Source

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:

Turning-Heel-Out:

Resources:

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

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AY242 Turning on a side axis