Awareness Through Movement #449

Bending in Standing - aka LEARNING TO WALK

After breaking both of my legs and being in hospital for 119 days I had to learn to walk again - on crutches with plaster on one leg and a very strong recommendation from Doctors that only 40% of my weight be placed on the other.

The physiotherapy sessions I had were more about what to hold on to in the instance of feeling like I was going to fall, than HOW to actually walk.

When I started Feldenkrais I realised I’d never had guidance or instruction for the way to walk, I didn’t even know there was such a thing unless people had, like me, injured them selves.

It was quite rewarding to learn the process of shifting my weight from one leg to another in these lessons, actually learning to get into some of the finer details and experience what was possible through this movement. It’s become a fascination ever since!!

With the arching and letting go, we get to learn to differentiate movements in the pelvis and reduce any tensions inherited through habitual patterns, and the relief is well worth the “effort”.

As has been mentioned in many lessons, involving the big muscles and bones of the torso lets the limbs do the much finer and delicate work to feel and sense our way in the world. The movements in this lesson may seem exaggerated and awkward at first - perhaps do this lesson in a room in private lest anybody see you and distract your attention.

One of the ways that separates Feldenkrais from the rest is in applying one particular movement to different planes… as you will see, feel and experience in this lesson.

Enjoy learning more with your Self :)