AY534 Supporting the head continuation

Source

Alexander Yanai Vol 11
Reel 34, Track 4, Lesson 4
Duration of the recording: 38 minutes

Synopsis

Face down, rolling the pelvis, and then propping the head on one and eventually both elbows, resting the cheek in the palm of the hand, and turning the head with the eyes together and opposite; eventually to look back at the heels. A nice image is that you’re doing this like you’re watching flies go by.
This lesson is a continuation of AY533 On the Stomach, Face to Knee
This lesson explores the carriage of the head and relationships between the head, neck, chest and pelvis. Lying prone, the sequence starts with gentle rocking of the pelvis. Then turning the head right and left while resting the side of the face on one hand, then the other hand, then both. Turning combined with looking is included as well as moving the pelvis to make the movement easier. Moving gently, making small movements slowly, and softly to make the movement more comfortable is suggested throughout.

Lesson Outline

Lie on the stomach with the legs spread, the feet are extended. Place one hand on top of the other. Place one ear on the hands and roll the pelvis right and left, gently, comfortably. Continue making the same movement pleasantly and easily. Slowly have the movement become like a pendulum. Roll it freely back and forth and do not hold the breath.
1. Increase the speed of the movement.
Change over the hands. Change the direction the head is turned so the other ear is resting on the hands. Continue rolling the pelvis, gently.
Stand the R elbow on the floor and place the R cheek or R jaw in the R hand. The head may be to the side and not in the middle, the head lying on the hand. Place the L hand in a place where it can help.
1. Making small movements, slowly move the head right & left without lifting the right arm. Bending the wrist backward can help.
2. While making small movements of the head left and right, look left and right. When you look left it is a bit up. Do this movement slowly, easily, not quickly.
Try again. Do it slowly. It is possible to turn the pelvis and back as you do this. The pelvis and the left hand help.
Continue. Direct the head to the left and with the eyes look right, then move the head right and look left. Move the head and the eyes in opposite directions alternating sides a few times.
1. Move eyes and head in the same direction.
2. Place both hands on the floor, one hand lying on the other. Place the right ear on the hands. The feet are extended. Roll pelvis right and left. Does one side roll more easily?
3. Change the direction the head is facing, place the left ear on the hands. Continue rolling the pelvis. How does the head lie on this side? Pay attention to the movement of the pelvis. Does one hip lift more?
4. Lift the head, stand the left elbow on the floor and lean the left cheek on the left hand. The right hand does not help. Direct the head a bit to the right and a bit to the left to wherever it will go. “A slow movement that passes through the entire back to the entire body not only the head.” “It becomes easy by itself if you do it easily.”
5. Left elbow on the floor, left cheek resting on the left palm. Stand the right hand on the floor with the elbow in the air, lean on the right palm. Move the eyes in the opposite direction to the movement of the head. While doing this the back and the chest can move with the pelvis. One leg shortens and the other lengthens so it will be possible for the head to move comfortably.
Continue to roll the pelvis right and left.
Lie on the stomach. Stand both elbows together. Place the chin between both hands, the hands touch the cheeks. Spread the elbows while directing the head right and left. Look right and left easily. Both hands move. One hand straightens, the other bends backward. Turn your head and eyes so you can see your neighbors’ feet. Move the head to lie once on one hand and once on the other hand.
Try once again. Place the head so the crown of the head is horizontal. The axis that passes through the head will lie like the spine lies. Slowly, slowly.
Return to the stomach. Place one hand on the other. Roll the pelvis.
1. Stand the left hand next to the body. Place the right cheek inside the palm of the right hand. Extend the feet. Look and try to see the left heel.
2. Look once to the right and once to the left. Notice how the pelvis and hip joints move with the eyes and the head.
3. Change over the hands. Place the left hand on the cheek and stand the right hand. Is it possible to see the right heel on this side? Is it possible to see both heels?
4. Stand on both elbows. Look once at the right heel and once at the left heel. As you do this feel the movement between the shoulders, in the neck and in the ribs of the chest.
5. As you look once to the right and once to the left–in one movement try to lift both elbows and place them on the ground while you are looking to the right. Hold the face while looking right.
6. While lying, lift both elbows and look left. Allow the elbows to return to the ground then lift both elbows to look to the right. Organize the body to lower the elbows without falling.
Stop. Slowly come to standing. Walk around. Observe the feeling there is in standing.

Focus of Moshe’s Teaching

Pay attention to the revolution that this does in the neck. Therefore, you must do it slowly. …when it is not understood, when it is difficult to understand it is a sign it has never been done. This is a sign that it impels a person to force a part of his body that he has never organized for action. Therefore, go slowly, otherwise there isn’t any benefit.

Related ATMs

Head is leaning on palms in “V”-Form:

Resources

Recording here: http://kinesophics.ca/supporting-the-head-continuation/

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