Source
- Alexander Yanai Vol 7, Lesson #322
- Reel 22, Track 2, Lesson 2
- Duration of the recording: 41 minutes
Synopsis
- AY 322 refines the student’s organization of reaching by integrating arm lengthening with dynamic shifts of weight through the pelvis while maintaining balanced head and spinal coordination. Beginning in a seated position with legs spread, students explore variations of reaching forward with one arm while lifting the opposite ischium. Through progressive refinements, the lesson deepens awareness of the interplay between arm movement, pelvic tilting, spinal flexibility, and gaze direction. The lesson culminates in standing, where participants explore changes in flexibility and whole-body coordination.
Lesson Outline
- Sections 1-4: Begin in a seated position, lengthening one arm forward while lifting the opposite sitting bone. Explore variations by shifting weight alternately between both sitting bones while allowing the arm to move freely. Maintain ease in head positioning, allowing the spine to adjust naturally. Repeat with the opposite arm.
- Sections 5-6: Introduce elbow movements in relation to spinal organization. Round the back while bringing the elbows forward and arch while drawing them back. Explore chin-to-throat positioning and eye movements to refine coordination. Progress to reversing head movement relative to spinal flexion and extension, enhancing differentiation.
- Sections 7-8: Integrate arm lengthening with head rotation. Lengthen the left arm while lifting the right sitting bone and turning the head. Vary gaze direction to observe how different combinations influence ease and range. Repeat with the right arm, noting whether looking in one direction improves arm length.
- Sections 9-10: Develop coordination between spinal movements, head turns, and elbow positioning. Alternate between rounding and arching the back while bringing elbows together in front and back. Explore different head-eye-spine coordination patterns, refining awareness of habitual and novel movement possibilities.
- Sections 11-13: Refine the integration of arm movements with visual attention. Alternate lengthening arms while shifting focus between the reaching and retracting arm. Progress to maintaining gaze on a single arm while continuing alternating movements, deepening awareness of the head-arm-spine relationship.
- Sections 14-15: Revisit earlier movement patterns, now with increased ease. Explore simple elbow flexion-extension, then return to lengthening arms while shifting weight between sitting bones, integrating improved organization.
- Section 16: Stand and explore weight shifting in the legs with spinal and pelvic organization. Straighten one leg at a time while maintaining awareness of the pelvis, refining the connection between upper and lower body coordination.
Focus of the teaching
- Moshe systematically guides students to discover how the direction of gaze and head positioning influence the efficiency and ease of arm lengthening. The lesson progresses from simple weight transfers to more complex interactions between the pelvis, spine, arms, and head, fostering a clearer sense of whole-body coordination.
Related ATMs
- Tag Rounding-And-Arching-The-Back
- Tag Lengthening-arms
- Tag Sitz-bone
Sitting with straight legs, spread:
Lifting one sitz bone, sitting:
- AY326 Sitting – Lying
- AY358 Twist right and left with the legs spread
- AY455 On chair, differentiated turning
- AY508 On the right ischium
- AY509 Both sides and knee
Resources
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