It was so lovely seeing you this morning. We did a lesson rooted in a series of classic lessons for balancing extensors (the muscles that you use to shorten the back) and flexors (the muscles you use to curl like for a sit up). We did this through twisting--a lesson that makes a huge difference for the sense of ease throughout the whole nervous system, and will affect the way you carry your head, turn, stand, and your overall sense of ease.

The class begins around 1:48 (the first 2 minutes is a little intro to how to approach movements in ATM--without expectation, with space between what I suggest, and what you do. 

Looking forward to being with you next week! 

Begins with an exploration of standing and weight shifting.
When we discuss in the beginning, there are at least three ways to shift your weight side to side:
1. Like a tree, all one long pole from ankle to head, shifting side to side with most of the movement happening in the ankle. 
2. Swinging the head in the opposite direction as a counter balance, like a large C-shape. This is how we balance in side bending standing poses in yoga. (It is almost a subset of #3)
3. Leaving the head in the middle, doing all the shifting in the vertebrae and hips, legs, and ankles. This is a movement that we do in very well-organized walking.

The movement lesson begins around 10-12 minutes, after scanning in lying, playing in standing shigting weigh, and scanning again. We find our way onto forearms and knees--a demanding position. This is a compound lesson with elements from a few ATMs, so no formal name or source. 

TAKE IT EASY. Remember to take breaks. 

We didn't quite make it to the advanced opening, but yet, we did so much! Here are a couple of approximations of the Awareness Through Movement lesson. Audio is below!

"The Nervous System is self-organizing, which means that it does not need to be corrected, but rather fed lots of different options. So it can organize well. So we can organize well. And we do that by sensing the differences and by trying many many ways...."

Use the introductory time to settle (it takes a while to settle into the floor). 

We are process oriented, being here in a resourceful way.... Use this time on the floor to clarify your self-image, be with yourself gently, and approach your learning as a kind and supportive teacher for yourself. 
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On hands and feet!

This is a variation on Extensor and Flexor lessons similar to lesson 5 in the book Awareness Through Movement. Mostly we are lying on our backs, often with legs crossed, and arms long extended forward towards the ceiling. 

A lesson incorporating elements similar to bridge, helping to clarify the midback, spine, and relationship of the movement of the pelvis, torso, and head. 
50 minutes long! 5 minutes of sensing begins this meditative exploration. Taught at Momentum Climbing SODO

How would you like to approach your learning? If each of these lessons is an experience in which you get to try on your learning--how would you play with that idea? 

A possibly challenging lesson, as all lessons are. Be mindful to make your padding for your knees wide enough that you have many options for how wide to place your knees as you move. 

The sound changes a bit for the second half, as my ear piece dies, but I did amplify it, so perhaps it is alright. Half of this lesson is active, half in the imagination. 

Position: On hands and knees, on knees, on back