Orienting attention network in mindful movement: Can you sustain attention to your body?

 Attention is not just one network.  There are actually three attention networks.
1.    Alerting
2.    Orienting
3.    Execution

The orienting network allows you to select to specific signals from among a variety of stimuli.  For example, in an outdoor T’ai chi class you might hear birds squawking overhead, but you choose to pay attention to the slow cadence of your movement.  The orienting network is also at work in a Feldenkrais ® Awareness through Movement class when you choose to pay attention to your pelvis during a pelvic clock (a small circle) rather than feeling the minor pain in your neck.  

Orienting Attention Network

The orienting network allows you to orient to an event before it occurs.   In a Yoga class this means optimally preparing to stand on one leg by engaging your inner and outer thigh muscles so you don’t sink into your supporting hip. 

Read the first installment of the Attention Network Series in Mindful Movement

Attention Networks in Mindful Movement Part 1 Alerting

Learn more about attention and mindful movement:

Good, Better, Best: How attention and specific cues can optimize Yoga & Pilates performance

Learn more about brain-based cues:

How to Sort Out if New Brain-based Approaches can Improve Yoga and Pilates