Alba Emoting as a Somatic Approach to Emotional

Alba Emoting as a Somatic Approach to Emotional Awareness & Change The Alba Emoting Technique was developed by Chilean Neuroscientist and Psychologist, Dr. Susana Bloch Dr. Bloch defines emotion as, “A complex functional state of the Entire organism which implies simultaneously physiological activities, expressive behavior, and an inner experience” Emotional Awareness comes from understanding how these three aspects of an emotion are present in the whole self. 1. 2. 3. Physiological Activities Expressive Behavior Inner Experience “Everything is given to us, it is in us; all the cues of what is happening are present, but we do not see them. If we just stopped for a moment and observed how we are looking to the ground, etc. – all and each are very precise signs of internal states – maybe we would not live so confused and ignorant about our feelings and emotions, we would more easily acknowledge what happens with us and with others. We could therefore live with less misunderstandings and be happier. ” ~ Dr. Susana Bloch

to Alba Emoting as a Somatic Approach Emotional Awareness & Change (Continued) Emotional Change comes from learning how to willingly evoke, control, and shift emotional states in the whole self, teaching ourselves that we are not always in passive receipt of emotional states, but can manifest clear expressions of our intentions and feelings. Dr. Bloch discovered that in order to evoke the emotion throughout the whole self, one must address these three parallel & interconnected levels. 1. Physiological Activities 2. Expressive Behavior 3. Inner Experience Alba Emoting uses effector patterns derived from the first two Objective and quantifiable levels: physiological and expressive. The technique then allows the individual to fill in the third and Subjective “feelings” or mental level.

3 Parallel Interconnected Levels To Each Alba Emoting Effector Pattern All 3 levels trigger physiological as well as expressive activities in the whole self. Breathing Pattern Postural Attitude Facial Expression In order to reach a holistic understanding of each effector pattern and achieve a physiological induction of the basic emotion, all three levels must be integrated.

Emotion Theory Alba Emoting is based on the emotion theory that all humans start life (infants) expressing their feelings with basic emotions. Similar to theory of color mixing where all colors stem from 3 primary colors, all emotions stem from basic emotions. All other emotions, as well as all other colors, are mixes of these basics.

The Alba Emoting Effector Patterns Based on 6 Basic Emotions and 1 Neutral Pattern An effector pattern is an agent causing an effect, ie. a nerve ending activating a muscle or a molecule affecting an enzyme activity. Applying a series of effector patterns can achieve a holistic physiological effect throughout the whole self. O Breath (Neutral & Balancing) 1 Nose Breathing 2 Mouth Breathing 3 Nose /Mouth Breathing 1 a Tender Love 1 b Anger 2 a Sexual/Sensual Love 2 b Fear/Surprise 3 a Joy/Laughter 3 b Sadness/Crying This numbering & lettering system for labeling the patterns was created by Laura Facciponti as a method for explaining and teaching the patterns without using the subjective words for emotions up front.

Babies in the Six Basic Emotions 1 a 2 b 1 b 3 a 2 a 3 b

Babies React to the World Around Them Shifting from One Basic Emotion to the Next 1 b to 2 a 1 b to 3 b 1 a 3 b 3 a 2 b 3 b to 2 b

Emotion Theory (continued) As humans mature and interact with their world the basic emotions mix, creating complex emotional states. We then have a vast array of emotional expressions available to us. This complex collection of expressions, reactions, feelings and moods can be excitingly rich. It can also be quite confusing in expressing ourselves and in interpreting the expressions of others. 3 b, 2 b, 1 b 1 b & 2 b 1 a, 2 b, 3 b

As Children Mature Basic Emotions Mix Creating a Greater Range for Expressing their Feelings 1 b & 1 a 3 b, 2 b, & 1 b 3 b, 2 b, & 1 a 3 b & 1 b 1 a, 2 b, & 3 b 1 a & 2 b

Adults Develop Complex Emotions Basic Emotions and Mixes 2 b, 1 b, & 1 a 3 a & 3 b 1 b & 3 b 2 b to 3 b 1 b 1 a & 3 a 1 a 2 b, 1 b & 3 b 1 a 1 b

Can you identify the emotions in these faces? Left: 1 a (subtle 1 b) Middle: 3 a (2 b pullback/3 b mouth) Right: 1 a & 1 b (subtle 2 b in eyes) These three girls all wear some kind of smile, but each smile expresses something different. Can you identify the mixed emotions in these expressions?

What mixed emotions are present in these Looks of Love? 1 a & 1 b 2 a & 2 b 1 a, 2 b, & 3 b 1 a – 1 a & 3 b w/slight 2 b in eye angle and head position 1 a & slight 3 b

Fear/Surprise (2 b) is a common mix when facing a camera. What other emotions do you see? 3 a & 2 b 1 a & 2 b 3 b & 2 b 3 a & 2 b 1 a, 2 b, & 3 b

Finding the Facial Muscular Triggers in the Basic A-Pattern Emotions 1 a (Tender Love) The authentic smile starts with the widening of the eyes first, and then the muscles at the sides of the mouth follow the lead of the eyes. The eyes look at the person or thing that is causing the tender feeling, and the head tilts to one side – with head facing its subject matter.

2 a (Sexual/Sensual Love) As the mouth relaxes gently open, both outside edges of the upper lip (from high tip to corners) pull up and out into a pleasurable smile, with the lower lip relaxed. Eyes softly drop, almost closed. The head tends to tilt back.

3 a (Joy/Laughter) The authentic smile gets wider, initiated by the eyes first and with open mouth widening and pulling up into cheeks. The eyes look intentionally at someone or something that is causing the joy, or up in the air if it was a thought.

Can you now see the facial muscular triggers in these faces? 1 a 2 a 3 a

This slide show concludes with examples of people Expressing the Love of Life in the A-Patterns

Photographs used throughout this slide show were acquired through Creative Commons www. creativecommons. org Creative Commons is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others, consistent with the rules of copyright. We provide free licenses and other legal tools to mark creative work with the freedom the creator wants it to carry, so others can share, remix, use commercially, or any combination thereof. The photographers of these photos gave permission through Creative Commons licensing agreements to share their images and we recognize their talents and willingness to share these images for this educational slide show on Alba Emoting by listing their names/Creative Commons IDs below: Sean drelinger, zizzybalooba, treehouse 197, Thrasher Dave, Adventures of Kristen and Adam, Campfire Mike, Joshua Bartz, Oldshoe, Thejbird, legendarymonkey, Adwriter, Hen 3 k, Phil Scoville, Pyrogenic, Chrisdlugosz, balenski, Joshclark, bfhoyt, Ozh, fablogis 50, Libertinus, and Paula This slide show was created by Laura Facciponti for the purpose of educating the public on Alba Emoting. For more information on Alba Emoting and Laura Facciponti’s work as a certified instructor of Alba Emoting go to www. Breath. Xpress. com