Slowness of Movement Is the Key to Awareness and Learning

Norman Doidge (2015) points out that Moshé Feldenkrais encapsulated the importance of slow movement awareness with the following: “The delay between thought and action is the basis for awareness” (Doidge, 2015, p. 172).

According to Doidge (2015, p. 169), Feldenkrais is referred to as “one of the first neuroplasticians” who was writing about brain plasticity as early as 1949 (Feldenkrais, 1949). At that time, as noted by Doidge (2015, p. 169), Feldenkrais was of the view “that the brain could form new neural paths.” These new neural pathways, as referenced by Doidge (2015), would be shaped and programmed according to the thoughts and actions of an individual, especially movements that were slow.

Feldenkrais emphasised his years of judo experience

Source: Image by ChatGPT/Open AI

This principle of slow movement creating awareness was, according to Doidge (2015), influenced by Feldenkrais’ years of learning, training, and teaching the Eastern martial art of judo. Doidge notes that Feldenkrais emphasised his years of judo experience by stating that slow movements were considered an absolute and immutable part of the entire judo training ethos. This ethos served the purposes of technical development, body and mind judo awareness training, and providing insights into the intricacies and subtle technicalities of judo skills. All of this aimed to cultivate a deep understanding of the essence of judo, both as a skill and as a way of contemplating how the judo body moves in unison with the entire body.

Doidge (2015) notes that, from his observations, Feldenkrais recognised the principle of slow movement and body awareness, which he referred to as the “technical mind,” similarly observed in the martial art movements of tai chi. Furthermore, regarding tai chi, as emphasised by Feldenkrais and reported by Doidge (2015, pp. 172-173), “People learning tai chi practice their movements at glacial speed, with virtually no physical effort.” This perspective was emphasized by Feldenkrais (1941) in his book Practical Unarmed Combat, according to Doidge.

When Two Sensory or Motor Events Occur Simultaneously, They Become Linked

Source: Gerd Altman/Pixabay

Doidge (2015, p. 173) further noted how Feldenkrais “emphasized the need to repeat actions very slowly and calmly and noted that hurried movements are bad for learning.” Additionally, from his personal neuroscience research perspective, Doidge (2015, p. 173) wrote: “Slower movements lead to more subtle observations and map differentiation so that more change is possible. Remember, when two sensory or motor events occur repeatedly and simultaneously in the brain, they become linked, because neurons that fire together wire together, and the brain maps for those actions merge.”

Feldenkrais Principle Six Point 1: Reversibility of movement

The concept of slow movement learning was further enhanced by the idea of reversibility of movement, which originated from Feldenkrais’ association with judo. According to Doidge (2015), ‘this idea of reversibility of movement’ had the concept of ‘intelligent action.’

Source: NVD/Pixabay

“Actions, to be intelligent, must be performed in such a way that, at any given moment, the movement can be stopped or reversed – turned in the opposite direction. The secret was never to move – or live – compulsively.” As far as Feldenkrais was concerned, performing or living compulsively was limiting: it was not creative, organic, or dynamic; it was, in fact, “the opposite of doing [movements in] a differentiated way.” (Doidge, 2015, pp. 195-196).

Compulsive action, unlike differentiated action, according to Doidge (2015), citing Feldenkrais (1941, 1972, 1981), is, in fact, “the opposite of doing [movements in] a differentiated way. The compulsive action, unlike the differentiated one, is always done the same way, and ironically, because so much mental effort is used, it is often performed mechanically, with little awareness” (Doidge, 2015, pp. 195-196).

Even though I recognised that this “compulsive” training was a strict and immutable part of my Goju karate life, I also discovered, through my many conversations with John Famechon, that the training regime he experienced under the guidance of Ambrose Palmer, his trainer and manager, certainly equated with the idea and action noted by Feldenkrais and Doidge in relation to compulsive action.

The “Compulsive” Goju Creative Breakthrough

Evocation of a breakthrough

Source: Ragnar Purje, Responsibility Theory 2014

Of course, I did not know it at the time; however, I am now very much aware that the intellectual and insightful transformative breakthrough (which eventually led to the application, creativity and development of what became my complex brain-based multi-movement therapy and rehabilitation program for John) actually began in January 1970.

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This was when I began training in the traditional, extremely demanding, and unyieldingly rigorous training of the Chojun Miyagi and Gogen Yamaguchi martial art of Goju (HardSoft) style of Karate-Do (the way of the empty hand). Although the training was intense, strenuous, and exhausting, I found all of this to be exhilarating and inspiring.

What also impressed and inspired me was the intense focus on the technical quality of each technique and the absolute commitment to the uncompromising integrity of the entire training regime. This was true not only of this first training session but also of what followed thereafter.

Reflecting on my personal life journey, I recognise that if I had not started – and importantly – continued my Goju karate training, I would not have commenced my tertiary studies or developed the intuitive intellectual insights and complex multi-movement creativity that I applied when I started my therapy with John on December 18, 1993. I also would not have been invited to undertake my Doctoral Thesis research, which was carried out under the invitation and supervision of Professor Ken Purnell at CQU University.

Goju Slow Neuro-Burning and Action in a Fraction

Throughout my years of experience in Goju karate training (which continues to this day), I have engaged in focused, slow-movement precision training and maximum speed training in each session. This method of training is inherently part of the Goju system. Regardless of whether the action was fast or slow (formal in the dojo or informal during personal training sessions), every training session, every technique, and every movement (fast or slow) has continually sought perfection. I now refer to this as the “Goju slow neuro-burning and action in a fraction for the purpose of always seeking perfection.”

John Famechon, The Champ, poetry in motion

Source: Photograph Graham Hartley

Regarding slow movements, I intuitively and creatively applied slow, complex multi-movement while working with John. The primary aim of this new and innovative therapy was to physically change John’s brain; which I hoped would (at least this was the hypothesis from the outset, without ever knowing this would take place) lead to changes in both John’s brain and his physical and motor behaviour. According to the evidence, John’s presenting condition shifted from being incapacitated for 28 months – following his accident – to a point where, within 10 to 12 weeks, John began to walk independently. Four weeks later, John was able to run for 10 metres. This ultimately led to a situation where John and I engaged in sparring while John pedalled on a stationary exercise bike. John Famechon, the former Featherweight Champion of the World, was indeed poetry in motion.