Sensorimotor Awareness (SMA) Part 1
February - April 2025
SENSORIMOTOR AWARENESS is a comprehensive course of study on how to heighten kinesthetic awareness and control of the body in action.
When the musculoskeletal system works according to its natural design, muscles do not strain but are naturally healthy and toned, joints function with maximum ease, breathing is full and unimpeded, and movement is effortless and light. By understanding specific bodily systems, it becomes possible to identify what we are doing to interfere with these systems and to become more highly aware in the process. The result is a practical understanding of our potential for gaining greater awareness and control in action as the basis for a new approach to living mindfully and healthfully. Sensorimotor awareness (SMA) offers detailed and in-depth experiential procedures and a path toward ongoing learning and self-knowledge.
Dr. Dimon will adapt the curriculum in response to issues and questions that emerge as we explore the following as a community of learners:
COURSE OVERVIEW: This is an 8-week series consisting of 16 live zoom sessions. Class will be held Mondays and Wednesdays at 12pm New York City time, beginning February 2025. Each live session will be recorded, and the recordings will be posted on the course platform to allow students to view them later. We have many students from around the world, and we welcome those who are outside of the New York time zone to view the recordings and send questions.
This course will be highly practical. Students will spend a lot of time practicing how to use physically supported positions – for example, the semi-supine position. The goal of the course is to empower participants to become their own teacher as they learn how to restore their own coordination, observe their own harmful manner of using their bodies, and enhance their own awareness and control. All theoretical content is presented to enhance understanding of the experiential.
There will be a live weekly review of class material and procedures every Thursday at 12pm NYC, led by James French, teaching assistant at The Dimon Institute. These will be recorded as well.
This is Part 1 of a three-part series. Although we encourage students to join us for all three parts to maintain continuity and community, and to get a bigger picture of this field of study, we recognize that not everyone's schedule allows. Students are welcome to enroll in any part they choose. If you enroll in Part 1 and then later on choose to enroll in a subsequent part, we will offer a discounted price.
Introduction
The body in action: a new field
Weekly Review of Procedures
Observing how we interfere with movement
Lengthening in stature and head balance: relationships that define the primary control
Weekly Review of Procedures
What is "directing"?
The organization of awareness and non-doing
Weekly Review of Procedures
The vertical stance
The inclined "monkey" position
Weekly Review of Procedures
The shoulder girdle
How the shoulders widen
Weekly Review of Procedures
The pelvis and hip joints
The pelvis and the back
Weekly Review of Procedures