The rider, showing back musculature, demonstrates the density of the deeper involuntary spinal muscles. These respond to the wish, will, and intention of the head (going up). They are overlaid with limb muscles (voluntary), which can disturb natural lengthening, as can abdominal muscles (innervated from the back T7-L12), the antagonists of Alexander's “Antagonistic Action” (1906).
Illustration and text by Rugg-Gunn are well worth considering in relation to the thought “knees forward and away:” uncomplication for a horse-back rider (e.g., III.49)
|