Fear of falling

Fear of falling 

We are born with a fear of falling, which protects us but also significantly impedes our ease of movement.
Standing and walking, our centre of gravity is high and is located in the navel area, which contributes to ease of walking on the one hand, but on the other hand, one is continuously vigilant not to fall. Fear of falling is innate but also gets reinforcement by the environment.
I remember running down a slope and my mother shouting behind me, 'If you run down the slope, you'll fall!' How much fear in such a statement!
With age and loss of flexibility, the fear of falling increases. And with it grows a process of avoiding movements that change the centre of the gravity, such as avoiding bending, sitting on low surfaces, preferring an elevator over stairs, and more. Failure to shift the centre of gravity at ease creates stiffness, clumsiness, and imbalance.

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photo by:https://danceinforma.com.au/articles/inventories-of-bodies-in-movement-in-wa/

We are designed to live in motion. Our movements are complex, and most are controlled by unconscious mechanisms and patterns.  Our bodies can develop ineffective and harmful movements and posture habits, and there would be no automatic faculty to take notice and correct them.

Most of us go through our days in an unconscious bodily manner, with our heads full of random thoughts. The body and mind are not at the same time and place, and their existence is separate.

A state of unconscious presence in the body may cause suffering. A lack of physical awareness may develop problems of posture and movement, followed by aches and pains.

Unconscious posture and movement, guided only by habits, is a basis of suffering.

The Midline - introduction

The Midline - introduction

The midline is a well-known symbol of alignment. A geographically imaginary body line that is not anatomical, not visible, yet when present, it promotes ease, clarity and vitality. 

The body has few anatomical midline defined zones. Our brain is divided by a midline membrane called falx cerebelli, the septum divides our nostrils, the centre of the diaphragm is active in every breath, and the perineum at the pelvic floor is in the midline zone.

We organise ourselves continually around the line of gravity- the midline. 

Cultivating awareness our of midline improves body alignment.

In esoteric teachings, taping into the midline opens up an energy channel, which is also a gateway to spiritual growth. 

In Chinees martial arts it is called the 'Middle Channel', in yoga it's called Sushumna, in Alexander Technique there is a term called 'Primary Control', the junction that highlights the relationship of the neck, head and back and can organise the system to its midline.

The midline goes through us as if from crown to base, but it doesn't have physical boundaries. As you tune into it, it opens to the infinite. The midline is a channel of energy. When you find it, you can experience a peripheral presence in all directions.

Alexander Technique and Subtle Yoga as complementary systems

I teach both the AT and Yoga, and I love the way these two systems complement each other. 

Hatha yoga offers an awareness of how the body organises itself through gravity, while AT has an appreciation of the 'Primary Control' and the way the body unfolds and arranges itself through internal integration.

The key and initiator to both systems is a mind-body focus.

Yoga Asanas (postures) become alive when infused with the AT understanding of 'Directions' and 'Non-End Gaining'. This understanding gives the yoga 'Non-Attachment' an extra clarity and focus, contributing further stillness, and a capacity to Stop and wait for change to happen.  AT teacher's touch and understanding, delivers to the yoga lessons Inhibition that is much needed in 'performing' Yoga Asanas.

On the other hand, The fruits of the Yoga practice enrich AT lessons. There is a further understanding of the feet, toes, ankles, and their role in weight shifting, and movement.  There is an in-depth understanding of the pelvis, pelvic floor, sacrum, spine and their inner movements.

Having a Yoga teacher's experience brings to the AT lessons awareness of gravity and how the body interacts with space.

Both are mind-body systems, promoting focus, proprioception, and presence while encouraging poise and ease of movement.

Throughout the years of practising and teaching both the AT and Hatha Yoga, I developed the art of 'Subtle Yoga', a unique yoga practice that enhances proprioception, awakening the Central Nervous System and cultivating vitality. 

AT principles, Hatha Yoga and esoteric understanding of our Subtle Anatomy(the ways that Prana-Lifeforce travels in the body), are at the core of SubtleYoga.