August ATM's - a variety of lessons #19

Perfecting Your Self-Image, Moshe Feldenkrais (Book Lesson 8)

page 130
It starts with:

“In this lesson you will learn to use a group of muscles
for a specific movement in various positions of the body.
You will make the joints employed in this movement more flexible
and reach that anatomically possible limits within the first hour.
You will learn the effect of movements of the head on muscular tension,
the effect of imagined movements of the head on muscular tension,
the effect of imagined movement on real movement,
and to inhibit verbalisation in imagined movement
- all of which leads to completion of the body image.

You will also be able to transfer improvement
actively obtained by one side of the body to the other inactive side,
which did not take part in the movement,

by means of visualisation or thought only.”

I HATED this lesson this first time I did it, and now, as I prepare these lessons I’m doing them and writing notes which compare very favourably with previous ‘efforts’…. which is what this lesson seemed to be, a B I G effort with futile results.

Bonus, today was the first time my back didn’t hurt… because, I discovered… using the lower belly muscles REALLY DOES WORK, and I got to kiss further down my lower leg than I ever have before!!!

they make it look so easy!!!

Take your time, go slowly and really… do only what is comfortable for you to do without forcing anything…. and, it’s OK to rest even if Moshe doesn’t say to!

Enjoy learning more about, with and FOR your self during these movements: