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Rewiring Motor Control Through Postural Play and Spatial Training

TLDR

Postural play and spatial training work hand-in-hand to improve movement control and brain plasticity. By challenging our sense of balance and spatial awareness, we can enhance stability, reduce pain, improve reaction times, and support cognitive health. Spatial training acts as a “choreography” for our bodies and brains, keeping us agile both physically and mentally.

Stibens Jimenez
July 17, 2024

Intro

Rewiring motor control—essentially how we move and hold our bodies—through practices like postural play and spatial training is increasingly recognized for its impressive health benefits. At the intersection of these two approaches lies a unique opportunity: the chance to enhance our movement control while simultaneously stimulating brain plasticity. By blending postural adjustments with spatial awareness exercises, we can encourage the brain and body to work together more harmoniously, ultimately promoting long-term health and mental agility. Let’s dive into how spatial training and posture-based movement can act as choreography for our brains, helping us become more mindful and efficient in our movements.

Why Postural Play and Spatial Training?

Postural play is all about gently testing the limits of our stability and adjusting our balance to find new ways of positioning ourselves. Meanwhile, spatial training enhances our body’s ability to perceive and react to its surroundings. Together, these practices not only encourage better movement patterns but also stimulate the nervous system, improve proprioception, and enhance brain plasticity.
By engaging in spatially challenging postural exercises, we give our brains a workout too. This “choreography” of movement—where the brain and body learn new sequences and refine existing ones—leads to better motor control, cognitive resilience, and even faster reaction times.

The Intersecting Benefits of Postural Play and Spatial Training

Enhanced Balance and Stability

Regularly practicing balance-related exercises can reduce the risk of falls and improve overall stability, especially useful as we age.

Improved Coordination and Reaction Time

Navigating complex postural challenges sharpens coordination, translating into quicker reflexes and heightened bodily awareness.

Cognitive Benefits and Brain Plasticity

Learning new postural techniques and movement pathways keeps the brain agile, supporting memory, focus, and mental adaptability.

Pain Reduction and Injury Prevention

Spatial training helps reduce unnecessary tension and compensatory movement patterns that can lead to chronic pain or injuries.

Boosted Confidence in Movement

Successfully navigating spatial and postural challenges can increase body confidence and ease, fostering a greater sense of physical independence.

How Spatial Training Choreographs Movement and Brain Plasticity

Spatial training is, in essence, a form of movement choreography for the brain. Like a dance, spatial exercises require precision, timing, and an acute awareness of body positioning. These demands engage the motor cortex and sensory-processing areas of the brain, which are crucial for movement control. Over time, spatial training enhances brain plasticity by reinforcing neural pathways that promote movement precision and control. Each new movement challenge strengthens the connection between brain and body, training us to react more fluidly, confidently, and safely.

Lesson Learned

Turns out, better movement can be a brain-booster too! By “choreographing” our movements through postural play and spatial training, we’re building a better body-brain connection—one confident step at a time.

Stibens Jimenez

Stibens Jimenez

Preventative Health Specialist and Educator

With over 15 years of experience in preventive health and ergonomics, Stibens Jimenez specializes in transforming movement science into practical strategies for better living. Passionate about improving human movement, Stibens’ educates with a creative, accessible approach. Outside of work, Stibens enjoys staying active through running, cycling, and playing the drums.

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