From the Fall 2007 Schedule

Becoming more aware of coordination

The man in the photo is at, or near, the close of a Feldenkrais lesson. In reaching along the floor with his left arm, his arm is extended to its maximum, and his whole body is participating in the action.  

Before getting to this point, the Feldenkrais student has spent nearly an hour exploring the many aspects of the movement. The explorations have helped to deepen his kinesthetic sensitivity, to expand his awareness of choice, and to integrate more fully the coordination among body parts. 

The student has explored different ways of using his legs. In the end, his right leg is placed so he can push the torso leftward, and the left leg is long to easily accommodate the roll. He has studied possibilities for the arms and winds up with his right arm pointing downward because it gives a powerful equal-and-opposite dynamic to the upward-extending left arm. He has studied the ribs and found that all goes best when the ribs mirror the equal-and-opposite of the arms: see how the ribs have elongated on the underneath (left) side and compressed on the top (right) side. He has found that as he pulls his head backwards and lifts his chin, the left shoulder has more room to move and it’s easier for his eyes to see his hand.  

You can’t tell from the photo, but he has also attended to his breathing, so that he has continued to breathe naturally throughout this exploration. 

During a Feldenkrais class, this is what you do. You follow this type of process through many movement themes. Sometimes you sit, kneel, stand, or walk, but most of the time you lie down.  

It’s an ever broadening exploration of how the body parts work together. There is always more to discover, and to enjoy.

Photo by Rosalie O'Connor www.rosalieoconnor.com