S3NSE Blog: Reverse-Ability

“Coming back is also a movement “

~Mia Segal

Before GPS, driving to new places was an adventure.  You really had to pay attention to landmarks and focus on street signs or you could easily get lost.  Many times, I had to pull over, take out the AAA map and spread it across the hood of the car.  How did I get into this mess and how do I get out of it?  Once that was solved, I had to figure out how to refold the map. 

The drive back, however, was always faster and easier.  Once you get there, getting back is simply reversing the steps.  The same is true for the Feldenkrias® Awareness Through Movement® lessons.  Listening to spoken instructions and creating nonverbal actions is challenging.  You have to interpret words as movement.  But coming back from a movement is safe and familiar like going home.    

Mia Segal was quick to remind us that returning to the starting position is also important.  The information you get from coming back helps you refine and improve the initial movement.  Do you return the same way or is it a little different?  Being able to come back the same way or reverse the movement is one of Moshe Feldenkrais’s quality movement standards (the others are no increased resistance or effort, and not holding the breath).  These standards guide you how to create higher quality movements for more potent actions.

Movements that create momentum cannot be easily stopped and made reversible.  Think of the way people fall into chairs.  If the chair is not where expected, you may be unable to stop your fall to the floor.  Developing the skill of reversing movements develops better balance, control and stability.  This is important in preventing falls and other injuries.   

Whether you are going forward or in reverse, every moment is meaningful and an opportunity for learning.  Join us at S3NSE.org for more Reverse-Ability and get ahead of the game of life.