A Feldenkrais student’s story
Hi Everyone!
One of my Feldenkrais students, Hafsa, was interviewed recently by the Fitness Director at Club One and she eloquently spoke about her experience with the Feldenkrais Method. I am happy to say that she gave me permission to share her thoughts with all of you. Hafsa is a very willing and open student. I had fun teaching her through Functional Integration sessions and during classes. Below are Hafsa’s words. I highlighted my favorite parts. Enjoy! (At the end of her interview are details about my next workshop. Press “read more” to get the full description.)
Donna
Why Feldenkrais – what are sessions like? What have been the benefits to you?
“I’d been trying all sorts of ideas for years to fix my unstable low back and neck sprain, but I wasn’t getting to the heart of the matter. I think I always knew that what I needed was someone to force me to be patient and listen to my body to help me find different options for movement and stability. One day I eavesdropped on one of Donna’s Feldenkrais classes and found exactly the kind of disciplined self-kindness and self-awareness discovery I was looking for. After I took my first class, Donna could tell immediately that I had a major movement problem and advised me to schedule a private session with her. When something is not clicking for you in your movements, when you know your’re not using the right muscles or the right bones, Feldenkrais helps you find it. It helps you find the way you used to move freely as a baby and helps translate what your body is trying to tell you. What surprised me the most is that Feldenkrais makes you face yourself with a lot of courage so you can learn how much your emotions and self-image play a role in how you move. My favorite part is how much I’m learning about how our bones are designed to counter-rotate and balance the body, helping me find different options for movement. There is no hiding in Feldenkrais. The tiniest movement of a rib or your jaw or the slightest shift of breath can make all the difference between making progress and having a major insight into your whole self.
How does the freedom of movement that you have achieved through Feldenkrais make you feel? “Feldenkrais makes me feel in awe of the human body, of my body and how it has sustained me through all the years of unhelpful holding patterns. I feel like I can literally feel more of my body and how the different parts work in conjunction with each other. Mostly, though, because I discovered all this knowledge about my body and myself with such subtle and patient technique it makes me want to apply subtlety and patience to the rest of my life, too. It’s become so obvious to me that when you stop and take the time to really pay attention you can find the most efficient, healthy, and rewarding solution to probably everything.”
If you had to summarize your movement story, what would it be?
“i had it inside me all along.” ~Hafsa M.
My next Feldenkrais Workshop: Stand On Your Own Two Feet, Sunday, July 11, 2010
A Feldenkrais® Workshop
Stand on Your Own Two Feet
Sunday, July 11, 2010
12:00 noon – 3:30 p.m.
$60.00 (early registration)
“Thus, if we eliminate from standing all that is extraneous to it, such as standing manly, femininely, authoritatively, nicely, efficiently, arrogantly, proudly, or meekly and all other cross motivations that we cultivate in childhood and adolescence with such wholehearted conviction of doing right, there remains standing as dictated by the structure of the body and its nervous mechanisms. A stance that is rare, but of which we are all capable.”~ Moshe Feldenkrais, The Potent Self
As Moshe Feldenkrais states above, every stance has a character. To get through life we need to have “character”. Learning how you physically create your “character” will allow you to choose a stance that is most appropriate for whatever situation you are in. For example, during an argument it is beneficial to be capable of standing differently than when brushing your teeth or standing in line.
In this workshop, through the exploration of Feldenkrais®, Awareness Through Movement® lessons, we will study “neutral” standing. Neutral is defined as being able to move in any direction at any time without having to reorganize yourself. This way of standing will allow quicker responses; better balance; and better alignment. These changes will also help to prevent joint injuries from developing in your legs.
Being able to experience “neutral” standing will create choice in your life. Learn to become aware of your “character stance” compared to a “neutral stance” so you can choose to stand the way you want.
Donna Bervinchak will teach this workshop at the Alonzo King LINES Dance Center at 26 Seventh St. / Market St. in San Francisco. To sign up for the workshop call the dance center at 415.863.3040 x221. Space is limited so pre-registration is required.