After working with clients 1:1 doing Functional Integration® my students report feeling great. And the same goes for folks in my Awareness Through Movement® classes. One of the questions they ask is…
“How do I keep this wonderful feeling?”
If you go to the gym for say 6 weeks and you feel fit and strong, do you then stop exercising and actually keep that fitness? NO.
The more you do it the more it sticks.
Feldenkrais is changing your body in a deep way using your mind-body connection. You’re changing your movement habits bit by bit. Your pain lessens/goes away and you gain a lot more comfort. But habits are stubborn, the older the problem the longer you need to work on it.
The more you become mentally and physically familiar with the approach the easier it is to keep that wonderful feeling on your own. You can do this by joining a class or coming for 1:1 sessions. This way you have the support you need which is very important in the beginning.
If you are new to it all it’s very strange and almost counter-intuitive that less is more… small movements, focused attention, going slowly, and doing just what’s comfortable makes you feel terrific. If you’ve never done any Feldenkrais before you can still benefit.
Once you become familiar with the approach you can get back that wonderful feeling or closer to it with just a few minutes on the floor. That’s what I do.
Here’s a few movements to support you in your path to feeling great. Choose whatever exercise applies to you in the moment.
3 Easy Moves to Help You Feel Better
To start:
Lie on the floor on your back and notice how your body contacts the floor. Do this for at least one minute then start with whatever exercise applies to you in the moment. Then do it at the end and notice differences. These movements should feel good.
1- Neck Soreness
Lie on your stomach. Put one hand on top of the other. Rest your forehead on your hands. Slowly roll your pelvis right to left. Notice the movement going all the way up through your back to your head.
2- Low Back Discomfort
Lie on your back with knees bent, feet on the floor. Rock your pelvis towards your head so your low back goes nearer to the floor, then rock it towards your feet so your low back comes away from the floor. Feel the movement traveling up through your whole trunk.
3- Upper Back Soreness
Lie on your back knees bent feet on the floor. Hug yourself with your two arms. Your arm across your chest. Right-hand holds your left shoulder blade your left-hand holds your right shoulder blade. Using your hand, slowly lift your right shoulder blade from the floor, then your left shoulder blade. You are now rocking your upper body from right to left.
Let me know how it goes and any questions let me know.
If you’re interested in joining a class there is a new semi-private series starting up mid-September. Also available on-line if you live far away. Check it out here.
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