AY014 Rolling the head between the hands

Source

• Alexander Yanai Vol 1 #14
• Reel 2, Track 1, Lesson 4 (according to Eva Laser https://www.somatik.se)
• Reel 2, Track 1, Side ?, Lesson 4
• Duration 30 min.
• For German see AYnmal täglich: Den Kopf zwischen den Händen rollen

Synopsis

• Two ways of rolling the head with the hands are studied, each in different body positions, supine, prone and sitting on the floor. The finesse obtained in the rolling of the head is used as an indicator to check the quality of two other movements: Sitting on the heels from a kneeling position and bending the head down from an upright position.

Lesson Outline

1. Supine position, right hand behind the head, left hand on the forehead, right and left hand each form a straight plane, the head is like a roll in between – the left hand rolls the head over the right hand, the contact point of both hands with the head changes continuously, the right hand does not move on the floor
   1. Change hands – perform the analogous action
   2. As a., the same rolling of the head, but: the head moves the upper hand
   3. Alternating – sometimes the head leads in the movement, sometimes the upper hand does so
   4. Alternate hands – hand and head lead alternately until the action is equally easy for both.
2. Prone position, place the forehead in the palm of the right flat hand, place the left hand on the back of the head, the left elbow is in the air – roll the head with the left hand
   1. Switch hands – perform the analogous action
3. Sit upright with the soles of the feet facing each other, right hand behind the head, left hand on the forehead – both hands roll the head. The torso and shoulders remain still in alignment in space, elbows move towards and away from each other
   1. Switch hands – perform the analogous action
4. Supine position, right hand behind the head, left hand on the forehead, head and right arm slightly raised – roll the head with both hands, both elbows move in opposite directions
   1. Switch hands and perform an analogous action
5. Prone position: perform the movements from 4. analogously
6. Kneeling, upright, knees apart, toes together, right hand on forehead, left hand on back of head. Roll the head with the hands as just done
   1. Simultaneously with the continuous rolling of the head, sit on the heels – and come back again. Perform both movements – head and torso – each with consistent speed and simplicity. There should be no interruption anywhere in the movement. The same applies to breathing. It should feel like simply sitting on a chair.
7. Kneel, change hands and perform an analogous action. The ease and subtlety of rolling the head can be used as an indicator of the ease and compliance of the body when sitting down.
8. Kneeling, right foot planted – sit on the left heel, at the same time roll the head as above, right hand on the forehead.
9. Kneeling, left foot up, left hand on forehead – analogous movement as above. Lower the pelvis backwards. The head goes forward and down together with the pelvis.
   1. Standing, both feet planted and apart – bend forward with the head towards the floor, rolling the head with the hands, right hand in front.
10. Standing, change hands – analogous movement
11. Supine position – feel differences compared to the initial situation. Is it easier to roll the head to the right and left (without the hands)?
12. Lie completely still on the floor – pay attention to the chest and the breathing movement.

Focus of Moshe’s Teaching

• Indicate focus or key principles that are made explicit in the teaching
• (BenP). In the synopsis it is written “Two ways of rolling the head with the hands are studied”.
  • The head is indeed moved in two ways. It is rolled away from its axis when one hand is fixed in position upon the ground. And it is turned around ist axis when neither hand is not fixed in place.
  • However, MF does not, IMO, focus the teaching upon this point, but rather upon the students’ ability to distinguish between a passive head (neck musculature), when the head is moved by the active hands.  and thus in being able to recognise when one is using the neck muscles to do the work of the hands.  This distinction is layed out in point 1, where the hands are active and the head passive; then the head is active and the hands passive. This distinction is also made in AY8, where the hands move whilst not in contact with the head, then slowly come into contact with the head and continue their action.

Related ATMs

• Tag Base-of-neck
• Tag Rolling-head-between-hands
• Tag Atlas-and-axis
• Tag Sitting on heels
• Tag Fast-movements

Resources

Share Your Insights (ideas, principles, strategies, experiences, …)

• Add your thoughts about the lesson here.
• Please sign your comments.
• Differing viewpoints are welcome and desired!
• (BenP) AY8 and AY14 share the same title. Differences I noticed: #8 seems less ‘tidy’; there are many position changes; MF does not get the students to determine if their elbows are moving in the desired (correct) way as quickly as in #14. Kneeling is in both, but only #14 has turning the head whilst coming to sit on the heels. Both have the standing forward bend whilst rolling the head, but only #8 has it also with locked knees. Only #8 has cross-legged sitting. Only #8 has, in sitting, hand action without any contact with the head, or with only one hand in contact with the head.
• (BenP) I have removed the tag “fast-movements” and added “standing on knees”

 

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