Anti-Gymnastique
What is Anti-Gymnastique?
The word Anti-Gymnastique means the opposite of work-out, and is designed to bring individuals into deeper awareness of their bodies.
Through this gentle work, your brain becomes more consciously aware of the tension in every part of the body, and through this awareness, supported by the work, we allow the body to release this tension, and retrieve balance.
How does a typical Anti-Gymnastique session work?
The movements are very different from the ones you might practice in traditional work-outs. Sophie suggests you bring your attention to your body. In order to perceive every part of your body, Sophie names them, one by one. You are aware of how the different parts of your body are in contact (or not) with the table. For example, you might discover that the right side of your body makes contact with the table in a different way from the left. Perhaps your head is not aligned with your tailbone. Perhaps your left shoulder feels more flat on the table than the right shoulder, and so on.
Without judgment, you observe, you discover, you compare, the connection between the different parts of your body. You are suddenly aware that you had forgotten your breathing. “How do you breathe?,” I ask. And “where do you feel the breathing in the body? Do you feel it in your upper chest? Do you feel it in your abdomen? Do you feel it in your throat? Do you feel it in your back?” And so on.
You lose completely the awareness of the room you are in, the color of your clothes, only Sophie's voice has guided you deep, very deep, inside yourself. A quick glance to your watch, and already 20 minutes have passed. 20 minutes of exploration inside your body. You feel a sense of timelessness. The total opposite feeling can also be true. 5 minutes can seem like an eternity.
This first step distinguishes Anti-Gymnastique (anti-workout) from traditional gymnastique (workout). Until now your knowledge of your body has been reduced to awareness of pain, pleasure, rote exercise, movements and mechanical actions.
The expression of retrieving balance will include the feeling of your breath opening, your blood and fluids flowing easily, your muscles lengthening, your joints being lubricated, and a feeling of being calm, energized, vital and whole.
Where can I find out more about Anti-Gymnastiques?