Human bodies have
many unique features. Posturally, following Feldenkrais, human bodies may be
seen as comprising three inverted pyramids.
Firstly, the head
balancing on the cervical vertebrae, Secondly the torso balancing on the lumbar
vertebrae and the hips balancing on the feet. When a person is aligned through
these inverted pyramids with his spine with natural curvature, the body’s
centre of gravity is at its highest, depicted as been approximately at the
centre of the body behind the brown spot in the photo below. Notice that all of the body’s weight
above the ankle is well forward of the left foot in contact with the ground.
This means that the force of gravity is being used to move the body forward.
The integrated flow of the moving has the body moving forward in alignment, not down
into collapse.
As the walker’s right
foot comes in contact with the ground the left heal fully rises and the left
knee is aligned so that maximum thrust is distributed across all toes (the strong
foot). The body’s forward momentum brings the hips over and then way forward of
the right foot on the ground and again gravity brings the body forward on the next stride extension.
Now endeavour to see
this in action in the moving figure.
Notice there is no
collapsing forward of the middle pyramid. The two upper pyramids remain
balanced and aligned. This mode of walking is using up very little body energy.
The body is maximally tapping into the
free energy of gravity.
We suggest that you
experience this mode of walking with awareness of your awareness of moving.
Extend your left foot
forward and experience aligning your left knee a little to the right and do a
slow lean forward over your left foot. Notice how the energy only drives
through the left big toe and the left foot seems weak.
Extend your left foot
forward again and this time experience aligning your left knee a little to the
left and do a slow lean forward over your left foot. Notice how the energy drives only through the
smaller toes of the left foot and that foot feels even weaker.
Now move back again
and align your left knee in the centre and experience the strong left foot with
the drive going through all of your toes of your left foot.
Now again with
awareness of awareness begin walking experiencing driving off strong feet as your
upper body moves in front of the foot on the ground and discover how you may be
maximally relaxed in this fluid moving with
gravity doing almost all of the work.
One way is to take
part of your awareness to the foot on the ground and another part to your
pelvis moving forward of your foot on the ground.
Exploring this form
of walking in groups may enhance learning. It is possible to be extending a lot
of energy out in front of you when doing this form of walking. Notice this in a
group context. Have half the group 15 or 20 paces away while the remainder are
seated. Then have the group all walk to and through the seated group. Then walk
from behind and through the seated group to return to being 15 to 20 paces
away. The seated group can give feedback about the experience. Typically, it
feels rather daunting, with relief when they are walking away. Then have the
walking group still use the same gravity based walking, moving a little slower
with less energy extending out in front, and walk through and return to being
15 to 20 paces away. Again get feedback. Typically, the seated people sense an
extraordinary group of friendly people arriving with some sense of loss on
their departing.
As hinted, this is a powerful mode of being and moving. We suggest you explore using it with respect to yourself and others.
Exploring the healing power of love