So, what happens in a connected movement lesson? Connected Movement is an ongoing class. The activity is mostly experiential. Theory is only valuable in this lesson if it can be felt through the body.
We have exercises in which we are standing up, especially Qigong exercises, we have others in which we lie on mats, similar to Alexander or Feldenkrais lessons, and we have pair work.
We are especially interested in movements that are new to us, since we want to learn learning. With this goal in mind each lesson includes some routines we repeat from week to week, understanding them better and putting new content into them, while other exercises we do only once, thus allowing ourselves to keep experiencing “newness” time and again.
Pair work comes in two different flavors: there are symmetrical activities (both partners doing the same), in which we develop our responsiveness to change and improvisation, and there are a-symmetrical ones in which we treat or assist each other.
All movements we practice are using very little effort. By working with low physical intensity, we increase our capacity to listen and control our movement, and we tune in to sensations we usually either can’t hear or we ignore.
So our goal when practicing Connected Movement exercises is to move with the least amount of effort, in the slowest and most continuous manner we can. Or in short- we look for utmost comfort.
Unlike most other physical activities we take, when we practice Connected Movement finding the correct way to move is very personal. “Right” or “wrong” movements are evaluated based on how practical they are for our own body, and they vary from person to person. Therefore, though we practice together- each person goes through a different lesson.