Yuzu Bodywork

This is going to be a repeat lesson from March this year. Although this lesson is titled 'Training to (Come up to) Sit without Leaning on the Floor,' I would like to focus on learning to observe how much you can reduce your effort to move against gravity. When you can let go of your unnecessary, conscious or unconscious, muscular effort, moving against gravity is not as hard as you might have felt.
http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-june-29th/

ATM lesson on Friday, June 29th This is going to be a repeat lesson from March this year. Although this lesson is titled 'Training to (Come up to) Sit without Leaning on the Floor,' I would like to focus on learning to observe ho...

We will twist and bend the spine in many different ways in this lesson. Our habitual use of the spine contributes to all kinds of issues of pain, mobility, and structural damages. This is one of those lessons to keep your spine supple and mobile from the top to the bottom.
http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-june-22nd/

ATM lesson on Friday, June 22nd We will twist and bend the spine in many different ways in this lesson. Our habitual use of the spine contributes to all kinds of issues of pain, mobility, and structural damages. This is one of th...

This week's lesson is titled "Lengthening on the Stomach and Back." The point of this lesson is lengthening the body without actively stretching. Along the way, you will also learn to strip away all the extraneous efforts to lengthen so that you will find new, more efficient movement patterns. The class resumes on Friday, June 22nd.
http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-june-8th-no-class-on-june-15th/

ATM lesson on Friday, June 8th (no class on June 15th) This week's lesson is titled "Lengthening on the Stomach and Back." The point of this lesson is lengthening the body without actively stretching. Along the way, you will also learn to strip away al...

This lesson is a simple but powerful tool to mobilize the spine. Not only the lesson increases the spinal rotation from the neck to the lumber spine, it gives you a sense of power and connection from the legs to the shoulders in the form of the spinal rotation.
http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-june-1st/

ATM lesson on Friday, June 1st. This lesson is a simple but powerful tool to mobilize the spine. Not only the lesson increases the spinal rotation from the neck to the lumber spine, it gives you a sense of power and connection fr...

We are continuing the theme of lengthening the arms. In this lesson, you will learn to bend the fingers and the wrists backward as you lengthen the arms. For most of us, the opposite of making a fist is surprisingly unfamiliar and difficult. However, for the health and longevity of the shoulder/arm/hand muscles and bones as well as their organization and flexibility, this lesson is essential.
http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-may-25th/

ATM lesson on Friday, May 25th We are continuing the theme of lengthening the arms. In this lesson, you will learn to bend the fingers and the wrists backward as you lengthen the arms. For most of us, the opposite of making a fi...

This week, the lesson focuses on lengthening the arms. Then you will be challenged to some movement pretzel patterns and keep in mind to lengthen your arm. This in one of those lessons that teach us how we often move in a counter-productive manner when we try hard to do something else.
http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-may-18th/

ATM lesson on Friday, May 18th This week, the lesson focuses on lengthening the arms. Then you will be challenged to some movement pretzel patterns and keep in mind to lengthen your arm. This in one of those lessons that teach u...

Whenever we lift our limbs, we have to work against gravity. In this week's lesson, we will experiment with making the lifting easier by pushing into the ground. The lifting becomes a lighter experience when you think of making another part of the body heavier.
http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-may-11th/

ATM lesson on Friday, May 11th Whenever we lift our limbs, we have to work against gravity. In this week's lesson, we will experiment with making the lifting easier by pushing into the ground. The lifting becomes a lighter exper...

This week's lesson will start from the hand. In the lesson, we will move the hand(s) in various ways to connect up the movement towards the trunk. The wrist, elbow, shoulder and the spine are all involved in the usage of your hand. You cannot isolate a problem into one part of the movement chain.
http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-may-4th/

ATM lesson on Friday, May 4th This week's lesson will start from the hand. In the lesson, we will move the hand(s) in various ways to connect up the movement towards the trunk. The wrist, elbow, shoulder and the spine are all i...

This week's lesson starts at the feet. When we are standing, the feet have to bear the body weight and support our carriage. When we know how to organize the feet, ankle, knees and the hip joints better, standing becomes more stable, walking becomes lighter and there will be less wear and fatigue in the whole body.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-april-27th/

ATM lesson on Friday, April 27th This week's lesson starts at the feet. When we are standing, the feet have to bear the body weight and support our carriage. When we know how to organize the feet, ankle, knees and the hip joints b...

This week, I would like to go back to a lesson we did about 6 months ago. The lesson's title is "Making the Sternum Flexible." I would like to challenge the concept of the Sternum (shield/armor) and the ribs (cage). I think having a more fluid image of flexible and movable sternum and ribs will greatly help us soften this area and feel more youthful in posture and activities.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-april-20th/

ATM lesson on Friday, April 20th This week, I would like to go back to a lesson we did about 6 months ago. The lesson's title is "Making the Sternum Flexible." I would like to challenge the concept of the Sternum (shield/armor) an...

After the last week's lesson of "hip joints" by way of lengthening the legs, we will tackle a lesson of "Shoulder joints" by way of lengthening the arms. It is a great lesson to become more aware of how the movement of the shoulder joint complexes are deeply connected to the use of the spine.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-april-13th/

ATM lesson on Friday, April 13th After the last week's lesson of "hip joints" by way of lengthening the legs, we will tackle a lesson of "Shoulder joints" by way of lengthening the arms. It is a great lesson to become more aware o...

Through this week's lesson, we will learn to locate the hip joints in a kinesthetic sense. We will increase the mobility of the hip joints by way of lengthening one side of the body and shortening the other. We will connect the movement of the hips to the movement of the ribs and the spine.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-april-6th/

ATM lesson on Friday, April 6th. Through this week's lesson, we will learn to locate the hip joints in a kinesthetic sense. We will increase the mobility of the hip joints by way of lengthening one side of the body and shortening ...

We will have a lesson about coordinating the movement of the arms to the shoulder blades. When the scapula movement is not coordinated, we often end up having shoulder/arm mobility issues and pain/discomfort.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-march-30th/

ATM lesson on Friday, March 30th We will have a lesson about coordinating the movement of the arms to the shoulder blades. When the scapula movement is not coordinated, we often end up having shoulder/arm mobility issues and pain/...

This week, we will learn to lengthen the back without trying to stretch in the usual ways as forward bending or reaching in particular directions. But rather utilizing some novel movements in sitting. You will learn how gentle movements in twisting and rotating can create more supple and lengthened back.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-march-23rd/

ATM lesson on Friday, March 23rd This week, we will learn to lengthen the back without trying to stretch in the usual ways as forward bending or reaching in particular directions. But rather utilizing some novel movements in sitti...

This week's lesson will be about how to reduce efforts in various physical elements in order to come to sit from the lying position. We all know it is sometimes difficult to come up after lying in bed for a long time. It is all in the organization and sequencing of the motion. Learning this process slowly and with mindful observation is the key to the success.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-march-16th/

ATM lesson on Friday, March 16th This week's lesson will be about how to reduce efforts in various physical elements in order to come to sit from the lying position. We all know it is sometimes difficult to come up after lying in ...

This week's lesson is about releasing the hips to make the hip joints more flexible and the joint movement smoother. Our favorite circular movement around the hips, knees, and ankles will make the creaky feeling in the joints disappear and improve the organization of hip/leg movement.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-march-9th/

ATM lesson on Friday, March 9th This week's lesson is about releasing the hips to make the hip joints more flexible and the joint movement smoother. Our favorite circular movement around the hips, knees, and ankles will make the ...

This week, we will learn how to organize ourselves to bend forward (flexion) and bend backward (extension) in various configurations, especially when we have to work against gravity, lifting our body weight. This is definitely a challenge in terms of movement itself as well as keeping up our awareness and observation skills.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-march-2nd/

ATM lesson on Friday, March 2nd This week, we will learn how to organize ourselves to bend forward (flexion) and bend backward (extension) in various configurations, especially when we have to work against gravity, lifting our bo...

This week's lesson is about lengthening the arms. Of course, you can't physically lengthen the arms, so what does it mean to "lengthen"? You will learn to involve your scapula and mobilize the ribs and twist the spine.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-february-23rd/

ATM lesson on Friday, February 23rd This week's lesson is about lengthening the arms. Of course, you can't physically lengthen the arms, so what does it mean to "lengthen"? You will learn to involve your scapula and mobilize the ribs...

This week's lesson concerns relaxing the muscles of the throat. Of course, when you can relax the muscles around the throat, you can also learn to relax the muscles of the jaw and the neck. One of the key elements in relaxing the muscles is to organize the upper spine, chest, and shoulders to effortlessly support the weight of the head.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-february-16th/

ATM lesson on Friday, February 16th This week's lesson concerns relaxing the muscles of the throat. Of course, when you can relax the muscles around the throat, you can also learn to relax the muscles of the jaw and the neck. One of ...

This is the 3rd of the series of lessons about various movements of the spine. We have, so far, looked at 1) Bending the spine forward and back, 2) Bending the spine side way. In this lesson, the spine will be in rotation. We will add then, bending parts of the spine forward or back. When we can combine these aspects of spine mobility, we can expect a lot of possibilities in our motion.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-february-9th/

ATM lesson on Friday, February 9th This is the 3rd of the series of lessons about various movements of the spine. We have, so far, looked at 1) Bending the spine forward and back, 2) Bending the spine side way. In this lesson, the s...

Continuing our inquiry of the spine bending in certain directions as it supports the weight of the head, we will look at bending the spine side to side. Side-bending requires coordinating the movement of ribs and the hips.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-february-2nd/

ATM lesson on Friday, February 2nd Continuing our inquiry of the spine bending in certain directions as it supports the weight of the head, we will look at bending the spine side to side. Side-bending requires coordinating the movem...

This week's lesson is about moving the entire spine in arching and curing motions. As simple as the motion maybe, observing the spatial relationships of the head, shoulders, different parts of the spine and the pelvis and to seek support for the weight of the head is a challenge. Once you can figure out the support, your head can hang like a flower on a curbed stem.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-january-26th/

ATM lesson on Friday, January 26th This week's lesson is about moving the entire spine in arching and curing motions. As simple as the motion maybe, observing the spatial relationships of the head, shoulders, different parts of the ...

I’m in a week long ATM advance workshop. I will be back teaching next week with much inspiration.

http://yuzubodywork.com/no-class-this-friday-january-19th/

No class this Friday, January 19th I’m in a week long ATM advance workshop. I will be back teaching next week with much inspiration.

This week, the lesson focuses on freeing the hip joints in the functional way. There are many ways to stretch and increase the mobility of the hip joints, but often we over-stretch and hurt the ligaments and muscles along the way. In the Feldenkrais way, we will use the gravity, the spinal rotation as well as hip and shoulder rotations to gently free the hip joints.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-january-12th/

ATM lesson on Friday, January 12th This week, the lesson focuses on freeing the hip joints in the functional way. There are many ways to stretch and increase the mobility of the hip joints, but often we over-stretch and hurt the lig...

As the first lesson of 2018, we will learn to increase our capacity to bend the trunk sideways. Side-bending is not as simple as bending the spine to the side. It involves the flexibility of the ribs and the organized twist of the spine as well. When we feel tight and stiff in the spine and the trunk, gentle side-bending is a great remedy.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-january-5th/

ATM lesson on Friday, January 5th As the first lesson of 2018, we will learn to increase our capacity to bend the trunk sideways. Side-bending is not as simple as bending the spine to the side. It involves the flexibility of the ri...

Happy New Year! We will resume our ATM lessons on Friday January 5th, 2018.

http://yuzubodywork.com/no-class-this-week/

No class this week Happy New Year! We will resume our ATM lessons on Friday January 5th, 2018.

We will learn to increase our awareness of the connection of the arms and the trunk via shoulder girdles. In our daily activities, majority of our time is spent with our arms in front of us. By placing and moving the arms in the rarely explored directions, we can not only increase the shoulder flexibility, but also increase our sense of proprioception of the whole shoulder girdles.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-december-22nd/

ATM lesson on Friday, December 22nd We will learn to increase our awareness of the connection of the arms and the trunk via shoulder girdles. In our daily activities, majority of our time is spent with our arms in front of us. By pla...

This week's lesson is primarily about creating a length in limbs and the trunk. But we will also take a look at how we can pay attention to two or more seemingly unrelated movement patterns simultaneously. By improving the speed of scanning all parts of the body movement, we can effortlessly move the body in complicated patterns.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-december-8th-2/

ATM lesson on Friday, December 8th This week's lesson is primarily about creating a length in limbs and the trunk. But we will also take a look at how we can pay attention to two or more seemingly unrelated movement patterns simulta...

This week, we will explore the way we breathe. Breathing involves many aspects of both automatic and intentional movements. Because you cannot simply rest from breathing, the way you breathe has much to do with your habitual use of self. By improving your organization of the breathing, you can often improve your posture and movements.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-december-8th/

ATM lesson on Friday, December 8th This week, we will explore the way we breathe. Breathing involves many aspects of both automatic and intentional movements. Because you cannot simply rest from breathing, the way you breathe has mu...

The first lesson of this month will focus on the feet, knee, hips and spine organization. It is crucial to feel the weight of the body is transmitted through the spine, hips, knees and feet efficiently as we walk, stand, balance on one foot, and jump.

http://yuzubodywork.com/atm-lesson-on-friday-december-1st/

ATM lesson on Friday, December 1st The first lesson of this month will focus on the feet, knee, hips and spine organization. It is crucial to feel the weight of the body is transmitted through the spine, hips, knees and feet efficie...