The Awareness Connection

In this episode, Ted and James discuss childhood motor development as it relates to education. Seen in its fullest meaning, FM Alexander's work provides a foundation for education. But it's not so easy to say what that means, or to come up with concrete ways to implement the work in a school setting. Ted lays out a three-part analytical framework for understanding the developing child. First, the...

In episode 20 of The Awareness Connection, Ted and James discuss the need for a curriculum in our subject. Ted defines the notion of curriculum, discussing what the word means and how it applies to education. We discuss the writings of F.M. Alexander, especially his personal narrative, "Evolution of a Technique," in the context of a curriculum. Ted compares "Evolution of a Technique" to Herrigel's...

Ted and James discuss the fact that the body has "design specs," in a similar way that everyday tools, eg a garden hose, have design specs. A garden hose can get kinked up, which causes the flow of water to get interfered with. To solve that problem requires that someone untwist the hose. In a similar way, the human body has a way in which it is designed to function when it is functioning well, wh...

Ted and James took the opportunity this episode to follow up on the developmental movement series with a discussion of the functional design of the human body. If we are a result of an evolutionary progression, then what design did evolution come up with? How exactly does the human body work?

Ted and James continue their discussion of developmental movement.

Ted and James continue the multi-episode series on developmental movement.

Ted Dimon and James French continue the multi-episode series on developmental movement with a discussion of the use and purpose of the procedures.

Ted Dimon and James French continue their discussion of developmental movement.

This is the first of a multi-episode discussion on the subject of developmental movement.

In this episode we discuss the emergence of novel forms in animal evolution. Careful to distinguish his views from that of "intelligent design," Ted asserts that through the process of natural evolution, animal forms emerge that exhibit highly effective, architecturally brilliant functional designs. Examples include the wing, but also include human upright posture, which is often maligned as an "e...

Ted Dimon and James French explore the intricate relationship between mind-body awareness, consciousness, and human development. They discuss the significance of breathing as a conscious practice, the levels of being in evolution, and how consciousness serves as a transformational tool. The dialogue emphasizes the emergent properties of life, the synergy between consciousness and evolution, and th...

Ted Dimon and James French delve into the intricate topic of breathing, exploring its significance in mind-body awareness, health, and human development. They discuss the mechanics of breathing, the role of the body in facilitating effective respiration, and the importance of restoring natural breathing patterns. The conversation also highlights the benefits of nostril breathing and emphasizes the...

In this episode, Ted and James delve into the complex topic of stress, exploring its origins, the body's response mechanisms, and the importance of achieving balance in our lives. They discuss how traditional views of stress often focus on reduction rather than understanding its roots and how to integrate stress into a healthy lifestyle. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and contr...

In this conversation, Ted Dimon and James French explore the intricate relationship between the musculoskeletal system, breathing, and vocalization. They discuss how understanding the body's design and functionality can lead to better movement and pain management, particularly for musicians. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of kinesthetic awareness and practical applications for improving bo...

Ted Dimon and James French explore the concept of sensorimotor awareness, emphasizing its importance in understanding bodily tension and kinesthetic awareness. They discuss the need for a disciplined approach to learning how to use one's body effectively, the curriculum associated with sensorimotor awareness, and the pedagogical procedures that facilitate this learning. The conversation highlights...

Ted Dimon and James French delve into the intricate relationship between awareness, mindfulness, and human consciousness. They explore the stages of awareness, the nature of attention, and the importance of conscious intention in daily life. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in mindfulness practices and the role of positive self-talk in maintaining focus. Listeners are encouraged to...

Hosts Ted Dimon and James French delve into the intricate topic of human awareness. They explore the psychology behind awareness, discussing its emergence, development, and the various levels that exist, including instinctive, selective, and mindful awareness. The conversation emphasizes the importance of valuing higher stages of awareness and how they can lead to improved physical and mental heal...

Continuing the discussion on muscles and awareness, Ted Dimon and James French dive deeper into the mechanics of muscle function, revealing why lengthening (not just contracting) is fundamental to how our bodies are designed to work. Key insights include: The Tensile Nature of Muscles: How they function like living springs, resisting being pulled apart to create effortless posture and movement Res...

Dr. Ted Dimon and James French explore a crucial distinction: the difference between passive mindfulness and active consciousness in movement. The discussion focuses on the significance of moving beyond noticing tension or misalignment to actively preventing habitual reactions and redirecting the body with intention. To dive deeper on this topic Read our Insight on restoring the body to its natura...

In this episode of The Awareness Connection , Dr. Ted Dimon and James French explore the groundbreaking concept of tensegrity and its profound implications for understanding the human body. Coined by Buckminster Fuller, tensegrity describes a structure where continuous tension and local compression create an efficient, self-supporting system. This architectural principle applies to the body, revea...

In this episode of The Awareness Connection , Dr. Theodore Dimon and James French explore the distinction between conscious and subconscious movement, highlighting how most of our bodily actions occur automatically, without deliberate control. They discuss how these involuntary processes — such as posture and coordination — can be improved through kinesthetic awareness rather than voluntary effort...

In the debut episode of The Awareness Connection , co-hosts Dr. Ted Dimon and James French introduce some of the compelling themes they'll explore in the podcast. To kick us off, they broach the subject of educational vs. therapeutic models of awareness and delve into the distinction between scientific and educational approaches to observing awareness. Ted presents the concept of raising movement...

Welcome to The Awareness Connection. Stay tuned for conversations and insights on mind-body awareness, learning, and development.