Long Neck, Light Head - 3 - With a Bend of the Neck
Maassai men holding their staffs and daggers on display. Photo by Andrea Bryant.
Long Neck, Light Head - 3 - With a Bend of the Neck
Adding a sidebent tip of the head
Based on ATM Book Lesson 10 – Movement of the Eyes Organizes the Movement of the Body by Moshe Feldenkrais
Still thinking the extended elegance of the giraffe and the distant horizon gaze of the Maasai in this continuation of the ‘dead bird’ lesson. This week we layer on side-bending for even more flex and support in the neck.
I’ve been thinking about the head’s center of gravity, and the sensation of the roundest part of the back of the head (the visual cortex) remaining level with the eyes. And the eyes are level on the horizon. Well, for me at least, not yet.
So much to learn from a move as simple as turning the spine to the side. Does the right eye jump as it gazes right? Does the left eye come along easily or does it want to take it’s own way? What does it take to keep the jaw soft? How about the ribs: what adapts as the rotation increases? How do the sit bones adjust as the weight shifts more to one side?
Any one of these sensations could fill the hour. I’m just tossing out ideas;; focus on the sensations that most interest you.
Benefits of side sitting, source Google AI
Core and trunk strengthening: Side sitting engages and strengthens the muscles of the core and trunk, which are crucial for maintaining upright posture and balance.
Improved hip mobility: It optimizes hip mobility without putting the joint at risk.
Encourages cross-body movements: This position facilitates movements that involve reaching across the body, which is important for developing coordination and motor skills.
Aids in transitions: Side sitting can be an important developmental position for transitioning between different postures, such as moving from sitting to hands and knees or to standing.
Avoids W-sitting: By encouraging side sitting, you can discourage W-sitting, a posture that can lead to core weakness and potential knee issues in children.
Again, the position is leaning back in side-sitting, with the hand at eye level, shoulder relaxed, eyes magnetized to the hand. We start the lesson passing through turning the body while hand-gazing, moving the eyes while the hand rests still. Last week we concluded by arching the back. This week the intention is to layer tipping the head to the side. Like the zebra in the picture above, this move gets deep into the neck and is soooo satisfying.
Eye lessons can be trance-y. We will take our time going in and coming out. And stand up afterwards with a bit of Maasai attitude and grace.
Science Nerd Candy Bowl: not this week
Set Up for a Side-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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