Ideokinesis

[samina]

So, at the same time that I'm working with Meridian Stretching & Resistance Flexibility Training, i'm also digging deep into Ideokinesis... the method of using imagery to effect body movement & posture. i have a few books by eric franklin, and one in particular i'm using right now having to do with eliminating stress in the shoulder area. but i've also acquired one called "ideokinesis" by andre bernard, and it is have a powerful effect... i can feel changes & releases percolating in my spine & scapulae, which is just wonderful.

other fans of ideokinesis here on the boards? i would love to hear of other ballroom dancers' combined work with imagery, anatomy, & movement.

 

[latingal]

I have read one of the eric franklin books and find that the imagery and the release techniques help. Also find the diagrams of "energy flows" to be quite useful.

I have not heard of the andre bernard book, will have to take a look.

 

[and123]

I have a number of Eric Franklin books and books in a similar vein (Alexander technique etc.). They sound good when I'm reading them, but that's just it -- I'm READING the descriptions. For me to properly zone out and focus on what they're trying to accomplish would require someone reading it out loud to me while I'm visualizing things. Haven't figured out a way to read with my eyes closed . Many exercises are sequential; i.e. first do this and feel this, and then do this. Stopping to grab the book and read the next section is counterproductive, y'know?

 

[latingal]

yeah, you have to somewhat internalize the exercises and/or ideas first and then try them.

 

[samina]

Stopping to grab the book and read the next section is counterproductive, y'know?

yah, i know what you mean. try to put the images in your mind bit by bit and just let them percolate and guide... i've really come to experience how productive it can be to actually "talk" to your body, ask what it needs, give it some images, and then let those float around and see what your body does with them. that's working for me, anyhow.

one thing that struck me from andre berdard's book is his use of the same imagery or analogies that so impressed me a year ago from a couple top dancers... the idea of weight not really being one's own to support, but falling like water through the skeletal system... the downward "compression" current of energy running down the back (through the skeleton) and the upward "tensile" current of energy running up the front (through the muscles).

envisioning the shoulder blades as having long tails that float down to the heels, and the shoulder blades being long tails of the arms... that's always been helping release my muscular hold on my scapulae.

 

[samina]

and also, the higher i raise my arms the deeper i must lengthen my spine, letting it rest in the hip joint at the inner top of my femurs...

it's amazing what happens and how things release when i give my body my awareness...

 

[latingal]

It seems to me that most of the top dancers I have talked to have some kind of grounding in or knowledge of this type of work, whether they came upon it on their own from their years of training, learned about it from others in their coachings, or actually read literature on the different ideologies. It has certainly helped me that some of my pros are versed in it and have passed it along.

 

[imagineandbe]

Hello!

Just wanted to say that I'm delighted to read that so many people are interested in ideokineses and imagery. Wow. I am a fan of Eric Franklin myself and the whole concept of visualizing.
One phrase of his that stands out is about the emotions and thinking and posture, all interlinked. I'll find the page number and the quote to post.

It takes some practice and surrender to allow the images to take form and to feel comfortable and relaxed..once they do, it's liberating I find.

I am new to this forum - I look forward to reading about the world of dance & people's journeys.

Chat soon.

So, at the same time that I'm working with Meridian Stretching & Resistance Flexibility Training, i'm also digging deep into Ideokinesis... the method of using imagery to effect body movement & posture. i have a few books by eric franklin, and one in particular i'm using right now having to do with eliminating stress in the shoulder area. but i've also acquired one called "ideokinesis" by andre bernard, and it is have a powerful effect... i can feel changes & releases percolating in my spine & scapulae, which is just wonderful.

other fans of ideokinesis here on the boards? i would love to hear of other ballroom dancers' combined work with imagery, anatomy, & movement.

 

[DanceSomatics]

Honestly, my favorite subject. I think imagery does miracles.

Actually, Andre Bernard was Eric Franklin's teacher, at least this is how Eric himself refers to him.

There is a place in the city that offers his seminars when he is in town, which is probably more so now than usual (he just got engaged) Movementsafoot is the name of it. All the info is on the website. Taking his seminars helps to just let go and concentrate on the imagery itself. Basically I think of Eric as a body motivational speaker (a la Tony Robbins). His books are really nothing in comparision to his amazing mass of knowledge and wonderful explanations and drawings about the mechanics of body movement. Of course, one has to practice imagery as often as the actual dance practices themselves.

Samina, I think you are far ahead of the game with this whole thing If you get a chance really try Constructive Rest Position with imagery. It does wonders.

Good luck on your path of discoveries.

 

[samina]

I think imagery does miracles.

in every aspect of life... i feel quite the same.

Good luck on your path of discoveries.

likewise! am delighted to see the thread bumped.

 

[slinkiness]

I do both dance and tai chi, and instructors of both like to use imagery to illustrate how the body should move. Some people really find this to be an effective way to learn. For me, the results are mixed. Imagery has helped me understand how a technique is supposed to look or feel, but sometimes the imagery used by the instructor doesn't work for me at all until I'm either told or figure out the breakdown of what muscles I should activate how and when.

 

[j_alexandra]

Hello!

Just wanted to say that I'm delighted to read that so many people are interested in ideokineses and imagery. Wow. I am a fan of Eric Franklin myself and the whole concept of visualizing.
One phrase of his that stands out is about the emotions and thinking and posture, all interlinked. I'll find the page number and the quote to post.

It takes some practice and surrender to allow the images to take form and to feel comfortable and relaxed..once they do, it's liberating I find.

I am new to this forum - I look forward to reading about the world of dance & people's journeys.

Chat soon.

Welcome to DF, Imagineandbe! Yes, there are several of us here who have a deep interest in ideokinesis, Franklin (I even took a workshop with him not long ago, quite the experience) and other likeminded dancers and thinkers. I'm looking forward to reading the quote you mention.