Tension, Integrity and Form ada 2005 by Bartram

8/9/2019 Tension, Integrity and Form ada 2005 by Bartram

1/17

AMATSU

An age old trusted heritage of life

skills that develops balance and

wellness in to your lifestyle.


2/17

Copyright Dennis Bartram November 2004Updated April 2005

1

TAI JUTSU Natural Movement Heritage

Hatsumi Sensei began our instruction in Amatsu principles by explaining twoimportant fundamental concepts. He explained that the study of Gairon and Tai Jutsuwere connected and vital to our ability to receive his teaching. Without understanding

these principles, we could not continue.

Gairon is the underpinning or foundation of Amatsu. He describes this essence assensing the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. Gairon also interprets asseeing the whole picture and its thread in any given situation.

Gaia the Greek goddess of the earth. The relationship between thebiosphere and Gaia is like that between your body and you. The biosphere isthe three dimensional geographic region where living organisms exist. Gaia isthe super organism composed of all life tightly coupled with the air, the oceansand the surface locks. Lovelock, J. GAIA A New look at life on Earth.Precafe PXI

Tai Jutsu is more than just a skill or body movement, it is a feeling, an essence bornfrom nature.

He explained to us that without Tai Jutsu (Natural Movement), then nothing wouldexist in the universe. This applies to weather patterns, water flow, opening of flowersand human development.

The Hichi Buko Goshin Jutsu tradition holds the secret of the opening of flowers, the

very essence of life on our planet.

Victor Schauberger a natural scientist describes it in the following way:

Were water actually what hydrologist deem it to be a chemically-inertsubstance-then a long time ago there would already have been no water and nolife on this Earth. I regard water as the blood of the Earth. Its internal

process, while not identical to that of our blood, is nonetheless very similar. Itis this process that gives water its movement. I would compare this innermotion, the origin of all possible physical movement, to that of a blossomingflower bud. As it unfolds, it creates a vortex-like crown of petals, in the centre

and at the end of which stands the true secret of motion-life in statu nascendi,in the form of a concentration of movement.

Viktor Schauberger


3/17


2

Hi Chi Buko Goshin Jutsu

The school of the secret of the opening flower. The secret of the opening flower is theinterplay of natures forces of compression and tension in a state of equilibrium. Theexpression of the opening of the flower is the bias of the dynamic power of tension

from within and the interplay of compression from without, giving form to the flower.In the coming into being as form, the tension inside the flower overcomes thecompression of gravity and external force keeping it as a bud. As with all threedimensional form being part of the Kyu Jutsu cycle of 50/50 balance (a concept of

balance between insubstantial and substantial form existing as one entity.) Being inform is the footprint of its past and the precursor of its eventual degeneration. This isthe Ko/Ku cycle of birth/death creation and destruction of earthly form.

Victor Schauberger a natural scientist in the 1930s describes this form from a wateryorigin as our very metamorphis, the coming into being of form.

The form that evolves from the metamorphis of water is built from its liquid prestressintelligence. Biological structures come into form from a liquid or water origin with a

prestress intelligence to withstand the stresses of compression and tension. As life onearth, this can manifest as life in air with gravity or underwater depending on itsecological circumstances.

This ease of evolvement in nature follows the concept of doing more with less knownas ephemerialisation. From these origins, any evolvement can be explained throughthe science now known as Biotensegrity.

Dr. Stephen Levins research in Biotensegrity holds the view that the body is atensegrity truss system with tension members provided by a matrix of connectivetissues, ligaments, muscles, blood vessels, nerves and fascia.

In this model, the bones are considered as spacers, not weight bearers along withincompressible fluids giving shape and form to a soft tissue entity.

In keeping with this theory of the body being a soft tissue continuum, Hatsumi Senseidemonstrated to us the concept of a one point therapeutic protocol. This was possible

because of the principle of Gairon utilising the interconnectedness of all the biologicalstructures of our bodies.

The continuity or global interconnectedness of the living matrix is essentialto the understanding of the body and the role of energetics in health anddisease. Oschman, J. Energy Medicine (P232)

He taught us that to apply pressure on one point affected all parts and explained thatwith the body movement Tai Jutsu you were able to follow the torsional directionsof vulnerable or damaged tissue. He explained that these points of interaction wereknown as Kyusho, where change at one point had a critical effect on the whole.

Water in its structured form is enclosed in the body in fascial compartments. It helps

to provide shock absorption and holds shape of a tissue. The different densities ofliquids contribute to their form as either a sol or gel.


4/17


3

Therefore, as we move from liquid state to a denser tissue determines how the tissuereacts. This effect carries on through all tissues from fascia to bone.

To begin to understand how these concepts relate to Amatsu and natural movementpower we need to gain an understanding and awareness of the natural flow of energy

and the forces of nature, both on a tangible and intangible level.

In the cycle of precipitation, water falls from the clouds in the form of rain or snowand eventually finds its way back to the sea. Water falls from the sky and flowsdownhill due to the force of gravity. Once in the sea, water rises in the form ofvapour overcoming gravity via evaporation. As it moves, it forms clouds, which arethen driven, back over land where the process starts all over again.

This cycle involves FU (wind), SUI (water) and the natural forces and energies ofgravity and heat. This is a natural example of the interaction of wind and waterfollowing the laws of attraction and minimal energy.

When we choose to ignore nature or work against it, the consequences can be bothunhealthy and energy consuming.

In modernised society, people sit, walk, drive and work in mechanically orientated patterns. Even in sports you see repetitive and biased movement sequences. Thisleads to many postural and musculo-skeletal strain patterns in the body.

Many occupations give rise to repetitive strain injuries that bring pain andincompetence to our bodies.

Natural movement strategies are low energy consuming, omni directional, flexibleand simple.

To come to an understanding of natural movement principles we need to look atavailable scientific data.


5/17


4

Polymers are clusters of molecules that again have tensegrous properties. Whenpolymers are in fluid solution, they can withstand great pressures.

As a polymer, the fluid in the synovial sacs prevents the approximation of bonesduring weight bearing and their shock absorbency. This concept was researched by

Dr. Levin in the mid 1970s.

During an orthoscopy of a knee under local anaesthesia, he kept the patient standingin a weight bearing posture through the support of a tilt table. His findingsdemonstrated that as long as the ligaments were held intact then the joint surfaces ofthe knee crura could not be approximated.

Under Newtonian principles of weight bearing structures, this would never bepossible. These same principles apply to all structures and tissues in the body. In thevisceral system, the organs must position themselves in a closed fluid system. Someorgans are held in place by the aid of negative air pressure suction and others by

fascial and ligamentous attachment.

They are subjected to the forces of compression and tension as we move around andas the organs function as air or fluid movers or digesting foods. The weight bearingand movement behaviour of organs is known as turgor. In this model, the organs canexpand and have mobility and motility qualities and interact with all their peripheralattachments.

The serous fluids that lubricate the space between organs allow an omni directionalfluid shape sharing ability. When this fluid has the quality of a gel it acts as a bufferor spacer and a shock observer. Stresses are absorbed through the tension members ofthe fascia supporting and surrounding the organs.

The fascia is a connective tissue forming a continuously interconnected systemthroughout the living body. Its formed of liquid crystalline material and has the

property of acting as a semiconductor. When fascia is moved, it produces tensionunder pressure, which generates a peizo electric field. Peizo-electricity comes fromthe Greek meaning pressure electricity. Oschman, J. (1990)

Stress to tissues can result in a crystallising of the tissue turning a gel state to a sol.This affects the viscosity of the fluid to a restriction of the normal mobility of two

adjacent structures. This can restrict the movement of an organ resulting in itsimmune response and function being impaired.

This impoverishment can result in many symptoms on its downward spiral towardspathology.

Our role as therapists examining Ampuka (organ ecology) is to identify theserestrictions and their anatomical implications. From their organ sites, we can followlines of tension involvement to come to an understanding of their symptomatic andanatomico-physiological patterns.

This helps to understand cause/effect factors and possible postural biases contributingto a given pathology.


6/17


5

Standard methods of evaluating the body were based on Newtonian physics but thismodel does not fit our upright bipedal movement against gravity.

Newtonian physics can measure and calculate the strength of structures and thestresses they become subject to.

In the construction of buildings, especially tall structures, gravity plays a big part intheir stability. The downward compressive force of gravity holds the structure in

place.

This works well until you want to add a horizontal structure to the upright one. Thishorizontal structure adds a shear stress to the building and requires reinforcement.Any additional stresses due to wind or earth tremor complicate the system evenfurther.

Its estimated that if the human frame were constructed according to these rules, thehead would be too heavy for the spine to handle. All this before we even begin tomove in three-dimensional space.

Unfortunately, the body is still reviewed and described in outmoded mechanicalanatomical terms. Until the concept of Biotensegrity, the laws describing anatomicalmovement were according to Newtonian principles.

Gravity Creates Stability

Shear Stress


7/17


6

TENSEGRITY

The answer to the evolved architecture of the moving body came from the science oftensegrity. Tensegrity simply means that a structure can maintain integrity acrosstension applied to it.

An exert from Carlos Castanedas Readers of Infinity No 1, (Vol 1 1996) explains itin the following way:

The property of skeleton structures that employ continuous tension membersand discontinuous compression members in such a way that each memberoperates with the maximum efficiency and economy.

Tension elements of the body include the soft tissues of the fascia, muscles,ligaments and connective tissue. Previous studies have viewed these tissues asmotor elements of the body. New research has shown the importance of thesetension elements as being, an integral part of the bodies construction.

The cells that make up these soft tissues in the body arrange themselves intogeometric shapes that just keep repeating themselves.

When cells gravitate together, they are subjected to natural laws governing theirgrouping and shape. The law of closest packing is the most economical way ofstacking organisms.

If you stack a number of balls in a box there will be space between the balls. In the law of closestpacking, the balls could be arranged to fit as tightlyas possible into the case. In the closestarrangement, you end up with forms oficosohedron shapes.

Because there are actually no joined structures the icosohedron is quite unstable. Thisresults in the icosohedron oscillating and generating an energy field. Levin. S, (2005)

In the study of Biotensegrity, the smallest components of bone or tissue arrangethemselves as icosahedrons. Icosahedrons form structures that can withstandcompression or tension in any direction. They can stack to make large structures like

a beehive construction.

Picture with kind permission of Dr.Steven Levin


8/17


7

In a tensegrity structure, compression elements float in the interspace of the tensionwires. In the body, this would relate to the vertebrae in the spine. Each subsystem(vertebrae, disc and soft tissue) would be a subsystem of the spines meta system, likethe beehive analogy.

When viewed in this way you can understand their role in balancing tension andcompression when stress is applied to the human frame. Extracts from Spine stateof the Art Reviews Vol , No 2, May 1995, Hanley and Belfast, Philadelphia, EdThomas Deman M.D

Loads applied to the body distribute their pressure through the network of tensionelements to create a balance. Even a pressure load to a small bone will distribute theload through the whole system.

A natural movement strategy in tensegrity truss architectural form is the closestexplanation of natures laws at work in the human frame.

Human beings are the only creatures that need to be taught to more naturally.Hatsumi Lectures 1995

By understanding, the laws of tension and compression scientists can createbiomechanical truss structures that have the qualities of the human moving frame. Inthe body, the joints have freely movable omni directional flexibility. From theupright bipedal spine, a person can cantilever (abducting a limb from the upright corelink) any combination of arms and legs and remain posturally stable. This is not

possible in a Newtonian Pillar and beam construction.

Tensegrity model picture withkind permission of Tom Flemings


9/17


8

This bio tensegrity makes the art of upright walking against gravities compression aneffortless act for the human. In Newtonian principles when we walk the meta tarso

pharangeal junction is described as a fulcrum for the whole body weight to projectitself forward in a step.

In a lever system you can only pull down. Muscles when they contract in the body

can only pull us downward. Therefore when the small muscles in the feet contract thedownward pull generated cannot give enough power for a lever such as the meta tarso

pharyngeal joint.

This puts a whole new complexion on the natural movement principles that Hatsumiexplained to us.

Bones floating in a compression, tension network can form into trusses and extend outfrom the body like a bridge. This makes the body a weight mover not a weight

bearer. So in walking and especially when your on one leg, the balanced tensionmaintains the integrity. Hatsumi says that you must learn to float in your walkHatsumi (2003).

Dr. Stephen Levin in his research of Biotensegrity has studied the pelvis and itsligamentous arrangement and likened it to a spoked wheel. The pelvis remains

balanced to forces acting both from above and below with long levers. Even the actof standing on one leg does not compromise this structure of support.

Viewed from the front the pelvis can be likened to the same bicycle wheel analogy.

Diagrams with kind permission ofDr. Stephen Levin


10/17


9

If you imagine the bicycles wheel as being twisted it forms a leminiscate giving riseto the paired innominate bones. The sacrum still in the centre is represented by thehub. The tensegrity across such a structure gives omni directional stability and

power.

Even the balance of the sacrum between the two iliac bones is supported by soft tissueelements.

To liken the pelvis to an arch suggests that the sacrum is fixed like a locking stone ina Roman arch or flying buttress.

Form Fit Force Fit

This would require either a form fit or a force fit to secure it in place. Both of thesemethods require a lot of friction and are not omni directional flexible and low energysystems.

The boot mechanism of the sacrum is covered with a slippery surface making form fitor force fit impractical.

The sacrum actually hangs in front of the pelvis and the angle would simple fall

forward. The tiny movements possible at the boot mechanism articulation also followa leminiscate pattern and mirror the pelvic analogy to a twisted bicycle wheel.


11/17


10

These movements can only be made possible in a tensegrous truss system. Levin. S,(2005).

The ligaments and soft tissues are constructed with soft visceoelasticmaterials that behave non linearly Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and

Biology Vol 2,3 and 4, 375-388 World Scientific Publishing Co.

The difference between a mechanical structure and a human in motion is this non-linear flexibility of choice in movement.

In Newtonian physics a four dimensional universe is often described as agiant clockworks in three dimensional space manifesting linear processes intime Power Vs Force D, Hawkins. (2002)

In other words, movement of a structure is determined by a concept of causality.One-step sequentially leading to the next in mechanical formation.

The human frame is not ruled by this concept and is capable of nondeterministic,omni directional change inside of movements. This is like changing the formation ofa step when you realise you are going to trip

In the mechanical structure, movement can be created by a cogged mechanism. Withcogs of different sizes and working at different speeds, movement can be created todrive machines. For example, smaller cogs influencing larger wheels can drive awindmill.

In any system like this, there is a critical point where a small force exerted on one ofthe cogs could exert the greatest effect on all the cogs.

In the human biological frame these critical points also exist, how many of us havetripped over a stone? One critical point can affect the whole of our mechanism

Critical PointEven a toothpickcould grind themechanism to a

halt


12/17


11

because of the interconnectedness of our tensegrity members in the soft tissues of thebody.

In the human body, there are many anatomical vulnerable sites where a small forcecan exert considerable damage, even death. In budo warrior craft, these points were

studied to gain victory in a fight situation. Even when a person wears armour,vulnerable places are left exposed at the expense of movement.

Hatsumi teaches the vulnerability of these critical points in the body in his lessons onBudo. In Japanese, they are called Kyusho and the Kanji or Japanese ideogram forthe word critical is interpreted as meaning danger or opportunity.

In the medicine Hatsumi taught us, he demonstrated the potential opportunity forthese Kyusho to bring about wellness in the body.

By observing motion of a person as they walk he can determine which tensegrity linesof the soft tissues are compromised. On evaluation, our Orthopaedic tests and muscletests verify these findings in a clinical setting.

By applying, a pressure to the compromised Kyusho with an omni directionalflexibility that is delivered by his bodies Tai Jutsu, (Natural Movement) he releasesthe critical point.

This pressure does not act locally on the tissue or follow a specific anatomical routealong muscles or fascia. It follows to the depth of the tissue change and can act in anon-linear dynamic way that matches the tension/compression changes to thedamaged tissue. This is brought about by the ability to palpate deeply into tissuewithout force feedback being a resistant force.


13/17


12

Scientific research by Oshman, J. in 1990 has shown that pressure applied to tissuecan affect the viscosity turning a sol back to gel. This has the effect of reducing arestriction to a moveable structure instantly.

Hatsumi Sensei explained to us, thousands of years ago before pathology of organs

was understood; Ampuka relied totally on tactile feelings. The natural ability derivedfrom natural movement allows you to follow the directional pathway of a restrictionand angle your thumb to become a fulcrum for change.

In the art of Shinden, he told us that our energy or intent must come from the heart toour thumb to instigate the change. My initial understanding of this concept was to besincere and benevolent or your intent to initiate healing in the client.

This omni directional palpation is described by him as a feeling from the heart of manand described in an ideogram calligraphy he drew for me.

Shin Kokoro Kara OsePress from your heart to your thumb.

Copyright Dennis Bartram

Although this is important, more recent research has demonstrated that the heart is the

main generator of electricity in the body in the form of energy. Science also tells usthat energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only converted.

This heart feel is the essence of Shin Den applied through the fingers of the therapistto the critical point requiring this energy conversion. Your touch can actually inject a

behavioural message or intent into the restricted tissue to help disassemble lesionpatterns.

You can create instantaneous elicitation in tissue through the connective tissue matrix.

Your anatomical, functional and palpatory assessments allow for both a precise yetglobal pressure technique.


14/17


13

The is the key to the Heritage of Hatsumis lineage of knowledge applied as a therapy.

The essence of Amatsu is to be able to detect and influence these Kyusho to bringabout change in the bodies physiology.

The science of Biotensegrity can demonstrate the dynamic and potentials of thisapproach to a natural therapy. This approach has been protected and handed down asa lineage for three thousand years.

To know the patterns is subtle power. The subtle power moves all things andhas no name. Hawkins. D, Power Vs Force (2002)

A ninjas duty is surely to sneak into the world of science and ensure that it isthe servant, not the master. Hatsumi (2004) Way of the Ninja p127

Hatsumi Sensei has now passed this feeling and philosophy on to us as a heritage to

help mankind.

I have studied many systems that employ soft tissues for release of anatomical lesions.Massage, soft tissue manipulation and ligamentous articular balancing all employ softtissues and ligaments in altering the pulls or stress patterns in the body.

The unique approach of Amatsu in utilising body positioning behind the contact pointmakes it a powerful and dynamic method of correction.

He explained to us that techniques are born from the circumstances of the situation.He summed it up with the following statement:

The spirit and feeling of a technique are more important than the mechanicalways to achieve it. Hatsumi Lectures.

He told us that without this skill you are only pressing, in Japanese this is called aShiatsu, to finger press.

Its Tai Jutsu and your feeling that differentiate it from pressing to being therapeutic.You must be able to palpate deeply and influence the directional route of the lesion.This is the ageless heritage that brings the wellness from the person.

Takamatsu sensei: if people remain healthy throughout their life, are

right-minded and neither rush nor are late in their actions, the natural

result is a ticket to paradise, and this also becomes a way for joining

together and uniting

In the visceral approach, you are focussing on the tension of fascia around the organs.We need to integrate the concept of one point approach to a tensegrous structurechanging sol to gel in the tissue matrix.

Your tactile evaluation around the anatomical location of the organs can alsodetermine the pulls that influence the organ restriction. With this information, you


15/17


14

can follow lines of tension to identify other structures in the lesion stack. This helpsto identify the priority structure creating the problem. At this site or Kyusho your one

point contact, angle and body movement can create the fulcrum to dissipate the lesionstack.

Once our anatomy and Tai Jutsu are developed, the skill you develop is addressed inHatsumis words:

UNDERSTAND, GOOD, PLAY!

The Scientist knows that in the history of ideas, magic always precedesscience, that the intuition of phenomena anticipates their objective knowledge.Gauguelin 1974.

In every culture and in every medical tradition before ours, healing was

accomplished by moving energy. Albert Szent-Gyrgyi (1960)

Pictogram of Nin by Massaki Hatsumi.

Translate to mean, To endure, to persevere.


16/17


15

BIBLOGRAPHY:

Castaneda, Carlos. Readers of Infinity

Deman, Thomas. M.D. Spine state of the Art reviews.

Gaugeulin

Gyorgyi, Szent. Albert

Hatsumi. M, Dr. The Way of the Ninja

Hawkins, David R., 1995 Power vs Force

Lovelock, J. 1979 GAIA New look at life on earth.

Oshman, J. 2000 Energy Medicine, The Scientific Basis.

Schauberger,. Victor.

Takamatsu. Sensei

LIVE LECTURES:

Hatsumi. M. Dr. 1995, 2003

Levin. S, Dr. 2005

Oschman. J, 2005

PHOTOGRAPHS:

Flemings. T. http://saltspring.gulfislands.com/html?body=biotensegrity/models.html

Levin. S, Dr. www.biotensegrity.com

Snelson. K, www.kenethsnelson.net
http://saltspring.gulfislands.com/html?body=biotensegrity/models.htmlhttp://www.biotensegrity.com/http://www.kenethsnelson.net/http://saltspring.gulfislands.com/html?body=biotensegrity/models.htmlhttp://www.biotensegrity.com/http://www.kenethsnelson.net/


17/17


16

Kenneth Snelson Rainbow Arch 2001

All of the above are tensegrous strut structures

Documents

Tension, Integrity and Form ada 2005 by Bartram