How To Get Out Of Your Own Way
Feldenkrais (pronounced
fel'-den-krice) distinguishes itself from other approaches by working
with you as a dynamic, self-correcting individual. It’s not about fixing you, but rather,
helping you perform your activities with pleasure and success, and regain control over your life.
When things stop working well, it’s usually because your movement habits conflict
with the actions you’re trying to perform (sort of like trying to drive while stepping on
the gas and brake simultaneously.) Although pain and dysfunction seem to come out of
nowhere, chances are you’ve actually been limiting yourself –
perhaps injuring yourself – for a long time.
The key to improving is (1) learning to experience what you do,
both deliberately and unconsciously, (2) feeling how
you do it, (3) finding easier alternatives.
That’s where Feldenkrais comes in. This three-step process uses gentle, tactile guidance
and ingenious exercises, which lead you to consciously feel how you interfere with yourself
and then get out of your own way. Sometimes you simply refine your current skills.
Often, you can suddenly do things that used to be too hard.
One thing’s certain: you learn how to do the same old things in brand
new ways, and you feel better, lighter, nimbler, and more precise
while doing them!