Symmetry

The nervous system allows us to create balanced and well-organized movement despite our underlying asymmetries. What at first glance appears outwardly symmetrical, with mirrored pairs of limbs and teleceptors, is full of hidden differences between right and left.

Neither the internal organs, nor the brain, nor even our skeleton are symmetrical. Our movement is biased to facilitate the use of the dominant hand, eye and leg. And we have all developed personal inequalities due to both necessary and unnecessary functional compensation patterns.

Despite all these differences between our two sides and the way we use them, the nervous system enables us to coordinate ourselves as a whole and:

• Move through space in in the direction we choose
• End up where we intended to go
• Keep ourselves safe by being able to turn towards the source of something we heard, smelt or saw

In any Feldenkrais lesson, noticing differences between one side and the other can be a central element of the lesson. In this workshop we will explore intentionally doing something differently on either side in order to compensate the underlying biases… and make the overall movement come out symmetrical. Sound paradoxical? Come and find out what we mean by that. We will do some fun lessons rolling around the floor and working out why the circle one way is rounder than the other. In some other lessons, you may also discover how it is that even though you thought you went there and back again, you have a tendency to “wander” when you do it a few times. Heve you ever noticed yourself moving down your mat or ending up crooked on your mat?

As well as fun, dynamic lessons we will also pay close attention to some fine details, enriching your nervous system with higher quality information and helping you to sense your own structure, weight and direction of movement to the finest degree… which just might make a significant difference to your balance, coordination and timing of movement.