omega - pulling the horizon

Omega Institute 1995/05/26

major movement

Questions:   Someone asked, 'What's the difference between martial arts and Tensegrity? Kylie answered that the Tensegrity movements allow your body to move in new and different ways. These are the things they will focus on in the six-week workshop. Tensegrity is not martial arts, although some old naguals were martial artists. When they went into dreaming, they brought their basic intuition about martial arts and used it. But their intent was not the same as with martial arts. In response to a question about remembering the movements, Kylie suggested that as you practice the movements, call intent to help you remember more. Your body remembers. But we usually don't allow ourselves to remember. Tensegrity forges the discipline to fight off the flyers.

This starts with feet shoulder-width apart. There are three segments to this pass.

1a.   Start with both arms down at the sides. Looking to the left, slowly raise the left arm, palm down, to shoulder level. Flip palm up and tighten chest, and pull left arm in tight to the side, with fingers of the left hand pointing forward.

1b.   Then look to the right as the right arm begins to rise, palm down, to shoulder level. Flip palm up and pull right arm in tight to the side, with fingers of the right hand pointing forward.

1c.   Slowly bring your gaze back to the center.

1d.   Then bring the left hand forward, as if it were scooping up something in front, continuing until the arm is straight up, then bring it to the back, with the palm now facing the ceiling. Bring it back and down, turning the hand, so the palm faces the floor.

1e.   Then scoop up with your hand and bring it back by the side.

1f.   Then bring the right hand forward and make the same motion. (Essentially vertical circles with each hand.)

1g.   Then bring the left hand forward and flip it over, palm down. Move it across the front of the body, scanning the horizon, eyes following the hand. When it has gone as far as it can on the right side, curve it around and back, now moving from right to left. When it gets to the left side, make a wide curve around the left side, flipping the hand over again and bringing it into the left side.

1h.   Repeat this scanning motion with the right hand, and when the right hand gets to the right side, as it scans the horizon in front, bring the left hand around from the back, as if following after the right hand. Bring the right hand to the back until the left hand catches up. Meanwhile, once the left hand gets to the right side, curve it around and scan the horizon from right to left. (These horizon scans should be very purposeful movements, without bending the wrist -- only bend the elbow.) Scoop the left hand back in to the left side, and scoop the right hand in to the right side.

1l.   Bring both hands back to the waist and make them into fists.

2a.   With all the weight on the left foot, shift the right heel slightly inward to enable the body to turn to the right more easily.

2b.   Take one step to the right and face right with the arms forward. Then make three small inward circles with the right foot, keeping the sole on the ground.

2c.   Step forward with the right foot, dragging the heel of the left foot forward. Now make three outward small circles on the ground with the right foot.

2d.   Step forward again with the right foot, the heel of the left foot sliding forward. Now take five "jump" steps, like a boxer, and hit out with the fists circling each other while taking the steps. (Think of a boxer pummeling a boxing bag.)

2e.  With the right fist, strike out fast directly to your right (but don't extend the arm fully). You should now be standing parallell feet and body facing the original direction head turned to the right with the right arm extended to the right in a fist and the left fist at the left pectorial muscle.

2f.   Now pivot on the ball of the feet to the left which turns the body to the right and strike with the left fist to the right and at the same time bring the right fist to the right pectorial muscle. 

2g.   Repeat 2e.

3a.   Bring both fists close to the body.

3b.   Pivot feet so body faces left with arms forward and hands in fists, shifting weight to the right foot.

3c.   With the left foot, make three inward circles.

3d.   Step forward with the left foot dragging the heel of the right foot forward. With the left foot, make three outer circles.

3e.   Step forward with the left foot, sliding the right foot forward. Do five jump steps forward while rolling the fists forward as at a punching bag.

3f.   Shift your weight to face the front and at the same time strike to the left side with the left backhand/bent arm.

3g.   Pivot with the feet and strike with the right back of the hand. (pull the left close to left pectorial)

3h.   Pivot the feet to parallel and strike with the left back of the hand. (pull the right hand close the body)