“Hooking the toe” is a funny name. You do start by holding the toe, but then you progress through increasingly challenging movements in the hips and joints of the leg.

These lessons are about creating wildly flexible hips with a wildly flexible spine and chest. Many people don’t realize that muscles in the hips must be coordinated with the muscles along the spine, sometimes until it is too late and too many compensations for too long have caused injury.

This series will highlight that vital coordination.

TIP: To lengthen the back and unbend the leg, you must be easy with yourself. If you pull, stretch, strain, or yank, you will not like the results. Instead of applying force to the leg, apply intelligence to folding the ribs. Invite multiple angles in the ribs and pelvis while maintaining lightness in the arm.

As with all Feldenkrais lessons, the movements progress slowly and incrementally.

Hooking the toe #1, 38 min
Hooking the toe #2, rt leg, 27 min
Hooking the toe #3, flop knees, different handholds, 31 min
Hooking the toe #4, both knees side to side, bend toes, 47 min
Hooking the toe #5 part 1, hands and knees, 29 min
Hooking the toe #5 part 2, sitting, back, side, 24 min
Hooking the toe #6, swivel all ways, 40 min
Hooking the toe #7, diagonal hold, knees to floor, 37 min