Lesson #109 Lowering the pelvis to sitting

Here is a lesson that seems to be built around the same idea as lesson 22 (Sitting on the floor with the help of your hands). This lesson also continues with one of the themes that has been running off-and-on through the last several lessons—lengthening the back. There are also elements that we saw in lesson 93 (Softening the hip joints to side sitting…). This is a great example (one of many) of how Dr. Feldenkrais sometimes used the same component parts in different combinations to assemble lessons that address different functions. This lesson begins as lesson 22, standing, then putting the hands on the floor and lowering and lifting the pelvis; then, sitting on the heels the student lowers the pelvis to the floor, first to one side and then the other (lesson 93) and finally, there is a very satisfying move from lying on the back with knees bent, pushing up to a squat with the help of the hands and then up to standing. The back needs to get very long to do this without effort. For those who are looking to improve their ability to squat, this lesson is perfect. The lesson is somewhat advanced and definitely not for anyone in pain or who is at all immobilized as these is a lot of active movement. If you’re doing well physically, it’s a lot of fun.