressure inside
the lungs. In the lungs, oxygen enters the blood. The heart
pumps oxygen rich blood to all the tissues of the body. Carbon
dioxide leaves the lungs and is exhaled into the environment.
Oxygen is used to produce energy. Energy is needed in order
to perform biologic work such as synthesizing and repairing
cellular molecules, contract muscles, and to transport substances
between cells. When the diaphragm swings freely, the body
functions efficiently.
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CIRCULATION AND MUSCLE
TENSION
Movement increases circulation. It stimulates the production,
circulation and absorption of synovial fluid, which lubricates
the joints and decreases friction between the bones. Movement
also increases circulation to the fascia by allowing the
lymph to flow more freely. Movement nourishes fluid in the
discs. When muscles around a joint are tense, bones approximate
each other, leaving less space for movement. Movement increases
mobility in the nervous system and its receptors, as well
as in the abdominal and thoracic viscera.
The heart pumps blood to the muscles, ligaments, organs and
bone through the arteries. Blood is returned to the heart
through veins. Muscle contraction creates a pump-like movement
in the veins, which facilitates the return of blood to the
heart. Muscle tension decreases circulation in the capillaries,
which is where the exchange of oxygen and nutrients takes
place. A reduction in circulation lowers the delivery of
oxygen and glucose to the tissues. Oxygen and glucose allow
the body to produce and utilize energy. Chronic tension uses
the body’s available energy to sustain itself, rather
than having it available to do work or move. Relaxation improves
circulation, allowing oxygen to reach the tissues.
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