In my constant pursuit to explore acting techniques that can help us as human beings to reach our full potential and have an awesome experience here on planet earth, stumbling on the Feldenkrais Method was inevitable.
First we must understand that before the Feledenkrais Method was Feldenkrais the person, Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, who began to develop his awareness raising therapy during the 1940s due to his own debilitating knee injury. His journey to heal himself, eventually became a series of calm, exploratory exercises that help others.
Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais
WHAT CAN THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD DO FOR YOU?
The benefits of the Feldenkrais Method are surprising. The exercises quietly and unknowingly shift your attention to the present. While the movements are neither strenuous or exhausting physically, they ask more from your brain than you body, and that’s a bit unsettling, at least it was for me.
MY FIRST CLASS
I’d been wanting to experience Feldenkrais and was lucky enough to have found the perfect instructor. That day, she made herself known by the rattling of glasses on a silver tray that she carried up to her attic home studio. Her name was Chrish and the decorative glasses were for tea we would drink after class. Chrish greeted her regular students by name, noticed me the newcomer, said hello, and then asked us all to stand. The class got underway –
Become aware of your surroundings. How do you feel today? Where in your body are you holding tension? Simply become aware of it that’s all. I was loving this. Exactly what I wanted. Then floor exercises composed of gentle movements, filled the hour. I wondered how these exercises could actually be doing anything, and then mid-way, it clicked. My brain suddenly and quite unexpectedly had become an active congruent participant with the body movments.
At the end of the 60-minute class we were asked once again to stand, become aware of our surroundings and check back in with ourselves, how were we feeling now? More self-aware I would have to say – I felt absolutely present – in my body. Over time the Feldenkrais promise to change habitual patterns of behavior that would allow new ways of thinking and doing to emerge, were enough to make me return to this class often.
FELDENKRAIS BENEFITS
Not only does the Feldenkrais Method teach the brain easier and more pleasing ways of doing things, it can do the following:
- create new ways for the brain to organise unconscious movement
- eliminate mental distraction
- deepen self-awareness
- improve overall health, posture, coordination, balance, and flexibility
- enhance fitness and performance
- increase self-confidence and joy of living
It’s a thumbs up for me and I urge you to give it a try.
The Feldenkrais Method is also worth your time if you’re using The Act As If Technique (a.k.a Roleplay) because it helps you focus on the intention of your OC so that your thoughts and behavior line up with your narrative.
How did Chrish’s class wind up? Did we drink the organic tea in the pretty glasses? Indeed we did! It was very hot and very strong. It was delicious!
I leave you with a few links that might help you pinpoint a Feldenkrais practitioner near you:
International Feldenkrais Federation
EuroTAB Council
If this blog was helpful or taught you something you didn’t know before (I hope so), I’d love to hear from you!
Sending you Joy –
Linda x
The Act AS IF Technique 