Everything we do involves movement, whether intentional or unintentional.
And every movement and activity involves the whole person. For instance, you might say, "I like to garden," or "I am cooking," or "I'm going for a run." You probably would not say, "My knees like to garden," "My eyes like to cook," or "My feet are going for a run." Yet when one part is painful, or appears to be holding us back, we isolate it, assuming that "it" is the only problem.
We've all heard the phrase, "Everything is connected." That is true of the environment, the community, a family, and everything in between. It also applies to you - a human being. One big system composed of many sub-systems, each communicating with all the others. Some interchanges are direct; others are more indirect. However, whether they are obvious or subtle, the clarity of these connections - these movements - determines the quality of your experiences.
As we become aware of this "personal network," and honor it, we can prevent injuries, and come closer to our true potential. We feel more balanced because we ARE more balanced.
So, one way or another, the participation - or lack of it - of each of our members affects how all of the others work.
Stress, injury, and habit can sometimes lead to movement patterns that create a negative cycle of limitations.
The Feldenkrais discipline uses the exploration of observable movement as a vehicle to increase awareness and clarify what's going on. The goal is to provide renewed choices in how we move through our daily life.
True change begins when we become aware of how we compensate for the (back, neck, knee, eye...) that is "not working." As these co-dependent relationships become more clear to us, our options increase. Our nervous system has the innate intelligence to recognize and assimilate new patterns that are more beneficial: Ways that use our energy more efficiently, with less wasted effort and less harmful stress.
Approaching our potential is all about improving how we organize ourselves: How we use the resources we are given.
The Feldenkrais Method is a practice - a discipline that is taught in two formats: Functional Integration individual lessons and Awareness Through Movement Classes.
Functional Integration(R) (FI)
Functional Integration is a one-to-one approach tailored to the client's unique goal and needs. The student lies on a low padded table and the practitioner moves him or her in noninvasive ways to facilitate communication between the part being moved and the rest of the body (READ MORE).
Awareness Through Movement(R) (ATM)
ATM classes are taught in a group format. They consist of a series of verbally guided, sequential movement processes. Since awareness is the goal, they are not strenuous. (READ MORE).
Because they each target movement efficiency, both modalities promote:
- Improved posture, grace, balance, and co-ordination.
- Fine-tuning performance, for athletes, performing artists, visual artists.
- Progress with fitness routines and prescribed exercises.
- Facilitation of recovery from injury or surgury.
- Recognition of stressful behaviors to prevent injury.
- Improved communication skills: Facial expression, use of eyes, body
language.
- Alleviation of back and neck pain, headaches, TMJ problems.
- Improved emotional response to stress.
- Improved digestion.
- Enrichment of meditation practices.
- A positive and active role in your health care.
- Improved functioning when diagnosed with a chronic condition.
See Jane Brody's article on the Feldenkrais Method
in the New York Times
Contact me:
Jane Ella Matthews, MEd, GCFP,
(864)918-9281
jemtt1@icloud.com
in the New York Times
Contact me:
Jane Ella Matthews, MEd, GCFP,
(864)918-9281
jemtt1@icloud.com
Feldenkrais Saluda is located at
27 Pearson Falls Road, Saluda NC.
Please phone or e-mail for directions.
The Feldenkrais Method is an educational approach to self improvement. It is not a medical treatment, physical therapy, or massage. It does not involve forceful manipulations or chiropractic "adjustments." 27 Pearson Falls Road, Saluda NC.
Please phone or e-mail for directions.
Massage Therapy is a separate modality that is beneficial to health and a sense of well-being. Click here for information about Therapeutic Massage.
Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Awareness Through Movement® and Functional Integration® are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild® of North America
®
"Movement is life. Life is a process. Improve the quality of the process and you improve the quality of life itself."
-Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais
