Like Yourself Better, Sit Taller

Like Yourself Better, Sit Taller
 

Poise, Length and Gratitude:
Desk jockeys, Zoom attendees, Meditators, Spiritual Practitioners, Equestrians, Kayakers, Bikers, Stick and Ball People; Everyone really


Audrey Sitting .png

This week is about connections that uplift us.  Who doesn't want to sit up a bit taller without stress?  Who doesn't want to like themselves more?  

The front of the chest is connected to that inaccessible spot between the shoulder blades. The sternum is connected to the sacrum. Our intentions are connected to our movements. And we are connected to those who guide and support us, if only in our imaginations during this isolation.

My Feldenkrais teacher Alan Questel, who was just featured at the Feldenkrais Summit,  says learning to like ourselves better is the best reason to do Awareness Through Movement.  Alan asks:  "Who doesn't want to like themselves better?" and "Do you LIKE the way this makes you feel?"  Riiiiiggghhhttt?

And that is the focus we will bring to a lesson has meditators, spiritual groups,  computer users, kayaker and bikers, equestrians and others sitting up in surprising ease.  

This lesson calls for a firm-seated chair.  The simple imagery of a ribbon drawing the chest and pelvis out helps create openness, and the image of a gentle guiding finger introduces roundness in the back.  We eventually connect the front andback, top and bottom ribbons to guide ourselves to sit taller.  

Give yourself some time to reconnect your mind to body to explore a new (body) normal that's balanced, aware and ready to play.

Wednesday, May 6, 12:15-1:15 PM
Click this link to  Zoom into Like Yourself Better and Sit Taller 
Click here to add the weekly session to your calendar

Wednesday, May 6, 6:30-7:30 PM
Click this NEW link to Like Yourself Better and Sit Taller
Click here to add the NEW weekly session link to your calendar

NEW TIME: Friday,  May 8, 11:00 AM Adaptive SportsNut Edition Drop (now with captions)
Click this link to enjoy the lesson at Facebook Live Adaptive Sports Partners' site
Check out the last week's Lessons Here

Focus this week:  Like Yourself Better and Sit Taller
How you might feel after this lesson:  Taller;  hips and shoulders looser and connected top and bottom; chest connected front and back;  hips connected front and back;  front body long; shoulders relaxed over hips; head floating high; clear diagonals from sternum to sacrum, center of back and pubis; grateful to your life guides.

Anyone can participate in Awareness Through Movement. Lessons are done on yoga mats on the floor or chairs. Dress comfortably, with a loose waist.  As this is extreme low impact, socks and layers are a good idea.     

Lesson Snippet: To Sit or Stand Straighter, and to stay centered when your dog tugs on her leash.

A "Distracted Zoomer Moment" is where Zoom becomes a positive trigger for you to play with movement.  If your host is searching for the "share" button, try this.  While the person who can't figure out how to mute confounds all, do this.  

One student who has an 'energetic' dog noted that she is using this snippet from last week's session to stay centered and grounded when her 30-pound best friend tugs on the leash!

  • Sit comfortably on a firm chair, with your thighs level with the ground.  

  • Imagine a ribbon connected to the zipper of your jeans or to the pelvic bone.  

  • Imagine that ribbon being pulled downwards, between your feet on the floor.  Let your pelvis tip forward and let the movement roll all the way up your back.
       

  • Feel how the front of the body opens and your chest lifts.  Consciously accentuate the lifting with a heart-centered ribbon lifting and opening the heart.  Take a deep breath and let your ribs expand into the extra space you have created.  

  • If you have a dog who tugs, take it a step further.  Add a ribbon to your low back, in the center of the sacrum.  Let that ribbon draw your low back down and out. Let your weight sink as if you had a very large and heavy tail. You are GROUNDED. Let that puppy pull: you are grounded. Make sure you round your back to keep your arm safe from being pulled out of the socket. 

  • If you are in a Zoom meeting, keep your eyes on the horizon, smile, and feel a bit taller than all the other Zoomers who are slumped in their chairs.

Jacki Katzman