Kicking off our first fall 2011 series with a lesson differentiating the eyes.
WARNING: I was playing with a non-standard interpretation of the arm/hand position. Don’t bother–it creates strain and doesn’t contribute to learning. Use the “normal” dead bird position (arm lifted forward and bent in the elbow, hand hanging loose in front of the face, so you look at or just over the back of the hand).
If you’re a seasoned Feldenkrais person, I’m curious what you think about the arm position as I teach it here. Looking back at the lesson in the ATM book, it’s ambiguous between starting with the arm long and bending as you turn, and starting with it bent. I’m curious what you think about trying it this way. Discussion at Feldy Notebook: http://feldynotebook.wikispaces.com/Movement+of+the+Eyes+Organizes+the+Movement+of+the+Body
You’ll also notice that I actually mess up the instructions for eye-head differentiation. Mea culpa. See above outline at Feldy Notebook (or the ATM book itself) for the right variations.
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I’ve decided that the variant I thought I saw here is a mistake. With the arm extended (and then bending), there is a tension in the shoulder that fixes the upper spine. The experience of doing the lesson this (wrong, I believe) way makes me realize how strong the lesson is as an exploration of connecting the head and pelvis through the spine and “past” (in the context of) quite diverse use of the arms: one arm “suspended” (and given the whole position of the body, centre of gravity, and shape of the bent legs on which you rest, the arm isn’t so much “hanging from the shoulder” as it is poised over a large footprint), and the other arm propping. Then the spine and ribs gain so much freedom in between, by relating the head and the pelvis clearly.
Lynette, and maybe the other followers – I do have a question. I`d like to recommend your fantastic site to a friend of mine. An elderly lady (70+) who has some experience with fk-work. If you think of this site -Wwuld you recommend a certain lesson? …? best wishes from germany, Ute