Long Neck, Heavy Head - 9 - Roll Head With Whole Body (The Frog Crawl)
Long Neck, Heavy Head - 9 - Roll Head With Whole Body
The “Frog Crawl” for head turning and coordinated motions in shoulder and hip sockets
Based on “Hand Turns Head” from “And the Head is Free” Series by Arlyn Zones, GCFT®
“We do the movements just to test ourselves if we are sleeping or are awake. That means [to distinguish] if we are able to pay attention, to do what we want, or if something inside of us, by itself, does what it wants. In other words, we are trying to stop being machines, but rather to become something closer to being a human that has awareness, knows what he is doing, and does what he wants... ”
The whole body is tuned to follow the head. But how well connected are you?
This series has explored the interconnections between the spine, spine and shoulder blades (hug lesson), head and tailbone (arching lesson on side), jaws and pelvis (slide jaw lesson), side bending and head circling (seated audrey’s hat lesson), with all the lessons referring to each other as we progress. Each apparently simplistic lesson has been a surprisingly deep dive.
My Uncle Percy swam his own hybrid swim stroke - a cross between the old frog kick and front crawl.
Where does Uncle Percy fit in? This lesson engages the shoulder blades, hip sockets, and neck as we arch, round, and turn the head side to side. Like so many Moshe Feldenkrais creations, this lesson employs unfamiliar gestures to activate curiosity and neuroplasticity. For me, it’s a pre-season swim lesson.
Lying supine, we place palms on the forehead and back of the head, elbows out, shoulder blades moving, to roll the head side to side. The back arches and rounds as hands and elbows guide the head to turn and the neck to twist. So much to notice: what are your eyes doing? Is your jaw soft? How much can you open the chest, right down to the public bone, and breathe easily? Are the shoulder blades coordinated? Can you keep breathing easily as you layer on rolling the legs in synch and then opposite to the head?
But that’s only half. The pelvis is always in play, and in this lesson it’s active through the old elementary back stroke frog kick. Knees drop out and up until knees come together, feet are standing and you kick the legs long. Combine frog legs with the front crawl arms and head turn, and you have this lesson.
So many subtleties to focus on. And so much relaxation when you “pull up out of the pool.” Kaleidoscope eyes are pretty much guaranteed. It feels great. Dive in.
Science Nerd Candy Bowl:
Biomechanics of the spine: lateral flexion - @AnatomyApp (0:47) what we will be doing, except that the floor will be in the way
Human Anatomy Explained: The Ultimate Guide of Cervical Spine Movements -@Anatomy.app (1:53) - animation of the front, back, side to side and twisting motion of the cervical spine
Cervical Spine Anatomy Animation: Veritas Health (2:45) Useful descriptions of the unique characteristics of each cervical vertebra
Set Up for a Supine Lesson:
On a mat with padding for head and knees as works for you, so neck and long back have room to open up and flatten
OR sitting in a level, stable, armless chair, with knees and hips level
How you might feel after this lesson: Looser all over; Longer; Open; Breathing deeply; Relaxed jaw, shoulders and neck; Upper back massaged; Ribs released; Possible realignment of legs in hip sockets, arms in shoulder sockets; Able to let head be heavy and neck long; Able to support the head from deep in the spine; Spaced out - another trance-inducing lesson.
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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