Maps to Our Self
“We act in accordance with our self-image. This self-image—which, in turn, governs our every act—is conditioned in varying degree by three factors: heritage, education, and self-education.”
–– Moshé Feldenkrais, Preface to Awareness through Movement. 1972, 1977
How do you begin, when you want or need to create something new? Where do you begin when you are in physical pain and have tried everything?
Most of our days are filled with routines, and tasks that are performed by doing what we already know. In response to life’s unknowns, we build in safety and structure and predicability.
It turns out, that in order to create something new in our movement and in our thinking - we have to look our habits straight in the eye!
And this, as it so happens, is where we all begin in a Feldenkrais class. Our starting point is always to discover as much about what we are experiencing in the present moment as we can. What is revealed through this process is our inner movement map, for which Moshe Feldenkrias coined the term Self Image. This map is composed of a lifetime of sensations and moving and experiencing. Our self image grows and changes rapidly as babies and children. As we age, it is less apt to adapt and evolve - unless we bring our awareness and interest to the task. Our self image is informed by all of our experiences, positive and painful.
It turns out that our Self Image can be an important beginning place to create something new. We can learn about ourselves in a very safe and particular way, by bring attention to what we sense and how we move.
The intersection of Movement, Awareness and Self Image is a powerful place. We can observe and learn from what we feel, and how we move. If we go slowly and are curious enough, we can bring change to the habitual ways of moving that might be contributing to our painful knees….while simultaneously discovering an utterly new movement pattern that frees up our shoulders!
Every new experience of lightness, efficiency and ease, serves as an upgrade to your self image. You are no longer defined by the same habits of sensing and moving. And that has very real consequences on your movement life beyond the classroom.
Sustainable movement, capacity and resilience grow and thrive under certain ideal conditions. Slow down, observe, explore, discover….and as Moshe says “If you don’t know what you do, you can’t do what you want,”
What do you want to create, build, heal and grow?