The Grand Horizontals - 1 - Walk Like An Egyptian - The Candelabra Lesson
Just Dance 2 - Walk Like An Egyptian (YouTube Video)
The Grand Horizontals - 1 - Walk Like An Egyptian
The Chanukia/Candelabra Lesson for lifting and separating the “Beauty Bones”
The Grand Horizontal Beauty Bone perfection.
Image source: kathyoconnellsart.wordpress.com/
For their prominent location in the body, the collarbones, formally named the clavicles, are also known as the "beauty bones" or the “Grand Horizontals.”
Why? The clavicle is naked, covered by neither fat nor bone. It is the body's only long horizontal bone. Its position and shape give us an idea of a person's body alignment, thus the name "beauty bone."
The name ‘clavicle’ is derived from the Latin word Clavicula, which means “little key” because it rotates along its axis like a key when the arm rolls to the center line.
The clavicles connect the head, ribs and spine to the arms and shoulders. As part of the shoulder girdle, clavicles enable the full range of arm motion - they provide the only direct connection between arms and the support of the ribs, breastbone and spine. Remember: the shoulders rest over the ribs but are not connected to them or any part of the spine.
These thin, fragile bones also protect the nerves and blood vessels that pass between the trunk and upper limb.
When the grand horizontals are resting horizontally, the shoulder blades have to rest comfortably against the ribs, the upper chest must lift, the neck is positioned to elongate, and the head balances with perfect elegance.
This short series begins with the classic Candelabra/Chanukia/AY #18 exploration of the beauty bones, and my lifelong quest to carry it like Audrey. Lying on the floor with arms out to the sides, fingertips pointed to the ceiling (like candles in a candelabra), we will feel deep into the joints of the clavicles. First hands drop back to the floor behind, rotating the clavicles like keys in the lock of the shoulder girdle. Then arms roll downward, and the clavicles turn the other way. After due warm-up, ‘walk like an Egyptian,' with arm one rolled up, one rolled down and the head turned in the classic form.
We will continue to use that fantastic tool: The Voice-O-Meter. Featured sounds this week:
Heart Sound: HAAAA, like a giggle or sigh of relief, releasing hate and making room for love
Lung Sound: SSSSSSSS, like wind in the dry autumn leaves, releasing grief and making room for courage
Science Nerd Candy Bowl: learning about the collar bones (clavicles) , Shoulder Girdle, and rotator cuff:
Kinesiology of the Shoulder Girdle Animation: Sternoclavicular Joint Arthrokinematics: drawn animation, detailed but accessible (5:20).
Scapula and Clavicle - Shoulder Girdle - Anatomy Tutorial: (7:20) very detailed anatomy of collar bone and shoulder blade
The shoulder girdle, 3D Lyon: (2:30) detailed display of bones and joints of shoulder girdle
Arthrology of the acromioclavicular joint, 3D Lyon: (3:02) detailed breakdown of the connection of the collar bone and the shoulder blade
The Rotator Cuff: (9:02) a complete anatomical review of the bones, tendons and muscles of the rotator cuff, with basic info on rotator cuff injury
The Clavicles, or Grand Horizontals, are the only connections between the arms and the support of the breastbone, ribs and spine. image source: reconorthofl.com
How you might feel after this lesson: Chest lifted and open; Breath deep; Shoulder blades resting quietly over the ribs, Neck released; Upper back flexible; Connected from pelvis to sternum, head to shoulders; Connected from hands to the support of the sternum and spine. ATMs are great for getting that 1986 big hair thing going! And you might just feel a bit more like Audrey and her perfect carriage.
Check out the 1986 hair. The lyrics make no sense, but who cares? This is FUN!
If you don’t do science nerd, just watch this dancer demonstrate clavicles.