• Alexander Yanai Vol 5
• Reel 17, Track 3, Lesson 1

Synopsis

In standing, you differentiate and join the hips, shoulders, and head in turning on the axis of the shoulder-hip (rather than the centre/spine). In this version, arms are held vertical, towards the ceiling.

Lesson Outline

• Stand, legs slightly spread, hands to ceiling. Turn pelvis and whole back L & R. Arms, head, shoulder do not move.
  • Take just L hip backwards (hip and lower ribs).
  • Other side.

Lower ribs too = abdominals working.
rest = walk

• Same position: take L hip backwards and head as well (turn to the L).
  • Turn head to R as you take L hip backwards.
  • Alternate.
• Other side.
• Same position: turn shoulders (R backwards L forwards), leaving everything else in position
  • With eyes on horizon, turn head L (opposite to shoulders).
  • Take L hip backwards. (So head and hips going opposite to shoulders.)
  • Shoulders only.
  • Head still, L hip backwards opposite shoulders.
  • Then add in head turning L.
  • Same thing but turn head R.
  • Alternate head.
• Other side. (L shoulder back, R shoulder forwards)
  • Take R hip back. (Just right hip, then add back in shoulders, to clarify.)
  • Add in the head, once with the hip and once opposite.
• Return to first movement to check in: feet apart, hands to ceiling, turn pelvis and back L and R.

Lie and rest. (Lower part of chest/upper pelvis different?)

• Stand on R leg, R arm to ceiling; L tip of foot touches floor behind.
  • See what you do as you raise your arm. Head forwards and up? As you take your leg backwards. Pelvis a little forwards? [Develop this.]
  • Once you can stand like this (really standing on the skeleton), Turn L hip, shoulder back and forth—everything around the axis from the R hand through the shoulder and hip to the R foot.
• Same position, just take L shoulder forwards. Then switch arms (L up, R alongside) and turn L side of body around axis of R side. Then with both arms to the ceiling.
• Other side. Not “breaking the back”; no effort in neck (chin not lifted away from the neck). With head forwards and up, face can continue to look forwards and the turning on the axis can be free.
  • R arm up, L down.
  • With two arms extended forwards.
• Return to beginning movement: both hands up, turning whole back L and R.
  • Stand with legs wide apart. Lift both arms. Pull abdomen in as you turn pelvis L and R.
  • Extend just R arm. Turn body around axis of R arm/shoulder/hip (not leg).
  • Other side.
• Stand, with legs (together/not spread). Turn R heel to the outside from the hip, and transfer weight at that moment (so you can lift your L leg). With or without the arm extended to the ceiling—doesn’t matter. Head forwards and up—back of neck not shortening.
  • Continue to take L leg back/to the side to touch the floor (to wherever). Only possible to turn if you don’t push the R knee backwards.
  • Other side.
  • With both arms lifted? From side to side.
• Walk.

Focus of Moshe’s Teaching

• Head forward and up.

Related ATMs

• AY236 Rotation on an axis. (Page 1621)
• The Lesson continues in AY243 Walking. (Page 1675)
• See Theme Standing
• See Theme Walking
• Tag Softening-chest
• Tag Abdominal-muscles
• Tag Hip/Pelvis Freedom

Turning around a vertical axis:

• AY236 Rotation on an axis
• AY271 Extending the arms forward 1
• AY300 In standing, turning the heels outside
• AY484 In standing, turning with the eyes
• SF1 – Week 5 – 15 July 1975: Lying on Back to Standing
• SF1 – Week 5 – 16 July 1975: Lying on Back to Standing, continued

Turning-Heel-Out:

• Amherst 2 – Week 9 – 08/03/81 PM1 Weight Shifting to Dancing
• AY236 Rotation on an axis
• AY245 Heels and feet in circles
• AY283 Continuation on one leg
• AY300 In standing, turning the heels outside
• AY484 In standing, turning with the eyes
• AY498 Tilting the leg backward in sitting

Resources:

• Recording here: http://kinesophics.ca/turning_side_axis

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