14: Fascia as a Sensory Organ

Today’s episode is all about fascia as a sensory organ. Whether you are a healthcare provider, body worker, or yoga teacher, it is so important to have all the information on this issue that we so often disregard. Listen in as Tiffany and Katja talk all about proprioception, take a look at interception and discuss how they relate to the fascial system and yoga practice. They explain the recent research on sensory nerves and point out how important is it for the body to be able to collect a really rich picture of what’s happening within us. They also talk about how we can stimulate fascial receptors and the varied functions of free nerve endings.

Listen to this episode to learn about the different types of fascial receptors, practical uses of proprioception, and to get an idea about what interoception is about.

“Sensing our world, sensing us is so important.” – Katja Bartsch

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“The fascial tissues are really the richest sensory organ that we have.” – Katja Bartsch

Show Notes:

• Defining exteroception [2:15]
• What proprioception is [2:40]
• Describing interoception [3:01]
• Fascia is our richest sensory organ [4:35]
• What can happen when our body senses don’t work [7:37]
• Explaining sensory nerves [10:55]
• Role of Pacini receptors [11:45]
• Understanding Ruffini endings [14:28]
• Why it’s important to stimulate fascial receptors [17:50]
• Creating sensory input with MFR [20:33]
• The complexity of muscle spindles [22:49]
• Implications of Golgi endings [24:14]
• Body check-ins as sensory information collection [26:02]
• The many functions of free nerve endings [28:59]
• Receptors in superficial fascia [33:51]
• Sensory “hot spots” in deeper fascial layers [37:05]
• The importance of the superficial fascia layer [38:53]
• Recent research on thoracolumbar fascia [39:59]
• Practical uses of interoception [42:32]
• Feeling and listening to create body awareness [44:50]
• The nervous system and the Nobel Prize 2021 [58:08]

Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Myofascial Release Bundle Online Course: for the Legs & Feet, Hips, Neck & Shoulders
• Myofascial Release Teacher Training
• Research Resources Doc
• Yoga Medicine Online Guest Teacher
• Connect with Katja Bartsch:

Facebook | Instagram | Kalamana Yoga

“It’s really interesting to see our definition of interoception expand.” – Tiffany Cruikshank