The One Shoulder Lesson (19 min, Patrons)

Don't miss this brief, potent, asymmetrical exploration of movements of one arm and shoulder in relationship with the whole self. It's intended to leave you experiencing the differences created between the two sides of your body, which is a curious and powerful learning state that will improve both sides. (You can also repeat the recording for the other side, or improvise it, later.)

Average Challenge   side-lying 

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Before you begin read this for practical tips and your responsibilities, and check out Comfort & Configuration below.

Recorded live in a Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM) class, this lesson is copyright Nick Strauss-Klein, for personal use only.

Tip 5 – Discomfort

Study tip: If a configuration or movement causes any increase in discomfort, or you feel you just don’t want to do it, don’t! Make it smaller and slower, adapt it, or rest and imagine.

Tip – Rewinding

Study tip: Many instructions are repeated. If you get a little lost, rest and listen. You’ll often find your way. Or use the rewind button on the page or your mobile device.

Tip – LESSS is more

LESSS is more: Light, Easy, Small, Slow, & Smooth movements will ease pains and improve your underlying neuromuscular habits faster than any other kind of movement, no matter who you are or what your training is!

Tip 2 – Social Sharing

Project tip: Try the social buttons below. Please help us to achieve our vision: spreading the life-changing benefits of Feldenkrais study as widely as possible!

Tip – Directions are Relative

Study tip: Directions are always relative to your body. For example, if you’re lying on your back “up” is toward your head, and “forward” is toward the ceiling.

Browser/device size and audio player

Tech tip: On mobile or tablet? Once you start playing the audio, your device’s native playback controls should work well.

Tip – Comments

Project tip: Leave a lesson comment below! It’s a great way to give feedback or ask a question, and it helps google find us so we can achieve The Feldenkrais Project’s vision!

Tip – Complete the Movement

Study tip: Complete one movement before beginning the next. You’ll improve faster if there’s enough time between movements that you feel fully at rest.

Tip – Pause the recording

Study tip: If you’re really enjoying a movement and want to explore longer, or you just need a break for a while, pause the recording!

Tip 4 – Padding

Study tip: Comfort first! Carpeted floors usually work well, but it’s great to have an extra mat or blanket nearby in case you need a softer surface in some configurations.

Tip 1 – Interrupted?

Study tip: Interrupted or don’t have enough time? You can return to the lesson later today or tomorrow. Read how best to continue your learning on our FAQ page.

Tip – Technical Difficulties

Tech tip: If you have any trouble with the audio player, reboot your browser. That solves most issues. If not, try another browser or contact us.

Tip – skip a lesson

Study tip: If you can’t find a comfortable way to do the initial movements or configuration of a lesson, it’s ok to skip it for now and go on to another lesson.

Tip – What’s New

Community tip: See what Nick and other Felden-fans are interested in right now. Check out What’s New at the bottom of our homepage for recent blog posts and listener comments.

Tip – Lesson names

What’s in a lesson title? Lessons are about an hour unless a shorter duration is shown in the title. Thanks to our donors they’re freely offered unless marked “Patrons” – those are how we thank our Patron-level donors.

Tip 3 – Head Support

Study tip: It helps to have a large bath towel nearby when you start a lesson. You can fold it differently for comfortable head support in any configuration.

Tip – what to wear

Study tip: Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are warm enough for quiet movement. Remove or avoid anything restrictive like belts or glasses.

We offer over 50 free lessons, but this one's just for our Patron-level donors. You can learn about it in the free lesson notes and comments below, but to access the audio you’ll need to join The FP as a Patron. Learn more

If you are a Patron, please log in:

  • Comfort & Configuration
  • Clarifications
  • Curiosities
  • Context
  • Related Lessons
  • Source

Once you’re lying on your chosen side you’re invited to rest your head on your arm or a folded towel. A small firm pillow works too. It’s great to change your head support as the lesson progresses, if you find something else is more comfortable.

Lying on your side, all the movements of this lesson are done with the ceiling side arm extended directly toward the ceiling, standing up plumb in gravity. Please lower it for rest any time you wish, and even pause the recording and rest on your back at any time (just be sure to return to lying on the same side).

On a subsequent listening, if you’re reasonably comfortable lying on your non-preferred side, try this asymmetrical lesson the other way, with the other arm and shoulder doing the movements of the lesson.

Another great option for the 2nd side: improvise it without using the recording, based on what you remember. Exploring Feldenkrais study without a recording or book is a fantastic self-empowerment skill you can develop. Remember to breathe, relax, and enjoy the sensory differences between the different combinations of movements of your arm, head, eyes, and knee.

This lesson is found in Patrons Monthly, our growing collection of new lessons (one or more added every month) for Feldenkrais Project Patron-level donors.

Like most of our lessons, this one can be studied out of context, but it also appears in our Deep Dive course called Shoulder Cloak, Rib Basket, Sliding Sternum.

It was recorded as the second lesson in my Twin Cities Feldenkrais 10 Year Celebration workshop. Patrons also have access to the full uncut workshop recording here.

Members and Patrons. Learn more or login:

Members and Patrons. Learn more or login:

Got a question for Nick, or a thought about this lesson?

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2 Comments

  1. Ann Thomson on September 9, 2021 at 1:30 pm

    At the end of this lesson, selecting my left shoulder,I had an overwhelming wish to come to standing from my left side. It seemed quite remarkable that this short lesson changed my long established habitual right side preference .I am 84yrs old.
    Ann

    Reply
    • Nick Strauss-Klein on September 10, 2021 at 10:56 am

      Thanks for sharing! After more than 20 years of Feldenkrais I myself am still surprised by personal discoveries asymmetrical study can lead to.

      Reply

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