Moving in the Planes

We are 3-Dimensional creatures and ideally we move in the 3 Dimensions…and Planes. But not all of life’s activities support 3-D movement. When I spend long periods of time at my computer, there will be almost no movement in my Vertical Plane, very little in my Horizontal Plane, and most will be in my Sagittal Plane (front). What does this mean?

To avoid getting confused, we choose to orient from body centre (or your spinal axis), no matter what orientation to gravity we find ourselves:

• Horizontal Plane: (see the yellow colouring). Also known as the ‘table plane’, this plane extends to the sides of you as well as in front and behind, ….as tho you were inserted into the middle of a table. The is the Plane of rotation. A couple examples:
  • When you turn your head, neck, and torso to shoulder check when you are driving.
  • Laying on your back and doing a spinal twist in yoga.

• Vertical Plane: (see the red colouring). Also known as the ‘door plane’, this plane extends above and below you as well as to the right and left sides of you. This is the plane of side-bending. A few examples:
  • While sitting on a chair, you reach your left hand down to stroke your cat who is on the floor by your left hip.
  • Side-stroke in swimming.

• Sagittal Plane: (see the blue colouring). Also known as the ‘wheel plane’, this plane extends in front and behind you as well as above and below you. This is the plane of flexion and extension. Examples:
  • Back bending as you look up at the stars; folding forward to bow to the king.
  • Cat-cow in yoga class.

A comprehensive movement session offers explorations in all 3 Planes of movement…on a whole body level…as well as in each of our 6 limbs. (HUH? 6 limbs? Keep reading my blog posts...)

[Photo: Bainbridge Cohen, Bonnie (2018). Basic Neurocellular Patterns. El Sobrante: Burchfield Rose Publishers.]