Awareness Through Movement #387
Holding the big toes - straightening the legs – COMPARE DIFFERENCES
I sit with a smile on my face as Grok responds to my question for the ontological benefits of this lesson. I post these answers thinking, IF this post is read before the lesson… could it prepare people for a transformation and how would that influence the experience of the next 40 minutes… which is seriously a tiny fraction of the hours available in each day/week/month/year/lifetime.
Reconnection to the Body:
The slow, mindful focus on sensing differences
“examine how you do this”
invites attention to the strained area not as a source of pain,
rather as a living,
responsive part of oneself.
These movements have the potential to shift the experience of injury,
from alienation
“my back is broken”
to integration
“I’m still whole”,
which can wire the being for resilience
and self-compassion.
Grounded Presence:
Directions like “keep feeling your connection with the ground”
anchor awareness in the present moment,
using the floor as a stable reference amid physical uncertainty.
This can cultivate a sense of security and rootedness,
countering the existential unease of chronic pain or fragility.
Agency:
Adapting movements with props and prioritizing process
over result
“explore being more interested in the process”
empowers the individual to work with their body’s current state.
This can reinforce a sense of control and possibility,
transforming the strain from a defining limitation
into a temporary condition one can navigate.
Embodied Curiosity:
Repeated invitations to “notice how you do this” and compare sides fosters a playful, inquisitive relationship with movement despite injury.
This can elevates existence beyond mere survival,
encouraging a richer, more curious engagement with one’s physical self—
a subtle joy in discovery.
Integration of Self:
Alternating sides and resting allows the nervous system to process changes,
uniting the strained and unstrained parts of the body in a cohesive experience.
This enhances a holistic sense of being—less fragmented by pain,
more attuned to the interplay of body and mind,
fostering peace and wholeness.
Take this information from Grok with a pinch of (peppercorn) salt, it’s a way to introduce a really nice lesson with loops, diagonals and a wonderful foot hand connection.
Here is the lesson… it can be a gentle one Vita when you move slowly and consciously. You might like to have some props… cushions, pillows and stockings nearby to assist you connect the feet with the hands to get a stronger sense of the whole Self.
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