Long Neck, Light Head - 1 - Turning Head Effortlessly
Long necks…
Long Neck, Light Head -1 - Turning Head Effortlessly
Standing tall to turn head with ease
Based on ATM Book Lesson 10 – Movement of the Eyes Organizes the Movement of the Body by Moshe Feldenkrais
I am returned from a Land Cruiser tour of the Serengeti and Ngornogorno Crater, plus scat tours of other parks. I totally endorse Sunrise Adventure Travel; our guides Adam and Jonathan were genius at spotting animals a quarter mile away and positioning the Land Cruiser (go Toyota!) for clear viewing and great photos. I have valuable footage of a hippopotamus pooping - the 4-year olds in my life will be giddy with silliness. All to be revealed over time, if I can get the photos off the camera.
Safari in July is about rattling over rutted track, and looking from one side of the cruiser to the other in search of whatever animals might be happening by. By the end of day one, my neck and shoulders were cramping, which is quite embarrassing. I know better. But, was I sitting tall and turning from the sit bones? No, I was not. Was I keeping my neck long and eyes level with the horizon? Again, and emphatically, no. Was I using my abs and low back to support my upper body for maximum flexibility and allow easy movement of the chest and spine? Again, sadly, no. All those good habits out the window as I craned my neck, slumped through the bumps, and twisted my shoulders as my eyes squinted to spot gazelles and zebras and giraffes.
This series is for me, and you get to come along. The inspriation is the elegant giraffe who moves with quiet, ineffable grace, eyes gazing forward, delicate legs moving at a dignified pace. The “dead bird” lesson, more formally known as “Movement of the Eyes Organizes the Movement of the Body,” by Moshe Feldenkrais came to mind as an antidote to my slumping, strained, and achy body.
Copyright 2005, Rosalie O'Connor. Used with permission of the Feldenkrais Guild® of North America.
This is the one where, holding the hand in front of the face at eye level, eyes glide side to side, eventually releasing neck and shoulder tension. Repurposed here, holding a very relaxed hand at eye level is the vehicle for building stronger good habits of sitting tall and turning from the pelvis. Also, good practice in relaxing shoulders down and lifting chest up. Along the way, we will engage the pelvic floor and focus on C7.
It’s an exercise in effortless grace, as demonstrated by a very tall animal.
Science Nerd Candy Bowl: not this week
Set Up for a Seated on Floor Lesson:
On a mat with room to lean back
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; Shoulders relaxed; Head balanced atop the spine; Elegant as a giraffe.
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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