About Walking - 6 - Stop In The Name of Love
Stop! In The Name of Love - Using Shoulders to Get the Walk Going
About Walking - 6 - Stop! In the Name of Love
Shoulder Power
Based on an “Octaves” ATM as imagined and taught by David Kaetz, GCFT
There’s a rhythm to the walk. Heel contact. Pelvis drawn over standing leg. Torso swings back, and then forward into the next step. The shoulder blade, skillfully employed, powers the torso around. And makes for a great dance move.
This lesson, a variation of a whole body listening exercise taught by David Kaetz, adds rhythm to our movement vocabulary; in this case, swing of the shoulders saying “STOP.”
When the shoulder blades are press against the back the chest lifts, the belly softens and the public bone rolls towards the floor. Tall and ‘don’t you be messin’ with me.”
The ribs need to be soft to let the power flow through you, from chest down into the pelvis. Pointing the tips of the shoulder blades towards the sit bones give you the stability to stand up to any threat.
Most of the lesson is on the back, knees bent, arms extended up towards the ceiling.
Science Nerd Candy Bowl for Walkers (same as last week, in case you missed it):
Anatomy Walk Cycle- smitty head (1:48) transformations from skeleton to muscles to viscera etc. Watch how shoulders move with walking. Note: YouTube considers this video potentially pornographic
Walking and pronation: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (1:06) Clear description of healthy and impaired walking patterns
Foot reflexology maps relate the forefoot with the ribs. Source unknown.
How you might feel after this lesson: Got your groove on, girl!; Pelvis and shoulders connected; Clearer sensation of shoulders driving the torso and pelvis with the breath; Connecting the pelvic rock with the shoulders and chest; Connecting the ‘ribs of the feet’ with the ‘ribs of the chest’; Ready to rock your next college reunion Supremes/Aretha/O’Jays dance along.
For new student registration, Click Here
If you have a Wednesday 9:30 am or 6:30 pm class registration, keep using it. If you were registered for the 12:00 pm Wednesday session, you’ll need to register. Registered, paid students receive the lesson recording link on Thursday. $40/month, $15/single lesson. PayPal: jackisue@aol.com Venmo: @Jacki-Katzman Or check to Jacki Katzman, PO Box 116, Bethlehem, NH 03574
Not exactly relevant - this cut from “Sita Sings the Blues” is my attempt to keep the animation theme going. Animator Nina Paley’s dance sequences are exquisite and surprisingly accurate. The entire film, ‘Sita Sings the Blues” is creatively told and beautiful.