Spirals, You and All of Creation

Nature uses the same diagrams and models for all of life.  Looking at the structures that make up the human body 

and those of other  plants and animals

we see the spiral used across many platforms.

http://oto2.wustl.edu/cochlea/intro1.htm

Pea tendrils, fern fiddleheads, rams horns, water swirling, a rose bud unfurling, a tornado, a hurricane, and many more.  Try googling "spirals in nature" and you are bound to find many beautiful images.

smile,breathe, and go slowly

you are meant to be here.

Spirals, The View So Far

I'll copy all the Facebook posts about spirals here to bring other readers up to date with the discussion

from March 14
As above so below, as micro so macro. Our basic organizing unit, our DNA map, is a spiral and that design flows through form and function through the tissues of our bodies, the flow of air and water around the globe, all the way up to the level of our spiral Milky Way galaxy, and probably beyond. In the opening sentence, the old adage gives the impression that there is "this" and "that." But think for a moment of the continuity of the air touching your skin and in your lungs and with the air in your environment. And, that air with the air in the world. And the air in the world with the airless layers around the earth, and on and on, each layer in continuous contact with everything else surrounding it. You are in a continuous flow of connection to the heart of the universe. We are hardly separate beings. Indeed, we are "made of star stuff." And the basic design of the universe is encoded in our tiniest parts. Next time, spirals in muscle fibers and muscle groups and why it's so important.

from March 21
So spirals: present from DNA to the shape of the galaxy.  Tendons, ligaments joint capsules and the fascia of muscles are composed of parallel fibers of collagen, which resemble the the spiral weave of a rope. Each collagen molecule is a triple helix spiral. Visually, the gross structure of a tendon is also a spiral. so working from the most basic unit of molecules all the way up to the muscle itself, spirals are present.  to finish this discussion, I continue on the blog and give you the attributes for the source of this information  See you there...

so to continue on with the above discussion, functionally many muscles have a twist in them between the origin and insertion. The teres major ( of which I wrote on FaceBook on March 11,) Latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major and levator scapula all have a twist.  One function of this twist is to provide rotation. To illustrate this let's look at the levator scapula.  
go here for a muscle diagram

You can see easily that without the twist, the range of motion in the shoulder joint would be far less.  When this muscle contracts it brings the inner edge of the scapulae out towards the lateral portion of the head.  With out this twist, the muscle would pull the scapula straight up and in.  ( I just got an image of T- REX with his tiny flailing arms!) so functionally this works out better for us.

Another aspect of the twist is that it also increases muscle strength and allows the structure to withstand greater pulling forces.


The source for much of this material is from a book called Massage and Manual Therapy for Orthopedic Conditions,  by Thomas Hendrickson. (Second Edition, pages 8-9)
Following is a section on spiral form in the tissues

"Muscles are composed of parallel fibers organized in spirals.  Actin and myosin are the two basic contractile proteins that compose the functional unit of muscle contraction and form the myofibrils (literally "muscle threads"), which are woven together in a spiral like a rope.  Each actin filament is a double helix that is composed of two strands that spiral around each other during muscle contraction, and myosin contains globular heads that are arranged in a spiral. DNA, the code of instructions for cellualr reproduction, is also a double helix spiral.  The advantage of the spiral weave of soft tissue is that it increases the ability of the tissue to withstand stress"

I know not everyone is so intrigued by the inner workings of the body, but I find the structure, and the manifestation of our consciousness through the body and the continuity of form and function that stretches from the atomic to the cosmic level to be fascinating. 

take care

Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

(From Facebook (January 7 2014)
For the new year I'd like to challenge your thinking a bit.  In working with the body it is essential to also pay heed to the mind, for in a very large way, the body and mind shape each other. Physical sensations give rise to emotions, and habitual emotional responses shape the body and physiology. Following is an excerpt from Marianne Williamson, the full quote is finished on my blog.)


I have a friend who had this posted on the wall in her massage room. It is an excerpt from Marianne Williamson.   I find it a continual challenge.  Tell me what you think...

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.  there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us;  it's in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

I think this is a most challenging and evolutionary way of thinking and being.

May all beings be free! And let it begin with thee...

Peace