Keep it Cool, Keep it Easy
A series based on classic Awareness Through Movement® lessons adapted for the dog days of summer
Too Darn Hot - 1 - Let the Eyes Lead
Aiming towards simple
A variation of “The Movement of the Eyes”
soft gaze, eyes lead movement
In “The Movement of the Eyes,” the tenth lesson published in his final book, “Awareness Through Movement,” Moshe Feldenkrais not only presents this seminal lesson on how eyes direct movement. He reiterates his message on the impotence of striving.
For this lesson, also known as the ‘Dead Bird” because of the shape the hand takes, we forego the usual side-sitting position, lazing on our backs, barely lifting an arm.
Set Up:
Lying on a mat with good support for head and knees - we will be on our backs the whole lesson save for rests
Sitting in a firm, stable chair, knees and hips level, feet on the ground.
Too Darn Hot - 2 - Breathe Deep
Super Cool Minimal Moves
Breathing Deeply - The See Saw Breathing Lesson or “Parts and Functions in Breathing” from the Awareness Through Movement book
Gravity, use of weight-bearing muscles, orientation and state of mind all affect the way we breathe. In this lesson, Moshe takes us on a tour of how the body breathes by doing what he does best - messing with us.
Set Up:
Will be in positions on back, belly, side, “beach chair position,” hands and knees, and sitting on floor.
May want support for hips when on belly, for head on hands and knees, and under hips for sitting on floor.
May want a low stool to lie over if hands and knees doesn’t work, same with sitting on floor
OR sit on chair with a back; changing orientations to press against back of chair for feeling pressure on front, sides.
Too Darn Hot - 3 - Slow the Clock
Super Cool Minimal Moves
Use Your Assets, Slow the Clock - A variation on the “Pelvic Clock” lesson by Moshe Feldenkrais
This lesson starts on the back - or seated on a chair - with an image of a clock under the tush. After getting to know the 12-6 (front to back) and 3-9 (side to side) lines, circle the hips in both directions. Don't be shocked if this is way more challenging than you imagined.
Too Darn Hot
Super Cool Minimal Moves
Imagining Connections adapted from “Becoming Aware of Parts of Which We are not Conscious with the Help of Those of Which We are Conscious” From the Awareness Through Movement book
Moshe defines this lesson as a means of bringing awareness to parts of self that are ‘invisible’ - not in conscious awareness. But the lesson is also, by its construction, an extremely low impact exploration of whole-body fascial connections.
To get there we will imagine a ball rolling down the back lines.
Set Up:
On a mat on the floor, lying on your front. You might want padding for your tummy, across the top of your chest, and possibly for under your chin
You can also do this lesson supine, lying on back, with the usual supports
OR sit on a firm, stable chair with knees and hips level
Too Darn Hot
Super Cool Minimal Moves
Coordinating Connections based on “Spacial Relationships as a Means to Coordinated Action,” Lesson 9 in Awareness Through Movement
This lesson comes from Moshe Feldenkrais’ book Awareness Through Movement book, chapter 9. Again, the key is minimal movement and imagination. Circle your nose and discover your whole self. This seated lesson, with a brief kneeling interlude, centers on the nose and its relationships ears, shoulders, neck, and of course the breath and pelvis. There's an interlude with an imaginary paintbrush, so pick out your colors.
Minimal movement, big discoveries.
Set Up:
On a mat on the floor, lying on your front. You might want padding for your tummy, across the top of your chest, and possibly for under your chin
You can also do this lesson supine, lying on back, with the usual supports
OR sit on a firm, stable chair with knees and hips level
