The 'Teacups' (medial & lateral)
Breathing-forms
•
6m 10s
THE WHAT & HOW:
A timeless context expressing a timeless pattern - mechanically, the 'Teacups' are a figure-8/"infinity" drawn in bilateral synchronicity with the arms. They pass overhead and underneath in both directions ('medial', initiating PROXIMALLY from the CENTRE of the body and transmitting out into the fingers, and 'lateral', initiating DISTALLY from the FINGERTIPS) and are coordinated with global extension & flexion of the spine, as a whole. Practice daily as part of a morning practice and to "arrive" and mobilise at the beginning of any main session. For reps, go with 12-15x or open a space of time ca. 60" in each direction.
Review 'IN FOCUS' for deeper insights: https://www.movemorevrl.com/videos/in-focus-teacups
Resource contents:
0:05 - 'Teacups' (medial)
1:05 - 'Teacups' (lateral)
2:20 - *COMMON OVERSIGTS...
2:26 - *Hinging at waist...
2:55 - *"Blocking" at level of knees...
3:24 - *Stance too narrow...
3:50 - *"Spilling the tea!"...
4:23 - *'Wave' instead of '8'/magnitude too big...
4:58 - *Magnitude too small/"cramped"...
5:25 - *Excessively localised spinal ext./flex...
The pattern is provided as an indefinite staple for daily practice, serving as a 'constant' with which to ask and answer the question: "how am I feeling today?" A as rhythmical & cyclical breathing form (leading with the BREATH, and moving WITH it, as opposed to leading with the movement) it also promotes inner coherence by balancing sympathetic & parasympathetic nervous systems, elicits calm, focus, awareness, and presence. In the process, the respiratory structure & muscles are also naturally stimulated through expansion & compression.
On the physical-layer, the global extension & flexion mobilises the spine and helps "pump" (circulate) vital fluids in the body. By keeping the palms facing UP toward the sky at all times (not "spilling the tea"), the shoulders are taken through deep ranges of internal & external rotation, and with it the two wings of the scapulae express their natural tilting movements though elevation, depression, protraction, retraction, and everything in between, serving to naturally "massage" and area which commonly holds tension as a symptom of modern living habits & stressors.
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