Awareness Through Movement #373

“If you look,
you see that the majority moves the pelvis and the shoulders,
contorts the face and the hands,
and thinks that they move only the leg,
there is no medication for this.
If the person does not pay attention,
does not listen,
and does not know what happens in their body

- well who knows?

Nobody!
Nobody!”

For me, this is the essence of Feldenkrais, too often humans hand over their internal authority and rely on somebody else to know what is happening within their selves.

What we’re learning with these lessons is how to become aware of our selves during rest, during movement, during life..
in the busy times
and in the quiet times.

We’re learning how to take the reigns of who we are, what we have become and from that space, developing a knowing for how to direct our selves from this, the present moment.

Such an essence is far greater than merely rolling around on the floor doing a
30-60 minute ‘lesson’.

Tonight we’ll be standing and discovering how to move from an unusual ‘axis’ which in its unfamiliarity can feel foreign. Please be patient with your Self as you learn, this is a large part of Feldenkrais’s essence too.

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Today I asked Grok about the spiritual benefits of this lesson and (without giving any hint of what I’d already written here) it seems to back up what I wrote…
with these comments:

Joy and Playfulness in Movement: The approach to movement as something to be explored with curiosity rather than effort can bring joy and a sense of play into physical activities, resonating with spiritual teachings that advocate for finding joy in the present moment.

Connection with the Body: There's a spiritual aspect to understanding and connecting with one's body as part of the self. This lesson helps in recognizing the body not just as a vehicle for movement but as an integral part of one's being, promoting a holistic view of health and existence.

Letting Go of Control: The lesson emphasizes the simplicity and naturalness of movement over forced or controlled action, teaching one to trust in the body's intrinsic wisdom. This can be a metaphor for life, encouraging letting go of the need to control every aspect, leading to a more relaxed, accepting state of being.

I’m starting to Grok Grok.

Here’s the lesson, enjoy exploring more of your Self with these movements :)