Cell structures include strings or tubes making a kind of cellular fabric
This boundary, this cytoskeleton connects inside/outside.  You might call it the decision maker of the cell.

Whereas strings rely on tension,
cells' strings regulate function--they push and pull a cell, they move it, transport ingredients, and they control what genes are expressed--by how these tubules are
stretching, releasing that stretch, and vibrating.

tensegrity.   need tension for integrity.
tension + expansion
definition:  any physical structure that stabilizes and supports itself by balancing opposing forces of tension and expansion

movement flexing holding tensions, releasing tensions.  changing physical structure in those moments.
can influence and/or change cell function.  So too, can bodywork, and self-release protocols.

cells must attach, grow, and spread out
spreading out triggers one gene expression
think a cut/wound.  cells spread out and "cover the gap;" they multiply

not enough food?  cells let go of dish--maturation--another gene expression

mechanical tension influences whether they reproduce, make more of themselves, mature, grow...

and if they let go completely, they express a third gene expression:  gentle suicide [apoptosis]

mechanical stress influences what they become and what they do.

soft gel-like "mattress" v. rigid structures 
lab experiments have grown breast cancer tissues on different surfaces leading to different cell expression.

Would anyone like to host this cell biologist here in Chicago to listen to her speak on this subject?
Sondra Barrett 

Thank you everyone for a fun time.  I enjoyed playing "find the treasure" with you today.

I loved seeing all you yoga practitioners that I don't see with great regularity. 
 I'm touched you brought your friends to share in today.  Thank you for participating.

Some thoughts I neglected to share:

as you age, your fascia changes composition.  Generally speaking, it changes from very elastic to more fibrous as you age.  This means--keep it supple, and use more heat or  more time in your "suppling sessions."

Adaptation:  what causes tissue to reshape, remodel, and ultimately take on a new form?
Repetitions, defaulting [posture], pressure [carry bags on one shoulder?], strikes/blows as conditioning.
But really, repetitions.  what do I do all the time?  What do I do when I train, when I sit, when I eat.  All those moments are practice moments, they are repetitions.  They're contributing to that proverbial 10,000 repetitions.  So what are we mastering right NOW?

hot water pads are amazing tools for softening--i definitely wouldn't do this before training but I might consider it before a yoga practice or while watching a movie.  

http://chicagocryospa.com/  another chicago-based tool that is supposed to be amazing with treating inflammation, junkie tissues, muscle edema, etc.  You dunk in a liquid nitrogen tank for a few minutes and the extreme temperature change decongests lymphatically and venously [if I'm not mistaken],  Cool idea--literally.

lots more ideas at mobilitywod.com 
interesting recovery tool [high tech compression bag]
Supple Leopard is the name of Kelly Starrett's book.

Many of the areas and lines we worked today correspond with Anatomy Trains.  Own that book if you treasure your yoga practice.  It will open doors of perception widely.

The video we saw is here:  http://youtu.be/uzy8-wQzQMY

We only scratched the surface.  If you would like to learn more how to employ these and more techniques into your yoga practice, please come to a class.  They're integrated into our asana practice so that your asana has the greatest carryover into every other modality you practice.

18 month turnover:  with regular additions or subtractions in our training, reorganizing this web-like network might enjoy patient process  even though the changes we could make are quite quick.

Do these free things often--before bed to help unwind.
When the body is able to relax--even a little, with regularity--your stress levels can change radically.  Feel relaxed in little ways often.

I would love to learn about how you're implementing this in your training.  
I would love to learn what "Aha's" you've experienced--what connections you made.  Revelations?
Please post them below or email me.  How did you feel the rest of the day [or tomorrow].

Let me know how I can help.