Position: side-lying
58m
Softening the Jaw, Shoulders, and Chest (Patrons)
Back-lying and side-lying. Develops the simplest jaw movements we've explored by linking them to movements of the spine and shoulders, and to softening and turning the torso. Can be very helpful for TMJ difficulties. See the Context notes for recommended study order for our jaw lessons.
60m
Getting Free with a Bell Hand (Patrons)
Mostly in a "three-quarters prone" position (halfway between side-lying and front-lying). Learn to use a gently pulsing "bell hand" to calm and regulate your nervous system, and to help you organize larger, more demanding movements with greater freedom and skill. See the lesson notes for a recommended prerequisite lesson.
58m
Secrets of the Seated Twist
Side-sitting, back-lying, and side-lying. Beginning and ending with classic Feldenkrais explorations of twisting while side-sitting on the floor, this lesson is designed to make side-sitting more accessible, and to free your torso and hips. Alterations – including chair-seated – are discussed, and long lying down portions of the lesson reveal how folding and arching can improve turning and twisting.
58m
Finding Sensations of Not Shortening (Patrons)
Side-lying and front-lying with optional rolling, framed by brief standing explorations. Movement riddles for the chest, shoulders, neck, spine, and legs are presented in a focused context of lengthening. Uses sensory images of the five cardinal lines of the body, breathing, organizing the “core,” and expanding into the support surface to create opportunities to sense and inhibit unnecessary shortening. Begins with a summary of what we're exploring.
60m
Dynamic Balance: Stability Through Suppleness (Patrons)
Framed by brief explorations in standing, this mostly side-lying lesson presents gently de-stabilizing movements of the head and legs to help you explore and improve your balance in a supple, whole-self way.
60m
One Bell Hand / Two Bell Hands…and Feet (31m + 29m, Patrons)
Named after the shape the hand makes, this pair of half-hour lessons is designed to be completed together the first time through. Reset your nervous system and learn to relate the activity and skillfulness of your hands with your whole self.
- Lesson 1 - Side-lying, balancing a forearm and lower leg in relationship with bell hand movements.
- Lesson 2 (starts at 31:30) - Back-lying, sensing the relationship of the orientation of head and eyes with the activity of the hands, and relating the hands with the feet.
58m
Side-Bending with Listening Hands, Connecting Legs and Head (Patrons)
Side-lying. Using your own soft, listening hands to help integrate your head, hips, and legs with an increased awareness and suppleness of your ribs.
42m
Side Clock: Hips (42m, Patrons)
Side-lying. Uses the image of a clock face on your mat to explore precise movement coordination, developing freedom and skill in the hips, lower back, chest, and more, with nudges toward improvisation. This lesson can be studied on its own, but you may enjoy the learning challenge of, over a couple of days, exploring Side Clock: Shoulders (and Intro to Hip) first, then experimenting with your own improvisations as recommended in that lesson, THEN going on to this lesson.
57m
The Liminal Lesson: Transitions Between Action and Rest (Patrons)
Mostly side-lying. Improving quality of rest and efficiency of action by clarifying the transitions between them. Get to know the actual sensations and somatic processes of preparing for action and transitioning to rest. Explored in a lesson structure designed to improve uprightness and gait.
60m
Side Clock: Shoulders (and Intro to Hip)
Side-lying. Starts as a "Feldenkrais basics" shoulders-and-hips lesson, then uses the image of a clock face to explore precise coordination, developing freedom and skill in the shoulders, chest, neck, and more. An emphasis on choice, imagery, principles, and improvisation creates a unique learning opportunity for your Feldenkrais study: you're invited to complete your own hip clocks.