THE SPIRAL ENGINE OF LOCOMOTION TM

Human movement is beautiful and complex� It is not linear and does not happen in a single
plane� When you combine two or more planes of movement, the movement is spiral, or
more precisely, helical in nature, like the DNA helix�

Fascia, the predominant tissue in our structure, is a potential spring� Fascia stores and
releases elastic energy, which reduces the amount of muscular effort the body needs
to move� This energy is expressed through spirals� I’ve coined this integration between
three-dimensional movement and the fascial spring, The Spiral Engine of LocomotionTM�

Five Primary Kinetic Chains

The manner in which we organize and integrate our structure is expressed through move-
ment� When our movement is compromised in some way, compensations can be traced
through The Five Primary Kinetic Chains (5PKC)� It is also in the 5PKC that we can use
what we know about integration to remove the faulty component and restore efficient
bio-mechanics�

The 5PKC are presented here in a specific order� The first three kinetic chains set the foun-
dation for movement� The Intrinsic, Deep Longitudinal, and Lateral are the building blocks
for keeping our structure safe� Together they provide the support for the work production
of the last two chains: the Posterior and Anterior Spiral� Without the effective/optimal in-
tegration of the first three kinetic chains, the potential work production of the last two will
not be maximized�

The 5PKC act in an interdependent relationship with one another� Each relies on
the other to create balanced, efficient reciprocal movement� One side of the body
is active in one chain and the other side of the body is active in the other� The
Posterior Spiral is paired with the opposite Deep Longitudinal, and the Lateral is
paired with the opposite Anterior Spiral� There is a subtlety in timing as one chain
leads another� The Posterior Spiral leads the contralateral Deep Longitudinal and
the Lateral leads the contralateral Anterior Spiral� While all of this is happening, the
Intrinsic is integrating breath with movement�

The gait cycle starts with the Deep Longitudinal Kinetic Chain, or shock absorp-
tion� The kinetic wave of energy is absorbed and translated upward into the axis of
the spine� The Lateral Kinetic Chain completes the dynamic platform for the power
generating Posterior Spiral� The Posterior Kinetic Chain winds up fascial spring
tension� That energy is then translated through the Anterior Spiral Kinetic Chain in-
to forward motion and the next absorption phase of the Deep Longitudinal� Strike,
stance, push, and swing are common terms that are used to describe the action of
the gait�

The Spiral Engine of Locomotion™

Adapted from Applied Anatomy for Yoga Therapeutics
The walking gait is the master template for human movement� However, the walking gait
is not the only way humans move� It is important to note that while the mechanics of dif-
ferent forms of locomotion will differ, the basis of the Principal Actions of the 5PKC are still
present� Swimming is a good example� The spear phase would be analogous to the strike
phase� The arm is engaging in the reach into the water� This is the expression of the Deep
Longitudinal Kinetic Chain as it runs from the hands through the front arm line and across
the front of the torso to the opposite leg� To simplify the complexity of different movement,
we will keep the discussion of the 5PKC to the master template, the bipedal gait�

Intrinsic ~ Breath

The Intrinsic Kinetic Chain is primary to our movement and is the foundation for breathing�
The breathing apparatus, key to the Intrinsic Kinetic Chain, brings oxygen into the body so
that the heart can transport and distribute this necessary fuel throughout the body� The
breathing apparatus is connected to our survival mechanism, and as such we can use our
breath to directly affect the ANS� The 10th cranial nerve, the Vagus nerve, is an important
part of our breathing apparatus� It innervates the tongue, glottis, heart, lungs, and organs�
The Intrinsic Kinetic Chain is important because the integration of the pressurization sys-
tems of the four diaphragms helps define the quality of our movement�

Every asana, posture, and/or meditation requires proper engagement of our Intrinsic sys-
tem� Often in meditation we are invited to observe the breath� Noticing the sensations of
the breath keeps the practitioner in the sensory realm of the limbic system� When one is
pulled out of this sensation by cognitive thoughts, the intellect is hijacking us from our
limbic experience� Our breathing impacts our movement and our health and vitality� It is
both our prana (life force) and apana (release of by-products)�

The Spiral Engine of Locomotion™

Deep Longitudinal ~ Strike Phase

Adapted from Applied Anatomy for Yoga Therapeutics

The Deep Longitudinal Kinetic Chain is how we engage with the earth. When we catch 
ourselves from the fall forward in the swing phase of the gait, the impact loads the joints
from the ground upwards. This loading can be described as an energy absorption system.
The strike phase of the gait then absorbs kinetic energy to be retranslated into the stance
phase, the Lateral Kinetic Chain.

Ground force reaction starts at the ground. Each joint involved must have the capacity to
store and release the kinetic energy of the Deep Longitudinal Kinetic Chain. If one joint los-
es that capacity, the structure must compensate for that leaked energy. Said another way,
kinetic energy is like a wave that moves through the structure with each joint participating.
When a joint loses capacity, the wave stops and energy is leaked. 

One notable structure in the Deep Longitudinal Kinetic Chain is the sacroiliac (SI) joint.
The SI joint translates energy from the axis of the femur diagonally into the spine. The sa-
crum along with frontal plane tilting of the pelvis absorbs kinetic energy so that the spinal
column can remain in its axis. This is a fairly complex organization of bones, joints, con-
nective tissue, and muscles.

The Deep Longitudinal Kinetic Chain engages, allowing us to resist gravity. As gravity is
a constant force pressing us into the earth, the counter action is to push into the earth or
root to rise.  Activation of the Deep Longitudinal Kinetic Chain is a foundational element
of Tadasana, Mountain Pose. Standing poses provide a particularly good medium to en-
gage the Deep Longitudinal Kinetic Chain.

The Spiral Engine of Locomotion™

Adapted from Applied Anatomy for Yoga Therapeutics
Lateral ~ Stance Phase

The Lateral Kinetic Chain provides necessary stability for the wind-up of the Posterior
Spiral Kinetic Chain� The mid-line stabilization of the stance phase orientates the spiral
energy to the axis of the spine� Said more plainly, the Lateral Kinetic Chain is “hugging
your midline�”

In the gait, the Lateral Kinetic Chain is a transition phase� The structure has absorbed the
kinetic energy from the strike phase� That energy then retranslates into the spine creating
a buoyant lift through its axis in preparation for the next phase, the wind up of elastic ener-
gy in the Posterior Spiral� The Lateral Kinetic Chain provides the necessary axial stability
for the Posterior Spiral chain� It ensures this chain has a base of support off which to work�

“Hold your midline” is a common verbal cue for the Lateral Kinetic Chain� The midline sta-
bilizers are keeping the energy compact and rooted� The more we can squeeze towards
the midline, the more capacity for movement around the axis of the spine�

The pelvis is at the core of Lateral Kinetic Chain activation� The hip abductors work with the
hip adductors and the contralateral quadratus lumborum to stabilize the pelvis and load
the iliotibial band� This lateral fascial spring provides the support for the knee to counter
the leverage of the torso� This can be readily experienced with the single leg lateral Cres-
cent Moon pose� Knowing that pelvic stability has a profound impact on our movement is
important to our yoga practice�

Looking at the function of the Lateral Kinetic Chain will greatly improve our standing pos-
es in yoga� When we engage single leg postures, often we find one side easier than the
other� This is an indicator of an imbalance in the “harder” side� Upon further investigation
we note that the Lateral Kinetic Chain has two possibilities for functional opposites� The
obvious one is the opposition of side to side, one Lateral Kinetic Chain in relationship to
the other� The less obvious is the opposite Anterior Spiral� While the structure is in stance
phase, the contralateral side is releasing stored elastic energy from its Posterior Spiral into
the Anterior�

The kinetic chains have an interdependent relationship as they reciprocate from side to
side� As one side of the body is engaged with one kinetic chain, the other is engaged with
the complementary opposite in complementary movement.

The Spiral Engine of Locomotion™

Adapted from Applied Anatomy for Yoga Therapeutics
Posterior Spiral ~ Push Phase

The Posterior Spiral Kinetic Chain winds up elastic energy into the spiral spring, the tho-
racolumbar fascia. The torsion on the thoracolumbar fascia is the power generator for the
next movement phase of the gait, the swing phase. As we’ve mentioned previously the
first three kinetic chains set the foundation for these next two movements. Breath, shock
absorption, and the stability of the spinal axis provide the base to wind up elastic energy
so that it can be retranslated into the next movement.

The Posterior Spiral is the first spiral energy generating kinetic chain of the 5PKCs. The
functional X across the back body describes this power generating kinetic chain. The pow-
erful prime movers, the latissimus dorsi and the gluteus maximus, act on the thoracolum-
bar fascia. The thoracolumbar fascia is the primary fascial spring that connects the pelvis
to the torso.

Fascial spring systems are very important to movement. When the fascia can wind up
elastic energy and subsequently release that elastic energy into the next complementary
movement, then muscles do not have to work as hard. Fascial springs create efficiency of
movement.

One of the many benefits of asana practice is the differentiation of movement. This stimu-
lates the tissue compartments to slide across one another. When fascia doesn’t move well,
adhesions start to form. The adhesions act like a glue that impedes movement. When the
fascia is “stuck” the muscles have to work much harder to produce movement.

The Spiral Engine of Locomotion™

Adapted from Applied Anatomy for Yoga Therapeutics
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Adapted from Applied Anatomy for Yoga Therapeutics