Awakenings

Awakenings

Recently, I’ve had students share their experiences of discovering benefits for themselves. They are learning to make a difference. We explore when we tap into being present and awaken to subtle indicators. The Feldenkrais Method®, a dynamic learning system of the Soma, of body and mind, enables you to recognize these differences.

There’s a gap between being taught and learning. Compare, for a moment, the difference between hearing and listening. There is a difference, and one appears to integrate into how you act and an awakening learning. I would suggest that listening awakens an attention to create rapport that can be with yourself and anyone you engage with, whether at work, with colleagues, family, or friends.

What’s the difference between stability and static? Stable intends that you are secure while moving gently without any force. Static is the absence of allowing any movement.

I share that static stretches too often create injury where there is force to resist any movement, usually at joint structures or within a muscle structure where the tendons of that muscle are overstretched, recoil and tighten more.

Compare this in an Awareness Through Movement (ATM)® lesson when you are instructed to bring your feet to stand from resting with legs long. You transition your feet to stand with knees oriented towards the ceiling when you lie on your back.

While you are instructed to keep your feet and knees in the vertical as you roll your pelvis a little from side to side, notice that your feet and knees, while stable are able to shift a little but instead of tilting from side to side, notice did one knee move a bit further away from you then the other as you roll your pelvis to the other side, did that relationship of a gentle responsive movement happen? It’s the intentional sensing of yourself that allows your nervous system to awaken and make connections.

“The aim is to create conditions under which learning takes place, and in which a person feels free!” Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais

I invite you to join me as I share the gifts of exploring for yourself ATM lessons. Just like going to the ATM machine at your bank and depositing money or withdrawing funds, you are also depositing awakenings that will dawn on you as well as withdrawing from excess effort and discomfort by learning instead of being taught.

Reach out to ask a question, inquire how this can benefit you, or if you are curious to experience a private session, whether live in person for hands-on Functional Integration (FI)® or a virtual session if you are not near me. I can also make referrals to you when you live elsewhere so that you can inquire and find someone who feels like a fit for you.

“In the course of the lessons, the reader will find that the exercises suggested are in themselves simple, involving only easy movements. But they are intended to be carried out in such a way that those who do them will discover changes in themselves even after the first lesson.” Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais

I’ll be getting you more information next week with an update regarding my trip to work in the Ann Arbor 1 training program. In the meantime, I hope I have earned the privilege of your time and attention and awakened a curiosity to learn more for yourself.

Warmest,

Peggi