The heart of Movement 8 - A tale of two middles

This lesson explores our knees, elbows and heart from a new perspective. The knees and elbows are the centre of their limbs and the base of the chest, where we find the diaphragm and heart, is the centre of our head, neck and torso. 

How do these middles relate to the actual centre of our body in the pelvis?

Aziz Acharki Via UnSplash

Complex actions such as this one require a constant reorganisation of our centre of gravity. The knees, elbows and ribcage are conduits between the power of our axis and the ability to direct the sensitivity of that power through our hands, feet and head. 

However there is a more primal connection between the elbows, knees and heart that is experienced before we grow to our final proportions ..

Isaac Quesada Via UnSplash

The sense of life within our own heart and the sense of the life without on which we depend are enclosed within the strength and flexibility of our knees and elbows and our head, chest and pelvis.

To unfold from this position into the flowering of life is a process that continues all our lives. How do we sense and express the gift of life? What is the process of slowly gaining control of our limbs and discovering the means to bring out that which is within?

Aziz Acharki Via UNSplash

Well, of course stillness is useful for feeling what we do have to give and that can take many forms. Notice the proximity of the knees, elbows and heart in this position and the central place of the heart. There comes a point (or is it a process) where that vision can become action. It’s a moment of transformation akin to a flower producing it’s blooms. 

Moving from a folded position into standing transfers that central place to the pelvis and that in no way diminishes the role of the heart. It just means that the way we bend becomes important.

Feldenkrais at Amhearst - Via IFF

So we’ll be exploring how to bring the comfort and stability of the heart into the journey from vision to action.