Proprioception

[Robert V]

Does anyone have an example of an upper body movement that would explain proprioception to someone uneducated on the concept?

For the lower body, I have my students close their eyes and try to balance on one foot.

[rbibbs]

First thing comes to mind Robert is the old cop coordination test of closing your eyes and from arms extended touch your nose.

Rick

[Scott Sonnon]

Robert,

Do you know the Soft-Work exercises called the Marionette Drill and the Pocketing Drill? Done with closed eyes, these greatly communicate the need (and the means) of proprioceptive enhancement (Enhancement is actually an appropriate term in the conventional use of the word, but if you think attunement it works.)

If you don't know these drills, then emulate isolated Soft-Work grappling scenarios (where you totally denude the presentation of combative value) so one person yields to the other person's application of force (strike, grab). Martial art (those that embody "ju" or "aiki" like qualities anyway) enhances proprioceptive awareness by its very nature - just use the Principle of Incremental Progression - read Incremental Progression from Soft-Work to Hard-Work (http://www.rmax.tv/nature.html).

Keep us apprised of your class’ progress!

[Robert V]

I am very aware of the "Marionette" Drill. I've been planning on incorporating it in my class. I've just been waiting for the right time and purpose. This will work out great!

Thank you!

[Scott Sonnon]

No problem, though I neglected to mention doing these drills blindfolded or with closed eyes.

[Scott Sonnon]

Robert,
I neglected to comment that actually in this case, we are discussing MECHO-receptive enhancement rather than the umbrella PROPRIOceptive. Mechanoreceptive is composed of Kinesthetic or movement sense, Position Sense and Force/Tension Sense. The above drills elicit these three senses in particular.