Limmud Bay Area 2016

This workshop will explore the intersection between the uniquely human practice of standing upright on two feet and the role this plays in the Jewish practice of “standing before God” to facilitate prayer. After a brief look at the evolution from quadruped to bipedal gait and the accompanying mechanics of the human foot and spine, we will explore the proprioceptive dynamics of standing, walking and balancing to reveal the small, but hugely significant journey between the heel and the forefoot, a journey that not only allows us to “stand before God”, but brings us into a constant relational state of mind.  We will discuss the fascinating emphasis on standing during prayer, a ritual that expresses the essence of what it means to be a human being balancing on those “ridiculously tiny platforms”, our feet.