The safe distance in a relationship
Theoretical assumptions of the Workshop presented by Maria Goretti Coelho at the XX International Conference on Bioenergetic Analysis, under the theme "Body in Poetry", in Búzios, Brazil
Learning movement and autonomy from a secure bond
In the first 18 months of life, the early relationship ideally represents a journey between mother and baby, based on support and empathetic presence, capable of allowing the baby to surrender, without fear, from symbiotic dependence to the phase of differentiation and individuation.
In this theme, the following theoretical assumptions are present as a background.
The baby is born with tonic and physiological bipolarity through extreme states called hypertonia and hypotonia. Until 2-3 months, the baby has reflex motor skills but cannot progressively move from one state to another due to a lack of neurological maturation. The "mother" is the "continent" that allows the child to relax and enter a state of hypotonia.
The baby is born with peripheral hypertonia (overactive legs and arms) and axial hypotension (cannot support the head, sit, or stand). Gradually, peripheral hypertonicity decreases, and axial hypertonicity increases, implying a distribution of tonicity.
The baby is born with an energy centre or pulsatile axis, a large tube responsible for all metabolic activity. This axis contains many other tubes with different pulsatory rhythms, which the baby gradually integrates. The internal sensations of these rhythms are the first sensations that give the baby the feeling of existence (interoceptive sensitivity).
In embryological terms, all vital functions are in tubes within the large pulsatile tube or vital centre. Little by little, the tubes form pockets or constrictions, body areas that allow rotation.
Tonic tissue (musculature) surrounds the vital centre. The energy produced by metabolism mobilises the muscles, following two laws: cephalo-caudal and proximo-distal.
Tonic tissue is composed of fascia and muscles. Fascia is a covering, a connective tissue that surrounds muscles from head to toe, and has three essential functions: containment, coordination and transmission. Fascia attaches to muscles only at the level of the eye area, diaphragm, pelvis and feet. Because of the fascia's transmission function, the diaphragm automatically relaxes when you relax the eye area. Therefore, every time the baby's head falls, and the mother does not protect it, the baby becomes terrified, with unimaginable anguish. Hypertension develops in the eye area, and the diaphragm is automatically tensed to hold the head. Fascia provides the sensation of body unity (proprioceptive sensitivity).
The skin is also a critical contact area, allowing the sensation of sensuality (exteroceptive sensitivity). A baby that is not caressed does not develop eroticism.
The 2-—to 3-month-old baby does not yet have the physiological maturity to integrate the different sensory areas. If the mother does not help him by providing the necessary support and being present, the "program" will not take place.
Between the 3rd and 6th month, interactions related to the psychomotricity of the head and neck develop. The baby begins to have voluntary control of the head, seeking the human face and beginning to build a bond with the physical world. The spatiotemporal structuring starts here. All early pathologies involve the head and neck. The ability to build bonds with others and with oneself will be affected.
The 6th month is significant because it is a time of tonic conjunction of all parts of the body. The baby begins to be toned throughout the body, even if the tone is not enough to walk. Cephalo-caudal, proximo-distal maturation and rotation on the constrictions are completed. When, at this age, the baby explores all its possibilities of curling, stretching and rotating, it develops the sensation of having an axis. At this moment, several things are in agreement:
Primitive sensations of pulsatile impulses (interoceptive sensations).
Sensations of the axis.
Centre-periphery (proprioceptive sensations).
Thus, it builds the experience and organisation of symmetry that allows lateralisation.
Sensual sensations (exteroceptive sensitivity).
At 12 months, everything is built, and the baby can stand: tonic junction, axiality and symmetry, allowing coordination. Spatiotemporal structure, tonic junction, axiality, symmetry, and motor coordination will enable the baby to experience the SELF and its differentiation from the OTHER – Phase of Individuation and Differentiation.
IIN SUMMARY
The baby is born adapted in terms of reflexes. The reflex program gradually disappears and gives way to intentional, voluntary movement. Visual, sound, tonic, and emotional interactions between mother and baby allow the construction of a bond from which the child develops all his potential. Adopting appropriate postures and rhythms allows the baby to feel omnipotent, happy, and self-confident in exploring the world.
If the symbiotic relationship is deficient, the baby contracts to self-protect and settles into more tense postures, losing spontaneity in exploring the world. Micro-terrors and micro-traumas organize a tonic response in hypertonia little by little. All babies who feel insecure in their mother's arms try to stiffen their spine, giving rise to rigid adults.
In the proposed work, the recreated therapeutic relationship constitutes an opportunity to build what was missing in the symbiotic mother-baby relationship: reliving the tonic and emotional aspect present in the relationship, do everything very gently so that the patient does not dissociate and stop feeling (work on containment, at the fascia level); adapt rhythm, movements and postures to the patient; support him in achieving autonomy and let him go.
Initially, we work on the head, followed by the arms, trunk and, finally, the entire body, respecting the direction of the child's psychomotor development. With the help of music, "the addition of a good mother", each person can go further in exploring their bodily abilities in an enchanting and moving dance.
It is hoped that everyone can feel the energy flowing along the spine, experiencing the sensation of existence and axis. May you integrate rhythms and emotions, consolidate verticality and grounding, and simultaneously experience the spontaneity and grace of the body in movement.
It also reflects on the feelings of the "mother" who, like the "baby", leaves the symbiotic relationship, gaining autonomy. In this achievement, some will experience separation anguish, having the opportunity to correct what they lacked during their attachment process. Other people will experience, in the mirror, the joy of surrender and the pleasure of discovery, confirming their ability and validating their self-esteem.
Mirror work is healing and reveals how the mother-baby/therapist-patient relationship can transform into a harmonious dance of mutual growth and pleasure.
Little research exists on the role of fathers in child development. When I mention the mother, I also refer to the father and significant others who raise the child.
