The Possibilities of Feet
Filed under All, Movement, Videos
When I teach movement sequences that involve any amount of dexterity or coordination of the muscles of the feet, students usually respond with a chorus of groans and protestations that my directions are impossible. So here are a few videos and links to inspire you — people who quite competently use their feet for tasks we usually think require hands.
You might not aspire to be this capable with your own feet, but you might begin to look for opportunities to give your feet some challenges. I’ll have some suggestions for you in my next post, Feats to Challenge your Feet.
Here are three short clips to get you started. In this one, Sarah Kovac uses her feet to crochet:
Sabine Becker uses her feet to apply make up, chop vegetables, type, drive, and use a TV remote:
Barb uses her feet to care for her infant son, go to a Burger King drive thru, fold laundry, shop at a grocery store:
Here is a longer clip about Jessica Parks. It includes footage of her as a toddler, as a high school student in class, and at home. She uses her feet for activities including driving a tractor, putting in contact lenses, and counting money:
This woman in China uses her feet to harvest crabs, make dumplings, thread a needle, play cards, and light a fire.
If you are interested in more visuals of people using their feet for “handwork,” look into these links:
Sabine Becker’s site is www.nmspiritdancer.com. She is a motivational speaker and makes 3″ tall sewn and beaded spirit dolls. Her video page has more clips including her making dolls and surfing.
Sarah Kovac blogs and posts videos at: www.SarahKovac.com If you are interested in seeing more footage of how capable legs and feet can be, I encourage you to go to her video page and watch clips of Sarah driving a car, changing her baby’s diaper, and applying make-up.
Rusty Redfern uses his feet to make pen and ink drawings, which are for sale at: www.redfernoriginals.com
In the 1940s, Shirley Ross of Australia uses her feet to work a manual typewriter: go to YouTube clip
What about you?
Any reactions on seeing these videos that you’d like to share?
Have you tried any new activities with your own feet lately? Results?
Oct 18
