So what is this thing called Feldenkrais that pops up so often in these pages? It's much easier to experience it than to describe it verbally, but this is a log of words. So, simply put, the Feldenkrais Method® is a system of small, easy movements that enhance body self-awareness. Even more simply, it provides a method for learning how to know what you are doing as you are doing it. All of this is, of course, in the realm of movements of the body. But if you stop to think about it, everything we do involves movement in some way, sometimes very subtly.
What good is that? Well, a couple of things stand out.
First, if you have some pain, stiffness or tension that recurs despite repeated efforts at treatment, rest, exercise, drugs, etc., the way you use your body may be contributing to your problem. If so, becoming aware of the movement pattern that causes or contributes to the problem might be the first step in learning to use yourself in a less problem-causing way. For example, some people with lower back pain find that they are unknowingly contracting their back and stomach muscles in a way that overworks the back muscles to the point of spasm. When they become aware of this pattern and learn to control it, the spasms can be reduced or eliminated.
A second area of body awareness benefit is in learning or refining athletic or performance skills. Again, the culprit in limiting improvements may be unrecognized inefficient body use patterns. Once recognized, these patterns can often come under voluntary control, and more productive body use put in their place. For example, a good golfer might suddenly find shots going off line, away from the intended target. And this despite the best efforts to align himself or herself accurately, efforts that have worked in the past. With the help of a Feldenkrais practitioner, the golfer may find a previously unrecognized twist or tilt of the spine. Being unrecognized, the pattern can't be released or compensated for. When the golfer is able to do this, the shots have a good chance of flying true again.
This second area is not exclusively reserved for athletes or performers. Most activities of everyday life are mildly like performance or athletic movements. For example, just walking (especially up or down stairs) becomes difficult for many older people. Walking well depends on a diagonal relationship between the hips and the shoulders--i.e., the shoulder and opposite hip go forward and backward together (try it). If the shoulder and hip on the same side go forward and backward at the same time, it can put lots of stress on the legs and it can compromise balance and stability. This pattern may be due to unrecognized stiffening or the torso, neck, or pelvis. Often it's possible to become aware of this pattern and wake up the nervous sytem to regain the degree of control it's capable of. If so, the older person might gain more easy mobility and reduced risk of falling.
So what is the Feldenkrais Method? It's a method to help you learn what you are doing so that you can change it if you need to. As Moshe Feldenkrais said often, "If you don't know what you are doing, you can't do what you want."
Very cool. Very fascinating. Very useful. Very practical.