We all have a bodymap. It governs the way we think about how we move regarding our structure, function and size. When our bodymap is accurate, movement is good. When our bodymap is inaccurate, movement is inefficient, tense and injury producing. Correcting mismappings is a great complement to my bodywork practice. It allows clients to change the way they move and the way they think about moving.

The image above shows where the head balances on the spine. In my experience people often move as though their head balances further back. This produces compression in the spine and unnecessary noise in the nervous system leading to neck tension, headaches and creates more effort in the body, from the head down to the toes.

Study this diagram to make some mental and physical corrections. Can you locate this joint with your fingertips? Here’s a hint, it’s behind your jaw and below your ears (right between the ears). Be inquisitive and search around a bit. Most people don’t find it right away. Be diligent. Use your sense of touch and movement to locate this crucial joint. A mirror may be useful.

As you locate and learn to refine how your head balances on your spine, your neck, chest and upper back muscles will respond by softening. Your head will move easier and the rest of your body will feel lighter.

If you aren’t sure if you have it mapped correctly, no sweat. It can take multiple point of views and time to make the appropriate corrections. In the next post, we’ll take a look at these same structures from the top down and behind.