We then did six different Makko-Ho stretches to use the different parts of our body in a more structured manner with more purpose and focus, this is done because the stretches are designed to work the twelve main meridians. They help to realise our energetic strengths and weaknesses.
In pairs, we worked together to help one anothers movements, we did simple exercises such as following a partner, being led without sight by only a hand and following someone's hand with our noses. We also tried to mirror our partner's image by copying any movements they made. This helped to relax our bodies whilst working without sight and therefore becoming more aware of the space around us. We were also tested to try different positions as we had to follow our partner and they did not always make the exercise a simple one.
The main thing learned this week was the patterns of total body connectivity, something which has been explored by Peggy Hackney in great detail. She has suggested that the process of patterning the following body connections, which begins at birth, allows us to develop to a point where we can be fully functional and expressive, something which is vital in a performance.
