In reviewing the credentials, values and perspectives of Feldenkrais, we are particularly impressed that Feldenkrais (like Reich) is interested in how everything about the physical body and psyche of the people he is treating are interwoven. This integrative perspective might be particularly important in the treatment of the Tin Man since he is about to embark on a complex and dangerous journey with Dorothy and the Scarecrow. Perhaps Moshe can offer some specific examples of ways in which this integration works.
Examples of Integration:
Moshe pauses for a moment and then offers the following example. As is often the case, he turns to the physical body. He quotes from Grabher’s (2010, p. 6) book written about his technique:
One thing you will notice is that each time you find a difficult spot to track there will be a simultaneous change in your breathing. At any moment of confusion, stop and wait until your breathing gradually becomes normal again. After a while, you will notice that the more your breathing remains continuous, the more you will find that the flow of spatial images of heel and toe becomes easier. And you will be surprised how quickly the time then begins to pass.
lf you now stretch out the right leg, you will notice that it seems longer. You will experience a change in the kinesthetic sensations not only of the muscles and joints of the right foot but also of the entire right side of your body. The right eye will seem more open-and it actually is. All of the right side of the face will actually be longer and the muscles more relaxed.
If you stand up, you will also notice definite changes in the movement of the right foot and the way it feels against the floor. In fact, there will be various changes noticeable in all of the right side of the body.
He continues to quote Grabher (2010, p, 29):
With this lesson I want to show how to let go of habitual tension in the hip joints. How to let go, in a literal sense. This will help with having the legs standing with less effort. It will also lead to a very nice feeling around the hip joints, a sort of relaxation and feeling at ease. We will also attempt to transfer this feeling to the chest, neck and shoulders. There’s a twist to it: a twist in the torso occurs when the pelvic girdle is rotated in relation to the shoulder girdle (and vice versa). This lesson will enable you to release habitual tension in your chest, and thus be slightly more upright – experiencing a feeling of being taller, more at ease in standing. After such a lesson some women might experience having a bigger “chest”, due to a more upright posture.
Nervous system, Brain and self image
Feldenkrais (and Grabher) go even further in showing how everything relates to everything else. Grabher, 2010, p. 48) is quoted again:
The lesson starts in a supine position, lying on the back. To guide students into this lesson, it might be helpful to give a few cues: “feel the floor behind your head. It’s just there. Reliably so. Your head is resting on it. Your head is supported by it. No need to hold your head. No need to hold your shoulders. They are carried by the floor. Feel the weight of your head weighing on the pillow. Let go, let your head and shoulders rest.
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