In early development, cells along the back surface of the body begin to multiply rapidly.
An elongated region appears along what will later become the back body.
Gradually, cells move from the surface towards deeper layers.
A neural tube forms - the structure from which the brain and spinal cord will develop.
The surface layer closes again.
Skin and nervous system remain closely connected through their shared origin.
PRACTICE
Begin where you are.
Let the body settle.
Bring your attention to the back surface of the body.
Back of the head.
Neck.
Upper back.
Spine.
Sacrum.
Tail.
Stay for a moment with the width of the back body.
Skin.
Temperature.
Contact with air, clothes or floor.
Take your time.
At some point,
begin to notice the center line of the back.
More as direction.
A long line
through the center of the body.
From head towards tail.
Stay with this direction.
You can slowly trace it with your hands.
Or with attention.
Pause from time to time.
Return again to the broad surface of the back.
Then again:
towards the center line.
Surface.
Center.
Surface.
Center.
At some point,
allow a subtle movement to appear.
A small folding.
A soft narrowing.
A gathering towards the middle.
Without forcing.
As if movement could organize itself
around this central line.
Take your time.
You may begin to sense:
width and depth together
surface and interior
skin and nervous system
Pause.
Rest.
Remain in contact with the back body.
ATTENTION
How do you sense the relation
between the surface of the body
and deeper layers?
What changes
when movement organizes around the center line?
How do you sense the back of the body
after staying with this direction?
NOTE
This practice works with direction, touch, attention and movement patterns related to the formation of the neural tube and the early organization of the nervous system.
