this is what I think is really beautiful...

yay thanks that's an excellent lesson, it made me feel really good

i think part of people's confusion about the shape of the spine is that the sushumna, the nadi ("energy" channel) that goes up through the center of the body,,,, THAT'S a straight line, or it tries to go near to it (it's just the easiest path for unconscious attention to flow through),,,, so there's this powerful sensation of a straight pole in the middle of your body & if you don't distinguish the energy/attention/awareness from your physical bones & stuff you can easily get confused

awesome :)
I'm really happy to hear that.

Thanks for that! I had a good stretch whilst watching which felt good. Thankfully the spine is among the least affected joints for me in my rheumatoid arthritis, but I did have dreadful pubis symphysis dysfunction throughout both my pregnancies (I have Ehlers Danlos syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis) and my pelvis has never been right since, so I can’t stand for long periods…also because of orthostatic hypotension.

thanks Ruth.... what's also beautiful about the Feldenkrais method is that it can be done in the imagination. That way the risk of damaging the bones is nil, and you still get the benefit of connecting with the skeleton.
If you've heard of Joe Dispenza who healed his badly damaged spine through visualisation, Feldenkrais can also be like that for people with grievances like you.
Then, if you choose to actually do the movement your body is prepared, or familiar with what you intend so it won't be shocked... it will welcome the movement - which is excellent for rheumatoid arthritis. Not moving could only worsen the situation.
There are MANY studies now proving that movement 'cures' many ailments... and that movement does not have to be big - quite the opposite, the smaller more focussed you are on what's happening.. the faster the greater intelligence we call 'the body', responds.

!quoted by TheWildCard

hhhmmm, @mungojelly @mungojelly @mungojelly @mungojelly @mungojelly @mungojelly @mungojelly @mungojelly your name popped up that many times I'm leaving it because I think it's funny....
do you know how to download a video posted here?

Thanks Dane. Yes mental visualisation does work for me. I have contractures in all joints, so I can’t do yoga sadly. I spent many years when my kids were younger visiting the osteopath bi-weekly, just for survival honestly. He helped me get through when I was at my worst. I have cyclical spinal cord inflammation which plays havoc with my nervous system - intracranial hypertension, pseudo seizures and dysautonomia results. Thankfully, I’m much better now that I manage my cyclical hormones.

it's Dale :)
and you're in a good space to develop the imagination/visual aspect. Many people struggle with it, once mastered the world is your oyster!

Sorry Dale! Typo central for me today. Errors everywhere. I do the same for my muscles. It’s weird but it helps, especially when I can’t actually straighten my knees because of inflammation.