Introduction course to Zoga

ZOGA MULTIDIMENSIONAL MOVEMENT 

is a therapeutic method drawing on the tradition of Structural Integration, focusing on the smoothness of fascia work and the balance of muscle tension. Through movement and manual interventions, ZOGA corrects the structural relationships of individual body parts and optimizes motor coordination. Its main goal is to enable the body to regain the natural integrity of its form.

ZOGA MOVEMENT 
comes in two manners: the form of individual manual therapy sessions - ZOGA MOVEMENT THERAPY - and individual or group exercise classes - ZOGA MOVEMENT PRACTICE.

ZOGA MOVEMENT PRACTICE
usually carried out in the form of group classes, is a form of self-assessment and self-therapy during which each person gains awareness of their own body through movement, and is able to get to know their limitations and areas that require mobilization. During classes, we look for places and structures in our body that function incorrectly or areas where movement does not occur but should. 

ZOGA MOVEMENT PRACTICE 
is a form of movement that addresses every element of our body, from the toes to the sutures of the skull, and the person practicing it in a gentle and, above all, safe way, slowly mobilizes and restores balance to the structures in the body. This exciting method of self-therapy can be practiced during group classes and individually.

The goal of ZOGA MOVEMENT 
is to restore balance in the body, create the possibility of movement again and remove restrictions that force the body to overload in other places. In ZOGA we are creating new movement potential for tissues which is changing their nutrition transport, immune response, hydration and even metabolism which consequently creates profound changes in the chemistry of the body. Providing blood and other liquid supply to previously immobile areas of tissue can release big amounts of chemicals into a bloodstream and can sometimes create a tremendous physiological response from the system. Also emotionally when the posture represents certain emotional patterns and new movement and presence of a body in space is available this can create some substantial changes in emotional states and behaviors of the individual. The goal is a body that moves freely, without pain, gracefully, smoothly, without using much energy.

ZOGA
is a movement concept for anyone who wants to achieve freedom and awareness of movement and posture. It tests all possible relationships of the body with respect to gravity and creates many global and local motion vectors available in the body. It uses Anatomy Trains maps to guide the process of biomechanical interventions around the tensegrity of the fascial system, while Yoga asanas serve as functional tests and postures that induce different vectors of traction between different fascial layers. ZOGA is designed to support and achieve goals of Structural Integration and create a lasting pattern change in the organization of the myofascial system of the human body.

ZOGA may take the form of: - an individual journey through self-exploration of one's own body (self-education process) - ZOGA MOVEMENT PRACTICE - experience of group exercise classes - ZOGA MOVEMENT PRACTICE 

Our bodies are always influenced by the force of gravity, which we constantly have to resist. If the balance of individual elements of our body is disturbed, an upright posture requires a greater energy input. The same applies to movement - walking, running, swimming or any other activity even the ones seemingly passive as standing or sitting. Higher energy costs and possible limitations in tissue movement lead to cumulative overloads, which may result in injuries, aerobic failure, lack of mobility, a feeling of stiffness or simply pain.

If the body in its sections (head, torso, pelvis, legs) is kept in a random alignment, muscle tension is necessary to keep the body in an upright position. In addition, the body will respond to repetitive movements with stress, tension and injuries by strengthening the fascia. To restore the body to its most efficient functioning, the sections must be aligned around a central axis or in line with the center of gravity.

All muscles in the human body constitute one interconnected structure, so a change or tension in one place may result in problems elsewhere. As a result, pain symptoms can often be very far from the "cause" of their occurrence. Thus, the therapy process in the ZOGA MOVEMENT method is able to effectively help us find the original problem disturbing our biomechanics, thus getting rid of the discomfort in the body for good. As a result, the body gradually "forgets" about bad habits and regains its original balance.

A body that is properly aligned and balanced in gravity moves with greater ease, fluidity, efficiency and grace. Movement is enjoyable, breathing is easier, and good posture is effortless. In addition, more efficient use of muscles allows the body to conserve energy and creates more refined and economical movement patterns. This can result in increased energy levels and awareness of the body's organization in space. The feeling of stress is reduced while the level of relaxation increases.

In the ZOGA MOVEMENT method,
the key element of the treatment is a detailed diagnosis based on an interview and postural and functional analysis of the entire body. The information obtained allows the therapist to determine the root cause of the problem, often located far from the site of the symptoms, and to use precise and effective techniques. The ZOGA MULTIDIMENSIONAL MOVEMENT method addresses axial disorders and chronic musculoskeletal ailments. If the quality of posture and movement improves, these symptoms may disappear on their own. 

ZOGA MOVEMENT aims to affect the whole person,
emotionally, physically and energetically, by changing body structures. An experience with Structural Integration can help unlock an individual's potential, promote positive change, provide greater body awareness, and allow a person to feel comfortable in one’s body. ZOGA restores the body's proper balance and full integration of all of its parts, which clients describe as: relief from ailments and pain; feeling of greater space and lightness in the body; the appearance of a new range of movement potential; increased body awareness, higher energy and vitality levels and overall better well-being. 

ZOGA MOVEMENT Principles

1. Directionality of tissue movement. What slides and in which direction ? Tissues can be pulled or pushed in one direction but do not necessarily have the ability to do so in the opposite direction. 

2. Freedom and autonomy of individual structures in the body. Tissue movement is possible not only because of their potential for stretching or compression. The individual movement potential of structures also depends on their relationship with everything that surrounds them. Only the combination of the directionality of tissue movement and their full autonomy in relation to the surrounding environment creates a full picture of biomechanics - nerves, blood vessels, skin, fat and internal organs must be autonomous and free in relation to the surrounding muscles, bones and fascia. Relativism is the key to the new biomechanics. 

3. We use the Anatomy Trains maps to organize the process of movement assessment and intervention in the myofascial system. "All Trains are involved in movement in every plane at all times". Muscles are connected longitudinally by Anatomical Trains, but in movement, these connections can "switch" tension between different bands in almost every joint of the human body. 

4. In dysfunction and movement, Anatomy Trains have constantly changed tension between themselves through the mechanical connections created by the bones and ligaments in the joints. Each joint can act as a roundhouse that changes the direction of pulling on the tissues. 

5. Each of us has our own individual alignment that is unique to our pattern. The goal is to create connections and lines of tension that approximate the balanced patterns presented by Anatomy Trains of Tom Myers, which represent the correct anatomical connections of the various compartments and layers of the body. 

6. Muscles change their function depending on the spatial organization of the body in which we analyze this function. Flexors can act as abductors and adductors as flexors if we change the initial position of the bones in the joints depending on the pattern in gravity in which someone functions. Also, during movement, different relationships to gravity change their function in relation to other parts of the body.