A Word (or many words) About Mirror Neurons

Shortly after writing the poem, "Running the Race," I watched the scene from Forrest Gump over and over in which he breaks out of his braces after being taunted by the bullies. I did not know that I was firing up my mirror neuron system to encourage healing the effects of the polio virus I contracted at age 5. At the time, I was in a toe-up leg brace, using a cane and at times a wheelchair for mobility.

I'd been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and to expect an accelerated decline in functioning as I aged. I'd been advised to leave behind my award winning career at the VA as the stress only exacerbated the symptoms of the progressive neuromuscular disease. After getting still in February of 2007 and asking for Divine Guidance, poetry began flowing out of me. I had to have pen and paper, or my iPhone with the Notes app open to keep up with the poems. My pen became my divining rod for healing as my imagination fueled the power of the mind/body connection. The runner within me was born in my imagination fueled by the mirror neuron system.

In Dr. David R. Hamilton's recent Better You.Backed by Science Newsletter, he writes about the research of the mirror neuron system. He presents research on the Science of Action Observation. Here's how it works: "When you observe an action, your MNS fires up and simulates the movement in your brain – as if you were doing it yourself. That’s what the “mirror” part of “mirror neuron system” refers to.

It’s not just in your head either. These simulated movements activate the neural circuits that control your muscles. And when those circuits are repeatedly activated – even passively – they strengthen the muscles too."

Early on in this training cycle on the Road to the Hyannis Marathon 10K, I had a stunning moment of embodying how I felt when I took ballet before contracting paralytic polio. I wrote about this in depth in my blog, "From Atrophy to Astonishing!" I reference the song "At the Ballet" from A Chorus Line.

When I was 21 years old, I sat in the front balcony of the Shubert Theater mesmerized by what was happening on the stage below me as the Original Broadway Cast of "A Chorus Line" made what we  now know is theater history. I carried many of the songs with me as the soundtrack of my life remembering the stunning choreography of the show. July 25th marked 50 years since "A Chorus Line" opened. The weekend was filled with celebrations and remembrances that ignited so many wonderful memories within me. 

Ellen Langer's book, "Counter Clockwise" came to mind as I imagined myself as a dancer reliving movements and songs in my mind. I used to dance around the living room to my vinyl of the Original Broadway Cast. Dr. David Hamilton references her book in a recent Better You.Backed by Science Newsletter, "How to Slow Ageing." Research has shown that when we immerse ourselves in a time when we were younger, we can actually slow the ageing process! My mirror neuron system was activated as I watched scenes from "A Chorus Line" on social media and dusted off my vinyl. I added the soundtrack to my strength training workout playlist visualizing the magical moments of "A Chorus Line" as I worked out this morning. I felt much younger than my 71 years!

 

"All I ever needed was the music and the mirror and the chance to dance for you." In June 1959, my world crumbled around me as I contracted paralytic polio but the dancer within me never died. This morning, she came to life as I incorporated the movements and the rhythm of dancing into my strength training workout to the soundtrack of "A Chorus Line." She was resurrected through my poetry. Here are two of my favorite poems that reference the dancer within me:

While I was familiar with the power of the mind/body connection through the work of Dr. Bernie Siegel, after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006, I immersed myself in the understanding of the various aspects of the mind/body connection. It's fascinating to learn that things that I did instinctively to heal are actually backed by science! 

 

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my website to learn how poetry, optimism, gratitude and the mind/body connection helped me to transform my life. After having been told in December 2006 that I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I went on to cross the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and have many adventures as runnergirl 1953. Be sure to visit the recently updated News and Events Page for links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.

I was recently the guest on The Optimism Institute Blue Sky Podcast. 
"Mary McManus has never had it easy. As a kindergartner, she was a victim of polio just a short time before the vaccine was introduced. She also faced trauma in her home life but somehow managed to persevere and overcome these and still more obstacles throughout her life. Today, Mary is an inspiring author, poet, motivational speaker, and finisher of the Boston Marathon." Here is the link to the Episode Website. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube.

My books share a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities; what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary and are available on Bookshop  My 6th book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" and my 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" are selections of the WBZ News Radio Book Club. "Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is also a selection Bill Rodgers Running Center Billy's Bookshelf: Recommended Reads for Every Runner. Visit my Author Page on Amazon for rave reviews.