This was a comment on my video “Two types of burnout and many Thinking Hats” [link to Youtube]:
Dear Alfons,
I discovered your channel about a month ago [..] And it works so well, it is amazing ! Overall I am feeling much better and managing to deal with runner’s pains way better than ever before. For this I am so thankful to you and the dedication you put in what you do. [..]
Then, yesterday, I happened to watch this latest video of you, which again is so peculiar ! [..] It is the use of the word » soul « twice. It really surprised me because your approach for me seems to be so concrete, so close to the body, to its structure, bones, muscles, nervous system, that this sudden appearance of the idea (?) of a human soul really stroke me! [..]
I don’t know if I even need to ask you why or need explanations [..] I decided I will buy your Feldenkrais book and surely will keep on practising your movements as often as I feel I need to.
Kind regards from France,
AB
Dear AB,
thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I’m very happy to hear about your improvements!
Concerning my use of the word »soul« … to me it’s something special and mysterious; something charming, handsome, delightful; something elusive yet concrete, something more durable than the physical body. And I think some viewers can relate.
However, I also want to answer your question in terms of being concrete: When I give movement instructions, the movements are easy to think of in terms of being well defined and agreed upon. They are very concrete and close to the body, as you phrase so well. We all seem to know what is meant when we say, “bend the knee” or “turn the head to the left”.
However, we might be a bit too sure about what we are talking about! Do we really know what “turning the head” means? What it is comprised of, what it touches and requires?
To keep things simple and to not think too deeply about movements will turn movements into habits, automated movements so to speak, very practical and necessary for everyday life. However, at the same time it might strip much (if not all) mystery from movements. Or from the term »movement«, or »bones« or »flesh« etc. Therefore I sometimes like to use the word »soul«. It is my hope that this word, which is not well defined, not agreed upon, and “mysterious” to say the least, that it can inspire us to look at our flesh and bones and movements in a new light, to inspire us to be open to the unexpected, mysterious, elusive, … and to be able to improve and change our movements if need be. And to spark joy! Language and movement, what a combination!
Thanks again for your comment and support,
I wish you a good time rolling and running,
Alfons
