Arms Like Wings
This week, the class was dedicated to the use of arms. A revelation for me during my years of Alexander Technique training was considering the shoulder blades and clavicles as part of the arms. If we map the structure of the arms, we see that they connect to the central part of the torso via the collarbones, making these the structural beginning of the arms.
Typically, we think of the arms as limbs hanging at our sides, enabling us to reach, grasp, and place objects. Structurally, they are part of the appendicular skeleton, which also includes the pelvis and legs. Our arms are a complex combination of bones and connective tissue, offering many possibilities for movement thanks to the variety of joints in each section. Within the arms, we find spirals, deviations, flexions, and extensions that support various actions and fine motor skills.
Structurally, arms share similarities with wings—minus the feathers. The range of movements our arms allow enables us to perform daily activities, engage in sports, and develop fine motor skills for tasks like knitting or watchmaking.
Tracing the anatomical structure of the arms from the hands, we find the long fingers extending to the seven-bone structure called the wrist. The mobility of the hand and wrist is a remarkable fusion of mechanics and communication, allowing for gestures that complement language. The forearm beautifully demonstrates spirals in the body. The radius spirals over the ulna, enabling pronation and supination of the hand. At the elbow, we also have a hinging action, similar to chopping. From elbow to shoulder, the humerus is a bone with a rounded head that connects to the scapula, allowing for almost full rotation. The shoulder blade glides along the back of the ribs and connects to the clavicle, ultimately attaching the full arm to the top of the ribs. This map shows us that the beginning of the arms is at the sternoclavicular joint.
TRY THIS: Place a finger on that intersection (sternoclavicular joint) and move your arm in several directions to notice how the movement affects the whole structure.
In terms of connective tissue, the arms contain myofascial lines that extend from the periphery to the centre of the body. Thomas Myers describes a set of deep and superficial myofascial lines that run along the front and back of the body, linking the arms to the torso. I find these anatomy trains help integrate fluidity in movement thanks to the connectivity they offer. The thumb and palm connect to the front of the torso, which we can feel when pressing or pushing, while the pinkie and dorsal part of the hand relate to the upper back, noticeable when reaching up for a top cupboard.
TRY THIS: Thinking of these front and back lines, move your arms with slight resistance. This can be done using the density of water or playing with an elastic band. Initiate the movement from the thumb or palm to engage the chest, then start moving from the back of the hand to feel the upper back.
During early development, babies first use their mouths to explore reaching, grasping, and releasing—actions that later transfer to the hands. The hands will then explore in coordination with the feet and other surfaces, forming the foundation for locomotion. Over time, the baby will crawl, hop, walk, jump, and eventually talk. As they learn to stand, their arms provide safety by aiding in balance, offering support, and integrating the front and back of the body’s centre. The movement of the arms could easily resemble that of an amphibian transitioning from water to land, while the legs follow a primal pattern, cooperating with vertical movement.
This class aimed to deepen our understanding of how the arms connect to the body, fostering integrated movement within a broader perspective of bodily function. As always, this somatic exploration lives in the subtle layers of experience and is open to personal interpretation. Our arms will stay seamlessly connected to both the front and back of our bodies, moving with greater grace and coordination as we bring mindful awareness to them.
References:
Myers, T. (2015). Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists. Barcelona: Enservier.
Moore, D. (2015). Yoga and The Alexander Technique: Intelligent Injury-Free Yoga. Melbourne: Einstein’s Moon.
Simmons, R. J. (2015). The Evolution of Movement: A Guide to the Procedures Originated by Raymond Dart. London: Mouritz.
Bainbridge Cohen, B. (2018). Basic Neurocellular Patterns: Exploring Developmental Movement. El Sobrante, CA: Burchfield Rose.
