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Gathering the Spine, Stepping Down
Back-lying, side-lying, and transitioning into side-lying, refining and harnessing your image of your spine's bias and action as it relates to (and powers) the stepping down of your feet. All toward reorganizing your gait.
62m
Got a question for Nick, or a thought about this lesson?
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Understood it better. Really noticed “long islands” as a result.
Thank you!
Hi Nick. This lesson must be important to me, bc it is not easy for me to make it easy. I have a very strong extension bias, and my whole lower back never rests on the floor as I lie on my back – the right side more active than the left (right foot surgery as an infant). As this lesson involves initiating action with both legs long, I am not able presently to find a way to allow my lower back to rest comfortably on the ground. Not having the floor to inform me I found I can feel very little regarding how I use my lower back, or even where it is in space. I can control it to a small extent, but it is not effortless. So, here’s my question: I have been placing a small, soft folded towel under my lower back, which touches my body gently, but does not push on it, so I can bring the floor up to my back (if Moses doesn’t go to the mountain…). I have found it very helpful, but I would like to hear your thoughts about it. And my apologies for the long long comment. JP
I appreciate the fine detail of this question, and I think your alteration sounds very wise. We do what we do in Feldenkrais to generate sensation, which requires lowering the effort, insisting on comfort, and plenty of safe and pleasant and interesting and varied stimulation, which I believe you’ve added to with the towel. As I imagine what I understand from your comment I also find myself thinking of you cultivating great length and breath through your lower back and waist as you look for these initiations. That’s a self-image challenge, since any trying for length and breath will actually reduce both. Finally, I agree with your conclusion: the lessons that are most difficult for us are often the most important. Of course that never means there’s a rush to achieve something with them. Quite the opposite, actually, even more so than usual!
This was my first Feldenkrais lesson after a week in hospital. It was so wonderful to lie on the floor and let myself focus on myself. Because I was not feeling well, I had a little more opportunity to try less. Such a wonderful way to speed recovery!
Haven’t done this lesson in quite a while. What a trip down memory lane remembering how hard I tried during those first times. What a lesson in attitude towards life.
Thank you so much for doing this.
Isn’t it amazing how lessons seem to change over time? Of course it’s us who are always changing…. I appreciate your commenting on the long view of experience with a lesson. Happy for you – and all of us – when we sense we’re discovering over time the value and learning of less effort!
Just finished the free lessons in order in about 6 months. I just wanted to thank you Nick for this great journey.
Wow! Wonderful that you worked through all of them. Very glad The FP is useful to you, and thanks also for your donor support! Have you marked favorites–or ones that left you with questions—to return to?
Most remarkable were the ones for better walking. Before I just walked, but now I really enjoy it. I hoped for a similar change from the neck, spine and shoulder lessons, but it seems like I have a lot more tension in my upper body. Thats why I started Jaw, Neck and Shoulder Deep Dive today. But I think I will revisit all of them at some point.