Telling work from sleep

When considering the various movements and postures of the body, as well as activities like walking, sitting, and sleeping, we can refer to them as “physical functions” or “body functions.”

These terms encompass the actions and capabilities performed by the body in different contexts. While people may commonly think about specific body parts (e.g. the knees, the hip joints, the lower back, the neck, …) it is equally important to recognize and appreciate the functional aspects that enable us to engage in daily activities. These functions involve the coordinated efforts of multiple body parts and systems, working together to facilitate mobility, rest, and other essential actions.

So far so good, ChatGPT. Mobility and rest, eh?

Now I wonder, “What are the clean versions of mobility and rest?” How much does mobility bleed into rest, and rest into mobility? At its worst a person is unable to rest, and at the same time unable to move and perform well. Always tired, yet unable to sleep. Always agitated, yet unable to work and do even the most necessary things.

What else can we mix up? Can sitting hunched over (for any periods of time) bleed into our standing up straight? Can justified caution bleed into confidence? Can doubt bleed into trust?

Where—in our minds—does one word start and the other end? In my movement explorations I use the concept of “Differentiation” to get to know one from the other, and see “Integration” happen, as “things” (for the lack of a better word) are being put together, into context again.

What is the difference between Mindfulness and Feldenkrais?

Mindfulness and Feldenkrais are two different approaches that can be used to enhance self-awareness and promote personal growth, but they have distinct origins and methodologies. Here’s an overview of their differences:

Origins

  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness has its roots in Buddhist meditation practices. It involves paying attention to the present moment, intentionally and non-judgmentally, with a focus on cultivating awareness and acceptance.
  • Feldenkrais: The Feldenkrais Method was developed by Moshe Feldenkrais, a physicist and engineer. It draws from principles of physics, neurology, and motor development to explore movement and promote efficient functioning of the body and mind.

Focus

  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness emphasizes present-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment. The aim is to develop a non-reactive and non-judgmental attitude towards experiences, leading to increased self-acceptance and reduced stress.
  • Feldenkrais: Feldenkrais focuses on movement and body awareness. It aims to improve physical and mental functioning by exploring and refining movement patterns. The method uses gentle, slow movements and sensory awareness to enhance flexibility, coordination, and overall well-being.

Techniques

  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation is a key practice in cultivating mindfulness. It involves intentionally bringing attention to the breath, body sensations, thoughts, and emotions. Mindfulness can also be applied to daily activities, such as eating or walking, by paying full attention to the sensory experiences involved.
  • Feldenkrais: Feldenkrais consists of two main approaches: Awareness Through Movement (ATM) and Functional Integration (FI). ATM involves verbally guided group classes with specific movement sequences that encourage exploration and self-discovery. FI is a one-on-one hands-on approach where a trained practitioner uses gentle touch and movement to facilitate the client’s learning and self-awareness.

Applications

  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices are widely used for stress reduction, improving attention and focus, managing emotions, enhancing overall well-being, and cultivating a greater sense of compassion and empathy.
  • Feldenkrais: Feldenkrais is often utilized for improving movement efficiency, posture, and flexibility, relieving pain or physical discomfort, enhancing athletic performance, recovering from injuries, and promoting relaxation and body awareness.

Legal Status

  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness itself is a practice and a state of awareness rather than a specific technique or method. As such, mindfulness is not subject to legal status or regulation.
  • Feldenkrais: The Feldenkrais Method is a trademarked name and has legal protection as a proprietary method. Only certified Feldenkrais practitioners are authorized to teach the method under licensing agreements.

Usage Rights

  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness is an ancient practice that has been shared and taught in various forms for centuries. While there are numerous mindfulness-based programs and courses available, the core principles and techniques of mindfulness are generally considered to be in the public domain. This means that anyone can teach or incorporate mindfulness practices into their work without requiring specific permissions.
  • Feldenkrais: The Feldenkrais Method is protected by copyright and trademark laws. This means that the use of the name “Feldenkrais” and the specific teachings and techniques are restricted to those who have received certification and licensing from authorized Feldenkrais organizations. Unauthorized use of the Feldenkrais name or teaching methods can infringe upon copyright and trademark laws.

Copyright

  • Mindfulness: Since mindfulness is a broad concept and does not have a specific set of techniques or exercises attributed to a single author, it does not have specific copyright protections. However, individual works, such as books or guided meditation recordings, that incorporate mindfulness teachings may be subject to copyright.
  • Feldenkrais: The specific writings, books, and recorded materials authored by Moshe Feldenkrais, as well as the instructional materials and curriculum are protected by copyright. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of these materials would infringe upon copyright laws.

To conclude, while mindfulness primarily focuses on the mind and emotions, Feldenkrais encompasses both physical and mental aspects, emphasizing movement and body awareness. However, it’s important to note that these approaches can complement each other, as both involve cultivating present-moment awareness and can contribute to overall self-improvement and well-being.

Prompts by Alfons, Texts by ChatGPT 3.5, 24 May 2023 Version. I (Alfons) might not agree with the texts that were generated by ChatGPT.

The Dilettante

When I sit, I don’t aspire
to rest my flesh as it may requires;
but as my mind, attuned to art,
looks at the chair without a heart.
Or as that too compliant clerk
all he thinks of is his work.

Senses to Wisdom—The Art and Practice of Understanding

We understand some things when we see them. 

Like, “Pasta in tomato sauce on a plate on the table in front of me.” Clearly, it’s pasta in tomato sauce (unless proven otherwise).

We understand some things when we taste or smell them. “That’s good pasta!”

We understand some things when we hear them. Like, listening to this guy talking about cooking pasta we know from his voice that he takes it very seriously.

We understand some things when we feel them. Joy. Confidence. Satisfaction. Danger. Anticipation.

All this can happen automatically, unconsciously. But sometimes we  seek understanding actively, and then, too, we look, we listen. In such a moment we are conscious. Mindful. Open.

In this moment, what is it that we are doing? The start of it, the process of seeking understanding—did it come upon us unwittingly? And where do we end it? Who would we be without such moments? And who would we become if we would catch the essence of such moments, and hold them dear?

Required learning

Right away from birth we humans can’t do much, in terms of movement and language…we have to learn everything. Why do we humans have to learn so much of our movements and speech, and behaviour…  seemingly everything? Why aren’t we like other mammals, for example like horses, who are able to stand, walk and run within a few days after birth, and utter sounds in an inherent, universal language?

Yes, there’s pretty explanations… brain development and bone density and yada yada yada, it’s all laid out in developmental science, but… why is it like this? Why is the sky blue? I mean yes, sure, Rayleigh scattering, but why is that wavelength blue and not green or transparent? Why — in a “why is it really” sense?

So I was thinking this morning, as I was standing in my bathroom, in my pyjamas and with my eyes closed, and while I made up a Somatics movement class in standing.

Physiological reasons aside: Is it, maybe, to set us up for lifelong learning? Just like baby birds need to learn to fly, required by nature, we humans are required by nature to learn to learn?

By having to learn to turn, roll, arch, creep, crawl, sit, stand, grasp, let go, throw, catch, walk, hop and skip, by being required to learn all of this and much more, we humans are set up for a life that includes learning, just like a bird is set up for a life that includes flying.

I’ve made some affirmations:

  • The process of learning is a natural part of me, and I embrace it wholeheartedly.
  • I find pleasure in acquiring new skills and insights.
  • Every day, I discover new opportunities for growth and learning, and I welcome them with open arms.

Remember, affirmations can be wonderful tools to nourish positive beliefs and attitudes. Ok now, I will turn some affirmations into rhymes (with a smile):

Embracing learning,
I’ll brightly shine,
the joy of being,
I sure make it mine.

Learning,
a process dear part of me,
I do embrace it whole-heart-ed-ly.

I’m still yearning
to make more time for learning.

Please note: I’m writing about movement learning and humane learning, not the plethora of inhumane crimes that are committed on the daily in compulsory schooling, which is making people live out their lives in an invisible prison of their school-conditioned minds. Ok, rhyme and shine, now it’s your turn. 😄

What are my viewers actually interested in?

So- this morning I sat down in my daily coffee shop routine and was thinking, “I wonder what my readers think about my recent articles about body awareness?” and immediately thereafter I had the glorious question, “I wonder what my viewers are actually interested in?” hm-emoji 🤔

In thought I might pop Colin or Simon a message, but then I thought I might just pop ChatGPT a message instead. So I dropped a couple of dozen Youtube comments into ChatGPT, “Please have a look at these video comments and tell me what people are interested in the most.”

I think there’s already a deep, unsurmountable divide between humans and ChatGPT when it comes to reading skills, reading speed, and writing skills. So, that’s still me Alfons writing. ChatGPT wouldn’t bother with existential philosophy and critique.

Here’s what ChatGPT answered, in less than a second:

Based on the provided video comments, it seems that people are primarily interested in the following aspects:

  1. Appreciation for the instructor: Many comments express gratitude and admiration for the instructor, praising their teaching style, sense of humor, and presentation skills.
  2. Positive effects and personal experiences: Several comments mention specific benefits or improvements experienced as a result of the lessons, such as relief from pain, relaxation, improved mobility, and heightened body awareness.
  3. Specific questions and requests for guidance: Some comments seek advice and clarification on certain exercises or techniques, requesting further suggestions or explanations from the instructor.
  4. Engagement and preference for longer or shorter videos: A few comments express differing opinions on video length, with some preferring longer videos for deeper exploration and others appreciating shorter versions.
  5. Sharing personal stories and connections: Several comments share personal anecdotes, experiences, and connections made with the instructor, demonstrating the impact of the lessons on their lives.
  6. Compliments and gratitude: Numerous comments express appreciation and praise for the lessons, the instructor’s positive attitude, and the effectiveness of the exercises.

Overall, people are interested in the instructor’s teaching style, the benefits and personal experiences gained from the lessons, and seeking further guidance and clarification on specific exercises.

Writing a title for my blog post

Writing helps to solve problems in thinking. Writing allows for time to think; to think things over. It allows to see things from a grander perspective and inspires clarity. What is it that I really want to say?

On the other hand, loosely quoting John Taylor Gatto, “not a paragraph survives when I come to edit my writings 6 months later.” Erkenntnis (feminine noun; insight, cognition, realisation, the tree of knowledge) seems to be ever changing.

Alfons: What could be fitting titles for my blog post?

ChatGPT: Possible titles for the blog post could be:

  1. “The Power of Body Awareness: Lessons in Movement and Self-Perception”
  2. “Enhancing Mind-Body Connection: Lessons for Body Awareness and Comfort”
  3. “Discovering Ease and Coordination: Lessons in Body Awareness and Movement” [..] {7 more titles…}

(still ChatGPT writing:) These titles capture the essence of the blog post, focusing on the concepts of body awareness, lessons inspired by Moshé Feldenkrais, and the benefits of improved movement and comfort.

Alfons: How does it change the meaning when I change “The Power of Body Awareness: Lessons in Movement and Self-Perception” to “The Power of Body Awareness: Lessons in Movement with Self-Perception”

ChatGPT: Changing the title from “The Power of Body Awareness: Lessons in Movement and Self-Perception” to “The Power of Body Awareness: Lessons in Movement with Self-Perception” subtly shifts the emphasis and meaning of the title.

The original title suggests that the lessons explore both movement and self-perception as interconnected aspects of body awareness. It implies that through these lessons, individuals can enhance their understanding of their bodies, their movements, and how they perceive themselves in relation to their movement abilities.

On the other hand, the modified title places more emphasis on the act of movement itself and its connection to self-perception. It suggests that the lessons primarily focus on movement and utilize self-perception as a tool or lens through which individuals can better engage with and understand their movements.

Both titles convey the importance of body awareness and its impact on movement and self-perception. The modified title highlights the integral role of movement in the process of self-perception, while the original title presents movement and self-perception as two closely intertwined aspects of body awareness.

Alfons: A good explanation which highlights the distinction. I was able to see what I want to say more clearly and work that title even further into this direction: “The Power of Body Awareness: Lessons in Self-Perception with Movement.” What is your comment?

ChatGPT: “The Power of Body Awareness: Lessons in Self-Perception with Movement” is an intriguing title that places a strong emphasis on self-perception and its relationship with movement. It suggests that the lessons not only involve movement but also focus on how individuals perceive themselves in the context of their movements.

By placing “Self-Perception” before “Movement” in the title, it suggests that self-perception is a primary focus and lens through which individuals engage with and explore their movements. This title implies that the lessons aim to deepen self-awareness, promote self-reflection, and enhance the understanding of oneself through the medium of movement.

Overall, the modified title effectively conveys the idea that body awareness and self-perception are interconnected, and that the lessons offer a unique approach to exploring and improving both aspects through the power of movement. It captures the essence of the article by highlighting the transformative potential of body awareness in relation to self-perception.

Alfons: Exactly! Thank you for your feedback and help

ChatGPT: You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Good luck with your article!