The Movement Challenge – Day 5: Two Great Teachers in Divine Lyrical Hands
Where have you been, I hear you asking? Day 5’s long delay has been forthcoming, I promise you. 
Other matters have taken precedence over this last while.
I decided to dedicate this blog in honour of two out of three of my great teacher’s and mentors. The first is my aunty Sarah, who passed away on the 9th of May 2009 and was a wise, caring and quiet lady, that I learnt so much from and is forever in my heart. She taught me about quiet reflection and calmness in the face of challenges – a true gift.
And Sri K Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) who passed away on the 18th of May 2009. He taught me the beauty and deeper meaning of using touch without saying a word.
How did you get on with the last question about where you place your hands?
I received one comment about using hands to gesticulate. As I do this myself, (thank you Sarah Arrow for your contribution), I decided to look at how we use our hands in movement and some tips for our hands.
As a dance and movement specialist, I’m constantly on the go and moving. If I’m in the studio, I’m either teaching clients in groups or one2one’s, researching movement on my body, in books, video or over the wire. I use my hands through touch, whether it be to make a subtle suggestion or a more direct suggestion about how my clients may consider moving, relaxing and breathing. Hands feature interestingly for me. I have been known to experiment with ‘throwing’, spreading the fingers, grasping, clasping and yes the use of water as a therapeutic resource has also featured. (see tip 1 below)
Anatomically, there are 26 bones in the hand (same as the foot) and the flexibility of this wonderful network of carpals, metacarpals and phalanges, intrigues me so much especially as we have evolved to using our fingers to type at speeds of 90 words + per minute, send texts with one or two thumbs and play a myriad of instruments. The instrument that often makes me pause and watch admiringly is the Harp. Perhaps, its because of how elegantly and gracefully the arms are and can be used. If you watch a Harpist like the phenomenal Catrin Finch in inspiring action here, she uses her arms and hands lyrically, beautifully and intricately almost like a port de bras in dance.
Tip 1
Take time each day to immerse your hands in some warm water. Spread and stretch out your fingers like stars in a bowl of water or the sink.
Why?
A client of mine had some RSI issues last year and the use of water as a therapeutic and relaxing method really helped him with the injury to his wrist and hand.
Tip 2
Warm your body up in preparation for any activity that involves the intricacy of your hands.
Why?
My client, was encouraged to incorporate a warm up of his arms (being a musician and pianist) and hands , neck and shoulders into his whole routine prior to going onstage or during his rehearsals.
Often, I get strange looks when I say the words Warm Up. Mainly because it conjures up the life of a professional dancer or athlete and even Wikipedia attributes this to athletes too, but think about it for a moment. Does your laptop or PC work without you switching it on? Look at how any type of machinery in the digital age, takes time to give us a flavour of their amazing feats, right? Of course this is just an analogy.
My point is that if you prepare your body for any particular activity such as spending hours blogging or typing, knitting, filing, etc then you are less likely to deal with the challenges of aches and pains and more likely to be in awe of your body’s magnificence and it’s incredible efficiency.
Tip 3
Take regular breaks and stretches in between your activities.Use this opportunity to perhaps drink some more water, tea, juice or homemade lemonade. Apply a nice gentle hand cream or oil to soften the skin around your hands.
Why?
The hands do get dry too and hydration is important as is moisturising the hands after using the bathroom. It’s lovely to have a nice aroma on your hands, yes?
Now to the Question of the day and moving onto more serious ground for all you Yogi’s out there.
Question 5:
How do you begin your Yoga practice?
More specifically what goes into a sun salutation?
I look forward to your interesting comments.
Enjoy the day ahead.
Many blessings.x
‘All is Coming.’
Sri K Pattabhi Jois.
This is what is hardest: to close the open hand because one loves.
Friedrich Nietzsche
