Using My Core

In Wednesday’s technique lesson we were continuing looking at the ideas of Peggy Hackney. This week we were looking at ‘Core-Distal Connectivity’.

The exorcizes at the beginning of lesson got me thinking about our 6 limbs; arms, legs, head and tail. To move with all 6 in mind was a very unusual sensation for me personally and I tried to keep that sensation throughout the class. Within phrases I used the sensation of energy flowing out through each of my limbs to help keep my balance. Instead of trying to stay completely still I felt the energy passing through my limbs as if I was still moving.

I read the chapter of Hackney’s book about Core-Distal Connectivity to give me a greater understanding of her ideas. I was interested in the idea that was touched upon in class of individuality of the limbs and integration of the whole. At the beginning of this chapter she gives one of principles of Bartenieff fundamentals: “The whole body is connected, all parts are in relationship. Change in one part changes the whole. When we acknowledge relationship between parts of the body, it makes possible both differentiation of the parts and integration of the whole.”

Reading this made me think about the connections I make within my body, and how I think of my limbs as being separate from each other, whereas this principle is expressing the idea of thinking of all of them being linked. My right arm to my back, to my shoulder, to my spine, to my hips and to my left leg. The idea that not any part of my entire body is completely isolated as my body is an entire entity. always connected, and how finding the strength in the core allows me to be connected and in control of all of my limbs.

This image, taken from 'Making Connections' by Peggy Hackney shows the relationships of core to limbs and limbs to core.

Irmgard Bartenieff, manuscript, The Art of Body Movement as a Key to Perception, 1979.

Hackney, P. Routledge. Making Connections. 2002. Pg 40 and 67.