Need and Function

Moshe Feldenkrais's work revolves around function, which relates to our biological needs: Sleeping, Eating, Making love, etc. We all know that these things can affect our ability to function, our mood, and our well-being. How we control or surrender to our needs can become a balancing act. It is not necessarily "healthy" if we are over-controling-and we all probably can think of a few people who fit into that category. And on the other side, if we surrender all the time, we might feel like a leaf blowing in the wind-with no clear destination, a "follower", or too agreeable. Not to say that again either of these abilities have their moments. But, it is important, right, that they dont become habit or a trap that we cant get out of.

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. To keep our faces towards change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable." Helen Keller

Sometimes we might not know whats good for us, we compromise our needs, or we are drawn or stuck onto the things that arent "good" for us (i.e drugs, overworking, not giving ourselves enough credit, obsessively working out, obsessively dieting, etc..) We might be in fear of "what might happen if...", or simply dont know ourselves well enough,yet. And that's part of life-right-learning about who we are-and what we need to feel alive.

Whenever I think about "need" I immediately think of the rolling stones song-you know the one "you don't get what you want, you get what you need". Looking at the differences between want and need can be enlightening. But, its not easy. Especially in a world where consumerism, politics, and capitalism, can control our lives. Theres that word again-control. When we are bombarded with things all around us, it is easy to lose control or feel like we have to surrender. And we might over-control another part of our lives to feel like we are balanced.

Value is something that i personally invest in. I value my body. I value my mind. I value my identity-and I enjoy constantly discovering and exploring what that is. I enjoy being an individual. The hard part about being an individual is need. Its hard not comparing myself to others. But we need to trust our own experiences....and learn from them-

relationships

I am inspired- to build, bridge, challenge, and honor my relationships. These relationships include my relationships to my loved ones, to strangers, to the world, and to myself.

I had a chance to perform this last Friday with some inspiring improvisational dance artists, including Kirstie Simson, Darrell Jones, and Asimina Chremos. Some of the things that I reflect on come back to why I practice The Feldenkrais Method and Yoga. It is so important to me, especially in the world today, that we continue to develop, challenge, and nurture the ideas we have about freedom and possibility. For me, that starts with movement-sensations, feelings, and thoughts. Dance gives us a window into the beauty of expression and freedom-and it heightens our senses. Performing is an opportunity to manifest life, express, acknowledge my relationships, and challenge my perceptions.

After the event, my dance partner, Matthew Griffin, brought up the concept of commitment. He said that it was most interesting to him to watch and dance when there was a ceratin level of commitment. This is a beautiful observation. It speaks to me about presence and awareness-but our relationships ultimately to each other, ourselves, and the audience.

Freedom starts with me-how i relate to myself and others-how i listen and tune in-what i am aware of, allow, acknowledge and honor.There is possibility in this statement-but it is the fulfillment and commitment that is really the most interesting-and vital.