Full Circle - 11 - The Pelvic Clock
Calligraphy by ThIch Nhat Hahn
Full Circle - 11 - Full Circle Circle
Follow the circle to whole body connection
Based on Moshe Feldenkrais’ ATM Book – 6. Differentiation of Pelvic Movements by Means of an Imaginary Clock and other pelvic clock lessons from the Amherst Training, and variations by Alan Questel and others
“It’s all about the pelvis,” my first Feldenkrais teacher Josh often said. I would add, “and the ribs, and the pelvic floor and breathing.” It’s all about all.
And, coming full circle in this series, it’s all about the Feldenkrais lesson that everyone knows: the pelvic clock. In my Feldenkrais training program, we did no less that seven versions of that lesson: nose clocks, head and pelvic clocks, sacral clocks, shoulder and hip clocks, front and back clocks. Lots of practices claim the pelvic clock, but i believe Moshe was first.
The idea is simple: lie on your back and trace a circle - a clock - with some part of yourself. But can you do it? Do you swing wide between 2:00 and 3:00? Is 7:00 completely invisible? Can you rock the circle it and keep breathing? Can you imagine how to use the diaphragm to guide the circle drawing? How about driving from the pelvic floor? Can you guide the circle from C7 - the base of the neck?
Here is what Moshe says about this lesson:
‘In this lesson you will learn to identify superfluous and unconscious efforts by the muscles of the pelvis and learn to refine control over the position of the pelvis and improve the alignment of the spine.”
This could be a one-week lesson, or a multi-week exploration. Who knows? So much to work with - movement will be the guide. In the process, we will recap the themes of the series, hear again from Joni Mitchell, whose ‘All sides now” inspired this series.
Science Nerd Candy Bowl: we’re done for now
Set Up for Supine and Side Lying Lesson:
Lying on a mat with support for head and knees as appropriate. Additional support for head if we get to side-lying.
How you might feel after this lesson: Longer; Open; Breathing deeply; Better visual focus; Connected from the pelvis out; Clearer coordination of pelvis and extremities, including the head; Deeper turns, Softer eyes, Relaxed neck.
“We have to continue to learn. We have to be open. And we have to be ready to release our knowledge in order to come to a higher understanding of reality.”
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 or Venmo to jackisue@aol.com. Or check to Jacki Katzman, PO Box 116, Bethlehem, NH 03574
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For floating, Angelo Badalamenti, from the Twin Peaks sound track. Thank you David Lynch.