The second class introduces the concept of the “fish body”. Anatomically I show how the “fish body” (the axial skeleton) forms the core of the body and how in evolutionary terms this is a far older structure than the upper or lower limbs (Shubin, 2008). I talk a little about how this is represented in different cultures, particularly in relation to the spine (McHose & Frank, 2006).

I show a little more of the structure of the ribcage and thoracic spine, pointing out that there are 100-120 joints in the thoracic region which creates the possibility of a wide range of different movements, many more than most people assume. We look at the dif- ferent ranges of side-bending along the spine and how fixed patterns of holding in the chest can create apparent differences in leg length that show up in walking, standing and lying on the side.

We explore two side-bending movements, both of which can be done with the image of simply using the legs to get the earth away so the spine is free to move as it did in the ocean. The “fish swish” is initiated by imagining a filmy fish tail as an extension of the spine, moving it side-to-side, and sensing how the movement travels up the torso (Olsen & McHose, 1991). The side-to-side serpentine (Paxton, 2008) is initiated from the top of the head which travels in a figure-of eight pathway through space, while the the spine be- low receives the movement of the head, passing it downward and moves alternately through C- and S-shaped sideways curves as a result. Experimenting with initiating a simi- lar movement from the tail, often improves the head-initiated version.

This side-to-side movement of the spine is a component in walking (Paxton, 2008). The ATM class explores in detail opening and closing different areas along the sides of the ribs. Towards the end, it relates these movements to the head and the legs, and also to the shoulders and hips. After the ATM, people spontaneously begin exploring the “fish swish” and the side-to-side serpentine reporting it to be softer and lighter now, as is walking.

After the self-directed exploration people clearly report perceiving themselves as wider and deeper and the world predominantly in terms of left and right.