By Martha Moorehouse and Tom Rankin
“We act in accordance with our self-image.
~Moshe Feldenkrais, From the Awareness Through Movement book
What does self-image mean to you? Take a moment to think about it and see what comes to mind. Is it your appearance? Your behavior? Is your self-image fixed or changeable? Does it include your movements or habits?
Self-image is typically defined as the image or idea that one has of oneself, especially in relation to others: one’s perception of one’s own abilities, character, appearance etc. (Oxford English Dictionary).
How is the self-image formed? How does it govern one’s actions? Can the self-image be enhanced or improved? Are habits of movement important?
The first chapter of Awareness Through Movement explains how the self-image is created. Formal and self-education, past experiences, genetics, cultural norms and expectations all play important roles forming and shaping one’s self-image. This image acts like an operating system for how we interact with our environment. Someone who sees themselves as an adventurer is more likely to travel than a person who views themselves as a homebody.
In the Self-Image chapter, Feldenkrais wrote,”Each of us speaks, moves, thinks and feels in a different way, each according to the image of themselves that they have built up over the years”. Joe Bossamassa, a blues rock singer and guitarist, is an interesting example. Off stage, Joe is soft spoken and casual. He usually wears jeans, sweatshirts and sneakers. Just before it’s time to perform, Joe becomes “that guy”. He puts on a designer suit, expensive shoes, slicks back his hair and pops on his shades. He transforms into a very confident and even aggressive bluesman. At the end of the show, he returns to ordinary Joe. His appearance is so different that fans often do not recognize him.
Actors and performers have studied and trained to change their self-image to fit a role or part. Is this also possible for the rest of us? Yes, we can! Since thoughts, feelings, sensations and movement form the self image, we can use any one of these to change it. Join us to explore here at S3NSE.org.
For many years, Feldenkrais had practiced and taught Judo. This potent experience had a positive impact on both his and his students' self images. Could he create something that could deliver similar benefits for a non Judo population? Through years of experimentation and discovery, Feldenkrais discovered that moving with awareness was the most direct and precise way to communicate and shape the self image. He created over a thousand lessons to improve not only movement but enhancing the self image to improve life itself.
How does this method of self education work? One of our students had always been a capable and self-sufficient person. A recent fall made their life difficult, particularly getting in and out of chairs. The student was depressed and angry that he could not do things for himself. So this person decided to try the Feldenkrais Method. One lesson taught him how to get out of a chair with more ease and comfort. Another lesson left him feeling taller and more upright. The student soon realized the lessons helped him become more balanced and stable when walking and doing other activities. The student’s self-image changed and he could now take better care of himself.
Comments