With apologies to those who believe that the sexes are equal, studies have shown that men recognize fewer colors. We're alright with red, blue, yellow, orange, green and purple, but when it comes to teal or aquamarine some of us just don't get it. Whole cultures lack the distinction between blue and gray, using the same word for both.
For both sexes, overwhelmed, as we always are, by stimuli, our brains generalize; close enough is almost always close enough. Recognizing subtle differences, if not always an art, is a luxury. Stereotyping is the rule in perception. So too with conception; we tend to think in very broad brushstrokes, not giving things much attention.
This lack of awareness was brought home to me recently regarding the way I use my body.
For years I bore down too hard, unnecessarily anchoring my wrist while my finger worked the touchpad of my computer. Eventually, this caused discomfort and then pain between my shoulder blade and spine. A change of habits, a bit of osteopathy and a couple more years has rendered me pain-free in that regard, gracias a dios.
But then, six months ago, I developed another pain in the same shoulder, this one much closer to the joint itself. I lost strength, range of motion and suffered a sharp pain when I extended that arm, to the side or across my chest. I'm happy to report that this condition has also largely improved, although it is harder still to wash or scratch my back.
This week I rode down the hill to visit my friend Richard at his new home/office in the neighborhood between Pila Seca and Canal, adjacent to Colonia San Antonio, my home turf. He wanted some help getting the word out about his Feldenkrais and Pilates practice. I wanted to receive some Feldenkrais and Pilates therapy.
Along with the right and left-brain hemispheres, the Kabbalists include the voice as part of the intellect. You may know something very well, but if you cannot explain it, then you are missing some understanding. King Solomon, the wisest man, could bring a subject down 3000 levels without losing the thread that connected it to its source. No Solomon, I myself am still pretty good at explaining things.
Before I got on the table, we worked on translating Richard's a bit too technical presentation of his work into catchier phraseology. Here is what he would like you to know: "Richard Adelman practices a gentle, equipment-based Pilates, which is probably a lot less strenuous than some Pilates you may have practiced on the floor. Connecting you with the rhythm of your body, Feldenkrais and Pilates restore physical function, reduce pain and make it easier to flow through your life."
That settled, I got on the table. First, with Richard's guidance, I did some properly-aligned flexing and stretching of my problematic shoulder, delightfully assisted by spring-based mechanisms of the Pilates equipment. Then, lying down, I received Richard's expert Feldenkrais as he gently, but thoroughly worked his magic on the joint. Which brings me back to my discussion of stereotyping versus subtle perception.
Bearing down on my palm, abused my shoulder. It became stiff. Then the pain made me guard it, "splint" it, more. Yes, I continued to move my shoulder, but I did so in a limited, stereotyped way. I didn't move it the way Richard moved it. There on his table, I rediscovered how to move my shoulder. I suppose this is what Richard, a very accomplished conga player, means by "finding your rhythm."
After getting up from Richard's table, it was clear that the world was altered. The contrast wasn't so great in the therapeutic embrace of his office (or should I call it "studio"?), but the change was palpable when I stepped out his front door. Everything was more subtle. It was as if I was suddenly able to distinguish different tones of the color green, or had had an insight that broke apart some intellectual or emotional stereotype.
Riding my bicycle home back up the hill of 28 de Abril was a more rhythmic, more colorful experience, and just easier. Certainly my shoulder was much happier.
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Richard Adelman practices Feldenkrais and a gentle, equipment-based Pilates, which is probably a lot less strenuous than some Pilates you may have practiced on the floor. Connecting you with the rhythm of your body, Feldenkrais and Pilates, restore physical function, reduce pain and make it easier to flow through your life. Richard has been teaching congas, bongos and Feldenkrais since the early 1970s. - 415-197-7895
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