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Does anyone remember Bruce talking about the 3 layers of the spinal cord? If you do, could you post a list/description of the layers.
Also, does anyone recall Bruce describing 3 layers in the torso? I may just be getting to the point where I can distinguish the distinct layers that correspond to different energy bodies, but I think I’m stumbling onto a simpler, physical principle. For example, the outer muscles of the back that wrap to the front and the deeper wrapping that comes from the muscles of the back next to spine (the thick bands on each side of the spine), Then I find another layer in the spinal fluid. And so on…
I think when Bruce talks about twisting soft tissues around bones (including the spine) he tacitly recognizes that a multiplicity of tissues wrap the spinal cord.
Hey, I’m new to bagua and I’m no scientist either,
but the subject is fascinating.After a 1-cell zygote is fertilized, it divides into a 2-celled organism–surrounded by the first metamembrane.
(one of the cells is the genesis of the gut tube, the other cell is the genesis of the spine/central nervous system)Dividing cells alternate between organizing around a point and then around the line between them.
Accordingly, I speculate that this concept of “line” corresponds to the Energetic Central Channel and that the point is that immovable axis in the middle of the lower dantian for the whole macro-organism.
After the 2nd week, a blastosphere has developed; it then folds in upon itself to form with a double bag of membranes around it.
This process replicates and the double-bagging continues everywhere.
Every structure of the body mirrors this. Organs, muscles and bones are all double-bagged.
See, Myers, Thomas W. “Anatomy Trains; Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists,” ( 2009).“The double-and triple-bagging around the brain and the spinal cord is more complex, developing from the neural crest, the area where the mesoderm ‘pinches’ off the ectoderm.. so that the meninges (the dura and pia matter ) form from a combination of these two germ layers.”
This tunicate-like shape creates 3 potential spaces:
1. the space within the inner bag;
2. the space between the inner bag and the outer bag;
3. the environment beyond the outer bag.Thus, just the Superficial Back Line in myofascial theory alone is a continuous matrix of myofascia integrated with myofascia around the spine which runs from the plantar fascia of the foot all the way up to the epicranial fascia at the base of the skull–
this makes the twisting of the foot–energy is initiated in the foot–a truly whole body movement as the effect ripples up to the skull–eye sockets are included as just another extension of the whole movement.In essence, there is really only one muscle; it just hangs around in 600 or more fascial double-bagged pockets.
Bruce cautions not to push (twist) these connective tissues too far, too soon, when first learning stepping and turning moves–in 5 degree increments–towards 45 degrees, 90 degrees and beyond.–
Indeed, there seems to be a lot at stake inside our bodies–the shapes of the internal organs and a spine whose vertebrae are designed not to twist too far.
I thought I’d follow up on this post and describe the way I feel the three layers these days:
1) All of the nerves coming into the spine
2) The membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
3) The cerebrospinal fluid
I’ve been dissolving the spinal cord itself lately. Still wondering if anyone has found notes that refer either to the layers of the spine or the layers of the spinal cord.
It has been almost 2 years since my last post on this topic. I recently discovered two ways to use the spinal cord that correspond directly to Bruce’s descriptions of the energy of the Heaven palm and the energy of the Earth palm change at the 1999 NYC seminar. I can combine these to produce the energies of Wind, Thunder, Fire, Water, and Mountain. I’m still looking for any notes on the subject. Please post if you have any notes to share. Thanks.
In the description for the upcoming Bend the Bow seminar, Bruce lists seven levels. Number six probably refers to the 3 layers I’ve been looking for. If you are able to attend Bend the Bow in October, please post any details that are covered on this topic:
6. Working with the 3 energies within the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid.
Thanks in advance.
If you have access to the Tai Chi Mastery Program, in lesson 30 of the Tai Chi Classics around 6 minutes into the video Bruce speaks to this subject in more detail than I’ve heard at any other time.
I’m working directly with the spinal cord every day. You can tell from Bruce’s discussion that this is a intricate subject. I’m just trying to figure out how to determine which layer I’m on at the moment and how to practice safely.
All of the comments and descriptions of the joints, cavities, organs, and glands that Bruce has shared over the years really don’t make any sense until you are working on these layers within the spinal cord. Bruce’s detailed description also explains why I experience the lower tantien as “specializing” in energy movement from front to back even though that may prove to be an arbitrary distinction.
If you are fortunate enough to hear more details at another seminar, please post them.
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