Awareness Through Movement #440

On the side, head and pelvis – KINETIC CHAIN

We explore the kinetic chain again, this time alternating between lying on the side and lying on the back in typical Feldy, yet very unusual configurations.

Some of the movements you may be familiar with - for example, bringing an arm over the head to hold the temple then gently bend the torso, ribs, chest, shoulders, neck and head like a banana to the side. What’s important is that the nose stays directed at the ceiling so that the back of the head slides rather than rolling the head, and there is good reason for this.

The movement we are exploring is bending from the torso, so that the ribs open and close like an accordion. This then engages the intercostal muscles between each rib, the lengthen and contract, which then makes room for oxygen to enter through the back where the lungs are, and the carbon dioxide to leave.

as the ribs on one side opens, the other closes allowing the torso to bend.

Our bodies are quite amazing alchemical ‘machines’ that convert molecules to keep the system (literally) pumping to keep all the tubes clean and active. The way we as a species have mostly been been trained through exercise techniques to go hard until pain is felt, to almost break ourselves so that we can rebuild… what if that is only ONE way??

These lessons open up an unusual way to move, through sensing, breathing and really connecting WITH our selves as we move… not before, or after… during the movement. That’s why you’ll often hear
“go slow”,
“be gentle”,
“feel”,

moving in triple slow motion gives us the space to make a detour at any particular moment and shift away from a known trajectory. Then we explore unknown territory and feel the difference. Once that difference is experienced, then choice is made available. This kinaesthetic way of learning brings our systems “home” to a deeply integrated pattern of curves and waves that our bodies are designed for, and then habitual, robotic patterns start to stand out as really odd… they start to feel weird.

It takes time and practice to step out of habits, and some times it can be uncomfortable, so please…

be gentle with your Self.