The following is an excerpt from the Table of Contents of
Engaging The Movement Of Life:
Exploring Health & Embodiment Through Osteopathy & Continuum
by Bonnie Gintis, D.O.
Table of Contents
Preface by Emilie Conrad
Introduction
Prologue: Beginning With Saline Fluid Resonance
Chapter 1: Engaging The Movement of Life: The Common Ground of Osteopathy & Continuum Movement
Introduction
What Is Continuum Movement?
Watery Motion: Rhythm, Speed, & Amplitude Variation
The Movement Of Breath & Sound
The Primacy Of Breath & Fluidity As More Than Mechanical Events
Open-Ended Inquiry
Attention
Habit: A Closed System
Mutability, The Capacity To Change, Adapt, And Heal
“Release” Is Not A Goal
The Body Is Primarily Fluid
The Embryonic Field
Fluid Movement & The Therapeutic Process
Aging As Decreased Fluidity & Adaptability
Movement, Fitness, & Health
Developing A Sensory-Based Kinesthetic Vocabulary
Experiencing Osteopathy In Continuum Practice
Each Of Us Is Our Own Healer
Chapter 2: The Dynamics Of Attention Learning To Attend To Myself As Well As I Attend To Others
The Philosophy Of “What Else?”
Thinking Does Not Create Embodiment
Inquiry About Relationships
The Effects Of Being Attentive
Modes Of Attentiveness
The Measurable And Immeasurable Aspects Of Attention
Concentrating Versus Paying Attention
Engaged Support Versus Intervention
Utilizing A Map To Explore The Territory
Open Attention & The Tempo Of Silent-Felt Listening
Language, Belief, Attention, & Perception
The Value Of Embodied Information In A Meaningful Context
Attention As A Portal To The Mystery
Chapter 3: The Nature Of Water In The Living Human Body
Introduction
The Indirect Answer That Fueled My Inquiry
Fresh Water And Salt Water Distribution In The Body & On Earth
Interesting Properties Of Water In Any Context
The Natural Characteristics Of Moving Water
Spiral Movement In Water
The Saline Fluids Of The Body
Water Content
Self-Care Using Water & Its Vital Qualities
Water As A Conduit For Information Transfer
Material Characteristics Of CSF, The Body’s Fresh Water
Nonmaterial Characteristics Of CSF
Health And The Expression Of Fluidity
Chapter 4: The Embryonic Field & Healing
The Literal & Archetypal Embryo
Embryonic Field Influence In Children & Adults
An Overview Of Conception & Implantation
The Emergence Of The Midline
The Trilaminar Embryo
Questioning Stem Cell Research
Embryonic Field Considerations In Diagnosis And Treatment
Chapter 5: Health As The Reference Point
Hope Versus Expectation
Caring For Ourselves
Discipline Versus Devotion
Biology Versus Biography
Need
Healing As The Future Moving Into The Present
Healing Is Not About Self-Improvement
Our Need For Help
Chapter 6: The Mutability Of Mesoderm
The Accidental Osteopath
The Origin & Nature Of Mutable Mesoderm
Non-structural Elements of Embryonic Mesoderm
The Illusion Of “Systems” In The Body
What Makes Connective Tissue Connect?
The Basic Composition Of Tissues Derived From Mesoderm
The Role Of Water In Connective Tissue
Is The Name “Osteopathy” A Misnomer?
Form Follows Function
Forces That Influence Developing Tissue Continue Throughout Life
Bone Health, Aging, and Degeneration
The Common Rationale For Working With The Mutability Of Function & Form
Chapter 7: Fitness: Working “Out” Or Working “Within”?
What Is Fitness?
“Jungle Gym:” A Dynamic Expression Of Continuum
Why Do You Choose A Particular Activity?
What About Doing Physical Activities Just For Fun?
The Problems With Excessive Static Stability
Movement As A Prescribed Treatment
Sensing How We Move Versus Moving What We Are Told To Move
Chapter 8: Backs Don’t “Go Out”
Chapter 9: Continuum & The Eros Of Life
Chapter 10: Movement & Stillness: A Mutually Inclusive Continuum
Appendix: Resources
Acknowledgements