Smarter Standing, Reaching Further - Riverglen Residents Eager to Learn
Never too old to learn - Riverglen seniors are up for standing up and reaching down
Standing, Reaching Further - Riverglen Residents Eager to Learn
Awareness Through Movement® for Seniors in Littleton, NH
Just before COVID, the Riverglen House activities director reached out to me about teaching occasional Awareness Through Movement® lessons. And then there was COVID, and I slid into Zoom-land for all classes.
My audition lesson, “Smarter Standing,” gave students a step-by-step method to bring their weight over their feet, and bottoms near the edge of the chair to set up for easier standing. It was a delightful session, but the best part was hearing how the residents were coaching each other to “get to the edge of the chair and put your feet under your knees.”
The follow up lesson built on that learning, adding a sideways weight shift and just a bit of twist to bring the floor a little closer. Every student reached the floor independently! (Or course, the staff is always willing to reach for that shoe or sock, but it’s good to do without help.)
Many elders, even some with cognitive issues, can revive the muscle memory of easy movement or “connect new movement dots” to develop new movement independence.
Moshe Feldenkrais assumed that we can continue to learn to our last breath. It’s never too late to start practicing Awareness Through Movement®.