Differentiation (02:59)

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Stephen Rosenholtz discusses our tendency to stop learning when we gain sufficient skill for immediate objectives. By differentiating parts of us and integrating them into action, we can improve clarity and ease of movement. Students assess their bodies while lying down.

Arm Extensions and Contractions (05:59)

Students lie on their right side with knees and arms stacked. They move their top palm beyond the bottom palm and back. They observe how their head might make the movement easier and feel how their spine and ribs twist.

Leg Extensions and Contractions (03:49)

Students lie on their right side with knees and arms stacked. They move their top knee beyond the bottom knee and back. Rosenholtz also instructs them to imagine the movement.

Arm and Leg Extensions and Contractions (03:45)

Students compare their right and left sides. They return to the right side and simultaneously move their top knee and arm beyond the bottom knee and arm. They observe their breathing and twisting.

Differentiating Shoulder and Hip Movements (02:39)

Students lying on their sides move their top shoulder and arm forward while moving their top hip and leg backward. Then they move both forward and back simultaneously, feeling greater ease after differentiation.

Movement Efficiency (04:49)

Heavy work is done by the strongest muscles, connected to the pelvis; power is transmitted throughout the skeleton. Students push against the floor with their left foot to lift the left hip while reaching with their left arm toward the ceiling.

Switching Sides: Arm and Leg Extensions and Contractions (04:32)

Students lie on their left sides and move the top palm and knee beyond the bottom palm and knee. Then they differentiate the movement by extending their top shoulder and hip in opposite directions.

Standing Arm and Leg Extension (04:03)

Feldenkrais valued the human brain above all else. Students stand and reach alternate arms and hips forward. They end the session by walking around the room.