Getting Results: Initiating (part 2)

Today marks the arrival of the May full moon, the flower moon. Named for the appearance of many flowering trees and shrubs (think aspen and wild roses, respectively) and prairie crocuses, tulips and so on. There are other names for this full moon: egg laying moon, leaf budding moon, pony shedding hair moon….perhaps you can think of signs of spring in your area. How does this relate to Irmgaard Bartenieff’s “preparation and initiation determine the action”? [Please review last month's blog about preparing. I will assume, for this blog post, that you are clear about preparing… .] When, where, and how we initiate a movement will definitely impact our resulting action.

Let me offer an example from my personal experience in line dancing: Let’s say the performance dance is Hoedown. I am prepared: I’ve listened to and practised the song 100x, standing in parallel first, thumbs hooked in belt, head up, breathing calmly.Then the music starts…counting in…OOPS! I start dancing in on the third count of 8 when it should be the 5th count of 8….so I’m soloing now! (my WHEN was askew….how embarrassing!). Okay let’s try again: now I have the counts correct, but I initiate the movement with my head dipping down as my feet lag behind….ugh! Now I’m scrambling to catch up…. (my WHERE was askew….rrrrr). Third try: I have the counts, and I know I need to initiate in my feet….. BUT now I’m confused, do I step with my heel or my toe or my whole foot? I’m frozen in my indecision….(my HOW is askew….and I’m a whole count of 8 behind!) Well, this is a bit of exaggeration, but it gets the point across, I hope.

As a movement instructor with over 25 years of experience, I am astute with discerning initiation of movement that I see. It might seem a bit ‘exacting’ when I ‘call you out’ on how you initiate movement, but it makes a significant impact. Here are a few mini-movement sequences to explore….let’s be like the baby robins…initiate by opening your mouth wide to receive the goodness offered…

Initiating movement (~ 10 minutes)

Let’s explore three different initiations into downward dog (please note that I am only covering initiating movement, not the full extent of this asana):

1. Begin by standing w feet hip width apart, in parallel (this is part of preparing). Roll down thru your spine and as you come to the floor, allow your knees to bend, then walk your hands out to find yourself in downward dog. Now notice: how you feel in this pose—what is your pelvic positioning—are you in a slight posterior tilt? Are your heels down? Are your legs straight? Where is the weight distributed between hands and feet—equally? How long could you be in this pose comfortably?
2. From All-4s position (hands and knees), press yourself up into downward dog by lifting your hips to the ceiling. Again note: pelvic positioning relative to your spine and legs, where is weight distributed between hands and feet? What do you feel you might want to change in this position to enable you to stay for 3 minutes?
3. From All-4s position, press thru your hands so that your weight and your hips shift towards your heels, knees will lift, then unfold your legs as you lengthen your heels to the floor, knees straight, neutral or very slightly anteriorly tilted pelvis. How do you feel now? Notice your pelvic positioning and where your weight is distributed…is there more weight in your heels or your hands? How sustainable is this asana?

Please note that there is no judgment in any of these positions. It is merely about finding an entrance into the asana….each will have a significant impact on your sensation and ACTIONbased on initiating differently. As autonomous movers, we always have choice….what is YOUR choice?

PS enjoy the blue moon on May 31!