Francois Delsarte made many interesting discoveries about the human body. In this video, his concept of the adduction vs. abduction of one's thumb being a thermometer of life is examined and put into context for those of us who are looking to improve our posture and ability to gesture. It’s not just our torso or limbs that are twisted, narrowed, shortened by habitual misuse, the hands too are diminished by the same forces. The video concludes with a beginning exercise for expanding your hands. Featuring sketches by Laura Jannika. I offer lessons in the Initial Alexander Technique, which are conducted one-on-one with a teacher over Zoom. They are designed to help you gain conscious control over how you move your body. Most people have no idea what they’re doing with their body, and as they misuse their body, they end up with discomfort, pain, and other issues that they may not even realize are caused by what they’re doing to themselves. But how do you figure out what you’re doing wrong? And how do you change what you're doing and overcome lifelong habits? In an Initial Alexander Technique lesson, you will record yourself through Zoom, so you will be able to see and understand what you are doing when you stand, sit, walk, and perform other simple gestures. With the assistance of your teacher, you will come to understand how you are misusing the mechanisms of your body, and you will gain the ability to choose to use yourself in a more sensible way. You can learn how to use your body without pain. You can break free from long held habits. All you need is a system that works. For more information or to book a lesson, please visit my website: mechanicsofpoise.com/ You can contact me at: Delsartelessons@protonmail.com “I then understood all the power, all the fertility given by an acquaintance with the laws that regulate the nature of man, and in how much even genius itself may be rendered sterile by ignorance of those laws which simple observation would make them acquainted with.” Francois Delsarte
This is interesting to see how even the hands can affect your posture and health. I will think about the base of the fingers, and be more aware of the extension. Thank you for your excellent series on posture and poise. I am working on uncurving my back and other techniques you have shared. Keep up the good work!
Glad to hear it! My most recent video takes a look at a couple more manipulations of the hand and wrist that can be added with expansion of the hand. Might be of interest to you!
In my mind, the flexing of the fingers is due to the slackness of the fascia that extend the fingers. in other words, it is a position of release, but an unwanted release. Does that make sense?
I’ll have to think that over. It certainly does seem like a lack of tension in the fascia and tendons of the hand would cause it to curl up and narrow. But I would also say that the fingers are flexed in a similar way that the wrist, elbow, and entire arm are flexed; that is they are bent and pulled up, against gravity, away from the floor.
I've now noticed now i have more extension in my arms, my fingers seem to be less straight and flexed and more curled which is my opinion looks more natural, so think you may be right. I find it impossible to straighten my fingers with a fully extended arm, I think when you look at Greek statues as well dont think ive seen a statue of a Greek with flexed fingers.
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Francois Delsarte made many interesting discoveries about the human body. In this video, his concept of the adduction vs. abduction of one's thumb being a thermometer of life is examined and put into context for those of us who are looking to improve our posture and ability to gesture. It’s not just our torso or limbs that are twisted, narrowed, shortened by habitual misuse, the hands too are diminished by the same forces. The video concludes with a beginning exercise for expanding your hands.
Featuring sketches by Laura Jannika.
I offer lessons in the Initial Alexander Technique, which are conducted one-on-one with a teacher over Zoom. They are designed to help you gain conscious control over how you move your body. Most people have no idea what they’re doing with their body, and as they misuse their body, they end up with discomfort, pain, and other issues that they may not even realize are caused by what they’re doing to themselves. But how do you figure out what you’re doing wrong? And how do you change what you're doing and overcome lifelong habits?
In an Initial Alexander Technique lesson, you will record yourself through Zoom, so you will be able to see and understand what you are doing when you stand, sit, walk, and perform other simple gestures. With the assistance of your teacher, you will come to understand how you are misusing the mechanisms of your body, and you will gain the ability to choose to use yourself in a more sensible way. You can learn how to use your body without pain. You can break free from long held habits. All you need is a system that works.
For more information or to book a lesson, please visit my website: mechanicsofpoise.com/
You can contact me at: Delsartelessons@protonmail.com
“I then understood all the power, all the fertility given by an acquaintance with the laws that regulate the nature of man, and in how much even genius itself may be rendered sterile by ignorance of those laws which simple observation would make them acquainted with.”
Francois Delsarte
Really really interesting video. I'm amazed!
You have a very interesting channel. Thank You.
This is interesting to see how even the hands can affect your posture and health. I will think about the base of the fingers, and be more aware of the extension. Thank you for your excellent series on posture and poise. I am working on uncurving my back and other techniques you have shared. Keep up the good work!
Good point; I think once you have attained the ‘width’ between the shoulder blades then the hands releases in length and width
expanding the base of the hand feels so good and I feel the stretch all over my arm
Glad to hear it! My most recent video takes a look at a couple more manipulations of the hand and wrist that can be added with expansion of the hand. Might be of interest to you!
Great
By shifting attention to the base of the fingers (the knuckles) and moving the fingers from there!! Absolutely beautiful.
In my mind, the flexing of the fingers is due to the slackness of the fascia that extend the fingers. in other words, it is a position of release, but an unwanted release. Does that make sense?
I’ll have to think that over. It certainly does seem like a lack of tension in the fascia and tendons of the hand would cause it to curl up and narrow. But I would also say that the fingers are flexed in a similar way that the wrist, elbow, and entire arm are flexed; that is they are bent and pulled up, against gravity, away from the floor.
I've now noticed now i have more extension in my arms, my fingers seem to be less straight and flexed and more curled which is my opinion looks more natural, so think you may be right. I find it impossible to straighten my fingers with a fully extended arm, I think when you look at Greek statues as well dont think ive seen a statue of a Greek with flexed fingers.