” Movement is life. Life is a process. Improve the quality of the process and you improve the quality of life itself”, Moshe Feldenkrais.
This slow movement practice was first written about in 1949 by Feldenkrais, who “was a cartographer, engineer and science officer with the British Admiralty”, The Globe and Mail, Amy Verner, writes (L4 Thursday, June 10,2010). Rather than experience surgery for a soccer injury he developed this rehabilitation technique, “using his own self awareness”. Very avant-guarde for his time. It was not until the 1960s that he began teaching others his techniques.
It is interesting that while yoga, for example, has received such public acclaim in the past several decades, Feldenkrais still evokes questions from people who have no idea what it is nor what is entailed with the movements. It seems many don’t even know how to pronounce the name. Lying on the floor, gentle movements are employed that are slow, and seem sometimes to be excruciating so, as one becomes in tune with the process of moving.
Having taken Feldenkrais about 20 years ago I now wonder why I stopped going to this non-invasive, quieting and calming movement class. I am fortunate to know one of the instructors who teaches these classes in my locale and who is highly experienced. WHAT AM I WAITING FOR? What could be better movement for people with fibromyalgia? Gentle, slow, and intended to “re-pattern the nervous system ” (Verner). Just what I need!
As Feldenkrais himself has written….”turn the impossible into the possible, the difficult into the easy, and the easy into pleasant”. WHY NOT?
Excellent article. I was finally correctly diagnosed with fibromyalgia after 23 years of seeking answers to what was happening to my physical body! I had not heard of Feldenkrais. I would like to know more about this technique.
Thanks Deborah! I can’t remember all the process too vividly but as I am about to begin taking classes again I will keep the readers informed about what I am doing and how it feels. I do remember it is very gentle movement! Stay tuned! Barbara
Feldenkrais therapy is the most non-intrusive way through the CNS and myofascia to assist (along with cranio sacral therapy) in the pain management, the breathing techniques, the relaxation techniques, required for all over pain-breaking through trigger point muscles! In South Africa the movement is strong, even thoufg there is only 1 teacher. I am Head of FM SA NETWORK and in Holistic Private Practice – in remission with the help of Feldenkrais since its inception into SA 10 yrs ago, and practice this discipline as often as needed, abut refer all patients able to reach theapist along with Cranio Sacral therapy ( best is qualified therapist who has done UPLEDGER CS from England). Both work in tandem to bring emotional and physical relief to all FM sufferers.
Sounds very promising, Sharon. I begin my first class today after 22 years. Will keep the readers informed about how I am doing with it. Thanks for your comments! Best wishes, Barbara
Hi, I know this is an old post, but I was wondering if you could tell me more about your trapped nerve? I have been suffering from multiple trapped nerves for almost two years. The worst area is the tibiial nerve in my inner ankles, making walking more than a couple blogs very painful. I can’t drive or be on my feet for very long. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last May, but was also told that the multiple pinched nerves were seperate. I am just wondering if you think there is any correlation between your multiple conditions (trapped nerve, herniated disk, etc) and your fibro… I think mine may be seperate but the fibro excerbates the pain. I just have never spoken to anyone else with fibro and was hoping to reach out. Thank you!
Hi Katie: That is certainly an issue that has confused me for the past six or seven years when I developed this trapped nerve. The Dr recommended Neurontin for the pain in the leg and it did and does help (I take 100 mgs 3 times a day) with the baby dose. My hunch is that because of muscle weakness the support the body needs for is just not there and subsequently we often develop herniated disks and trapped nerves. I have had many therapists work on this leg but nothing happens and it does not subside permanently. The area is numb, about the size of a pancake and can be seen to be elevated. Most of the time though it is not as bad as it used to be. I had an orthopedic surgeon once tell me laughingly, that after 80 people do not usually develop trapped nerves !! So, I wondered if I had to wait till I was 80 (!!!) to have relief. Strange thing for a Dr to tell me. I don’t know if he was just trying to be funny or if it showed that Drs don’t really know what to do for them. I wish I had answers for you! Regards, Barbara
I am a woman with numerous chronic pain issues. I am also a recent Feldenkrais grad just embarking on working with people who have chronic pain and fibromyalgia, in a small, focused Awareness Through Movement class. As I look for input beyond my own personal experience, I have run across your blog and wonder how things turned out for you. Did you begin ATM again? How is it going relative to your pain and tension.
I have been associated with the Feldenkrais method for 3 decades and understand how it provides a new foundation for how I sense and use my body — meaning greater comfort, reduced stress, more subconscious intuitive movement modification and much less pain. But I would really appreciate hearing your experience as someone who did this long ago and came back to it. Is it posted somewhere else?
Thank you so much in advance, Carole
Hi Carole: I did begin Feldenkrais and I try also to do QiGong. It seems as though those of us with chronic pain issues like fibromyalgia need some kind of movement therapy on a daily basis and these gentle techniques are certainly the answer! Thanks for your comments! Barbara
Do you know if there is a Feldenkrais operating in Brisbane or surrounding suburbs
Could you please let me know if there is. Thank you for this interesting article. J
No Jacqueline, I’m afraid i don’t but you can easily look it up on the internet. Good luck, Barbara