Awareness Through Movement #59

Lifting the head with the hands - being a private investigator!

I might be making this lesson sound as if it’s challenging, rest assured… it’s not.

What I’ve found with this practice is that when I *have to* keep using the same muscles over and over again, that’s when I start listening and really get curious to work out other ways to approach the movement. Maybe it will be true for you with this one.

Feldenkrais, lying on back, lifting head and legs, circles, private investigator, questions, puzzles. These images are getting ridiculous… or maybe it’s the words I’m using!!

My experience with practicing daily is that it’s a bit like the Karate Kid… not knowing WHY all the repetition and wondering how the crazy movements are relevant to my life. THEN, at a random moment in time when I least expect it something kicks in. And I’m really happy to say that these random moments are becoming more frequent, I change something every day… the way I walk, sit, reach for something.. to find the most enjoyable way. Particularly when the “old way” becomes painful. It’s like Moshe is whispering in my ear “stop being stupid Dale, make it easy, involve more of yourself and use the ground to your advantage”. Then with a big smile on my face I take his advice.. and it’s like a big puzzle falls into place. “Thank you Moshe” I whisper.. even though I know it really is *me* that I need to thank… for putting in the hours and taking the time to learn something new. So I do that too :)

Breaking habits is far from easy and I see these moments as an acknowledgement that the time and energy I’ve invested in this practice have been worth it. Are you starting to do that, or anything like it?

During this lesson, you’ll be given many prompts to be the private investigator… to explore options and feel what’s touching the ground, what’s lifting, and, to make the most of your awareness. You are invited to bring to this lesson everything you’ve learned thus far.

Go slowly,
USE ground “forces”.. or gravity, magnetic fields however you prefer to think it.
Bring your whole self to the lesson, notice the internal dialogue - it is YOU, isn’t it? - and follow the guidance anyway.

(now you’ll be able to say, I know I did that lesson!)

Most importantly fine tune YOUR AWARENESS and really sense what it is you are doing. Really, take your time… turn the recording off and get fascinated with one small part of the lesson to work out what it is you are doing AS YOU DO IT! Or, you can struggle - the choice is yours!!

I’ll be thinking of you all at 8pm… lesson below: