I think most people, when injured, think that part of getting better is working hard, struggling, fighting through the pain. I like Feldenkrais work because, for the client, it is the antithesis of this. In Feldenkrais work, you are met where you are, and invited to investigate yourself with attention, and compassion. Some problems will not reveal themselves with force. Some problems must be heard and understood before they release, change, move on. What seems like “whack a mole” different parts of a whole pattern presenting over time. It helps if you have a paradigm that looks at the whole human.

“It’s not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it.”
~ Lena Horne

Feldenkrais Method™ is a movement-based method of learning grounded in principles of biomechanics, human development, neuroplasticity, and function. It uses gentle movements to bring attention to parts of the body that are less clear in one’s attention/self-awareness. Clarifying a person’s self-awareness allows one to notice patterns and habits of holding and moving that tend to get in the way of true intentions/ desired function.

Let’s say you have a physical limitation. The human body has enough resilience to find many ways to do a thing well. What often happens is that while the injury is healing, you learn coping mechanisms that help at the time but eventually get in your way. Over time, our way of moving and holding ourselves is a collection of unconscious adaptions and mal-adaptions gathered from the experience of our life.

The Feldenkrais Method™ works well around unconscious movement patterns, specifically with issues of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. When trying to unlearn any habit, several key conditions must be met. Moshe Feldenkrais was working with neuroplasticity long before it was a research topic. Using neuroplasticity and metaphoric language, Feldenkrais work can be used for learning, unlearning, and relearning ways of relating to yourself and the world.